Boyle, John

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Fullname: John Boyle
Born: 24 December 1913
Died: […]
Birthplace: […]
Signed: 21 February 1933
Left: 1938 (free); 6 June 1938 (to Hibernian)
Position: Full-Back, Defender
Debut: Celtic 5-0 Queen of the South, League, 22 Aug 1936
Internationals: N/A
International Caps: N/A

Biog

Celtic signed defender John Boyle from junior side Bathgate in 1933:

“a big-kicking back… set for big things“.

He had to be patient, as he had to wait until season 1936/37 before he finally made his debut for the Hoops on 22nd August 1936 in a 5-0 home triumph against Queen of the South, and as the match report said “the opposition was no test for him“.

He was given a short run of six games, with some match reports giving positive remarks on his performances, but was dropped just before the first Rangers game in the league (1-1 draw), and then only given the odd few matches later in the season.

John Boyle couldn’t dislodge the great John Morrison from the Celtic line-up and was released in 1938 after just 10 league appearances and one 3-1 win in the Glasgow Cup over Third Lanark.

His last game was a 2-1 defeat to Kilmarnock in August 1937, his only performance in the 1937/38 season in which Celtic went on to win the league title, but that defeat thankfully didn’t derail Celtic’s title run. It was to be Celtic’s last major senior trophy till 1951, and last league title until 1953/54.

He left Celtic in June 1938 with a very decent record overall, with only two defeats, both coincidentally league matches v Kilmarnock. On the other hand, not that it was all his fault, Celtic only managed to not concede any goals in two matches he played in, conceding 13 goals in the league matches he had played in. This was despite the fact that he did not play in any Celtic sides that faced the other top 4 sides in Scotland from season 1936/37 (Hearts, Motherwell, Aberdeen, Rangers). It doesn’t help his case as he was a defender.

He was reported to be a keen target for Major Frank Buckly for Wolves but he was convinced to move to Hibs to be a part of their side being built there, but again his time was short. He moved to Hamilton Accies in July 1939 till he ended playing senior football in 1942 during the War Years.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

Pictures

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