Falconer, John

Personal

Fullname: John Gunn Falconer*
aka: John Falconer
Born: 2 Jan 1902*
Died: 1982*
Birthplace: Kinning Park, Glasgow*
Signed: 15 August 1931
Left: 1933 (free); 5 Aug 1933 (East Stirling loan); 30 Apr 1934 (free); 1934 (Creetown)
Position: Goalkeeper
Debut: Celtic 2-2 Queen’s Park, League, 12 Sep 1931
Internationals: none
(*Details confirmed by Cowndenbeather see: http://celticgraves.com/search/?c=2&mid=4116693)

Biog

Govan-born goalkeeper John Falconer spent two seasons at Celtic Park after signing for the club as a free agent in August 1931.

John Falconer was an experienced player, trying to resurrect his career after a major injury when he joined Celtic.

John Falconer had been with Cowdenbeath for nine years. In March 1926, Falconer performed a unique feat in the annals of the Scottish League when he saved three penalties in a match v Hibs at Easter Road. In September 1927, he was awarded a benefit match and Cowdenbeath drew 3-3 with a Rest of Scotland XI at Central Park.

The next milestone for Falconer followed in 1928 when he was capped by the Scottish League v the English League at Ibrox. Scotland crashed 6-2 but Falconer gave a defiant performance and saved a penalty from ‘Dixie’ Dean to deny the England centre a hat trick.

At the start of season 1928/29, John Falconer harboured visions of graduating to the full international side but disaster struck at Tynecastle. He ran out to fist a ball clear and collided with a crowd of players. John Falconer lay prostrate on the pitch and stretcher-bearers took him to the pavilion from whence he was conveyed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary with a broken kneecap. He never played again for Cowdenbeath and he was eventually freed in December 1930.

He had made 204 League appearances for Cowdenbeath. In 1921/22 he had 23 shut-outs in 40 games for Cowden.

The boyhood Rangers fan had made a name for himself at Cowdenbeath, and when he signed for Celtic he was viewed as being a successor to John Thomson who was expected by some in time to move to England in a big money transfer.

Tragically, John Thomson was to die in action just weeks after John Falconer arrived at Parkhead, and so the understudy was thrust into first-team action in the most unpleasant of circumstances.

A brave and popular figure, John Falconer unfortunately struggled with a knee injury and his spell as first choice keeper was brief following the arrival of the Joe Kennaway in October 1931. His performances seem to be given mixed reviews, and calls were even made to try to bring Peter Shevlin back to Celtic. John Falconer did make a fair back-up to the popular Joe Kennaway.

Part of the issue for him was that he was relatively an older player (29 when signed) but also that it was clear his damaged knee could not stand up to the rigours of top tier football. He then gradually slipped out of the game.

An able deputy, John Falconer made 8 league & Scottish Cup appearances for the Celts before being released in 1933.

Contrary to some earlier sources, John Falconer’s full name was John Gunn Falconer rather than John Stevenson Falconer and was born in Kinning Park on 2nd January 1902. He was the son of housepainter Robert Falconer and his wife Johan Mackay.

John Falconer later ran his own painter and decorators business in Glasgow. He married Janet White in 1928.

‘Scotland’s People‘ reported that after a long life he died in 1982 in the Eastwood & Mearns district.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

none

Pictures

• Player Pics