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Fullname: Jerome Solis
aka: Jerry Solis, Gerome Solis, Gerry Solis, Geronomo Felix Solis
Born: [29 Sep 1909] [needs confirmed as “A-Z of Celts” says 6 Oct 1909]
Birthplace: [Lambeth, London] [needs confirmed as “A-Z of Celts” says Glasgow]
Died: [Jul-Aug-Sep 1974 (?)]
Signed: 11 July 1931
Left: Feb 1932 (to Coleraine)
Position: Outside-left
Debut: Celtic 7-0 Cowdenbeath, League, 26 Aug 1931
Internationals: none
Biog
Outside left Jerome Solis signed for Celtic in July 1931 and made his debut on August 26th in a 7-0 home league win over Cowdenbeath. He netted once but was overshadowed by Jimmy McGrory‘s four goals in 8, 50, 70, and 84 minutes. Charlie Napier and Alec Thomson had Celtic’s other goals. Match reports were positive on his contribution:
“McGrory, from a clever pass by Solis, beat Edwards…. eight minutes from the end Solis, with a clever dribble, got into position and shot past Edwards from ten yards”
“Solis the intermediate from Maryhill adapted himself to requirements in a fashion which gratified”
Signed from Maryhill Hibs, Solis was a diminutive and hard working player but one who was behind the great Charles Napier in the first team pecking order.
Jerome Solis is believed to possibly be the first Jewish player to play for the Celts (even though it is believed he was at St Aloysius’ College in Glasgow), but some research puts doubt on the claim. Could be he is of at least part Jewish descent alone rather than it was his practicing religion.
He had a fine record with Celtic, with Celtic winning six of the nine games he played in and drawing the remaining three. What stands out is that Celtic in these games were free flowing and scoring heavily but also conceded ten goals. On the other hand, taking in the final league standings, you could fairly argue that his matches were all against the weaker sides in the league. The only exception being v Third Lanark with whom Celtic drew 3-3. He never played against Rangers or Motherwell who both finished above Celtic in the league.
He was never really given a long run in the first team which hindered his development and chances for a regular place in the first team.
He was part of the Celtic side in the 2-2 draw at Celtic Park v Queen’s Park following the no score draw with Rangers when John Thomson tragically died on the pitch. Jerome equalised in the 2-2 draw v Queen’s Park for Celtic in the 85th minute in what was likely a very poignant game following the tragedy. Despite the fightback to take a point, circumstances overshadowed all else.
Celtic finished well behind in the league challenge that season (1931/32), with Motherwell comprehensive victors for the title.
Jerome Solis did get picked to play for a Glasgow XI v Sheffield game in September 1931 but the Glasgow side lost 7-2. This was mostly a scratch side with few if any notable names from the Glasgow sides. As it was soon after John Thomson’s passing, it likely partly explains why there was only one Celtic player chosen. Jerome Solis didn’t have a good game (as seems none of the Glasgow players did):
“Solis was weak. Most of his passes went astray, and he was not of much assistance to Crawford”.
He didn’t stay at Celtic for the full season, and after having made a total of nine league appearances for Celtic, he departed in February 1932 for Coleraine, and then soon moved on to Linfield in June 1932.
Theory: First Jewish Player at Celtic?
Jerome Solis is believed to be the first Jewish player to play for the Celts (even though it is believed he was at St Aloysius’ College in Glasgow), but some research puts doubt on the claim, see CGS forum links below. Could be he is of at least part Jewish descent alone rather than it was his practicing religion.
Current investigations have not confirmed his background to confirm if he was Jewish by faith or descent. One research line believes he was born Geronimo Felix Solis in Dennistoun Glasgow and his parents were married in St Aloysius Church in 1910. Indicates his immediate family was Catholic although could be only one was Catholic. Other family members lived in the area. His parents were Jose Gernonimo Solis (mechanical engineer) and Margaret Helay.
Solis is also said to be a Sephardic Jewish name (which is of Spanish origin).
Another research line claims possibly that he may have been the son of a Trinidadian and was born an Irish women.
None of the above negates the theory that he may have Jewish heritage, but as yet nothing confirmed. To time of writing most Celtic historians believe that Joseph Coen as likely the Jewish player at Celtic that Willie Maley is referring to in his famous quote.
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES |
LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 1931-32 | 9 | 0 | n/a | n/a | 9 |
| Goals | 3 | 0 | – | – | 3 |
Honours with Celtic
none
Pictures
Forums
Two behind McGrory here…
Glasgow Herald
Notes
- ‘Alphabet of the Celts’ book states that Jerome Solis won a cup with Coleraine (likely the now defunct Gold Cup), but this we believe was won in December 1931 so before Jerome Solis had arrived at Coleraine. All to be confirmed.
- Still to confirmed if he was the First Jewish player at Celtic as referenced in a quote by Willie Maley.
Geronimo Felix Vincent Solis
Sometimes referred to as Jerome and Jerry, but the records suggest his actual first name was Geronimo!
From the Wiki: Signed from Maryhill Hibs in 1931 as outside left and understudy to Charlie ‘Happy Feet’ Napier. Scored on debut at home v Cowdengelly (7-0) making 9 appearances before leaving to join Coleraine in February 1932.
The Alphabet of the Celts claims that Jerry was Celtic’s first Jewish player and Willie Maley’s biography in 1938 claimed that Celtic had already had a Jewish player in their ranks by that date. However, the Glasgow Hebrew Society advise: His father was an engineer’s draughtsman and his mother was a housekeeper called Margaret Healey. Nothing so far to suggest he was Jewish (although I understand that Solis was an old Sephardi Jewish surname, but that could just be a coincidence in this case – and anyway, the Jewish status would have to come from his mother).
Jerome is Geronimo (or, more often, Jeronimo) in Spanish and a very common name at that. Solis sounds Spanish as well (there are quite a few in the telephone directory) so there might actually be a Spanish connection there. His father’s name was Jose Geronimo Solis ( see marriage certificate above).
Not resolved.
see also: https://twitter.com/joebloggscity/status/1273599106175438848?s=19
and Jerome Solis on CGS forum.
