Coleman, James

Personal

Fullname: James Coleman
aka: The Elder
Born: […]
Died: […]
Birthplace: […]
Signed: 1888
Position: Full back
Debut: Celtic 5-1 Shettleston, Scottish Cup, 1 Sep 1888
Internationals: n/a

Biog

James Coleman played full-back for the Bhoys in one of Celtic’s earliest line-ups.

He was a riveter in the shipyards, and would later become a barman in the Calton (Green Street) in September 1889.

Signed from Dumbarton Athletic in August 1888 he made his only competitive Celtic first team appearance in a 5-1 Scottish Cup victory over Shettleston at the original Celtic Park on 1st September 1888. That match was Celtic’s first ever Scottish Cup tie, so he played his part in a little bit of Celtic history.

He was described as “a back of the first water… one who will be selected yet for honours“.

However, he returned to Dumbarton Athletic almost immediately, and then played against Celtic in a friendly little more than a week later (it was all amateur in those days and jumping around clubs was not uncommon). The friendly was v Whitefield, a 5-1 away victory, with Celtic referred to as “The Irish Combination” in one report. He then moved to Morton.

James Coleman later became one of the players in the reactionary Glasgow side ‘Glasgow Hibs‘, set up by dissidents who did not agree with the then board & managerial line being taken at Celtic. The Glasgow Hibernian side was to be short-lived unable to compete with the already established Celtic as well as against competition from other local sides as the game was evolving.

He didn’t stay long though with Glasgow Hibernian, and soon signed to Nottingham Forrest who in 1889 joined The Football Alliance, a football league in England which ran for three seasons, from 1889–90 to 1891–92. [Yet to confirm if he ever played any matches for them]

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

none

Pictures

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