Match Pictures | Matches: 1944 – 1945
Trivia
- Celtic & World War Two
- On 9 May 1945 – on a celebratory public holiday – Celtic lined up against Queen’s Park at Hampden.
- Around 31,000 attended the game, despite limited transport. A large number of these were injured soldiers who were given free entry.
- The winning players were also given four War Savings Bonds.
Review
Hastily arranged charity game in afternoon of a public holiday. Carnival atmosphere with Red Cross in charge of hundreds of disabled soldiers admitted free.. Good game and Malky MacDonald has the rare experience of lifting a trophy!
Celtic went behind in the match; Arthur Dixon scored for Queen’s Park. However, Johnny Paton later equalised for the Celts. At full-time it finished 1-1. But Celtic won based on having had most corner kicks. The Bhoys only gained this corner in the last minute!
As a result of Celtic’s victory, they received the Victory in Europe Cup. This can still be seen at Celtic Park. The winning players were also given four War Savings Bonds.
The match was held in aid of charity and raised £2500 for good causes. This was yet another reason for big celebrations. And after Glasgow’s George Square victory party, 3 tonnes of empty bottles had to be cleared away!
The Bhoys didn’t win any national trophies from 1938-1951. In the 1940s, Celtic only won the Glasgow Cup (2), Charity Cup and Victory in Europe Cup. These gave small reason to cheer – but nothing compared to the importance of defeating Nazism.
Teams
Queen’s Park:
Hamilton, J McColl and Galbraith; I McColl, Whigham and Cross; Lister, McAuley, Harris, Dixon and Aitkenhead
Goals: Dixon
Celtic:
Miller, Hogg and P McDonald; Lynch, Mallan and McPhail; Paton, M MacDonald, Gallacher, Evans and McLaughlan
Goals: Paton
Referee: Can’t be found
Attendance: 28000 (or 31000)
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
- Match Pictures
Links
Articles