John Thompson (1909 - 1931) - The Prince of Goalkeepers
The ageing and faded black and white photographs offer a fleeting glimpse of the swashbuckling young man who was Celtic finest ever goalkeeper and fated to become a legend at the tender age of just 22. Eighty years after his passing he still commands a unique place in the affections of every Celtic supporter and at Celtic park he will never be forgotten. To this day whenever Celtic play in Fife there are those who visit his memorial to lay a wreath and pay their respects to this unique footballing legend
Young John Thompson hailed from the small mining community of Cardenden in West Fife and was a quiet lad with an unshakeable belief in his abilities as a goalkeeper. His bravery on the field of play became a major concern to his mother, who it is said had premonitions of his early death, and is also one of the reasons why the legendary Arsenal manager Herbert Chapman remarked that John was undoubtedly the finest goalkeeper in the world
John made his debut for the famous old team in green and white hoops at the age of 18 against Dundee in 1927 and shortly after became the natural choice as first team goalkeeper. On the field he would dive at the feet of opposing strikers with seemingly little concern for his own safety and in the air he was renowned for his ability to twist and turn to catch deflected and curving balls with ease. The great Celtic manager of that era, Willie Maley, described John in action:
Never was there a 'keeper who caught and held the fastest shots with such grace and ease. In all he did there was balance and beauty of movement wonderful to watch
In his short career John helped Celtic to two Scottish Cup triumphs and was capped four times for Scotland. In a match against Airdrie in 1930 he was very badly injured and sustained a fractured collar bone, a broken jaw, broken ribs and two lost teeth. His bravery was honourable, albeit reckless, and his commitment to the Celtic cause was beyond reproach. This incident was an omen for an upcoming tragedy which would stun the footballing world and send Celtic supporters the world over into mourning and leave them with a sense of loss which would leave a sadness in their hearts that time could never heal
On the fateful day of September 5 1931 John was between the sticks as Celtic played out a dour game against Rangers at Ibrox park. Five minutes into the second half John dived straight at the feet of the incoming Rangers forward Sam English and his head collided with the Rangers striker's knee with such force that it left him paralysed on the pitch. There were gasps from the huge crowd but there was also a solitary piercing scream of a woman's voice which rang out from the stand. The scream was said to have come from John's fiance Margaret Finlay
John was rushed to Glasgow's Victoria Infirmary and a surgeon tried in vain to save him but the two inch depression in his skull meant his brain could not survive the pressure and he faded away quietly at 9.25 PM that evening. John was laid to rest in Cardenden on the following Wednesday and the people came in their thousands, so great was their grief
Two special trains left Glasgow Queen Street on the day carrying those who could afford the fare while many walked the 55 miles from Glasgow to Cardenden in the days preceding the funeral. Some even spent the night sleeping on coal bings to break the arduous journey. There were between 30,000 and 40,000 in Cardenden on the day of the funeral
A heartfelt tribute paid by Celtic manager Willie Maley on the day can best summarised in the following sentiment:
They never die who live in the hearts of those they leave behind
To this day every true Celtic supporter can recite the words of the famous song which is sung in remembrance of the great Johnny Thompson
The John Thompson Song
A young lad named John Thomson from the West of Fife he came,
To play for Glasgow Celtic and to make himself a name
On the fifth day of September 'gainst the Rangers club he played
And from defeat he saved the Celtic, ah but what a price he paid
The ball comes down the centre but John runs out and dives
The ball rolls by, with John lying still, for his club this hero died
I took a trip to Parkhead, to the dear old Paradise
And as the players came out, sure the tears fell from my eyes
For a famous face was missing, from the green and white brigade
And they told me Johnny Thomson, his last game he had played
Farewell my darling Johnny, prince of players we must part
No more we'll stand and cheer you, on the slopes of Celtic Park
Now the fans they all are silent as they travel near and far
No more they'll cheer John Thomson that bright and shining star
So come on you Glasgow Celtic stand up and play the game
For in your goal a spirit stands, Johnny Thomson is his name
Farewell my darling Johnny, prince of players we must part
No more we'll stand and cheer you, on the slopes of Celtic Park
No more we'll stand and cheer you, on the slopes of Celtic Park
