Brown, Willie

*Year of passing, confirmed by a relative

Biog

Local lad Willie Brown signed for Celtic from Parkhead Juniors in 1916 as a “crack inside-forward“.

He made just two starts for the Bhoys but had a good debut having scored Celtic’s goal in a 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock in October 1918. David Syme & James Price also debuted that day, but not one of the three went on to have a long-term career at Celtic.

He followed that debut appearance a week later but Celtic crashed 3-0 to Rangers at Parkhead, in what was to be his last and only other appearance for Celtic’s first team. Celtic were now 3pts behind Rangers (2pts for a win in those days), and so didn’t have the same leeway as before.

In fairness, Celtic had actually lost to Rangers 2-0 the week before his debut too, so can’t put the 3-0 defeat to Rangers in the league as being due to the inclusion of Willie Brown & David Syme (who also played).

Celtic however recovered and went on to regain the league title, so Willie Brown can be proud to have played a part in this. His goal on his debut in that draw with Kilmarnock won another point that helped to make a difference, as Celtic went on to win the league title by just the 1pt in season 1918/19.

After failing to win a regular starting spot he departed Celtic Park for Dundee at the end of the season.

He played for Lochgelly Utd (the ‘Happylanders‘) against Celtic in the Scottish Cup in Fife on 13 Jan 1923, but Celtic still triumphed 3-2 and went on to win the Scottish Cup that season, Celtic’s first Scottish Cup title in 9 years. The match v Lochgelly Utd is reputedly one of the first ever matches filmed.

However, Celtic was his love and he was even writing to the Celtic View in 1967. He was never away from Celtic Park in later life.

Sadly he passed away in 1972 from alzheimer’s disease. He is buried in Dalbeth Cemetry. His career memorabilia was donated to and is held in the Scottish Football Museum at Hampden Park, including on display is his Glasgow select jersey and cap v Ireland in 1917.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

Pictures

• Player Pics