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Details
Era: 1910’s
Description
Back in the 1910s, Celtic had one of the greatest defences anywhere in football, a triumvirate of goalkeeper Charlie Shaw with Joe Dodds & Alec McNair in front of him (in those days formations used to be 2-3 defenders in front of the goalkeeper rather than 4-5 defenders as is now the norm).
This lauded defence was the basis for Celtic’s continued success domestically and helped to continue to help Celtic dominate the league titles.
The description of “The Holy Trinity” defence of Shaw-McNair-Dodds was bestowed on them, as the defence being so effective that it deserved that sacrilegious tag. Must be a firm indicator of their immense talent as a unit that it brought out the biblical references from some.
Often, Alec McNair’s cool demeanour seemed to bring out very differing religious epithets from some. One observer once even said he had the “satanic power of being everywhere at once“.
One of their great achievements was in assisting Charlie Shaw to set a goal shut-out record of an estimated 1287 minutes in 1913-14, an incredible feat (see Charlie Shaw biog for further details).
So popular were the three players, and so clinically good, that ‘Pass it to Charlie‘ became a common cry at Celtic matches.
A great note from Celtic history.
Anecdote – “Pass it to Charlie”
“Pass it to Cherlie” became quite a familiar cry at Celtic matches, the cry was either directed to McNair or Dodds, whoever had possession when a passback opportunity presented itself. In this connection I heard the “Pass it to Cherlie” used in circumstances which set a great gallery of people laughing, it was at Troon. A footballers golf championship was in progress.
McNair and a partner had driven off from the first tee, Alec had sent his ball into the bunker. I was one of the following crowd and so was Charlie Shaw. McNair found his ball hard up in the face of the bunker. He stood looking down at it, mashie in hand, wondering what he should do. He certainly could not advance. The gallery gathered round, watching in silence.
Alec continued to concentrate, Not a word. Then from the back of the crowd came a voice — “Pass it to Cherlie” That did it. The gallery guffawed, Even icicle McNair melted. Charlie Shaw in a spasm of uncontrolled laughter, fell into the bunker! Alec took two to get out.
