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Personal
Fullname: Robert Wraith
aka: Bob Wraith, Bobby Wraith
Born: 26 Apr 1948
Birthplace: Largs
Signed: 26 Apr 1968
Left: 2 May 1969 (free); 22 July 1969 (to Southport)
Position: Goalkeeper
Debut: Hamilton Academicals 2-4 Celtic, League Cup, 25 Sep 1968
Internationals: none
Biog
Largs-born Bobby Wraith was a goalkeeper and diehard Rangers fan who signed for Celtic from Dalry Thistle in April 1968.
“He’s a red-hot Ranger – but he’s signed for Celts” was one headline. Just a month before signing for Celtic, he’d actually travelled down south to Yorkshire to watch Rangers take on Leeds in the Fairs Cup.
It was a life-changing move as prior to signing for Celtic, he was a labourer in Hunterston Power station.
He was signed as back-up to Ronnie Simpson and John Fallon but his only first team appearance for the Bhoys came in a 4-2 League Cup victory at Hamilton on 25th September 1968. Conceding two goals was not a great start, and in any case he was in the line behind two already established great goalkeepers. Celtic still went on to win the league cup that season so no issues from that match.
His debut is best remembered as the debut also for the great Kenny Dalglish, the interesting side-note being that both of them had grown up as big bluenose supporters.
He was a fortunate man in that he was part of the early group of players to be dubbed the Quality Street Gang which was composed of some of the great future luminaries of the Scottish game, including Davie Hay, George Connelly and Danny McGrain. He had played in tournaments abroad with the development sides, but unfortunately never came close to emulating the best of the lot.
He was close to an appearance on the big stage when in February 1969 he travelled to the San Siro for the European Cup quarter-final against AC Milan. Ronnie Simpson was injured and Bobby Wraith was on the bench as cover for John Fallon, but he didn’t get on to play.
He never got to play for Celtic against his boyhood heroes in a first team match, but he did play in a reserve match against Rangers reserves in which they fielded five internationals, including Alex Ferguson. Celtic reserves won 2-1.
He was released in May 1969 and went on to play for Southport and Formby in England.
After football he joined the police force, and went on to play for the British Police versus Dutch & Norwegian representative sides. On retirement he returned to Scotland and in matches between Celtic and Rangers (and we assume the following newly formed club TheRangers) he kept a foot in both camps, so was partially converted.
Despite not making it at Celtic for the long haul, he spoke well of his time in a retrospective:
“I have to say that I never had any problems during my time at Celtic. The lads were all brilliant to me and I’ve nothing but happy memories about my spell at the club.”
That is something special to note as at around the same time, Alex Ferguson was to be sidelined and discriminated against at Rangers for having married a Roman Catholic. A clear example of the difference of the different ethos between the two clubs; everyone regardless of colour, creed or nationality will always be welcome at Celtic.
We wish him the best.
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 1968-69 | – | – | 1 | – | 1 |
| Shut-Outs: | – | – | 0 | – | 0 |
Previous Clubs
| Pre-1967 | Dalry Thistle | |
| 1967-68 | 1968-69 | Celtic |
| 1969-70 | 1969-70 | Southport |
| ? | ? | Formby |
Honours with Celtic
Scottish League Cup
Pictures
Articles
Glasgow Times
https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/other_football/13303317.now-you-know-waddell-won-17-caps-for-scotland/
OOR WILLIE (Glasgow) – Please give a typical Johnstone Burgh team Bobby Wraith would have played in when he was re-instated to Junior football from Celtic. Was he replaced by Davie McWilliams?
Our Junior FA only retain the team lines for a year, so perhaps the club secretary may be able to help you.
Bobby Wraith made only one appearance in goal for Celtic against Hamilton Academicals on September 25, 1968.
In February 1969 he travelled to the San Siro for the European Cup quarter-final against AC Milan.
Ronnie Simpson was injured and Bobby was on the bench as cover for John Fallon.
He was released by Celtic in May 1969. Our registrations show that he signed for Johnstone Burgh on July 17, 1969, but it was cancelled on July 31, 1969.
We believe he signed for English League side Southport FC on July 22, 1969.
The goalkeeper Davie McWilliams signed for Johnstone Burgh on June 3, 1970.
