Charlie Tully
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Charlie Tully (born in Belfast, Northern Ireland on 11 July 1924 - died 27 July 1971 also in Belfast) was a famous footballer of Celtic Football Club.
Tully signed for Celtic from Belfast Celtic on 28 June 1948. He played his debut match at Inside-left at home against Morton on 14 August in a 0-0 draw. Charlie played a total of 319 matches for Celtic, scoring 47 goals, throughout his illustrious career, which spanned 11 years.
Charlie’s skill quickly earned him the reputation as a Celtic great after an outstanding performance against Rangers in a 3-1 victory at Celtic Park where it was reported ‘Tully dribbled about almost at will.’ ‘..The miraculous Irishman bewildered, badgered…. mesmerised Rangers..’ This catapulted Tully to the status of cult hero and the beginning of ‘Tully Mania’ when Tully cocktails were sold in pubs; Tully ties in shops and green flavoured Tully ice cream in cafes.
As well being such an accomplished club player, Tully played international football for Northern Ireland. One game is particularly well remembered. In 1952 Tully scored both goals in a 2-2 draw with England, one of which was scored from the corner flag. Tully achieved this feat again in 1953, not once but twice against Falkirk in a Scottish Cup tie at Brockville. Tully took a corner for Celtic and swung the ball directly into the net. The referee, presuming that the ball must have been placed outwith the arc, instructed Tully to retake the corner. Tully did so with the same result, swinging the ball into the net directly from the corner.
Tully spent brief periods on loan to Stirling Albion before being released in September of 1959. Thereafter he took up the position of player-manager at Cork Hibernians before spells in management with Bangor (twice) and Portadown.
Tully died in his sleep at home in Belfast on 27 July 1971. The Falls Road was packed with mourners for his funeral.
He now has family that live in Kenilworth in Warwickshire, Nottingham and in Kells in The Republic of Ireland.
