McCann, Edward – The Celtic Wiki

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Personal

Fullname: Edward McCann
aka: Eddie McCann
Born: c1870
Died: 13 July 1929
Birthplace: Uphall, Broxburn
Signed: Mar 1893 (from Broxburn Shamrock)
Left: June 1893 (to Broxbrun Shamrock)
Position: Outside-left
Debut: Renton 0-2 Celtic, League, 25 Mar 1893
Internationals:none

Biog

Outside-left Edward McCann was part of a Broxburn Shamrock side that almost created a major shock in the Scottish Cup but ended up losing 5-4 to Hearts in December 1891. His brother (who also played in this match (John McCann) soon signed for Celtic, but Edward McCann had to wait a while longer for the same opportunity.

He signed up for Celtic from Broxburn Shamrock in March 1893, and played his only competitive game for the Bhoys on the 25th of that month in a 2-0 league victory at Renton which helped Celtic along to the club’s first league title.

He had a unique situation in that he made his competitive debut for Celtic in the same game with his elder brother John McCann. When you look at the records of the two, he and his brother appeared to move around clubs together in near unison.

He was called into the team in place of Johnny Campbell who was one of several Celts on international duty that same day for Scotland against Ireland. The Celtic side on the day was referred to as a scratch side as certain players were absent due to a Scotland v Ireland match being played at Celtic Park (Scotland winning 6-1) with Celtic players James Kelly, McMahon, John Campbell and Willie Maley playing for Scotland. Renton’s goalkeeper John Lindsay was also playing for Scotland which could help in part to additionally explain the scoreline in Celtic’s favour despite the loss of players.

Celtic won the league title by just the one point, so Eddie McCann could look back in that his small part at least helped Celtic to another valuable two points that helped seal the club’s first league title.

Although Eddie McCann was to play a couple more friendly games for the Celts, he never again turned out for the first team in a competitive tie, and was to return to Broxburn Shamrock in the summer. He did score against London Caledonians in one of those matches, but lost his place in the side after a Easter Monday 3-1 defeat to Rangers in a friendly at Ibrox.

Interestingly, Broxburn Shamrock have a curious history. Apparently, Broxburn Shamrock FC, were reported in the papers as ‘disciples of the physical school of football’. Their crowd at another home match was described as ‘threatening and intimidating’ and using ‘vile and opprobrious language.’ St Mirren requested a rematch at a neutral ground because there had not being adequate police protection for their players!

As his elder brother, John McCann, went on to become a Justice & Peace official in the region, the above is a little humourous in reflection.

He later went on to work in the mines.

He passed away in 1929.