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Fullname: John Wallace
aka: Jock Wallace
Born: 20 June 1910
Died: 17 November 1992
Birthplace: Falkirk
Signed: 5 November 1932
Left: 30 Apr 1934 (free); 16 May 1934 (to Coleraine)
Position: Goalkeeper
Debut: Third Lanark 0-4 Celtic, League, 26 Nov 1932
Internationals: none
Biog
Falkirk-born goalkeeper John Wallace signed for Celtic on November 5 1932 from Stonehouse Violet, prior to his Celtic career he was a coal miner. He was thought to be ‘a good capture’.
He made his competitive first team debut in a 4-0 league win at Third Lanark on November 26th in place of the flu-ridden Joe Kennaway. It was an easy day for Celtic, but one match report was positive on Wallace:
“It was a bold venture to field a young goalkeeper on such a day, but Wallace was as cool as anyone, and performed his duties with confident assurance”.
However, playing in a declining Celtic side, it was not easy and can be reflected in the lack of clean sheets during his matches (only 3 out of 18 matches).
Possibly the 3-2 victory over Hearts in Feb 1933 was the most notable match he played in, where having conceded twice just after the break only for Celtic to recover and win.
Wallace was a steady keeper and good cover for Joe Kennaway until eventually being freed by Celtic in April 1934. He had played 18 league & Scottish Cup games for the Celts, but it wasn’t to be, and displacing Joe Kennaway was a difficult task for anyone.
John Wallace went on to play for Coleraine, Derry City and Belfast Celtic. His understudy at Derry City, John Doherty, was to move on to play for Celtic for two league matches.
He passed away in 1992.
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 1932-34 | 15 | 3 | – | – | 18 |
| Goals: | 3 | 0 | – | – | 3 (17%) |
Honours with Celtic
none
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Posted on Twitter by @dantetstall
Found in an old newsletter for village near Stirling, this was published in late 80s.
