J | Player Pics | A-Z of Players
Personal
Fullname: John Jordan
aka: Jackie Jordan, Jack Jordan, ‘Smiling Jack’
Born: 25 February 1924
Died: 23 June 2007
Birthplace: Glasgow
Signed: 2 Nov 1946
Left: 10 May 1947 (registration cancelled); 16 Aug 1947 (Edinburgh City)
Position: Winger, Outside-right
Debut: Motherwell 1-2 Celtic, League, 23 Nov 1946
Internationals: n/a
Biog
A quick footed winger Jackie Jordan (‘Smiling Jack‘) signed for Celtic as an amateur in November 1946 after a Parkhead trial.
Signed as cover for the injured Tommy Bogan, Jordan made his debut in a 2-1 league triumph at Motherwell on 23rd November 1946 and went on to play in the next two matches for the Hoops but that was it. Bobby Evans took back over the place in the team that Jackie Jordan had taken. Jackie Jordan was never given another match.
His second match was a 4-2 victory over Kilmarnock, and his final match was a 2-1 loss to Morton having scored the goal that saved some face for the team. It was the opening goal in the game (on 31 mins), only for Celtic to concede 8mins later and then just after the half-time break. It spoilt a chance for him to be a hero.
Morton finished the league actually ahead of Celtic, by 2pts. So that defeat by Morton ended up playing a notable part in the final positioning of the two sides in the final league standings, albeit neither side was still nowhere near the top or bottom of the table.
On paper at least, you could argue he deserved further chances to prove himself as he had a fair record, but it wasn’t to be.
He was released in May 1947 and later played for Hearts, Aberdeen, Reading and Brentford, although from records he never seems to have been a regular starter at those clubs either. Appears that his best times on the pitch were with Queen’s Park where he was a regular during wartime from 1942-46, although they never had a stellar record during this time (but neither did Celtic).
A short Celtic career but must add that this was during Celtic’s nadir, and was no easy environment for any player. Celtic were close to relegation the next season, and if anything on a playing basis Jackie Jordan was lucky to be away from that environment at Celtic.
He passed away in 2007.
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 1946-47 | 3 | – | – | – | 3 |
| Goals: | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
Honours with Celtic
none