| Match Page | Match Pictures | Matches: 1952 – 1953 | 1952-53 Pictures |
The Scottish Cup tie of 21st February, 1953 between Falkirk and Celtic at Brockville Park produced one of the most remarkable incidents in Scottish football courtesy of the genius that was Charles Patrick Tully. The incident is detailed in Tom Campbell's book " Charlie Tully – Celtic's Cheekie Chappie". This brief account draws on the description in Mr Campbell's book which is a first hand account – and as fine a Celtic book as one might find anywhere.
Celtic had very much been out-played by Falkirk in the first half of the game, willed on by two ex-Celtic players. These were Jimmy Delaney and Jock Weir. Despite being in the twilight of an illustrious career Delaney out-foxed the Celtic defence in that first half from his position at outside right, and had had to put up with some close attention and fairly crude challenges from Celtic's left back Frank Meechan. The other ex-Celtic player was Jock Weir who was in his first season with Falkirk and was out to prove that he had been transferred too early. Weir scored the first goal after just five minutes and both players were involved in Falkirk's second scored on eighteen minutes by Campbell. Celtic were most definetly on the ropes when the half time whistle went to find them two goals down and looking as though they were out for the count. The Falkirk fans cheered their team from the park, as opposed to the very large travelling Celtic support who showed their appreciation of the team by booing them.
The second half began as the first finished but there were signs that Celtic were putting up more of a fight. On 53 minutes Celtic won their first corner and Tully stepped up to take it. The area around the corner flag was overwhelmed with people making it virtually impossible to take the corner and Tully in his cheekiness placed the ball outside of the arc of the corner – probably to give himeself room to take the corner better, probably as a wind up to the Falkirk defenders, probably as part expression of the man's cheekiness. Anyways he stepped back and sent a right-footed corner over which completely decieved a stationary Mcfeat, stranded at the back post in the Falkirk goal, and sailed in at the near post for a Celtic goal. Cue madness and a pitch invasion from the hordes of Celtic supporters behind the goal. Tully stood with his arms raised accepting the praises of the supporters and team mates.
However, the linesman's flag was raised and when the referee came across he explained the infringement how the ball had not been placed right. The referee (D Gerrard of Aberdeen) immediately disallowed the goal and ordered the corner to be retaken. Tully protested. The supporters protested but eventually the decision had to be accepted. Tully took the ball in a huff and tried to place it in the angle. Three policemen tried to clear the supporters back to give Charlie room for some kind of a run up. Eventually he gave up and grabbing the ball gave it to the linesman to place for him. Several minutes had passed in this mummery show. But eventually he stepped back to take the kick. This time it was higher, another inswinger – and sure enough, the same result. The full back on the line could not get to the ball and Mcfeat was late in reacting. The ball again nestled in the net and this time there was nothing either linesman and referee could do but to call the goal. Absolute pandemonium followed from the supporters behind the goal and another pitch invasion followed. Tully disappered into the mass, safety barriers crashed and crumpled. The Falkirk players all stood and looked dazed and shocked by the turn of events.
Charles Patrick Tully had done it again. This was the turning point of the match and Celtic fought back from two down to win 3-2 as the match page shows.