John Thomson (footballer, born 1909)

John Thomson (28 January 1909 – 5 September 1931) was a Scottish footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Celtic and the Scotland national football team.

He died as a result of an accidental collision with Rangers player Sam English during an Old Firm match at Ibrox.

Thomson was born on 28 January 1909 in Kirkcaldy, to John and Jean Thomson.

He grew up in the mining community of Cardenden in Fife, and was educated at Denend Primary School and Auchterderran Higher Grade School.

By the time he reached High School he was already seen as a talented goalkeeper and was part of the Auchterderran school team that won the Lochgelly Times Cup.

At the age of 14, he became an oncost worker at Bowhill Colliery, where his father also worked.

He worked 300 yards below the pithead surface, uncoupling the chain clips of the waggons that carried the coal up from the mine.

During the 1924–25 season, Thomson played for Bowhill Rovers in the Fife Junior Football League.

The following season, he moved to Wellesley Juniors, where his talent was spotted by the local press who predicted that he would become a very good goalkeeper in future.

Celtic manager Willie Maley sent his chief scout Steve Callaghan to watch the Denbeath Star goalkeeper but instead Callaghan came back with a rave review about Thomson.

After watching him playing against Denbeath Star on 20 October 1926, Celtic signed 17-year-old Thomson for £10.

On 5 February 1927, Celtic beat Brechin City 6–3, but Maley was concerned by the fact his first choice 'keeper, Peter Shevlin, had conceded three soft goals so decided to give 18-year-old Thomson a chance in the next game, which was against Dundee.

He kept his place in the team after this match, and helped Celtic to finish second in the Scottish First Division.

He also played in Celtic's 1927 Scottish Cup Final victory as they beat East Fife 3–1.

The following season, after an Old Firm match where Celtic played against their rivals Rangers at Ibrox Park, Thomson received widespread praise from the press following an "immense" performance.

On 5 February 1930, Thomson was seriously injured in a game against Airdrieonians: he broke his jaw, fractured several ribs, damaged his collar bone, and lost two teeth when making a diving save.

John made his first international appearance against France on 18 May 1930 in a 2–0 win.

This was in the time before caps were awarded for matches other than Home Internationals, so Thomson was awarded his first physical cap against Wales on 25 October 1930.

He made another two international appearances for Scotland, keeping clean sheets against Ireland and England.

Thomson was very small and thin, standing at only 5ft 9in.

Many people thought that he did not look like a goalkeeper due to his diminutive stature, and small hands.

Although his team-mate Jimmy McGrory described him as having "artists hands".

In his biography of Thomson, author Tom Greig described him as having strong, slender fingers and powerful wrists and forearms.

Saying that "The combination of these physical attributes was the basis for his extraordinary shot-saving and clutching capabilities."

Football historian Robert McElroy, described him as being "graceful, athletic, very brave and courageous".

Celtic chairman Desmond White said that Thomson was the best 'keeper he had ever seen, and described him as having "the ability to rise in the air high above the opposition. It was this almost ballet-like ability and agility which, in his tremendous displays, endeared him to the hearts of all Celtic supporters."

On 11 April 1931, Thomson won the second medal of his career as Celtic beat Motherwell 4–2 in the 1931 Scottish Cup Final.

The first match had finished in a 2–2 draw and over 105,000 spectators watched the replay at Hampden Park.

In 1931, Thomson got engaged to Margaret Finlay and also started making plans to open a tailor shop in Glasgow.

He was a member of the Church of Christ, a small Protestant Evangelical church.

He was not related to Celtic teammates and fellow Scotland internationals Alec Thomson (a forward who was also from Fife and joined the club from Wellesley Juniors) or Bertie Thomson (a winger who died aged 30).

On 5 September 1931, Celtic were playing their Old Firm rivals Rangers at Ibrox Park in Glasgow in front of 80,000.

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 and rupturing an artery in his right temple.

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 source said, "There were gasps in the main stand, a single piercing scream being heard from a horrified young woman"; this was believed to be the scream of 19-year-old Margaret Finlay, who was watching with Jim Thomson (brother of John).

One Rangers player, also a medical student, said later that as soon as he saw him he gave little chance for his survival, this was also the view of the Celtic team doctor.

After having treatment from the St Andrew's Ambulance Association, he was taken to a stretcher.

According to The Scotsman, he was "seen to rise on the stretcher and look towards the goal and the spot where the accident happened".

The game ended 0–0.