John Thomson (footballer, born 1909)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | John Thomson | ||
| Date of birth | 28 January 1909 | ||
| Place of birth | Kirkcaldy, Scotland | ||
| Date of death | 5 September 1931 (aged 22) | ||
| Place of death | Glasgow, Scotland | ||
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1924–1925 | Bowhill Rovers | ||
| 1925–1927 | Wellesley Juniors | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1927–1931 | Celtic | 211 | (0) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 1928–1930 | Scottish League XI | 4 | (0) |
| 1930–1931 | Scotland | 4 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23 July 2008. ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 23 July 2008 |
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John Thomson (28 January 1909 – 5 September 1931) was a Scottish footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Celtic and the Scotland national football team. He died as a result of an accidental collision with Rangers player Sam English during an Old Firm match at Ibrox.
Thomson was born on 28 January 1909 in Kirkcaldy, to John and Jean Thomson. He grew up in the mining community of Cardenden in Fife, and was educated at Denend Primary School and Auchterderran Higher Grade School. By the time he reached High School he was already seen as a talented goalkeeper and was part of the Auchterderran school team that won the Lochgelly Times Cup.
At the age of 14, he became an oncost worker at Bowhill Colliery, where his father also worked. He worked 300 yards below the pithead surface, uncoupling the chain clips of the waggons that carried the coal up from the mine. During the 1924–25 season, Thomson played for Bowhill Rovers. The following season he moved to Wellesley Juniors, where his talent was spotted by the local press who predicted that he would become a very good goalkeeper in future.
Celtic manager Willie Maley sent his chief scout, Steve Callaghan, to watch the Denbeath Star goalkeeper but instead came back with a rave review about Thomson. After playing against Denbeath Star on 20 October 1926, Celtic signed, 17-year-old, Thomson for £10. On 5 February, Celtic beat Brechin City 6–3, Maley was concerned by the fact his first choice 'keeper, Peter Shevlin, had conceded three soft goals. He then decided to give, 18-year-old, Thomson a chance in the next game, which was against Dundee. He kept his place in the team after this match, and helped Celtic to finish second in the Scottish First Division. He also played in Celtic's 1927 Scottish Cup Final victory, as they beat East Fife 3–1. The following season, after an Old Firm match where Celtic played against their rivals Rangers at Ibrox Park. Thomson received widespread praise from the press following an "immense" performance. On 5 February 1930, Thomson was seriously injured in a game against Airdrieonians. He broke his jaw, fractured several ribs, damaged his collar bone, and lost two teeth when making a diving save. On 11 April 1931, Thomson won the second medal of his career as Celtic beat Motherwell 4–2 in the 1931 Scottish Cup Final. The first match had finished in a 2–2 draw and over 105,000 spectators watched the replay at Hampden Park.
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