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Personal
Fullname: Francis Walsh
aka: Frank Walsh
Born: 15 Sep 1923
Died: […]
Birthplace: Overtown, Wishaw
Signed: 12 Nov 1947
Left: Apr 1949 (free); 3 Oct 1949 (Southport)
Position: Centre-forward
Debut: Partick Thistle 3-5 Celtic, League, 15 Nov 1947 (scored once)
Internationals: none
Biog
Signed from Kilmarnock in November 1947 Frank Walsh was a young centre-forward who had been Scotland’s leading scorer in season 1945-46, and had scored more than 70 goals in his time with Kilmarnock. A great record and another great hope for the then ailing Celtic first team. It was supposed to be a step up as despite his efforts, Kilmarnock were relegated from the top tier in season 1945-46 and were in the second tier for the remainder of his time there in this post-war era.
He made his Celtic debut in a 5-3 league victory at Partick Thistle on 15th November 1947 and was quickly on the scoring trail with a goal in the 68th minute as the Hoops fought there way back from a 3-1 deficit.
However despite having plenty of pace and an eye for goal, Frank Walsh – and indeed the club in general – struggled to maintain the momentum of his debut. The great debut was to be another false dawn.
Possibly expectations were too high. Celtic director John Shaughnessy declared that Celtic would be great again soon, with Frank Walsh solving the much needed leadership problem. The solution to Celtic’s ails was more than just one player at the time especially a young player like Frank Walsh. Celtic were abject in the 1940’s (both at coaching & board level), so not a good environment for any aspiring footballer. In season 1947-48, Celtic were even close to being relegated, the final league position was all too close for comfort.
Frank Walsh was dropped after a 4-0 loss in Jan 1948, and played his last game for Celtic in March 1948 in a 5-1 loss to Third Lanark.
He wasn’t picked for the vital game v Dundee to stave off relegation (which Celtic won), but played in the reserves and was to suffer a double fracture of his right leg.
In total, he played 10 times for Celtic in the league – scoring just three goals – before being released in April 1949.
Taking in his record prior to arriving at Celtic, that he was still young and in what should have been his prime years whilst at Celtic, it highlights the woeful setup at Celtic. He was another player who suffered in Celtic’s poorest days.
He would later turn out for Southport, Hamilton and Limerick among others.
After football, he worked in the Lanarkshire Steelworks, and after redundancy he retrained as a capstan sett in Bellshill.
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 1947-49 | 10 | 0 | – | – | 10 |
| Goals | 3 | 0 | – | – | 3 |
Honours with Celtic
None