Kelly, John (1888-89)

Note: There has been more than one player to play for Celtic with the same name, so please check the other namesakes if need be.

Personal

Fullname: John Kelly
Born: […]
Birthplace: […]
Signed: 1888
Left: 1889
Position: Goalkeeper
Debut: Celtic 7-1 Mitchell St George’s, Friendly, 31 Dec 1888
Internationals: none

Biog

John Kelly was a goalkeeper who played two Scottish Cup games for Celtic after making his debut in a 7-1 friendly victory over Mitchell’s St George’s on New Year’s Eve 1888.

Prior to Celtic he had been with Mearns Athletic and Busby Cartvale.

He managed to play in a high-profile match against English top amateur side ‘Corinthians’ in the mud at Celtic Park on 3rd January 1889 with a then record crowd of 21,000. Celtic won 6-2 and John Kelly was highly praised in one report:

“Shot after shot was sent in, but Kelly, the new goalkeeper, who hails from the Mearns club, saved miraculously”.

The crowd figure will have got many businessmen’s ears pricked up reading those figures. The game was growing fast. He also managed to play in the return leg and the English papers thought they saw a new star in action.

He played in the Scottish Cup final dubbed the Snow Final at Hampden (Cathkin Park) on 2nd February 1889 that was to be voided which was fortunate as Celtic lost 3-0, and the match was replayed. John Kelly was said to have conceded the second goal due to slush. He played in the replay but Celtic again lost, but this time by just 2-1.

He was the regular keeper in friendly ties but lost his place after a 5-2 hammering to Renton in the Charity Cup in May 1889, and possibly he was the one to have to carry the can for the defeat. Jim McLaughlin soon took over.

Already in the early days there was a turnover of goalkeeper numbers, no surprise when you take in the brutality of the game permitted in those days against goalkeepers.

He was to leave Celtic soon after. He managed to play a number of games for Celtic in the early days, but as it was the days before the setup of the league structures, most matches were actually local trophy tournaments, exhibition games or ‘friendly’ competitive head-to-head matches.

Despite the brief spell, John Kelly was not forgotten, and was invited and on the guest list for when Celtic celebrated their first 50 years at the Grosvenor Restaurant, Gordon St, on June 15th 1938. A good touch from the club.

John Kelly played his small part in the building of the club. He deserves a little mention at the very least.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

none

Pictures

• Player Pics

Quote

“J. Kelly (Celtic): Although Mr. Kelly is, so to speak, unknown to the game as a goalkeeper, he promises to become a good man below the bar. The ability of the Celtic goalkeeper, however, is certainly not equal to the back and half-back play; and, while Kelly did very well in this match, his duties were rendered less difficult by the splendid defence shown at back by Mr. M’Keown, and the grand half-back efforts of Mr. M’Laren. He has several good points, including the clever fisting-out of the ball, but is not a strong kicker, and sometimes goes too far away from his charge.”
From Scottish Football Reminiscences and Sketches, by David Drummond Bone