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Player, coach and caretaker manager
Fullname: Francis Connor
aka: Frank Connor
Born: 13 February 1936
Died: 3 March 2022
Birthplace: Blantyre, South Lanarkshire
Height: 5ft 8″
Signed (as player): 4 Jan 1960 (trial); 19 Mar 1960 (full)
Left (as player): 1 May 1962 (free); Portadown (May 1962)
Position: Goalkeeper
Debut: Partick Thistle 2-3 Celtic, League Cup, 12 Aug 1961
Internationals: none
Coach: 17 Sep 1977 – 6 Nov 1980
Coach-Assistant Manager: 4 July 1983 – 2 Feb 1986 (dismissed)
Coach (3rd spell): 10 June 1993 – 1994
Caretaker Manager: 8-26 Oct 1993
Biog – As a Player
Blantyre-born Frank Connor is best remembered as a Celtic coach but his career with the Bhoys started as a goalkeeper.
After making a name for himself at junior level he signed for the Hoops in March 1960 after several trials at senior clubs.
His first team debut came in a 3-2 League Cup victory at Partick Thistle in August 1961 but at only 5ft 8″, Frank Connor was regarded as being just too small to be a top keeper (although it didn’t stop the legendary Charlie Shaw from being a success).
He made a total of 8 appearances for Celtic – mostly in the League Cup – before moving to Portadown in May 1962.
His entire playing career at Celtic was during the dim days of the long barren years where Celtic achieved next to nothing with no major trophies from 1958 until 1964 (inc). No easy environment for any young aspiring player.
He only managed a single shut-out in goals for Celtic, a 1-0 victory over Third Lanark in his last match, so didn’t help his case. He had conceded 13 goals.
He later enjoyed a successful spell at Derry City, before playing for Portadown. He briefly returned to Scotland to join St Mirren before returning to Ireland to join Derry City with whom he won an Irish League Medal in 1965
He returned to Scotland as player/coach for Albion Rovers and then as player/manager for Alloa and Cowdenbeath.
As Coach
After managing Cowdenbeath, Frank Connor returned to Celtic Park and went on to play a prominent coaching role at Celtic during three spells with the club between the late 1970s and the early 1990s.
He arrived back at Celtic Park at the start of the 1978-79 season to take charge of coaching the Reserves. He is reported to have had a good role in the development of Charlie Nicholas, Pat Bonner, Halpin, and Peter Mackie.
Mark Reid said of him that he was “one of the best motivators of young players there is“.
He was asked to leave by manager Davie Hay after consultation with the Board on 2nd February 1986, Hay apparently making the decision that Frank Connor’s role was superfluous. Davie Hay, with the Board’s approval sacked Frank Connor who had been his assistant and first team coach since his arrival. Hay felt that there was little coming from Frank Connor’s involvement with the first team and from 2nd February 1986 Hay ran the first team by himself. This presented a few problems.
As Tom Campbell and Pat Woods noted in “Dreams, and Songs to Sing“, Danny McGrain stated that a knee injury prevented Hay from personally conducting and taking a full part in training sessions. It therefore seems odd that Hay fired Frank Connor.
He went on to manage Raith Rovers, but moved to Hearts in 1990 to be Joe Jordan’s first team coach/assistant manager (Joe Jordan was the then manager of Hearts).
Frank Connor was brought back to Celtic in the 1993/94 season by Liam Brady as part of the package when Joe Jordan was recruited to Celtic as Brady’s Assistant Manager. He was again credited as being a great motivator for young players, and in the difficult years of the early 1990’s for Celtic, that was a very important talent to have.
As Caretaker Manager
| “My philosophy was try and leave something a bit better than it was when you first arrived.” Frank Connor |
It was during the days of the turmoil from all the efforts to ‘Sack the Board’ (the Celtic Takeover days), that Frank Connor was given a difficult lifeline. Following Liam Brady’s departure as manager (and then his assistant manager Joe Jordan along with him), Frank Connor was given the impossible Caretaker manager position for a demoralised Celtic team. This was an opportunity that many Celtic men could only dream of, but in this case it really was in an unwanted environment.
Frank Connor was to be unceremoniously put in charge as the manager of the first team, which covered two league matches (one victory, one draw) and a European tie first leg (won 1-0 v Sporting Lisbon) in the interval between Liam Brady & Joe Jordan’s departure and Lou Macari’s appointment.
He then went on to manage the team to face Rangers (in a 2-1 victory) three days after Macari’s arrival. So Frank Connor can claim to have an unbeaten record in charge of the team. Unbeaten at home, in Europe and against Rangers. We all dream of having as good a record as Celtic manager (albeit for a longer stretch).
That brief summary is the standard you’ll read on his time in various reports, but it very much understates his performance and achievement in the short time he was in charge. The first team was a shambles and a bit of a laughing stock, with Liam Brady having ended his time leaving behind a mess which few if anyone wanted to take over.
Frank Connor rallied the players together and was the inspiration for a short spell which to everyone’s surprise was to be a purple patch amongst all of the gloom of that era in the early 1990s.
In his short time, he managed the First XI to be unbeaten domestically in the league, and (at the time unfathomable to the team’s critics) he coached the First XI to win a game against good European opposition. This was a time when victories by the Celtic first team against European sides in the major competitions were very rare.
He actually had an instant impact in his interim role, with Celtic’s 2-1 victory over Dundee in the league incredibly being Celtic’s first league victory at home that season (9th October 1993), a further sign to just how poor Celtic had been.
The game against Rangers (Lou Macari’s first as manager) was really Frank Connor’s last as caretaker manager, with Lou Macari allowing Frank Connor to dictate on the day. A wonderful victory against Rangers at Ibrox with a 2-1 win away was a great way to cap off his short reign. There was some good football too. A well deserved mark for his efforts, and he deserves greater recognition for what he helped achieve.
The players are said to have wanted him to become the new permanent manager (many of whom knew him very well having worked under him with the junior and reserve sides), and Peter Grant expressed their faith in him wonderfully:
“We would say ‘Give him the job now’. We all regard him as the boss, and treat him as such. He would make you play during the night for him. Frank has kicked a few backsides around here and we will give our blood, sweat and tears for him.”
However, he was likely not the right choice for the full manager’s job but better as a coach. He didn’t have the management experience from another large club or a big name to assist him in case things were to change negatively. He took on his next role, returning as assistant manager, with no ails. As he later said:
“Deep down I didn’t think I’d ever get the job. Sometimes I think ‘what if?’ but I’m not bitter about anything.”
Despite that, many of the fans who were there through that time will always wish him well for the effort he put in during that difficult period of transition. Sadly, in time things went back to normal and actually got worse under the next incumbent (Lou Macari) who had begun to marginalise Frank Connor in preference for his own men, but Frank Connor’s brief spell helped to put a smile back on our faces for a wee while at least. The support will always respect him for that.
Frank Connor had served Celtic in four different capacities in four different eras, and always left his mark, serving the club to his fullest ability. For all that the Celtic support couldn’t have asked for more, and he will always be fondly remembered.
He sadly passed away at the age of 86 after a long life in March 2022.
Quotes
“My philosophy was try and leave something a bit better than it was when you first arrived.”
Frank Connor (2015)
“We would say ‘Give him the job now.’ We all regard him as the boss, and treat him as such. He would make you play during the night for him. Frank has kicked a few backsides around here and we will give our blood, sweat and tears for him.”
Peter Grant (19 Oct 1993)
“According to Mark McGhee, Frank [Connor] is no stranger to what [journalist] Kevin McCarra calls gnomic utterances; ‘We allow laughing and joking but we’ll have no joviality’.”
From “An Alphabet of the Celts”
“If anyone is looking for an ugly wee man who shouts more than anyone else in Scottish football, I’m there for them.”
Frank Connor
“I was manager of Celtic for just four weeks but it was magnificent.”
Frank Connor (2010)
“Frank Connor got the best out of me, as he was always trying to break my jaw if I made a mistake.”
Paul Byrne (2013)
“Still going strong, loved all the pictures, newspaper clips and articles iv shown him. Absolutely loved it mate was clearly written with warm regards, can’t thank you enough.”
Martin Richardson (Frank Connor’s son) commenting on Frank Connor and his TheCelticWiki biog (2018) https://twitter.com/richy0154/status/1068621903798112264
“When he was Manager at Raith Rovers, they had to reroute queue for the half time pies, lest punters would hear Frank’s pungent, trenchant and earthy comments delivered at full volume to his players on how they had performed in the first half!”
Celtic historian David Potter (2022)
“100% him! Can mind going to a Celtic youth cup final with him, he was nearly the first person to get a red card from the stand he was roaring at the ref that much”
Martin Richardson (Frank Connor’s son) commenting on Frank Connor
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 1960-62 | 2 | – | 6 | – | 8 |
| Shut-outs | 1 | – | 0 | – | 1 (12.5%) |
Honours with Celtic as a player
Frank Connor’s Record as Caretaker Manager
| OCT | ||||||||
| 9th |
Premier Division |
Celtic |
2 |
1 |
Dundee |
Report | Pictures | |
| 16th |
Premier Division |
Hibernian |
1 |
1 |
Celtic |
Report | Pictures | |
| 20th |
UEFA Cup |
Celtic |
1 |
0 |
Sporting Lisbon |
Report | Pictures | 1st Leg |
| 30th |
Premier Division |
Rangers |
1 |
2 |
Celtic |
Report | Pictures |
Managerial Record (as Caretaker Manager)
| RECORD | WON | DRAWN | LOST | FOR | AGAINST |
| 1993 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 |
Pictures
Forum
Articles
Neil Lennon would be fired up if Celtic don’t choose him as boss, says Frank Connor
Daily Record
May 23 2010 Gavin Berry, Sunday Mail
FRANK CONNOR restored the battered pride of Celtic’s dressing-room back in 1993 – only to be overlooked when the Hoops named their new boss.
However, the 74-year-old insists he will always cherish his four weeks at the helm.
And the former Parkhead coach reckons interim gaffer Neil Lennon will feel exactly the same if he misses out on the top job.
Connor helped repair the damage of the Liam Brady era with an unbeaten run that included a 2-1 Old Firm win at Ibrox.
Lou Macari was in the dugout that day after being named gaffer but Connor picked the team and was credited with the victory.
Lennon has also been forced to pick up the pieces after Tony Mowbray’s ill-fated reign.
And the players are backing the Irishman for the job after he won eight SPL games on the spin.
Connor knows how much it will hurt Lennon if Celtic opt for a more experienced manager.
But he’s sure the 38-year-old would recover and look back on his brief spell as boss with pride.
Connor said: “If Neil doesn’t get the job it will spur him on. Being overlooked would give him fire in his belly to bounce back.
“I was manager of Celtic for just four weeks but it was magnificent.
“So, whatever happens, Neil can look back on his time in charge and cherish it forever.
“If Neil doesn’t get the job he might be a bit sore and that’s only natural. But he can look back with pride on his time in charge – apart from the Ross County blip.
“I took over at Celtic in similar circumstances. But I had been at Parkhead for a long time and had held a lot of positions.
“Neil had to take the chance when it came to him. And if the club are going to go for a younger manager then he’s entitled to the job.
“He would need to get a good assistant who has been through the mill and still has the desire – like Craig Brown and Archie Knox at Motherwell.
“Mowbray was relatively inexperienced and look at what happened to him. What people forget about the Old Firm is they are massive jobs.
“Look at the players who were good elsewhere but failed at both clubs. They just couldn’t handle it.
“I can’t understand the time it has taken Celtic to appoint a boss.
“I’d love to tell you what I think they will do but they’re impossible to second guess these days.”
Connor isn’t bitter at losing out to Macari for the Celtic job but does have one big regret.
He said: “I didn’t get the chance to manage the team in the UEFA Cup against Sporting Lisbon.
“Lou was in charge by then and we lost 2-0 in Portugal to crash out 2-1 on aggregate.
“I had enough experience to be manager of Celtic. I had been brought up under Jock Stein.
“I had a good apprenticeship and knew what was right and wrong.
People have said I was too hard on myself and I suppose looking back I could have kept the job until the end of the season.
“But Celtic needed a big name at the top. A massive club needs someone with charisma.
“Tam McAdam was reserve coach at the time and joined me in taking the first team. We beat Dundee 2-1 in our first match but lost a goal early in that game.
“I turned to Tam and said: ‘I hope you’re wearing a bullet-proof vest’.
“Deep down I didn’t think I’d ever get the job. Sometimes I think ‘what if?’ but I’m not bitter about anything.”
Frank Connor leaving to be manager of Berwick Rangers.
A frank Connor knows the score with Celtic
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12714744.A_frank_Connor_knows_the_score_with_Celtic/
22 Oct 1993
DESPITE an unbeaten record as Celtic’s caretaker manager, 100% backing from the dressing room, and an unquestionable dedication to the club, Frank Connor insisted yesterday that the new man, presumably Lou Macari, will have every right to make his own judgment about staff, even if that means an exit for himself.
”If I was going to a club, I would expect that myself,” he said.
”He will want to look at it closely and make up his own mind what he wants to do.”
Connor has had no assurances from the Celtic board that his position, either as reserve team coach or any other role, is secure, and nor would he expect one.
”Obviously, I want to be involved in the game at the highest level and would dearly love to be part of the Celtic set-up. But I am also realistic and I know what could happen.”
Connor was asked to look after the side after first Liam Brady, and then Joe Jordan resigned. He has been in charge for three games, a win over Dundee — the club’s first league win of the season at Parkhead, a draw with premier division leaders Hibs at Easter Road, and a 1-0 victory over Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Cup at home on Wednesday night.
It might all have happened anyway, but he is entitled to be given credit for engineering a decent hat trick in what cannot have been the easiest of circumstances, with constant speculation about the next manager, and boardroom power struggles.
The fact that he has been a long time in the business has been a vital asset in Connor’s situation. He had two spells as a player at Parkhead and this is his second stint in the management department — he was assistant to David Hay. Connor said that he had been encouraged by the board to keep working as he has always done and when the time comes, they will speak to him.
In the end his future will depend on Macari, who began talks with Celtic yesterday, but who may not be installed for a few days yet.
Connor does not know the former Celtic man well, but pointed out that that did not hinder Jock Wallace and Joe Jordan appointing him as their assistants with Motherwell and Hearts respectively.
”I don’t really want to talk in depth about my position,” said Connor. ”I have managed up to now to stay involved in the game and I’d like to think I will carry on that way.
”You do what you’ve got to do and people judge you. I will take it from there.”
Rangers’ leader Walter Smith enjoyed a couple of bonuses of his own this week with the return to action of John Brown after lengthy injury and the continuing progress towards match fitness of striker Ally McCoist. Brown will not be a starter for the League Cup final against Hibs on Sunday at Parkhead, but McCoist will be very much a key figure.
Frank Connor latest name to be added to Raith Hall of Fame
Paul McCabePublished: 08:40 Thursday 11 June 2015
https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/sport/football/raith-rovers/frank-connor-latest-name-to-be-added-to-raith-hall-of-fame-1-3798595Former Raith Rovers boss Frank Connor is to be inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame this year.
He is the second name selected by the public vote after David McGurn, and will also be joined by the committee’s first pick, Joe Baker.Frank Connor with Tom Houston at the first Raith Hall of Fame event in 2012.
Speaking to the Press the 79-year-old said to be nominated by the Raith Rovers support was “something special”.
“I can’t believe it,” he said. “I loved every minute of my time at Raith Rovers and I had a great camaraderie with the supporters.”
Connor took over the hot seat at Stark’s Park in 1986 having been sacked as assistant manager to Davie Hay at Celtic.
“I was on a low after Celtic and I was ready for Raith Rovers.
My philosophy was try and leave something a bit better than it was when you first arrived Frank Connor
“I remember when I went in for the interview.
“When you’ve been up at the top like I had you want to get back there so I looked them in the eye in the boardroom and said I don’t know how I’m going to get there but I’m going back to the Premier league if you want to come with me, I’m your man!”
Connor didn’t quite make it to the Premier League with Rovers but set the foundations for the latter successful years under Jimmy Nicholl, who he signed as a player.
“My philosophy was try and leave something a bit better than it was when you first arrived.
“When I came to Rovers they were in the second division but I got lucky, we brought in some great experienced guys like Hamish McAlpine, big Bobby Glennie and Cammy Fraser who was different class.
‘They worked well with the young local guys at the club.
“I enjoyed my time at Kirkcaldy every bit as much as I did at Celtic.’’
Frank can’t wait for Hall of Fame
Frank Connor said the Hall of Fame night will be an emotional experience for himself and his family.
“Never in a million years would I have imagined that I’d be inducted,” he said.
“I was just doing my job to the best of my ability. This will be a really special thing for me and for the supporters to have voted me into the Hall of Fame is something else.
“Looking back I think it was fate. I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t gone to Raith Rovers.
“I loved it because Kirkcaldy was me. It’ll be a great night.”
A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS
Posted by St Anthony | Oct 20, 2019 | Season 2019-2020 | 0 |
Question: Name two men who have been employed by Celtic at four different times in their life in different capacities?
Answer: One is John Clark (player 1959-1971, reserve coach 1973-1977, assistant manager 1978-1983, kit man 1997 onwards). The other is Frank Connor.
Connor’s playing career at Celtic is not so well known. He played eight games in the 1961-1962 season before being handed a free transfer at the end of that campaign and it’s rather surprising to note that he stood five foot and eight inches, which is regarded as being a bit on the small side for a goalkeeper. This was a turbulent period in Celtic’s history and there was a high turnover of players at that time.
When John Clark left his role as Celtic’s reserve team manager in 1977 to become Billy McNeill’s assistant at Aberdeen, Frank Connor was Jock Stein’s surprise choice as the new reserve manager. He was to be highly regarded by all at Celtic Park for the three years that he performed in that role. Very much a Celtic man, Frank instilled in the hopeful youngsters the pride that every Celtic player should have in wearing that renowned green and white jersey. He was also said to be good when dealing with the first team players who may have been out of form or returning from injury and who may have been looking to have their confidence boosted.
As with most things it took Frank a while to stamp his own authority on his young charges. There was one particularly bad result in 1978 when Celtic lost 7-0 at Ibrox although in fairness it has to be said that Rangers played a hugely experienced team in comparison to Celtic’s young eleven. However, by 1979 things began to take shape and Frank had formed a terrific young side which played the traditional Celtic way of attacking football. The young Celts won the reserve double of league and cup in 1980, which was a notable achievement given the wealth of young talent on display within Scottish football at that time. From memory, the cup was a two legged affair and after losing 5-1 at Love Street the young Celts roared back to win 5-0 against St Mirren at Parkhead. A couple of drubbings were also dished out to Rangers as retribution for the heavy Ibrox defeat in 1978.
The reserves showed their success was no fluke by winning another double the next season. However, the main priority of any reserve side is not to win trophies but to develop young players for first team action and Frank was able to provide Billy McNeill with an array of young talent. In the early 1980’s Frank helped to develop three particular young talents who were amongst the best in British football in their respective positions for the next decade – Charlie Nicholas, Pat Bonner and Paul McStay. There were others who made significant contributions to the Celtic cause such as Mark Reid, Willie McStay, Danny Crainie and Davie Moyes. And others again who moved on to have fine careers in the game like Jim Duffy, Peter Mackie, Jim McInally, John Weir and John Halpin. The side which Frank put together were unbeaten in reserve league football for almost two years, a highly notable achievement at that level.
Every one of those boys was to speak highly of Frank Connor in later years and pay tribute to how he developed them not only as footballers but also as men. By all accounts, Frank was a motivator who put his side on the field fired up and proud to be playing in those famous green and white hoops but also a man who insisted that the boys enjoy their football and be appreciative of the highly fortunate position they found themselves in as professional footballers.
Frank’s success did not go unnoticed and there was much sadness when he left his reserve role in late 1980 to become manager at Berwick Rangers. It was rather ironic that Celtic drew Berwick in the Scottish Cup a matter of weeks later at Shielfield Park with a young Charlie Nicholas putting his old mentor’s side to the sword.
By 1983 Frank Connor was assistant manager to Jock Wallace at Motherwell. The Fir Park club had spent big to lure Wallace back north from his spell as Leicester City manager and he had done reasonably well in his first season. Over at Parkhead, Billy McNeill had departed for Manchester City in highly acrimonious circumstances and as Celtic contemplated the manager’s position, Chairman Desmond White announced Frank as Celtic’s new assistant manager before the actual manager had even been appointed. Davie Hay was named as manager within a few days but it was clear that Frank was not Davie’s choice and it was regarded as a strange for a new manager not to choose his own backroom staff. It was to Wallace’s great credit that, well knowing Frank’s allegiances to Celtic, that he did not stand in the way of his move to Parkhead.
Initially things went reasonably well under very difficult circumstances. Aberdeen and Dundee United were in their pomp under Alex Ferguson and Jim McLean, with Rangers very much on the margins. After a trophy less first season, Celtic won the Scottish Cup in memorable fashion against Dundee United and the Celts then looked to carry that forward into the next season.
In February 1986 Celtic were in contention for the league title and had enjoyed a fine 3-1 win at Dens Park on a day when they could even afford the luxury of a missed Paul McStay penalty. Immediately after this game Davie Hay dismissed Frank from his assistant’s role citing footballing differences as the reason. This was a huge shock to everyone connected with the club as there had been no rumours of any unrest behind the scenes. It’s interesting to note that Hay then went it alone until the end of the season without appointing a replacement.
Many may have thought that that was the end of the line between Frank Connor and Celtic but he was to return to Parkhead in yet another capacity in 1993. Liam Brady was struggling as Celtic manager and his last throw of the dice was to change his coaching staff with Joe Jordan coming in as assistant manager and Connor as first team coach. Sadly for Brady, things did not improve and he resigned in October 1993 after a dismal defeat to St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park. Jordan also resigned shortly after and the Celtic directors appointed Connor as interim manager whilst they attempted to procure a new manager.
Frank’s first game in charge was against Dundee at Parkhead on a day of horrid weather. It all looked too predictable when Dundee took the lead however Celtic fought back to win 2-1. The most encouraging thing about the victory that day had been the fighting spirit which had been so absent during Brady’s time and had been missing at Parkhead for some time.
A 1-1 draw at Easter Road was followed by a 1-0 first leg win over an impressive Sporting Lisbon side in the UEFA cup. The Portuguese side looked a class act that night, although Frank was able to boast that he had tactically got one over Sporting’s manager, the great Bobby Robson.
Lou Macari was then appointed as Celtic’s new manager in a fanfare of publicity approaching the Ibrox contest between Celtic and Rangers in late October. Macari publicly admitted that he knew very little of the Celtic players and asked Frank Connor to pick the team on view of this. Celtic were huge under dogs before the match but the old fighting spirit was again in evidence as they fought back from 0-1 down to win 2-1 courtesy of a dramatic injury time winner from Brian O’Neil. Thus, Frank’s short tenure as Celtic manager had resulted in an impressive three wins and a draw.
Macari was the old Celtic board’s last gamble and it was not to pay off. By May 1994 he would be unceremoniously shown the exit door by new Celtic owner, Fergus McCann. It’s easy to be wise with hindsight but the feeling is that the board should have kept Frank as manager even until the end of the season. The fans had faith in him and the players publicly stated that he commanded their respect so Celtic would not have much to lose. As it was Frank was marginalised by Macari who brought his own coaching staff from Stoke City and by the end of that season Frank had left Celtic once more.
Frank Connor’s name may not be as illustrious as some in Celtic’s history but in four different roles and in four different decades he served Celtic magnificently. And for that he will be remembered with great affection.
Celtic stalwart Frank Connor passes away
By Joe Sullivan
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2022/march/03/celtic-stalwart-frank-connor-passes-away/
Everyone at Celtic is saddened to hear that former player, coach and interim manager, Frank Connor has passed away at the age 86.
Frank wore his Celtic heart on his sleeve and he was bursting with pride when he joined his beloved Hoops as a 24-year-old goalkeeper from Blantyre Celtic in 1960.
In 1962 he moved on to Portadown in Ireland before also playing for St Mirren, Derry City, Portadown again, Albion Rovers and Cowdenbeath.
It was at his final two clubs that he also took up player/coach and player/manager duties that would stand in him in good stead for his future career that also included a couple of returns to Celtic where his heart always lay.
Frank managed at Cowdenbeath and Berwick Rangers before becoming assistant manager at Motherwell and then taking up the same role under Davie Hay at Celtic.
He then moved to Raith Rovers and Hearts before coming home once more in 1993 and taking over the Celtic reserve side.
It was in that period that Frank became Celtic’s caretaker manager between the reigns of Liam Brady and Lou Macari and was unbeaten in four games in charge, a run that included a 2-1 win at Ibrox and a UEFA Cup win over Sporting Lisbon.
The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic Park are with Frank’s family and friends at this sad time.
Frank Connor: Celtic stalwart who held six club positions and two unique distinctions passes away aged 86
A special place in the annals of Celtic’s history would be a badge of honour for any lifelong supporter. Frank Connor, who has died at the age of 86, forever proudly cherished that he was the holder of two, unique distinctions.
By Andrew Smith
Thursday, 3rd March 2022, 3:18 pm
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/frank-connor-celtic-stalwart-passes-away-aged-86-3595463
The ebullient Blantyre-born personality – all bark, but warmth and humour in place of real bite – served his club in more capacities than any other individual across the modern age. And, in answering the call to become caretaker manager for a Celtic team on its knees in October 1993, he enjoyed a four-game unbeaten run. A stint during which wins were claimed at home to Sporting Lisbon and against Rangers at Ibrox, it means he is the only man to take charge of Celtic for at least a quartet of encounters and remain unbeaten.
He breathed life into a side then moribund, prompting the resignation of Liam Brady and his assistant Joe Jordan within hours. Stepping up from the reserve team coach role he had assumed that summer, the scrapping 2-1 home win over Dundee from players he instantly rallied, incredibly, secured Celtic a first league win on their own soil of a grim campaign. The appointment of Lou Macari as manager in late October 1993 came before the team were faced with a daunting trip across the city to face their then imperious rivals. A last minute Brian O’Neil headed-winner allowed him to leave the Govan ground with his head in the clouds. “I was manager of Celtic for just four weeks but it was magnificent,” he said in 2010.
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Connor’s associations with Celtic originated through him being on the books as a goalkeeper between 1960 and 1962, a period during which he made eight senior appearances. He then had spells with Portadown, twice, St Mirren and Derry City before becoming player-coach with Albion Rovers at the end of the 1960s. In the mid-1970s, he was player manager with Cowdenbeath, before managing Berwick Rangers between 1980 and 1982, then working briefly as assistant to Jock Wallace at Motherwell, whom he idolised despite their natural allegiances.
Inbetween, in the late 1970s, he returned to Celtic as reserve coach and then found his way back again in 1983 to serve as assistant to Davie Hay, and later first-team coach before he was dismissed in 1986.
Connor is then considered to have laid the groundwork for the halcyon days of Raith Rovers that would ensue the following decade. As manager at the Kirkcaldy club for four years he earned them promotion to First Division in his first season of 1986-87, and then kept them up, before he became no.2 to Jordan at Hearts in the early 1990s. Celtic called once more for him to have his brief time in the sun in that October of 1993, before he a stint kitman completed a remarkable set: his service to Celtic comprising six different positions.
Funny, often unconsciously so, he once said: “If anyone is looking for an ugly wee man who shouts more than anyone else in Scottish football, I’m there for them.” He had a habit of talking conspiratorially by cautioning that he was speaking “off the cuff” (instead of record). All who met him were energised by his presence, even if he was giving them an earful. Celtic’s smart, poised football that allowed them to secure a slender first leg lead over Portugal’s Sporting in the second round of the UEFA Cup could have earned a more telling advantage but for a glaring chance missed late on. Connor’s despair over that resulted in one of his most memorable lines. “He was through on goal…and the nappy came ‘aff!”
Former Celtic coach Frank Connor dies aged 86
Updated / Thursday, 3 Mar 2022 16:41
https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022/0303/1284249-former-celtic-coach-frank-connor-dies-aged-86/
Tributes have been paid to former Celtic coach and Raith Rovers manager Frank Connor, who has died at the age of 86.
Raith announced that Connor’s eldest son, Tom, had been in touch to confirm his father had died after a short illness.
Connor first moved to Celtic in 1960 as a goalkeeper from Blantyre Celtic and later played for Portadown, St Mirren, Derry City, Albion Rovers and Cowdenbeath, where he was player-manager.
Connor returned to Celtic as a coach with both the reserves and first team on several occasions and was assistant manager to Jock Wallace at Motherwell and Davie Hay at Parkhead and also with Morton.
Connor also had a spell in charge of Berwick and managed Raith for four seasons from 1986 – winning promotion from the bottom tier in his first season.
He served as Joe Jordan’s assistant at Hearts before another return to Celtic as reserve coach in 1993.
A Celtic statement read: “It was in that period that Frank became Celtic’s caretaker manager between the reigns of Liam Brady and Lou Macari and was unbeaten in four games in charge, a run that included a 2-1 win at Ibrox and a UEFA Cup win over Sporting Lisbon.
“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic Park are with Frank’s family and friends at this sad time.”
Connor is survived by wife Margaret, seven children, several grandchildren and a great grandson.
Frank Connor, former Celtic coach and Raith Rovers manager, dies aged 86
https://www.thenational.scot/sport/19967364.frank-connor-former-celtic-coach-raith-rovers-manager-dies-aged-86/
By Laura Webster @LauraEWebsterr News and Features Editor
Tributes paid to former Celtic coach Frank Connor after death aged 86
Tributes paid to former Celtic coach Frank Connor after death aged 86
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TRIBUTES have been paid to former Celtic coach and Raith Rovers manager Frank Connor, who has died at the age of 86.
Raith announced that Connor’s eldest son, Tom, had been in touch to confirm his father had died after a short illness.
Connor first moved to Celtic in 1960 as a goalkeeper from Blantyre Celtic and later played for Portadown, St Mirren, Derry City, Albion Rovers and Cowdenbeath, where he was player/manager.
Connor returned to Celtic as a coach with both the reserves and first team on several occasions and was assistant manager to Jock Wallace at Motherwell and Davie Hay at Parkhead and also with Morton.
Connor also had a spell in charge of Berwick and managed Raith for four seasons from 1986 – winning promotion from the bottom tier in his first season.
He served as Joe Jordan’s assistant at Hearts before another return to Celtic as reserve coach in 1993.
A Celtic statement read: “It was in that period that Frank became Celtic’s caretaker manager between the reigns of Liam Brady and Lou Macari and was unbeaten in four games in charge, a run that included a 2-1 win at Ibrox and a UEFA Cup win over Sporting Lisbon.
“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic Park are with Frank’s family and friends at this sad time.”
Connor had been residing in a nursing home in Uddingston and is survived by wife Margaret, seven children, several grandchildren and a great grandson.
Former Hearts coach Frank Connor passes away
Barry Anderson
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/american-football/former-hearts-coach-frank-connor-passes-away/ar-AAUyPcH
4 hrs ago
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Connor spent three years at Tynecastle Park between 1990 and 1993 as assistant to then-manager Joe Jordan.
© Frank Connor with Joe Jordan during their time in charge at Hearts in the 1990s.
He and Jordan helped the Edinburgh club finish second ahead of Celtic in the Scottish Premier Division in 1992, which also secured a place in the following season’s UEFA Cup.
Connor also managed Raith Rovers, Berwick Rangers and Cowdenbeath and held coaching roles at Celtic and Motherwell.
As a player during the 1960s and 1970s, he represented Celtic, St Mirren, Portadown, Derry City, Albion Rovers and Cowdenbeath.
Connor was residing at Croftbank House Nursing Home in Uddingston on the outskirts of Glasgow when he passed away earlier this morning.
After a short illness, he condition deteriorated overnight. He is survived by wife Margaret, seven children, several grandchildren and a great grandson.
Funeral details will be confirmed in due course.
Frank Connor passes away aged 86 as Celtic send their condolences
By Aidan Smith @SmithAidan1
https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/19966914.frank-connor-passes-away-aged-86-celtic-send-condolences/
Frank Connor passes away aged 86 as Celtic send their condolences
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FORMER Celtic player Frank Connor has died at the age of 86.
The former goalkeeper passed away this morning following a short illness.
Connor also had stints with St Mirren, Portadown, Derry City, Albion Rovers and Cowdenbeath.
A Celtic statement read: “Everyone at Celtic is saddened to hear that former player and backroom Bhoy, Frank Connor has passed away at the age 86.
“Frank wore his Celtic heart on his sleeve and he was bursting with pride when he joined his beloved Hoops as a 24-year-old goalkeeper from Blantyre Celtic in 1960.”
In 1962 Connor moved on to Portadown in Ireland before also playing for St Mirren, Derry City, Portadown again, Albion Rovers and Cowdenbeath.
It was at his final two clubs that he also took up player/coach and player/manager duties that would stand in him in good stead for his future career that also included a couple of returns to Celtic where his heart always lay.
Connor managed at Cowdenbeath and Berwick Rangers before becoming assistant manager at Motherwell and then taking up the same role under Davie Hay at Celtic.
He then moved to Raith Rovers and Hearts before coming home once more in 1993 and taking over the Celtic reserve side.
It was in that period that Connor became Celtic’s caretaker manager between the reigns of Liam Brady and Lou Macari and was unbeaten in four games in charge, a run that included a 2-1 win at Ibrox and a UEFA Cup win over Sporting Lisbon.
Celtic’s statement added: “The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic Park are with Frank’s family and friends at this sad time.”
No other Celtic manager had such a good record – Frank Connor RIP
By David Potter 3 March, 2022 No Comments
TheCelticStar
It was with real sadness that we heard today of the death of Frank Connor, one time goalkeeper for Celtic and one time caretaker Manager for Celtic. He was associated with other clubs as well, notably Raith Rovers whom he managed and indeed resurrected from the bottom Division in the 1980s, but Celtic was his first love and his last.
His Parkhead career as a goalkeeper was remarkable in that he must be one of the very few players that was actually given TWO Free Transfers. One was at the end of the 1961 season, but then injuries compelled Celtic to bring him back again (something that tells us a little about the way the club was run in those days!). Frank then played eight games at the start of the 1961/62 season, was then dropped and at the end of the season, he was given another Free Transfer, for good this time.
Celtic goalkeeper Frank Connor
He then left Scotland to play for a variety of teams in Ireland before he re-appeared at Celtic Park in 1979 to help with the Reserves. He became Assistant Manager to Davie Hay and played a part in the winning of the Scottish Cup in 1985. But then the under-pressure Davie Hay suddenly sacked him, calling him to a deserted Celtic Park one Sunday to do so, and Frank became Manager of Raith Rovers.
He did well there, and was generally very popular, although the story went that the queue for the half-time pies had to be re-routed well away from the Main Stand, lest the punters heard the noise coming from the home dressing room where the Manager was berating his players in his loudest voice and making a few pungent, trenchant and brutally honest comments in his own inimitable earthy style and choice of language about how well some players were performing in the game that Raith were currently losing to Stranraer!
However he did get them promotion from the Second Division to the First Division in 1987.
He then worked for Hearts and Motherwell and a few other teams before returning to Celtic Park. He then proved himself to be one of Celtic’s best ever Managers by leading them in four games in autumn 1993 after the dismissal of Liam Brady, drawing with Hibs but winning the other three games (including Sporting Lisbon and Rangers!).
You could hardly make that up, but it is true and why on earth did Celtic bring in Lou Macari instead of this man whom players like Peter Grant swore by? No other Manager had such a good record!
But these were dark, dark days in the history of the club. Things might have been different if they had given an opportunity to the tough talking, lovable and earnest Frank Connor.
RIP Frank Connor.
David Potter
Frank Connor hailed ‘Celtic through and through’ as Lou Macari pays tribute
Fraser Wilson 1 day ago
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Tributes have flooded in for former Celtic goalkeeper, coach and caretaker manager Frank Connor who passed away on Thursday aged 86.
Ex-Hoops boss Lou Macari described the Airdrie-born coach as a “Celtic man through and through” who helped steady the ship for his own arrival at Parkhead during a turbulent time.
After a three-year spell at the Hoops as assistant to David Hay, which brought Scottish Cup success in 1985 and the league title a year later, Connor took over as manager of Raith Rovers and led the Fifers to promotion back into the first division before moving on to assist Joe Jordan at Hearts.
He returned to Celtic Park as part of Liam Brady’s backroom team in 1993 taking on coaching duties and managing the reserve side.
When Brady was sacked in October of that year, Connor took the reins for a four-match unbeaten run that included a UEFA Cup victory over Sporting Lisbon and a 2-1 win over Rangers at Ibrox.
That Old Firm derby coincided with Macari’s first in charge although Connor is credited for having prepared and picked the side.
Speaking to Record Sport, Macari said: “Frank was the man who was given the job of steadying the ship before I got to Celtic.
“That’s exactly what he did. When I arrived I found him to be a great assistance and someone you would always want involved in your club.
“He loved Celtic. He loved being involved. He was a great member of staff.
“He told me he just liked being involved at Celtic Park and that was great news for me.
“Frank could be tough with the players when he needed to be. He wouldn’t shirk his responsibilities.
“It was all about the club with Frank, trying to get Celtic to a better position.
“I bumped into him a few years later after we both left the club. He hadn’t changed one bit.
“He was Celtic through and through. And a thoroughly decent man.”
As a goalkeeper, Connor made two first team appearances for Celtic after signing from Blantyre juniors. He went on to play for Portadown, St Mirren, Derry City, Albion Rovers and Cowdenbeath before moving into coaching.
Player-manager roles at those last two clubs prepared him for stepping up to full managerial duties with Berwick Rangers in 1980 before Connor moved to Motherwell as assistant to Jock Wallace in 1982.
Hay then snapped him up as a key member of his Celtic backroom staff a year later.
Announcing his death on Thursday, Celtic said: “Everyone at Celtic is saddened to hear that former player and backroom Bhoy, Frank Connor has passed away at the age 86.
“Frank wore his Celtic heart on his sleeve and he was bursting with pride when he joined his beloved Hoops as a 24-year-old goalkeeper from Blantyre Celtic in 1960.
“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic Park are with Frank’s family and friends at this sad time.”
Raith Rovers paid tribute in a statement which read: “We were saddened to learn of the passing of former Rovers manager Frank Connor.
“Frank celebrated his 86th birthday last month and was residing in Croftbank House Nursing Home, Uddingston.
“After a short illness, Frank deteriorated overnight and passed away this morning. He is survived by his loving wife Margaret, seven children, several grandchildren and a great grandson.”