On this day in 1889 came one small but significant moment in Celtic’s history…
The Bhoys celebrated their first trophy win at a ceremony in Glasgow city centre. Although the Glasgow North Eastern Cup is not the most important competition ever won, it was the first step on a journey of huge success.
“Already famous Celtic”
In Celtic’s first season, they reached the finals of the Glasgow Exhibition Cup and Scottish Cup, and also competed in the Glasgow Charity Cup. These achievements for a new club were phenomenal and soon led to the team being described as the “already famous Celtic.”
However, the Bhoys still did not have any silverware to crown this maiden season. Their final opportunity would come in the North Eastern Cup, a competition open to sides from north and east of Glasgow, including Rutherglen.
“The largest … that ever lined the Clydesdales’ ropes”
Celtic’s opening North Eastern Cup tie was held on 28 December 1888. The Bhoys went to Rutherglen to play Clydesdale at Southcroft Park. A huge crowd – “the largest … that ever lined the Clydesdales’ ropes” – watched as the Celts had an easy 5-1 victory.
In the other first round fixtures, Northern and Shettleston won their matches. However the other tie was more controversial. Cowlairs beat Thistle but violence during the game meant a replay was ordered which ended in a draw. Cowlairs eventually got through after the third game.
In the semi-finals, Cowlairs faced Shettleston and the Celts were drawn to play Northern. Cowlairs had an especially easy task, winning 7-1 against the east Glasgow men.
“Socks, pawn tickets and shamrocks were kicking about the Celtic’s pavilion…”
Celtic’s game was held on St Patrick’s Day weekend. One newspaper later referred to this and one Celtic player by stating: “socks, pawn tickets and shamrocks were kicking about the Celtic’s pavilion on Saturday, in commemoration of Pat Gallagher’s day.”
On 16 March 1889, Northern (from the Springburn area) came to the original Celtic Park. The north Glasgow team went home disappointed. Newspapers later praised Celtic’s “exceedingly beautiful … passing” and this helped the Bhoys win 4-1 to reach their third final of their maiden season.
“And many had to turn home”
11 May 1889 would prove to be an historic day in Celtic’s history. The Bhoys made the short journey to Barrowfield Park, Clyde’s home ground, only around a mile from the modern day Celtic Park. 8000 fans crammed into the ground “and many had to turn home” too.
At 4pm, the match kicked off. One reporter stated that “the Celts at the very outset showed that they were determined to take the cup from the Cowlairs” and within 15 minutes, Celtic went ahead. They added two further goals to make it 3-0, but Cowlairs pulled one back just before the break.
The second half went the same way as the first; three more Celtic goals ensured an emphatic 6-1 win for the green-and-white stripes. The Bhoys’ six goals came from: Johnny Coleman (2), Willie Maley, Peter Dowds and Willie Groves. The first goal came from a corner and is often credited to Gallagher who took the kick.
“Go on Celts, you can bate the referee an a’.”
Post-match newspaper reports from the game provided some humour. One criticised a Cowlairs player’s fitness, saying he was “the fattest back on the football field.” And another noted that a Celtic fan bemoaned the match officials, saying: “Go on Celts, you can bate the referee an a’.”
“Irish Bridgeton could not have been more jubilant…”
Newspapers noted that there were celebrations around Glasgow’s East End marking this first success for the Bhoys. Indeed one journalist commented that “Irish Bridgeton could not have been more jubilant on Saturday night” if Home Rule had been offered to Ireland.
In terms of official acknowledgement, a ceremony was held later in the month to mark Celtic’s victory. On 31 May 1889, at Campbell’s in Dunlop Street (near the modern-day St Enoch’s Centre) a smoking concert took place.
Celtic’s achievement was celebrated
At this event, Celtic’s achievement was celebrated and badges (medals) were given to the victorious players. Celtic paid for an additional three medals to be made for players that did not play in the final but had contributed during the tournament.
There is a slight mystery over whether or not the Bhoys were actually given a trophy; newspapers have ambiguous reports that are not fully clear.
The North Eastern FA had commissioned a new prize that was not yet finished, and the old trophy was being given to the reserve competition (indeed, it was handed over to the winners of that tournament a fortnight later). So whether Celtic got a prize that night is unclear.
Celtic’s first competition winning XI
Celtic’s first competition winning XI – who wore green-and-white stripes whilst writing their name into club legend – was:
James McLaughlin
Pat Dowling
Mick McKeown
Willie Maley
James Kelly
James McLaren
Pat or Hugh Gallagher (reports vary)
Peter Dowds
Willie Groves
Johnny Coleman
Mick Dunbar
After the final victory, one newspaper recognised the club’s charitable roots and wrote that: “If it were only for the good they have done to poor suffering humanity the Celts deserved better luck. They should remember that small beginnings make big endings.”
Supporters of Celtic celebrated this maiden achievement
Supporters of Celtic celebrated this maiden achievement, including in places that might seem surprising, given modern stereotypes. In describing post-match events, the Scottish Referee newspaper said that: “Had a present of Home Rule been made to the ‘distressful country across the way’ on Saturday afternoon, Irish Bridgeton could not have been more jubilant on Saturday night.”
The North Eastern Cup is not the biggest trophy that the Celts have ever won
The North Eastern Cup is not the biggest trophy that the Celts have ever won. But for Celtic, this was where it all began, one part of achievements which continue to this day when Celtic FC Women lifted the Women’s Scottish Cup for just the third time with a 1-0 win over Rangers Women at Hampden Park.
Matthew Marr
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