McGrory, John

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Personal

Fullname: John McGrory
aka: Johnny McGrory, “Derek Dooley” (as he liked to play centre in the practise matches)
Born: 31 August 1928
Birthplace: Linwood, Renfrewshire
Died: 12 November 1991
Signed: 24 May 1946
Left: 18 September 1953 (to Albion Rovers)
Position: Centre Half, Centre Forward
Debut: Celtic 3-6 Clyde, League Cup, 9 Oct 1948
Internationals: none

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Biog

Linwood-born John McGrory signed for Celtic in May 1946 from Maryhill Harp.

A centre half John McGrory made his Bhoys debut in a 6-3 home defeat to Clyde in the League Cup on 9th October 1948, the recovery season after Celtic just thankfully avoided relegation.

A strong and committed player he was let down at times by a lack of pace but he read the game well and latterly was used as much in attack by Celtic as in defence.

Seemed to have a great love for the Scottish Cup scoring an incredible 8 goals in 11 games in the competition. In one match v Eyemouth Utd he scored four times. All the players bar John McGrory, who was said to be out to prove that he could be the new centre forward, eased up through the game. John McGrory took all his goals well and played with speed and good positioning.

The Eyemouth goalkeeper (Alex ‘Tension’ Patterson) was a very promising 18 year old player and was cheered off the pitch for a fine display by the Celtic fans, despite shipping four goals that day, and later signed for Newcastle Utd.

John McGrory always played with great enthusiasm and with a smile on his face which is something that the supporters likely warmed to, especially in those difficult days for the club.

John McGrory sadly played for Celtic at a time some would refer to as its nadir. The war years and the post-war austerity era were the lowest points for the club, with even near relegation at one point. It was no easy environment for any aspiring footballer, and John McGrory was there through some of the worst.

He helped Celtic to win the Glasgow Charity Cup in 1949-50, although this is not recognised as a major trophy by many. However, in light of the poor state of the club at the time, it was something at least. This match was in front of 81,000 people including US entertainment legend Danny Kaye, Celtic winning 3-2 v Rangers. The press hailed John McGrory as “the new George Young” (a Rangers footballer).

Not all good, he conceded three penalties v Hibs in a match on 4th Feb 1950, having been pulled all over the place by opposition player Lawrie Reilly.

He did help Celtic to the Scottish Cup title in 1951, the club’s first major piece of silverware in over ten years, although he only played in the first round matches with Celtic overcoming East Fife after a replay. It was relief for all after the travails of the years in between.

He was to play no part in the following season, but returned in season 1952/53 for a number of games, where he was converted to a striker and struck a rich vein of goals early on (including the aforementioned 4 goals v Eyemouth Utd).

All of his goals came in season 1952/53 in a short spell in January & February 1953, but then things dried up and Celtic hit poor form and Celtic didn’t win in his last six matches which started with a 2-0 Scottish Cup defeat. He didn’t score in those six matches. It signalled the end for him at Celtic. One comment on him was:

“Celtic’s one idea is to give the ball to McGrory. He can shoot but he’s got no control.” (14th Feb 1953).

He departed Celtic in September 1953 after 58 appearances in the three major domestic competitions with 11 goals.

Sadly he just missed out on being part of the wonderful league & cup double winning side of 1953/54, so cruelly missing out on silverware for a league title (his last league appearance was in season 1952/53 in Apr 1953).

He had abandoned an apprenticeship whilst with St Mirren when he broke his leg playing with the reserves on 26th Feb 1955, and retired in Dec 1956 when he realised his leg was no longer up to playing demands. He moved on to be coach at Johnstone Burgh in 1958.

He passed away in 1991.

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Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

• 1949-50

Pictures

• Player Pics

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