Syme, David

S | Player Pics | A-Z of Players | Goalkeepers

Personal

Fullname: David Syme
aka: N/A
Born: 11 December 1891
Birthplace: Govan
Died: 20 April 1962, Irvine
Signed: 1918
Left: 1919
Position: Goalkeeper
Debut: Celtic 1-1 Kilmarnock, League, 12 Oct 1918
Internationals: none

Biog

Goalkeeper David Syme was signed by Celtic from St Anthony’s in August 1918 as cover for regular guardian Charlie Shaw.

Govan-born David Syme made his debut in place of Charlie Shaw, who was ill, in a 1-1 league draw at Kilmarnock on 12th October 1918. James Price & Willie Brown also debuted that day, but not one of the three went on to have a long career at Celtic.

David Syme followed that debut appearance a week later by conceding a goal in the first minute as Celtic crashed 3-0 to Rangers at Parkhead, in what was to be his last and only other appearance for Celtic’s first team. Celtic were now 3pts behind Rangers (2pts for a win in those days), and so didn’t have the leeway for new players.

In fairness, Celtic had actually lost to Rangers 2-0 two weeks beforehand in the Glasgow Cup final, so can’t put the defeat to Rangers in the league as down to being solely due to Willie Brown (who also played) & David Syme. Also he had to compete with the great Charlie Shaw for the goalkeeping position, a challenge too far for anyone.

Celtic still went on to regain the league title by 1pt that season, but David Syme was released at the end of the season having not played another first team match. However, he had helped Celtic to a point v Kilmarnock which pushed Celtic to the title, which in retrospect was the end of an era.

David Syme, the ex-Celtic player, passed away in 1962.

Football referees in the family

His son Willie Syme and grandson David Syme (‘Davie Syme‘) were to become prominent football referees in Scottish football in later years. As confirmed via Rangers fans forums, David Syme (Jr), despite having a former Celt in the family, was a diehard Rangers fan himself and drank regularly in a local Rangers haunt and used to even bring his kids in Rangers games in Rangers kit when he was refereeing! After refereeing, he even spent much time in the local masonic lodge beside Ibrox!

After a 2-1 defeat in 1978 in the League Cup to Rangers, Jock Stein was fined £200 after telling referee David Syme (Jr) at full time after some contentious decisions: ‘Your father would have been proud of you‘. It was to also be Jock Stein’s last major final as Celtic manager. Despite the Celtic playing heritage, unsurprisingly neither of the referees from the Syme family were popular in Celtic circles as with referees in general.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

Pictures

• Player Pics