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		Fáilte - Banna ceoil Cheiltigh Ghlasgú is fearr ar domhan

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DID YOU KNOW?

Charlie & the Bhoys are the only band to have played the European and NACSC convention's in the same year. Benidorm (Spain) and Windsor (Canada) in 2006.

STORY - JOHN THOMSON

The year 1926 was a black one for Glasgow with great poverty and unemployment, and with general increase in social unrest following the 'Great War', things came to a head on 3 May 1926 when a dispute between the National Union of Mineworkers and the coal owners escalated into a General Strike.

On 6 May, riots broke out in Glasgow's East End and resulted in 66 persons being arrested, as windows were smashed and looting of shops and public houses took place, the culprits were met by baton charges from police and it became one of the darkest day's in the history of the city.

The football world, meanwhile, was distinctly brighter for the Celtic supporters, or at least those fortunate enough to afford the admission fee to Parkhead.

Celtic had unexpectedly regained the League Championship title after an absence of four years and were only deprived of Scottish Cup glory, and ultimately the double, by an inspired performance from St Mirren in the Final.

In the meantime Celtic were on the lookout for a new 'keeper. The chief scout, Steve Callaghan, was told by Mr Maley to go and see a goalkeeper who played for Denbeath. But, in the opposing goal was a young man, just brought in from the juveniles that day that caught his eye. After saving a late penalty he was approached and asked to sign for Celtic. That young man was John Thomson.

He then had to break the news to Willie Maley that he hadn't signed the 'keeper he was sent to see, but an unknown boy.

That didn't matter, he made his debut on 12 February 1927 against Dundee at Dens Park and had a brilliant game.

He did make one mistake in that game, conceding a soft goal. On the journey home, one of the directors, Tom Colgan, tried to console him about the slip-up, but was taken a back when the teenager gave a reply which was both frank and open.

"You'll not have to worry, sir. I have been taught never to make the same mistake twice."

It was a bright sunny afternoon when the 'Old Firm' League clash at Ibrox kicked-off on Saturday 5 September 1931, but the game was a rather dull affair.

Indeed, the first half would best be described as soulless and goalless, but its worth recalling a moment just before the interval when Rangers' new signing, Sam English, came into confrontation with John Thomson for the first time in the game.

A high ball from the right was swung into the area and both English and Thomson went for it. John cleared the danger and as an afterthought said to English, "Hard lines, young fellow."

Sadly, these were the only words the Rangers' forward would ever hear from John Thomson, for the next time they challenged for the ball the outcome would be fatal.

English was new to the team and had only come into the team that morning after passing a late fitness test. That was a cruel twist of fate for him.

The second half was only five minutes old when Rangers' Jimmy Fleming raced down the wing. His cross into the centre beat Jimmy McStay to put Sam English in the clear.

He stroked the ball ahead and bore in on goal. The ball ran a little ahead of him as he approached the penalty area and that was when John Thomson exploded into action.

As the Celtic goalkeeper threw himself at the ball, his head struck English's knee and as the ball was deflected past the post, he lay prone.

Sam English hobbled over to look at him and waved frantically for help. English's teammate that day, Bob McPhail, recalled the collision.

"I was just two yards away. John's head struck Sam's left knee and both players went down. Sam told me later that he had felt no pain in his knee, but for several days after the incident you could see clearly teeth marks on the fleshy part close to his kneecap.

As John Thomson lay still with blood pouring from his head, Celtic's trainer Quinn raced on to the park to bandage his head, and a stretcher was called for.

Manager Willie Maley and John's brother, Jim, left their seats in the stand and rushed to the dressing room. There, John Thomson was examined by Dr Kivlichan, himself a former Celtic and Rangers player, and Dr Gillespie, and thereafter he was transferred to the Victoria Infirmary.

The injury was diagnosed as a depressed fracture of the skull and concussion. John's parents were brought swiftly from Fife, but later that night at around 9.25pm he died without regaining consciousness.

The whole football public grieved and thousands showed their abundant love for the 'Prince of Goalkeepers' by journeying the many miles to Bowhill Cemetery.

On the day of the funeral, there was an estimated 30,000 people in the little mining town to pay their last respects. Mourners had travelled by train, bus and car, and many unemployed men walked the 55 miles from Glasgow.

It was a deeply emotional day, as every man, woman and child for miles around came to Cardenden to pay a simple tribute.

The following Saturday there was a touching scene before the Celtic v Queens Park game at Parkhead. The players stood silent and the goal was left empty for two minutes whilst the 'Last Post' was sounded.

The first anniversary of Johnny Thomson's tragic death saw a framed portrait of him unveiled in the pavilion at Celtic Park, and 'J.C.' of the Glasgow Observer wrote this memorial tribute:

In the heart of a shamrock he stands,
The laddie with magical hands, 
We can never forget,
We still think of him yet -
Why he died only God understands, 
He was proud of Celtic's jersey to don,
Our swift-footed, sure-handed john;
With his slim boyish grace,
Time can never efface,
The memory of him who is gone.

MORE STORIES:	Meeting Albert Kidd \| Brother Walfrid \| Irish Flag Flutter \| Jock Stein
	Johnny Doyle \| John Lennon \| John Thomson \| Willie Maley