The John Thomson tribute means something special and personal to me and he is the subject of my first of my two tributes to remembering David Potter on the first anniversary of his passing…
Although I had never met David Potter I had conversed with him a few times through The Celtic Star and of course had bought some of his many books. His knowledge of all things Celtic was immense and his writing superb.
How lucky are we to have had men like David, they know so much about Celtic history, teams and players of the past, bringing them out of the shadows of the past and into the modern day-light. Celtic authors and historians must put in the hard hours to research our club’s great history, seeking out the facts of the past to accomplish accuracy with all their writings. Once finished their writings and books are always out in the public domain, keeping their names to the forefront of Celtic history.
David Potter published so many excellent books and was so generous with his advice and time, modest and approachable and Celtic through and through. There were two players of the past in particular that featured large in his writings, two iconic Celtic players, John Thomson and Jimmy (Napoleon) McMenemy.
Living in Kirkcaldy he kept John Thomson’s memory close to him, he walked his dog daily past the door where John Thomson was born, 74 Balfour Street.
Seldom has a Celtic player touched the hearts of the Celtic support in the way John Thomson has. It was because he made the ultimate sacrifice, giving up his life for the club that he loved playing for. His modesty, charm and calm demeanour, allied to his quiet courage in keeping goal for Celtic F.C. his graceful athleticism all of this endeared him to the Celtic support.
The number of Celtic supporters who travelled through to witness his funeral and who walked the 55 miles to Bowhill Cemetry in Cardenden is acknowledgement of their feelings for the “Prince Of Goalkeepers”. To this day Celtic supporters still visit his grave keeping his memory alive, leaving flowers and tributes to John.
I too made my first visit to Bowhill Cemetery in the mid 1950s, I remember as a child lifting a small stone, putting it in my pocket as a small keepsake of my visit, as we travelled through to Kirkcaldy to visit Great Uncle Dan.
As we get ever nearer to John Thomsons 100-year anniversary, I want to pay tribute to the John Thomson Memorial Committee, who work tirelessly to keep John’s name to the fore, who organise young lads’ football tournaments in Fife, what sterling work they do.
Also, to the Celtic Graves Society, by working hard to seek out the last resting place of our Celtic heroes of the past.
On John Thomson’s memorial stone, funded and erected by public subscriptions from frends and admirers the World over, it also records some poignant words.
“Honest and upright he played the game,
Beloved and Respected he made his name.”
David Potter would have liked the John Thomson tribute, for it includes a pair of cuff-links gifted by John to one of his friends along with a letter of provenance from John’s great niece, I have blanked out her name and address to respect her privacy.
Also the gold medal that John won playing for Scotland select verses Anglo Scots at Saint James Park in Newcastle, it features Robert Burns in the front and awarded to John Thomson on the reverse. As many of you will know David Potter was a great admirer of Robert Burns poetry.
The record is the 1931 tribute song to John Thomson, “The Laddie Frae Cardenden”, composed by Alexander MacGregor and sung by Douglas Robb.
John Thomson – Born 28-01-1909 – Died 5-09- 1931.
“They never die who live in the hearts they leave behind”.
God rest both John Thomson and David Potter.
A Celtic Star reader
