McIlvenny, Henry (Harry)

Harry McIlvenny was a centre-forward who played for Celtic in the club’s early years. Rare for anyone to return to a club but Harry has an amazing record of playing for the club in three brief spells.

His actual birthname was Henry, but he actually commonly went by Harry (as confirmed by his family to this site).

He initially signed for the Bhoys from Parkhead Juniors in September 1895 and made his competitive debut in a 3-2 league victory at Dumbarton on 28th September 1895, filling in for Allan Martin.

That debut was his only appearance for the first team in his first stint, and he was to move onto Burnley, and was to begin a nomadic life in football, seeming to stay for stay for often short tenures before moving on to a next club.

He returned to Parkhead in November 1896, only to play two first team matches and then be shown the door after the club’s shock 4-2 Scottish Cup defeat to Arthurlie the following January, a result still regarded as the worst in the club’s history.

Seems quite harsh as it was only his second match in this second stint, and as can be seen from reviewing the teams over the season, the no.9 spot in the side was not a settled position for the rest of the season. He was one to carry the can for that result although he actually scored in that match for Celtic, his debut goal for the club. Changes were required though at the club which was setting itself some high standards.

Having then played for Belfast Celtic, Hamilton and Partick, he again returned for a final spell with the Bhoys which began in October 1904. After the Arthurlie shambles, it gave him a chance to rectify things and end his days at Celtic on a better note. It was to be good timing too for him, so third time lucky.

He filled in for the great Jimmy McMenemy, and he finally was given a consistent run in the first team in what was to be an incredible season.

He helped Celtic’s first team to five wins and a draw in his seven league games scoring one goal that season as Celtic went on to win the league title, the first title that led to the magnificent six titles in a row (then a record). In that way, Harry played his part in some great history for Celtic, so makes up for the Arthurlie episode.

Celtic went on to win the league title after a play-off v Rangers following the two teams having been tied on points at the end of the season. So his performances played a part in the title race.

His one goal in this second stint was in a 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock on 31 December 1904, helping the first team on their way to the league title.

His final game for Celtic was a 2-1 win over Dumfries (later to become Queen of the South) in the Scottish Cup first round.

However, he was to be just a squad player coming to the end of his playing time, and by June 1905 the next year he was back at Hamilton.

Overall, Harry McIlvenny played a total of 11 league & Scottish Cup games for Celtic and scored twice.

He passed away in January 1934.

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Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

Scottish League

• 1904-05

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Pictures

• Player Pics

Links

• Belfast Celtic
• CGS Forum

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Notes

• The question “which Partick Thistle player played for Thistle against Celtic and for Celtic against Thistle, in the same season that Celtic won the League” would return the answer… Harry McIlvenny. He lost every time by the way! Source: http://www.thethistlearchive.net/harry-mcilvenny

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Articles

McILVENNY, Harry (1902)

source: https://sites.google.com/site/hamiltonacademicalmemorybank/players/mcilvenny-harry-1902

Believe his name was Henry not Harry or Harold like that link claims.

Overview
Joined Accies from St Bernard’s in 1902. In a match at Douglas Park on 23rd September 1902, he left the field ten minutes before the end of the match so that he could catch his train. Accies beat Ayr 4-1, he scored once.

Along with John Curran he moved to Partick Thistle in 1904. In 1906 he was one of three Accies players who were chosen in the Second Division side to meet the First Division in a benefit game at Arthurlie.

Originally with Parkhead Juniors, then signed by Celtic in September 1895. Then came a loan spell with Dumbarton followed by a move to Burnley in 1896. Once again he was taken on by Celtic,6th November 1896. Then came New Brighton in 1897, Victoria United, Belfast Celtic and St Bernard’s. His spell there lasted nearly two years.

As mentioned above he then joined Accies where he was a prolific scorer which saw him move up a League to Partick, remaining there for only a few months he was encouraged back to Celtic Park once again, however at the close of the season he was released to spend another season at Douglas Park.

His final club was Ayr FC and from there he decided to call it a day in 1907. A very popular performer with the Accies support.

Debut on 16th August 1902 in a Scottish League fixture away to Motherwell.

Scottish League 57 Appearances 39 Goals (1 Hat trick)
Scottish Cup 6 Appearances 5 Goals
Scottish Qualifying Cup 14 Appearances 8 Goals
Lanarkshire Cup 7 Appearances 4 Goals (1 Hat trick)

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Three Times a Celtic Star, Here is the Remarkable Harry McIlvenny Story

https://thecelticstar.com/three-times-a-celtic-star-here-is-the-remarkable-harry-mcilvenny-story/

By Editor 12 May, 2021

Yesterday we featured an early Celtic striker Henry (or Harry) McIlvenny and it’s fair to say that not too much was really known about the player, there were no photographs of him on The Celtic Wiki – a very unusual occurrence for any player who has ever played for the club – and there was even a debate about his christian name, with The Celtic Wiki and others insisting his christian name is Henry while his great grandson, who had contacted The Celtic Star, was telling us that his great granddad was actually called Harry.

Here’s how this all began, and this was the only available photograph of the former Celtic player until yesterday…

Yesterday we looked into that, via a shared effort on Celtic Twitter, with the team from Celtic Wiki working with The Celtic Star to uncover what we could about Henry (or Harry) McIlvenny. First to clear up the name debate. It’s probably fair to say that it would be strange if The Celtic Wiki insisted on calling Cesar William McNeill. Everyone regards him as Billy. The same applies to Henry (or Harry) McIlvenny – it’s Henry on his birth certificate (which we found yesterday) but he was known as Harry. We’ll tell you more about what we uncovered yesterday but before that here’s David Potter’s article on Henry (or Harry) McIlvenny which was promised yesterday…

David Potter on Henry (or Harry) McIlvenny

Henry (or Harry) McIlvenny had a remarkable Celtic career. For one thing, it is difficult to find another player who actually joined Celtic three times! A few have done it twice – Tommy McInally, Bertie Auld, Willie Fernie, Charlie Nicholas and others, but three times is rare. He joined in September 1895, November 1896 and October 1904. In between times he played for a host of other clubs, notably Burnley, Belfast Celtic, Hamilton Accies (twice), St Bernard’s, Partick Thistle and Ayr. It is probably true to say that he played his best football for teams other than Celtic, but his heart was always at Parkhead – and he has set a family tradition!

*Here is a copy of Harry’s contract with Hamilton dated 16 June 1903, he re-joined Celtic on a free transfer at the end of that season.

The historian is often handicapped by the newspaper reports of the day. We often, in the 21st century, have our criticisms of the modern day Press, but they usually get the teams right! This cannot be guaranteed in the 1890s when the science of sports journalism was in its infancy. For example, in the infamous game at Arthurlie in January 1897, although other sources say that McIlvenny was playing and indeed scored for Celtic, The Scottish Sport , often regarded as the best source of the time, does not mention a McIlvenny in the team, but it then goes on to say that “McIlvany” (who does not appear in the team sheet either) scored for Celtic. Was this our Henry McIlvenny? Possibly, but we will never know for sure. It might have been better if he had NOT appeared in that awful game.

* Here’s a never published before photograph of Harry, with a team photo presumably from Hamilton and the medal he won. The medal was apparently sold back in 2013.

He first played for Celtic against Preston in September 1895 but by December he was allowed to go to Dumbarton on loan and then went to Burnley. His second coming was in November 1896, at the time when the strike issue came to a head. The balance of evidence was that he DID play at Arthurlie, and he certainly did suffer in the fall out and at the end of the 1896/97 season, he was on his way again.

His final Celtic incarnation came in 1904 when things were in a far better condition, and Henry played seven games in the 1904/05 season which of course led to the capture of the Championship in a play-off. Henry did not play in the play-off, but he did score a goal against Kilmarnock at Parkhead on Hogmanay 1904. He had several games at centre forward and some at inside left, including a game that had to be abandoned against Rangers at Ibrox on January 2 1905 because of crowd encroachment.

But by the end of the season the forward line had settled down to Bennett, McMenemy, Quinn, Somers and Hamilton, and Henry McIlvenny, although a useful player, was simply not good enough to break into that side. He did not do anything wrong, but he cannot really be blamed for returning to Hamilton Accies where he could be guaranteed a first team place.

He had a season with Hamilton and then another with Ayr before he finally retired in 1907. It would have been good to know more about him in his Celtic career, but he played only 11 times in competitive games. He died in 1934.

David Potter

Celtic Wiki Bhoys: I can’t match the Gorbals info up to any of the two Henry McIlvenny/McIlvannas* born around Glasgow in the 1870s. One was born in Port Glasgow in 1877, the other in Castlepark, Lanark in 74. The Port Glasgow Henry DID have Irish parents. (* I think that the reason I never found anything when I looked years ago is that the many spellings of McIlvaney make them very difficult to track down)… any information you can gather about Harry would really help. For instance, if any of his kids were born before 1920, I can get their birth certificate stratight away.

Celtic Wiki Bhoys: That’s all absolute gold, thanks. I’ve started to pull stuff together for them. This may not be for sharing with the family yet, but it looks like Margaret was his 2nd wife. His first (Jane McCartney) died in 1913. At least one of his children (Catherine) was Jane’s biological daughter, rather than Maggie’s. What’s 100% certain, though, is that his name is (officially at least) Henry.

Harry’s Great Grandson: Harry and Maggie had six children and stayed in the Gorbals and the Calton, London Road.  Mary,  Teresa,  Cathy –  ( my Grandma),  Sadie and Henry. Sadly Nelly died as a youngster. They are with their parents now in Heaven. All born around early last century but i dont have exact dates.

* Hurray! Finally found his birth certificate (filed under McIvanney) Henry was born at 17 Hospital Street on 17 September 1876 to Henry and Mary (Kelly).

And Harry’s death record from 1934 (if the researcher from the Scottish League Player Records is correct) pic.twitter.com/DeNBcP7xxw

— Steve Fitzpatrick (@fitzpas) May 11, 2021

* Maybe we should have a closer look at the photograph of Harry…

* Then Highland Paddy helped out by digitally enhancing the photograph of the former Celtic player…

*When trying to find out more about Harry we asked for information about his wife and children. Harry was married twice, his first wife died at a tragically early age. Here is the photograph of Harry’s second wife Margaret (known as Maggie), again we sent that to Highland Paddy to digitally enhance.

“That is the only family pic we have to hand. That’s Harry’s wife, still waiting on name but that is her in the photo. I do know she was Irish.

“Harry was born in Gorbals, Abbotsinch place to an Irish Sea Captain and Irish Mother, near the suspension bridge n a short walk through the Green to Paradise. He was very friendly with Willie Maley, my extended family the McHardy’s have all the family treasures including two ming vases gifted to Harry n his Wife for his wedding.

“My uncle David McHardy used to work for the Express but sadly didnt pass much info on and the family hasn’t shared any photo’s or memorabilia.  The McIlvenny family will do what they can to gather anything they can and are delighted such an article is being composed for Harry/Henry.

“Again, i can’t thank yourselves enough. It means everything to us to have him properly remembered,”  John P Beaton (Harry’s Great GrandSon).

More from Harry’s Great Grandson..

Ma Great Grandpa attended Mass at St John’s in the Gorbals and the Cathedral on the Broomielaw, where I was married also.  He was qualified boiler maker to trade and was also a well known bookmaker with a few sites, one on High Street.

His Father was a Ship’s Captain and was involved with ship salvage on the Clyde and  Mersey and coastal waters around both islands. Dangerous work.  And also had strong links to Old Ireland.

The family were all really hard workers and have always had plenty bottle to back that up. Something that can be seen by Harry’s playing career, here, down South and tbh most importantly in Belfast and Ireland where that actually made much of Family’s delight along with Celtic.

If there is anything else i will send it on and again really appreciate the time you and others are taking to help us out and put Henry / Harry McIlvenny’s name where it belongs.  In the realms of Celtic illustrious history

I think it’s clear in so many stories from that era, just how important Ireland is for Celtic’s history. Without it and the likes of Brother Walfrid or Davitt etc, there would be no Celtic Football Club. Perhaps the ground has moved from old Barrs site but its heart is in Scotland and its Soul is Ireland.  And am so glad in the 1950s our club kept the Irish Tricolour when others hated that flag and country so much they wanted it taken down.

The club itself has major work to do on its moral compass and the drift another Irishman has allowed to his own monetary values of dividends over the heart and soul of Celtic F.C.

I’d like to think PLC means more to the powers that be than a faceless company obsessed with money and more geared towards standing for Premier League Champions and providing a Club the support can identify with because it works collectively with its support, it doesn’t build Derry Desmond’s walls.

*Below is a photograph of three of Harry’s girls…

Some of his children on board a ship in relation to Henry’s Dad.  That’s Cathy, Sadie and Mary, his daughters in the photo.

He was quite a character and loved his family and looked after them all really well.  No doubt a colourful character n family and when they moved to Mount Florida he was nearer his pal Maley at Hazeldon and they both got to Mass at Holy Cross. A Parish the family hold dear for baptisms, funeral Mass and marriages

I was baptised there and first home was on Dixon Avenue.. A few family have played football for juniors and Holyrood, St, Pat’s and know folks from Maley to Cesar to Mike Jackson to Peter Goldie and Johnny Divers.

Harry’s Ghirls – Photo Digitally Enhanced by Highland Paddy

Cathy, Sadie and Mary, his daughters in the photo.

He was quite a character, loved his family and looked after them all really well.

A colourful character n family, when they moved to Mount Florida he was nearer his pal Maley at Hazeldon, both got to Mass at Holy Cross. pic.twitter.com/O0hgzb1Oqf

— The Celtic Star Editor (@CelticStarMag) May 11, 2021

But only one graced the Hoops.  Henry Joseph McIlvenny

* A short intervention from Matt Corr…

Another ‘wee anecdote’ which may interest you is that Harry played against Celtic twice in that championship-winning season of 1904/05. He played for Partick Thistle in the opening game of the season in August, a 5-0 win for Celts at Meadowside, which I believe is on the site where the Glasgow Harbour flats are built. And then again in a 2-0 Celtic win at Parkhead in the semi-final of the Glasgow Cup the following month.

It’s been fascinating finding out about this gent today, whilst at the same time seeing the pride John took from watching the story as it developed.

I love how this story is coming together 24 hours after a chance letter from a family member to @CelticStarMag

Brilliant how supporters of Celtic and other clubs are pooling their knowledge and talent together to fill in the gaps and bring this to life.

Football for good indeed

— Matt Corr (@Boola_vogue) May 12, 2021

Henry final season at Celtic coincided with the beginning of another Celtic story, that of Alec McNair and that brings us on to this exciting news…