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Personal
Fullname: John Donnelly
aka: N/A
Born: 17 December 1936
Died: 31 July 2009
Birthplace:West Lothian
Signed: 16 January 1956
Left: 11 April 1962
Position: Full-Back, Defender
Debut: Rangers 2-0 Celtic, Glasgow Cup, 19 Aug 1957
Internationals: N/A
International Caps:N/A
Biog
Part of one of the most famous ever Celtic sides John Donnelly signed for the Bhoys from junior outfit Armadale Thistle in January 1956.
West Lothian born John made his first team debut against Rangers in a Glasgow Cup tie at Ibrox on 19th August 1957 – the Bhoys losing 2-0. John Donnelly did get a good review of his first game:
“Donnelly in his debut was effective and intelligent keeping Hubbard bottled up“.
Originally an inside-right John was to be used as a full back by Celtic and just two months after his debut the player would gain sweet revenge for that debut defeat by taking his place in the now legendary Celtic team that destroyed Rangers 7-1 in the League Cup final at Hampden. It was an incredible day for the Celtic attack, but the Daily Record also praised the defence including John Donnelly:
“Every Celtic player did well, none more so than young Donnelly and Sean Fallon.”
A reliable and consistent performer, John Donnelly was called up for National Service in 1958, and thereafter only played sporadically for Celtic. He was a regular in season 1957/58, but Celtic were still way off the league title finishing 16pts behind title winners Hearts who defeated Celtic 5-3 in Donnelly’s last match that season.
He was to lose his Celtic place to Dunky McKay, and it was a position he was never able to regain. Celtic were actually underachieving during this time, and Donnelly was another loss for the club who was regarded as a potential fit for the years ahead for a first team role. His last match was filling in for Pat Crerand who was injured with Celtic drawing 1-1 with Rangers.
A popular character and well respected player, he was said to have all the virtues of a good defender except pace which left him exposed by nippy wingers, but as he was playing little over the seasons (after his first) it was probably best to move on.
He moved on to Preston in 1962 with the very best of wishes from the Celtic support. It was felt sad by many of the Celtic support for him when they realised that he was not in the team for Preston NE for the FA Cup final v West Ham in 1964.
John Donnelly eventually moved to South Africa where, after retiring from play, he ran a shopfitting business.
He returned to Scotland in 2004 and passed away on 31 July 2009 in Broxburn at the age of 72.
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 1955-62 | 31 | 3 | 9 | N/A | 43 |
| Goals: | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 |
Honours with Celtic (Senior)
Scottish League Cup
Pictures
Links
Articles
Death of ‘7-1 cup final’ hero John Donnelly
Newsroom Staff
EVERYONE at Celtic Football Club is saddened to hear of the passing of John Donnelly, one of the heroes of the club’s famous 7-1 team that beat Rangers in the 1957 League Cup final.
John, who was 72, passed away last Friday, July 31, in Broxburn, where he had returned to live after spending 40 years in South Africa.
A full-back, John joined Celtic in 1955 and made 43 appearances over the next seven years, though his career was interrupted when he was called up for National Service.
His finest hour, and one of Celtic’s greatest triumphs, came on October 19, 1957 when the Hoops beat Rangers 7-1 at Hampden in the sun to lift the League Cup. A hat-trick from Billy McPhail, two goals from Neilly Mochan and strikes from WIllie Fernie and Sammy Wilson gave Celtic the victory.
John left Celtic in 1962 and joined Preston North End before he moved to South Africa where, after retiring, he ran a shopfitting business.
He returned to Scotland five years ago but sadly, just months later, his wife Betty passed away.
Looking back on that famous 7-1 team, Bertie Auld said of John Donnelly: “He was a young man who’d been in the army and he came into the team and steadied the defence and did everything he was asked to do.
“He didn‘t look out of place and it made for a very steady back four. There was a great understanding in the defence.”
John Donnelly is survived by his brothers, Peter and Alex, his son, also John, and four grandchildren.
The funeral Requiem Mass is at 9.30am on Monday, August 17 at Sts John Cantius & Nicholas Church, Broxburn.
The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic Football Club are with John’s family and friends at this sad time.