There are only three John Divers, three John Divers | OneFootball

Some names stand out in Celtic history as a recognition of that player’s performances. However, others are memorable because they have appeared more than once…

John Divers (the first one) Celtic FC. Photo The Celtic Wiki

John Divers (the second one), Celtic FC. Photo The Celtic Wiki

John Divers (the third one) Celtic FC. Photo The Celtic Wiki

One example has had three different men with the same title represent the Celts – not all connected by blood – and each with their own fascinating experiences.

This is the story of Celtic’s ‘hat trick’ of John Divers…

CELTIC’S JOHN DIVERS – THE FIRST ONE

John Divers (the first one) Celtic FC. Photo The Celtic Wiki

The first of these goes back to Celtic’s earliest days. John Divers, born 19 January 1874 in the Calton, was one of Celtic’s notable forwards in that era.

Raised in the East End at a time when organised football was still developing, Divers emerged as a talented attacker with Vale of Clyde, Benburb and Hibs before being signed by Celtic in 1893.

He established himself as a skilful inside‑forward, known for his close control. At times, this led him to face criticism. Willie Maley once said of him that “He’s an artist, I tell you. It’s a treat to watch him play. His only fault is, he’s too artistic at times. He does too much.”

Divers formed part of a dynamic forward line that helped Celtic secure major honours during the decade. His most significant achievement came in 1894, when he helped Celtic win the League Championship in 1893–94, marking the club’s second league title.

However, Divers’ Celtic career was not without controversy. In 1896, he was one of the Celts that refused to play unless the Celtic Park press box was cleared following previous newspaper criticism of the team.

By 1897, Divers had departed Glasgow, heading south to play for Everton. However, it was only a temporary parting. By 1898, he was back home wearing green-and-white stripes.

This second spell proved to be a successful time. He was part of the Celtic team that beat Rangers to claim the 1899 Scottish Cup – the last to be won at the second Hampden Park – and he helped the Bhoys retain their prize in 1900.

Divers earned one Scotland cap, appearing against Wales in 1895, a testament to his standing in the domestic game. However, Willie Maley always felt that his small stature stopped him gaining more international recognition.

By 1901, he was again on the move although this time it was a shorter journey. He went east and returned to one of his earlier clubs – Hibernian – and then retired in 1904.

After this, Divers spent some time as a trainer at Bohemians. Otherwise, he lived a quiet life away from the public eye. He died in March 1942, aged 68, in Glasgow.

While not as widely remembered as some later Celtic icons, his role in securing the club’s early honours makes him an important figure.

CELTIC’S JOHN DIVERS – THE SECOND ONE

Frank Murphy and John Divers. Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Image by Celtic Curio

Three decades after one John Divers left the club, another appeared. However, it appears there was no family link other than a name coincidence.

And, unlike his namesake, this second John Divers wore hoops rather than stripes with the club having changed strips in 1903.

This John Divers was born 6 August 1911 in Clydebank. He was one of Celtic’s most gifted inside lefts of the 1930s, remembered for his powerful shooting, and central role in the club’s success in the latter part of that decade.

He joined Celtic from Renfrew Juniors in December 1932, arriving with strong family ties to the club: his mother was Marjory Gallacher, sister of the legendary Patsy Gallacher.

John Divers (the second one), Celtic FC. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Although highly rated, Divers took time to settle. His early reserve team form was inconsistent and so he was placed on the transfer list. Willie Maley felt he did not take football seriously enough.

However, he soon improved and by April 1934 made his first team debut in a 2–1 league win over Clyde.

Divers’ breakthrough came in 1937, after Jimmy McGrory’s retirement reshaped the forward line. He developed into a tactically sharp inside forward and was even described as the “brains” of the Celtic team.

His finest season was 1937–38, when Celtic won the Scottish League Championship and then the Empire Exhibition Trophy. This helped the Celts have a very successful Golden Jubilee, celebrating 50 years since the club first played.

The Second World War interrupted his career. Divers scored the winner against Clyde in a League game on 2 September 1939. This turned out to be the Bhoys’ final national game until after the war ended.

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Divers played for Celtic in the wartime regional contests, and also had a brief spell at Morton at this time. He also worked long shifts in the Clydebank shipyards and often arrived at Celtic Park still in his overalls.

Divers left Celtic in 1945. His Celtic record stands at 197 appearances and 92 goals, a great return for a player whose best days were interrupted by war.

After moving on from Glasgow’s east end, he spent time at Morton and Oldham Athletic and in later years had spells as a coach and manager.

Celtic’s second John Divers died in Glasgow in 1984, remembered as a gifted footballer who helped the Celts celebrate some famous pre war successes.

John Divers (the third one) Celtic FC. Photo The Celtic Wiki

CELTIC’S JOHN DIVERS – THE THIRD ONE

The third John Divers to have worn green-and-white had a very clear Celtic family heritage. His father was the Bhoys’ second John Divers, and he was also the great-nephew of club legend Patsy Gallacher.

Like his father, he was born in Clydebank. This happened on 8 March 1940, amidst World War Two and significant danger; Clydebank was of course famous for the terrible bombing it suffered in 1941.

Celtic’s third John Divers was a prominent inside left in the late-1950s and early-1960s. He attended St Patrick’s High School in Dumbarton and first played for Glentyan Thistle, before signing for Celtic in July 1956 at just sixteen.

Divers made his first team debut on 16 November 1957. In a sign of what was to come, he scored in this game, a 2-2 draw with St Mirren.

John Divers (the third one) Celtic FC. Photo The Celtic Wiki

He was part of a group of talented youngsters that were trying to get into the Celtic team, with contemporaries including Charlie Gallagher.

A famous anecdote from his career came in August 1962, when Divers arrived for a match against Hearts having forgotten his boots.

He was dropped on the spot, and another youngster – Bobby Murdoch – was given his first-team chance. This was an accident that helped launch one of Celtic’s greatest careers.

Despite Celtic’s struggles, Divers’ personal record was impressive. Across 1957–1966, he scored over 100 goals in more than 230 competitive appearances. He also earned three Scottish League XI caps, scoring four goals.

After Jock Stein’s arrival in 1965, Divers’ opportunities diminished and by season 1966-67 – Celtic’s most famous campaign – he had moved on to Partick Thistle.

John Divers (the third one) is carried by John Hughes and Bobby Murdoch, Celtic FC training. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Before then, he did have one particular claim to fame. He scored the first goal of Celtic’s 1965-66 league season, part of a 4-0 win against Dundee United at Tannadice. This was the very first league goal of Celtic’s nine in a row league title run.

After leaving Celtic, he joined Partick Thistle but in front of him lay a very different life. Divers retired from senior football in 1969 and went on to a long career in teaching.

He died on 23 September 2014, aged 74, remembered as a gifted forward whose talent shone even in Celtic’s most difficult years.

The name John Divers will always have an important place in Celtic’s tapestry. Each of the three men with this title has played their own part in securing success for the men in green-white – whether that is in hoops or stripes.

Matthew Marr

If you want to learn more about Celtic history, you can buy a new book: Green, white and silverware by Matthew Marr. This tells the story of Celtic’s less well-known trophy wins and is released on 3 October. For pre-order information, click HERE.

Green, white and silverware by Matthew Marr