The Mayhem That Was WWII Football – Celtic In The Second World War

The Celtic Star are set to add another book to its growing library this year, with the forthcoming publication of Celtic In The Second World War. You can read more about that project by clicking HERE and you can follow @celticww2 on Twitter for regular updates from author Liam Kelly.

One of the stories included in the book encapsulates the utter madness that enveloped Scottish football during WWII. The tale relates to the chaos surrounding a match between Celtic and Dumbarton in the Southern League in 1940.

Below is a preview of what is written:

Dumbarton were next on Celtic’s menu and although the Bhoys had enjoyed some good results against the Sons of the Rock in recent times, a trip to fatal Boghead was never easy. It had been announced that the War was costing Britain £11,000,000 a day, but a 3-2 victory in this match was priceless as far as Celtic supporters were concerned.

An astonishing tale, reported by the Daily Record, captured the mayhem that was WWII football. The article, published on 23 December 1940, stated:

“The Parkhead boys were due to leave Glasgow for Dumbarton by bus. At starting time, the bus contained Chairman Tom White, Directors Shaughnessy, Kelly and Devlin, Manager Jimmy McStay, and six players accompanied by Jimmy Delaney. Maybe in happier times Celtic would have been game to go to Boghead with half a team, but not with this season’s record behind them.

The bus started off. Going along Buchanan Street someone cried ‘There’s Waddell,’ and sure enough the centre half was striding it out. He was lugged aboard. At Clydebank Johnny Divers was standing at the pavement edge, and he was hauled into a seat. There was a suggestion that a call be made to Kilbowie Road to pick up Patsy Gallagher, but on the off-chance of Bobby Hogg and Chic Geatons appearing somewhere in the region on Renfrew Ferry, the order ‘straight ahead’ was given. Bobby and Chic were waiting, and at Boghead itself the chosen eleven was made complete – with the exception of young Conway.”

Conway had turned up, but only after the team had taken to the field with Gillan at inside left. Conway, who had to travel from Cardenden in Fife, had missed his train connection. Away from football, he was studying to be a schoolteacher and Jimmy McStay questioned if he would accept train-missing from his future pupils as an excuse for being late!

Dumbarton had a selection problem of their own when, at the last minute, they received a wire from Mathie, the Motherwell centre, that he could not get away from his Army duties to guest for them.

In the game itself, Celtic were fortunate and could thank Johnstone, Hogg and Paterson for their victory. Reports tell of clear signs that Geatons was not fit and was suffering from work-related fatigue. His resultant slack play meant that Dumbarton had opportunities, but goals from Crum, Gillan and Murphy for Celtic were enough to override first half strikes from Brown and Milne. Johnstone had actually been at fault for Brown’s goal as he stood appealing for offside when a ball was played over the top but didn’t realise that the player had been stood off the pitch. He was thus crucified by his teammates for allowing the Dumbarton forward to score. The keeper made amends though, as he saved former Rangers player Cheyne’s penalty in the second half. Johnstone was unable to hold the effort and Cheyne followed up with a shot at an acute angle, only for the Celtic stopper to leap into the air and punch the ball over the bar.

Back-to-back victories, in combination with Rangers losing three out of four games, saw Celtic gaining a little bit of confidence ahead of the big match. They would have to take care of Queen’s Park in another Glasgow Derby first though, which they did in emphatic style…

Keep an eye out for further updates on this site and on the @CelticWW2 Twitter page (link at top of this article). The book will hopefully be available before Christmas this year.