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Fullname: George Irwin Hunter
aka: George Hunter, Sonny Hunter
Born: 28 Aug 1930
Died: 10 May 1990 * [TBC]
Birthplace: Troon
Signed: 27 Dec 1949
Left: 30 Apr 1954 (free); 10 June 1954 (Derby County)
Position: Goalkeeper
Debut: Celtic 4-2 East Fife, Scottish Cup, 31 Jan 1951
Internationals: none
*Wikpedia states 5 Oct 1990 and not 5 May 1990 (Alphabet of the Celts), needs checked
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Hunter_(footballer,_born_1930)
Biog
Goalkeeper George Hunter was signed by the Bhoys in December 1949 from Neilston Juniors. Celtic had just been hammered 5-1 by East Fife a few days beforehand, so reinforcements for the goal tending was likely in demand.
After a year in the reserves the Troon born keeper finally made his first team Celtic debut in a 4-2 Scottish Cup victory over East Fife on 31st January 1951.
He would win the Scottish Cup with the Hoops later that season, and in the Scottish Cup final he made a miracle save midway through the second half from a Wilson Humphries half-volley. He deserves to be lauded for his part in this victory as it was a pivotal title win, Celtic’s first major trophy since 1938.
He had also played a strong part with a stand out role in an earlier round in the Scottish Cup run in a match at Hearts on 24th Feb 1951. Prior to the match in the week, rumours were that Celtic were to sign Roy Henderson (Queen of the South) as the new goalkeeper, but Hunter was the goalkeeper and did a splendid job. So Celtic owe him in part for the eventual title win.
In August, he won further silverware as part of the Celtic side that claimed the St Mungo Cup.
Poor luck though struck George Hunter, as he went down with tuberculosis, and Celtic sent him to Switzerland for treatment. He returned to the fold in 1952 (lighter but an inch taller) but he would never regain the form and composure which saw him first break into the team. He was said to drop balls time after time.
On Ne’er day against Rangers in 1953, he erred badly to let opposition player Billy Simpson score in what he was to describe himself as “the daftest goal I’ve ever let through“.
He actually then asked to be dropped after a defeat by Clyde soon after in 1953. However, this then let John Bonnar take over from him and be the main man in time for the celebrated Coronation Cup. When George Hunter replaced John Bonnar for a couple of games he let in 5 & 4 goals to Aberdeen & Rangers respectively, and Andy Bell took over after that, but George Hunter was still given an opportunity when Andy Bell was injured. The fans were said to keep willing him to get back to his best (but that was now long ago). The writing was on the wall.
Season 1953/54 was a golden season in an otherwise mostly poor era for Celtic. The club had recovered its confidence following the Coronation Cup success and went on to win the league & Scottish Cup double. However, George Hunter was to only play a short role in this success, with a few league games at the start of the season, and then a final fill in match v Hearts in the league which Celtic sadly lost 3-2. He had been leaking too many goals. Anyhow, he could still look back with pride at finally having been part of a league title winning Celtic side, the first in a generation.
Having lost his regular place, by April 1954 he had been released by the club. George had played 38 times for Celtic in the league & Scottish Cup.
He later went on to join Derby County and various others, including a long stint at Exeter City for 5 years where he was the long-term first team goalkeeper and rated as one of their greatest ever goalkeepers.
As said for others during this era, Celtic were mostly in the doldrums. He played a major hand in helping put smiles back on our faces with the Scottish Cup win and for that we respect him. However, Celtic’s problems were far deeper with coaching and board management in a poor state. Who knows how better it might have been for George Hunter if circumstances were better at Celtic and the tuberculosis hadn’t occurred. Regardless, for his prime role in the Scottish Cup title win of 1951 we will remember him fondly.
In later years after football, he returned to live in Derby and worked in a local factory.
He passed away in 1990.
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 1949-54 | 31 | 7 | – | – | 38 |
| Shut-outs: | 6 | 3 | – | – | 9 (24%) |
Honours with Celtic
St Mungo’s Cup
Pictures
External Links
Articles
Hunter, George
Birth Date
Birthplace
Occupation
Biographical Text
Rated by many as one of the best goalkeepers to have ever played for Exeter City, Hunter began his playing career with Glasgow Celtic and gained a Scottish Cup winners medal at the age of 19 as he was part of the Celtic team that won the 1951 Scottish Cup Final.
He moved to Derby County in June 1954 and went on to play in 19 league matches for them.
Hunter moved to Exeter City in August 1955, he went straight into the first team to make his debut against Colchester United the same month. He only missed three matches in his first season at St. James’ Park.
Wolverhampton Wanders made an initial offer of £5,000 for the keeper in August 1956, and despite increasing their bid, it didn’t meet Exeter City’s £10,000 valuation of the player.
Hunter asked to go on the transfer list in September 1957 and Bristol Rovers also expressed an interest in signing the keeper two months later.
Unfortunately Hunter sustained a broken leg in 3-4 home defeat against Port vale in March 1959, and that was to be his last appearance in a City shirt. He was subsequently released at the end of 1959-60.
Hunter then signed for Southern League team Yiewsley F.C. in July 1960, despite interest shown by Bristol Rovers.
He returned to the Football League though, when signing for Darlington in June 1961, and played in 20 matches for them in his one season stay. After his one-season stint at Darlington, George moved to Burton Albion.
He played one further league game for Lincoln City in 1965-66, before joining Matlock Town in July 1966.
He returned to live in Derby and worked in a local factory.
George Hunter died in Nottingham on the 5th October 1990.