The last photograph taken of John Thomson, Celtic’s Prince of Goalkeepers | OneFootball

Was this the last photograph taken of John Thomson, Celtic’s Prince of Goalkeepers?

In recent months, I have shared some incredible photographs from the collection of the great-grandson of former Celtic and Scotland trainer Will Quinn. Today I end with the most chilling of those images, on the anniversary of the day on which it was taken, all of 94 years ago.

On the fifth day of September 1931, Celtic goalkeeper John Thomson lost his life after saving a certain goal at the feet of Rangers’ Irish centre-forward Sam English.

The events have been heavily chronicled, and dozens of photographs scrutinised, but I have to confess to never seeing this image before. It shows a bandaged John heading down the Ibrox tunnel, from where he would be taken to Glasgow’s Victoria infirmary. He is accompanied by Will Quinn, seen here on the extreme left of the photo as the ambulancemen care for John, whose life would end around 9.30 that evening.

John Thomson

He was just 22 years old with the world, quite literally, in his hands. To this day, almost a century later, his death is mourned and pilgrimages made to his grave in Cardenden by supporters born many years after this tragedy.

Here is my brief take on the events of that afternoon, from Celtic in the Thirties, Volume One.

Saturday, 5 September 1931 is a date which still sends a chill through the heart of everyone with Celtic blood flowing through their veins. It was derby day in Scotland, with local rivals meeting all over the country, but the main focus was on events at Ibrox, where 80,000 spectators were due to see which of the expected title contenders would prevail. Celtic’s recent record in the fixture was poor, only one win in the previous six meetings, that 2-0 victory at Celtic Park 12 months earlier, however their current form was better, enough to divide opinion in the media as to which side would start favourites.

02.08.1931 imago/ColorsportJohn Thomson – Celtic.

The early team news seemed to favour Celtic, with Willie Cook and Charlie Napier fit to return, enabling Willie Maley to field his strongest eleven. Over at Ibrox, Rangers top scorer Sam English had been deemed unfit to play on the morning of the match according to The Glasgow Herald, who listed Jimmy Smith at centre-forward. How significant that ultimately inaccurate comment would prove to be. English had scored 12 goals in his first six games for Rangers and had never failed to hit the target in any of those but now he would now come up against Scotland’s greatest goalkeeper, Celtic’s young prince John Thomson, for the first time. The world for both men was about to change, with devastating consequences.

The teams lined up as follows on this fateful afternoon.

A drab first half provided no goals and little excitement for the huge crowd, neither keeper really tested before Charlie Napier forced first-season Ibrox custodian James Dawson – known as ‘Jerry’ after the Burnley and England goalkeeper of the same name, who had faced Celtic in the infamous Budapest Cup matches in 1914 – into two saves 10 minutes before the break. The hosts then threatened Celtic’s goal, but John Thomson would not be beaten, Sam English later recalling in his biography Tortured what would be his only interaction with the man with whom he would be forever associated for the saddest of reasons.

John Thomson, Image by Celtic Curio

“All through the first half I don’t remember having a single shot at goal. Most of the time I was out on the wings trying to take centre-half Jimmy McStay for a walk. But Jimmy was having none of it. He had the rare knack of never seeming to be more than six or seven yards away yet always lying handy to guard the middle of the field and the way to goal.

I had one chance – a high cross well out, near the 18-yard line. I jumped for it but John Thomson – just over an inch taller than me – coolly lifted the ball off my head.

“Hard lines, young fellow,” he said.

These were the first and only words we ever shared.”

Press cutting

The moment which cost our young goalkeeper his life occurred five minutes into the second half. Chasing a through ball, English bore down on the Celtic goal towards the Copland Road end of the stadium. The fearless Thomson rushed out to dive at his feet and thwart his scoring attempt. He did so, but only after a sickening collision between English’s knee and John’s head left the young Fifer sprawling in the turf, one arm raised and blood pouring from his wound.

An extract from Celtic in the Thirties, Volume One.

“They never die who live in the hearts of those they leave behind.”

God bless you, John.

John Thomson’s grave on the day of David Potter’s funeral

Matt Corr

Celtic in the Eighties – Out Now! In Celtic shops on Friday…

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, out now!

Celtic in the Eighties by the late, great David Potter is officially published today Friday 5 September by Celtic Star Books. All pre-ordered copies have been signed by Celtic legend Danny McGrain who has also written the foreword for David Potter’s final book.

These copies have now been posted to everyone who has pre-ordered with copies being send all over the world. It’s been an incredible response, so thank you to each and every one of you who will be receiving your signed book shorty.

Celtic in the Eighties will be available in the Celtic superstore and all other club shops from today. And don’t forget that you can still purchase your copy directly from Celticstarbooks.com for same day postage.

Order Celtic in the Eighties today, you’ll be glad you did, it’s a fabulous read!

OUT NOW! Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Foreword by Danny McGrain. Published on Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order.

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