Hamilton, David – The Celtic Wiki

Personal

Fullname: David Hamilton
aka: Davie Hamilton, Hammie, ‘The Dancer’
Born: 31 January 1882
Died: 25 January 1950
Birthplace: Glasgow
Signed: 25 April 1902
Left: 6 December 1912 (to Dundee)
Position: Outside-left
Debut: Celtic 3-1 Hearts, Charity Cup, 19 May 1902
Internationals: Scotland / Scottish League
International Caps: 0 / 1
International Goals: 0 / 0

Biog

Celtic has been blessed throughout its history by the presence of some great entertainers, but few have managed to enthrall both on and off the pitch quite like the great Davie Hamilton.

A Scottish junior internationalist, Davie Hamilton was signed by Celtic in April 1902 from Cambuslang Hibernian. He had impressed during trials for the Bhoys and the outside-left underlined his ability when he made a scoring debut on May 19th as Celtic defeated Hearts 3-1 in a Charity Cup tie at Parkhead.

He also played in the British League Cup Final victory over Rangers on 17 June 1902.

Having quickly established his credentials as a supreme wideman, Davie Hamilton became a regular starter the following season. His weaving runs and electrifying pace made him a real menace to opposition defences. Few if any contemporaries could rival Davie for pure speed. Tricky and nimble, his quick footwork was captivating and he was aptly christened ‘The Dancer‘ due to his dazzling dribbling.

Davie Hamilton was also among the first major Hunskelpers in Celtic history. He scored seven goals in 15 league matches against Rangers, and added another in the Scottish Cup for good measure.

Like many widemen Davie Hamilton was not always the most consistent of performers but his magic was produced regularly enough to enchant a support who were beginning to revel in the presence of arguably the most devastating and exciting frontlines ever seen in Scottish football. In one of the greatest attacking line-ups in Celtic history Davie Hamilton took his place alongside fellow greats Alec Bennett, Jimmy McMenemy, Jimmy Quinn and Peter Somers.

It was said at the time that for the average Celtic fan was blessed to have seen Willie Maley’s incredible team in action with this line-up:

“…rolled off his tongue trippingly and lovingly, a litany that made music for him in five sweet symphonies – Bennett, McMenemy, Quinn, Somers and Hamilton.“

Even among such illustrious company Davie Hamilton was a key player in the Celtic side than claimed six league titles in a row and he also won with Celtic the Scottish Cup in 1904, 1907, 1908 and 1911.

Possibly his most important goal was his goal v Rangers in the 1905 League Championship play-off. Both sides were tied on points for the end of the season, and a play-off to decide the league champions was to be played. Celtic won 2-1, with Davie Hamilton scoring what was to be the pivotal winning goal (McMenemy had scored the first with Rangers replying with what was to be consolation goal after Celtic had taken a 2-0 lead). It was a key result that helped to set up a golden era for Celtic of a then record six league titles in a row, and Davie Hamilton was pivotal in this.

He repeated this feat by scoring v Hamilton Accies in the vital final game of the season in season 1908-09, which helped Celtic to a then fifth title in a row.

A colourful character off the field Davie Hamilton would frequently entertain the team and officials with his fine singing voice and quick wit. No shrinking violet, Davie Hamilton never hesitated to voice his opinion and opponents and referees would feel the edge of his sharp tongue. Indeed in October 1907 Davie Hamilton would receive a two month suspension for threatening language after he told referee JB Stark exactly what he thought of him and his decisions by remarking: “I wish I had a revolver!”.

A huge personality and a huge talent Davie Hamilton played 262 times in the league & Scottish Cup for Celtic and netted some 60 goals.

He would eventually depart Parkhead in December 1912 for Dundee and would also play briefly with Bathgate before retiring in 1914.

Astonishingly, Davie Hamilton was never capped by Scotland. ‘Hammie‘ won his only representative honour when he appeared for the Scottish League against the Irish League at Grovenor Park on 28 February 1903.

It wasn’t to be an easy life for Davie Hamilton. He had to bring up his five children on his own after the death of his wife Mary Anne (nee Gilroy) at the young age of 33 on 5th Aug 1915 from consumption (a euphemism for tuberculosis) when Davie Hamilton was only 32. We can only imagine the difficulties this was to bring as it occurred during wartime.

Davie Hamilton died in January 1950, aged 68 in Glasgow. A much remembered Celt.

Quotes & Anecdotes

“I cannot forget little Hamilton, a forward of arts and parts, whose nimble trickeries along the touch have been so profitable to the team.”
From The Celtic Story, 1960.

“The Bennet, McMenemy, Quinn, Somers and Hamilton front line was a treat to watch in their sinuous movement and deadly attacks.”
Willie Maley on the 6-in-a-row team

Anecdote
One story is from Alec Maley of a Celtic player (believed to be Davie Hamilton) being smacked in the face before a Scottish Cup final by Jimmy Quinn as an antidote for nerves! Which final he did not say.

“The Sarsfield Brake Club had a banner of my great great granda Davie Hamilton on their club flag. They stole it from an Orange walk and painted him over it!”
Sean Hamilton (GG Grandson of Davie Hamilton) on a Davie Hamilton Brake Club banner (see Brake Club) (we don’t believe this banner is now still around) (it’s pictured below)
St Andrews Celtic Brake Club Banner - Pic

Playing Career

	LEAGUE		SCOTTISH CUP		GLASGOW CUP		CHARITY CUP		OTHER*		TOTALS
	APPS	GLS	APPS	GLS	APPS	GLS	APPS	GLS	APPS	GLS	APPS	GLS
1901-02	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	1	1	0	4	1
1902-03	17	2	0	0	3	0	0	0	4	0	24	2
1903-04	13	6	5	1	0	0	2	1	2	0	22	8
1904-05	24	7	4	0	3	0	2	1	0	0	33	8
1905-06	26	6	3	0	3	2	1	0	0	0	33	8
1906-07	23	7	7	2	3	0	0	0	0	0	33	9
1907-08	21	10	5	2	2	0	3	1	0	0	31	13
1908-09	31	9	7	2	7	1	2	0	0	0	47	12
1909-10	33	4	3	0	3	0	1	0	0	0	40	4
1910-11	22	0	6	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	31	0
1911-12	12	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	12	2

TOTALS	222	53	40	7	27	3	14	4	7	0	310	67

OTHER*	Inter City League