Conway, John

C | Player Pics | A-Z of Players

Note: The first honorary president of Celtic shares the same name (John Conway) but the two are not the same person (link).

Personal

Fullname: John Conway
Born: 20 Sep 1921
Died: […]
Birthplace: Kinglassie
Signed: Oct 1938
Left: Aug 1942 (RAF); 13 Dec 1946 (free)
Position: Inside-right
Debut: Celtic 2-2 Hamilton Accies, Regional League, 10 Aug 1940
Internationals: none

Biog

Inside-right John Conway was an Edinburgh University student when he signed for the Bhoys from Glencraig Celtic in October 1938. He was said to be a “strong and tireless” worker on the field.

A strong and forceful runner he was loaned to Alloa before making his Hoops competitive debut in a 2-2 Regional League draw at home to Hamilton in August 1940.

He went on to have a terrific start scoring soon in three goals in four games which Celtic won all the matches which included two goals in the Glasgow Cup run. Celtic went on to win the final 1-0 v Rangers (September 194), and so already he had helped Celtic to some silverware, and can be regarded to have made a major contribution to the club. It boded well.

When Jimmy McStay (manager) played him from the start of season 1940-41, it was said that:

“Celtic have struck oil… Conway is undoubtedly one of the most thrustful inside men thrown up since the start of the War”.

The problem is that regardless of how good John Conway potentially may have been, Celtic were at their worst in the 1940s. Possibly the club’s most fallow period.

Although John Conway did win a Glasgow Cup medal with Celtic, in the other competitions Celtic languished.

It was no place for aspiring footballers due to poor team management and board meddling.

On 21st December 1940, Celtic were to play Dumbarton away, and John Conway was meant to meet up at the ground. However, he turned up late only once the team had taken to the field. He had missed his train connection. Apparently, he was training to be a teacher and Jimmy McStay questioned (possibly in jest) if he would accept “missing his train” from his future pupils as an excuse for being late! Celtic still went on to win 3-2, and he was back in the side in the following match, a 5-1 win over Queen’s Park.

All his matches (bar one) were in the poor 1940/41 & 1941/42 seasons, although Celtic never lost in a match in which he scored in.

After those seasons he only played once more for the first team, in a no score draw with Rangers in the Victory Cup semi-final in June 1946, but Johnny Paton took his place for the replay.

In time, John Conway would serve with the RAF during the war, but kept up on the game by playing as a guest for a number of clubs. He was eventually released by Celtic in 1946.

John Conway made 25 wartime league & Scottish Western Cup appearances for Celtic and scored 5 goals, although he did also play for Celtic in the Glasgow Cup & other cups during his time, but it was not a great era for the club.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

Pictures

• Player Pics