“I know it’s about Manchester City and you may not want to see this but it’d be worth watching from a Celtic point of view as I talk about the importance of Tom Maley to the story,” Dr Gary James tweeted several Celtic accounts this morning including Celtic Graves, The Celtic Wiki and Early Celts.
Tom is perhaps understandably regarded by Celtic Supporters as “the other Maley”.
“Tom Maley was recommended by family friend Pat Welsh to the founding fathers of the fledgling Celtic Football Club. A renowned Victorian footballer and a trained teacher, Tom was seen as an ideal candidate to help kick-start this noble new venture and so it was that on a December night in 1887 John Glass and Brother Walfrid set out to the Maley home in Cathcart with the aim of making Thomas Maley one of their first signings for the newly born club.
“Famously Tom would not be at home that evening when John Glass and Brother Walfrid came calling. He was engaged in a courting of another kind, enjoying an evening out in the company of his wife to be. But the Celtic party ensured their trip wasn’t wasted by recruiting his younger brother Willie Maley – a move which of course had massive repercussions on the development and success of the club for decades to come.
“Although his own role would be less celebrated than that of his brother, there can be no doubt that Tom too would play a pivotal part in the incredible growth and rapid success of Celtic Football Club.
“Having joined his brother at Parkhead, the pair lined up for the club’s inaugural game against Rangers on May 28th 1888 at the original Celtic Park. Although accounts of that game are not conclusive it is believed Tom scored three goals in that 5-2 victory. He would later play in the club’s first ever Scottish Cup tie when the Bhoys defeated Cowlairs 8-0 and hit six goals as the Bhoys reached the final in their first season,” the Celtic Wiki notes.
But this video is about Tom Maley’s time at Man City and his role in winning their first trophy so here is the video…
