Books – Sandy McMahon and the Early Celts (2015)

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Title: Sandy McMahon and the Early Celts

Author: David Potter
Published: May 2015

Celtic supporters always need a personality goalscorer. The traditions of the club demand attractive attacking football with loads of goals. The tradition was started by the great Celtic side of the 1890s and by Sandy McMahon in particular.

Born in Selkirk of Irish stock, Sandy McMahon first played for Hibs before, in late 1890, joining the new Celtic team which was beginning to make its mark on Scottish football and Scottish society.

With a particular ability to score goals with his head, but also a fine dribbler and passer of the ball, Sandy McMahon earned Scottish caps and very soon became a cult figure of the age, as Celtic made their mark on football. Yet there was so much more to him than that.

An erudite and well-read man with a wide knowledge of Shakespeare and Burns, Sandy McMahon was an excellent example of an urbane Victorian gentleman, as well as the most famous football player of his age.

All this is lovingly brought to life by famous Celtic historian David Potter who has already written similar biographies of men like Jimmy McMenemy and Sunny Jim Young.

(by Joebloggscity)
One of the great joys of Celtic history analysis is reading the great quality of books that are produced, and for this reviewer on top of this is the very productive David Potter. He's produced a long series of quality books on Celtic's history, many delving into the lives of players long forgotten by many, and brings it all to life.

This time we have a look at Sandy McManhon, one of the men who helped to pioneer the playing spirit and ethos of the club. Long overshadowed by other names of the time such as James Kelly, David Potter addresses this to illustrate the importance of Sandy McMahon.

Sandy was a pivotal figure, and as David Potter clearly illustrates in this book, Celtic's form correlated with that of Sandy's over its first 10-15 years, and David clearly wraps the evolution of the club around Sandy's life to paint for us just how the club was managing in those early perilous days, when really there is no guarantee the club could have necessarily have survived. It is due to the efforts of many including that of Sandy McMahon to whom we owe the success of the club.

Sadly, as this is based on the life of one from the 19th Century, there are few in depth details on his personal life, interviews or much in terms of quotes, with even some possible being possibly spurious. In any case, David takes us through the litany of matches throughout the years and explains the role that Sandy McMahon had on the first side. We are regalled about the successes and defeats, the notable importance of Queen's Park and the subsequent rise of OldCo Rangers. This is much a lesson about Celtic history as it is about the life of Sandy McMahon.

It was said about captain James Kelly that "No Kelly, No Keltic" but surely after reading this it becomes apparent that the same could have been said of Sandy McMahon.

One major surprise about this book is just how readable it is. A criticism of some of David Potter's past books is his dry academic style which hasn't appealed to all, but this one is flowing and a real joy to read. Apart from the over-liberal usage of remarks with exclamation marks (some old teachers would frown on that), this is perfectly written. I can't speak highly enough of it.

In reflection it's quite a wonder after you read this on why it took so long for a book on him to have been written, such is his importance.

One book I'd very much recommend.