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Note: There has been more than one player to have played for Celtic with the same name, so please check the other namesakes if need be.
Personal
Fullname: Michael Conroy
aka: Mike Conroy Sr
Born: 5 Aug 1932
Died: 12 July 2017
Birthplace: Port Glasgow
Signed: 10 Jan 1953 (trial); 19 Jan 1953 (full) (from St Anthony’s)
Left: 30 Apr 1960 (free); 1960 (retired)
Position: Left-half
Debut: Celtic 3-2 St Mirren, League, 11 April 1953
Internationals: none
Biog
Left-half Michael Conroy signed for the Bhoys in January 1953 from junior outfit St Anthony’s.
The Port Glasgow born player would make his debut in a 3-2 league victory at St Mirren on April 11th that year but injuries and two years national service would mean that he never made the first team breakthrough many expected. Most often used a filler when players were out injured or away on international duty.
An unquestionably talented player Michael’s injuries included a seriously damaged ankle and a eye wound which at one time threatened his sight.
He played for Celtic in a 1-0 victory away v Dundee in April 1955, the same day that Aberdeen won the league. He played in only two defeats, including a 2-0 defeat at home to Kilmarnock which was to be the last time Kilmarnock were to win at Celtic Park for over 50 years.
It was three years before his next appearance, and he finally won a run in the first team with 2 victories and 1 defeat. Two thumpings over Queens Park (5-1) and Clyde (6-2) was then followed by a 2-0 defeat away to Queen of the South which was his signing off match with Celtic.
He did get to play Rangers once, but this was a 1-1 draw in the Glasgow Cup in September 1953. A match report states he had an excellent game alongside Stein & Evans: “Grierson did not beat Conroy often“. Celtic lost the replay leg 4-0 which he didn’t play in.
His appearances were sporadic through the years, and so sadly he was to miss out involvement in the teams who won the double in 1953/54 and the later league cup triumphs in 1956 & 1957.
His matches were spread over 5 seasons, which could be a record statistics wise for Celtic (longest tenure but fewest games per season).
He retired from the game in 1960 after just eight competitive first team appearances in the league & league cup.
He was advised to end playing football on medical grounds.
However, it wasn’t the end of his Celtic days and he went on to be a chief scout in the Port Glasgow area for the club till July 1975.
His son, Mike Conroy (junior) would go on to play for Celtic 89 times through 1977-82.
Mike Conroy (Sr) passed away in July 2017.
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 1953-60 | 7 | 0 | 1 | – | 8 |
| Goals: | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 |
Honours with Celtic
none
Pictures
Death of former Celt, Mike Conroy snr
By: Newsroom Staff on 12 Jul, 2017 11:45
http://www.celticfc.net/news/12903
FORMER Celtic player, Mike Conroy snr, has passed away in Bridge of Weir at the age of 84. Born in Port Glasgow, Mike was a left-half who spent seven years with the Hoops between 1953 and ’60, most of which was as a part-time player during which time he also spent two years on National Service.
He made his debut in a 3-2 league victory over St Mirren at Celtic Park on April 11, 1953, when the scorers that day were Willie Fernie, Sean Fallon and Bobby Collins, and he went on to make a total of eight appearances before injury forced his retirement from the game at the age of 28. He later became a scout for Celtic in the Greenock area until 1975.
His wife, Jean, passed away in recent years, and the couple are survived by their four sons, Stephen, David, Derek and Michael, who is also a former Celtic player who spent four years with the Hoops between 1978 and ’82.
The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic are with the Conroy family at this sad time.