Tommy McAteer had a brief but effective career for Celtic. It was often felt that Celtic could have done with him a great deal earlier, but he was a centre half and there was no way that he could ever have hoped to displace the great Willie Loney.
But then suddenly after McAteer had captained Clyde in all three games of the Scottish Cup final of 1910 which they eventually lost to Dundee, Maley brought him to Celtic as cover for the ageing and injury prone Loney.
McAteer was big, dominating, efficient but possibly lacking the sheer class that Loney possessed, but when Loney got injured in early 1911, Tommy was given a chance and played a great part in winning the Scottish Cup that year, the final being played at Ibrox against Hamilton Academical.
It was a poorish Celtic team, but they managed to win the Cup without losing a goal. The first final against Hamilton Accies was not great, and the replay was not much better until Quinn and then McAteer with a ferocious shot from well outside the box confirmed Celtic’s victory in what became known as the “final of the three Crojans” as it featured three men for Croy in Jimmy Quinn, Andy McAtee and Tommy McAteer.
It was as if he had been chosen for this job, for he seldom played for Celtic again, and returned to his job as a miner.
David Potter
Funeral Notice published in The Courier
POTTER, David. Suddenly, but peacefully, at Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, on Saturday, July 29, 2023, David William Potter, aged 74 years, beloved husband of Rosemary, much loved father of Alison, Susan and Andrew, dear father-in-law of David, Dougie and Hamish, also loving Grandie of Hannah, Callum, Katie, Michael, Euan and Anna. Service to be held at Old Kirk, Kirkcaldy, on Friday, August 18, 2023, at 1.30 p.m., to which all family and friends are respectfully invited. Family flowers only, please, but donations in lieu of flowers will be welcomed, for Bone Cancer Research Trust, if so desired.
