John Thomson (footballer)

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John Thomson (1909 - September 5, 1931) was a football player for Celtic and Scotland who died in an accidental collision during a match.

Thomson was born in Kirkcaldy and grew up in the mining community of Cardenden in Fife. He was a member of the Church of Christ, a small Protestant evangelical church. He was very keen on football, and became the first choice goalkeeper for Celtic and Scotland.

On September 5, 1931, Celtic were playing their old rivals Rangers at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow. Early in the second half Thomson and a Rangers player, Sam English, went for the ball at the same time. Thomson's head collided with English's knee, fracturing his skull. Thomson was taken off the field in a stretcher, most people assumed that he was just badly concussed, but a few people who had seen his injuries suspected worse. One Rangers player who was also a medical student said later that as soon as he saw him he gave little chance for his survival. The rest of the match passed uneventfully and ended in a 0-0 draw. Thomson died in the Victoria Infirmary later that evening. A huge crowd of Celtic supporters attended his funeral in Fife, many of them had even walked from Glasgow.

His death shocked many people, and there was a well-known song written Johnny Thomson [1], to the tune of Arbor Hill. English was totally cleared of any responsibility for the accident. Even at the start of the 21st century Thomson's grave in Fife remains a place of pilgrimage for Celtic fans.

Celtic manager Willie Maley wrote of him:

"Among the galaxy of talented goalkeepers whom Celtic have had, the late lamented John Thomson was the greatest. A Fifeshire friend recommended him to the Club. We watched him play. We were impressed so much that we signed him when he was still in his teens. That was in 1926. Next year he became our regular goalkeeper, and was soon regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers in the country.

"But, alas, his career was to be short. In September, 1931, playing against Rangers at Ibrox Park, he met with a fatal accident. Yet he had played long enough to gain the highest honours football had to give. A most likeable lad, modest and unassuming, he was popular wherever he went.

"His merit as a goalkeeper shone superbly in his play. Never was there a keeper who caught and held the fastest shots with such grace and ease. In all he did there was the balance and beauty of movement wonderful to watch. Among the great Celts who have passed over, he has an honoured place."

Thomson was known for his incredible agility, bravery and safe handling, who produced some magnificent displays of goalkeeping. He was capped four times for Scotland, and, had he lived, could have become an even greater legend than he is.