McDowall, Daniel

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Personal

Fullname: Daniel McDowall
aka: Danny McDowall
Born: 22 May 1929
Died: […2000….TBC, see notes below…]
Birthplace: Kirkintilloch
Signed: 21 April, 1950
Left: 27 Apr 1951 (free); Aug 1951 (to Workington Town)
Position: Inside-forward
Debut: v Dundee (a) 20th January 1951 (1-3)
Internationals: None
International Caps: None

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Biog

Inside-forward Daniel McDowall enjoyed a brief Celtic career after joining the Bhoys from Kilmarnock in April 1950.

Daniel McDowall had been understudy to the great Wilf Mannion at Middlesbrough (whom Celtic had unsuccessfully tried to sign), but when it had not worked out for Daniel McDowall getting games south of the border at Middlesborough he initially returned to Scotland and joined Kilmarnock in Nov 1949.

Daniel McDowall finally signed for Celtic in Apr 1950.

His first match was a 3-2 defeat to Irvine Meadow in a benefit match to raise money for the Catholic Young Men’s Society annual outing for the OAPs.

The Kirkintilloch-born Daniel McDowall made his only first team competitive appearance for the Hoops playing out of position at outside left in place of the injured Charlie Tully as the Celts crashed 3-1 at Dundee in a league match on 20th January 1951.

Funnily, Daniel McDowall’s opposition player (Dundee’s South African debutant right-back Gordon Frew) did not realise that he was not playing against Tully. Frew was briefed that “Tully likes a back to rush at him. Wait till he makes move before you tackle“. It was only in the bath after the match that he discovered he’d been holding off against Daniel McDowall and not Tully who was out injured.

Daniel McDowall was released by the club in April 1951, just six days ahead of the Scottish Cup triumph of 1951, Celtic’s first major trophy success for over a decade, and he had not had a chance to play in any of the matches on the run to the final.

He went on to play for Workington AFC in August 1951, a notable time for the club as they had just been voted into the Third Division North of the Football League, replacing New Brighton. He even scored twice in their home match in the Football league, however their first season in the League was a sign of things to come: the club finished rock bottom. The high mark was likely when he played for Workington v Liverpool in January 1952 in the FA Cup, with only a late goal separating the teams in what was very close to being a big shock result!

He went on to play for a number of lower league sides in England, and his career picked up:

“He’s the type who won’t reach fruition until about 26”.

Lincoln City even wanted £2500 for him in a transfer fee in May 1954, which was then a large sum for a transfer. So it could be argued that Celtic poorly used Daniel McDowall, but Celtic generally were poorly managed in those days.

He eventually moved onto Millwall in 1954 from Lincoln City, and appears to have ended his playing career in 1956. From records, it doesn’t appear that he played many matches for Millwall.

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Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

none

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Pictures

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