CGS Patrick Gallacher

Published: Nov. 6, 2016, 10 p.m.

The Celtic Graves Society are proud to announce a ceremony to mark the final resting place of PATRICK GALLACHER At St Kentigerns RC Cemetery, 951 Balmore Road, Glasgow On Saturday 5th November 2016 At 12 noon Speakers at the event shall include: Jim Craig, Lisbon Lion and Celtic Graves Society Patron Tom Boyd, former Celtic Captain A blessing of the grave will be conducted by Father White of St Mary of the Assumption Church, Calton Patrick Gallacher was the original “Bould, Bould Celt”, the club’s very first jersey player. One of the first Celtic heroes, Patrick Gallacher was adored by the Celtic support for his passionate play and tough tackling. Like many of his team mates he was tempted to the East End of Glasgow in 1888 from Hibernian to play for the newly formed and ambitious Celtic Football Club. His first game for Celtic was against Abercorn in the Glasgow Exhibition Cup on August 1st 1888 and his competitive debut came in a 5-1 win vs Shettleston on September 1st 1888 in the Scottish Cup at the original Celtic Park. His full-blooded commitment to the Celtic cause made him an obvious target for abuse from the opposition supporters but he was a huge favourite of the Celtic fans and he was given the honour of becoming vice-captain to the legendary James Kelly. He was part of the first Celtic team to lift a major trophy when Celtic beat Glasgow rivals Queen’s Park 5-1 to lift the Scottish Cup in 1892. He retired from playing duties in 1893 and acted as a club linesman back in the day when an official from each side would run the line. By that time, he had made 45 appearances and scored one goal. In the same year, he was elected onto the Celtic committee and remained there until 1897. He took ill from “inflammation” in December 1897 but the reports of his passing in early 1898 were greatly exaggerated. However, illness was to cut his life tragically short and he died in 1899 aged just 33. H was probably the most committed of the original Celts and served as a player, committeeman and linesman. Patrick Gallacher was Celtic’s original ball winner. Adored by the Celtic support and reviled by the opposition. For more information on Celtic Graves Society please visit www.celticgraves.com where donations to the work of Celtic Graves Society can be made. For more information see: www.facebook.com/CelticGravesSociety or @CelticGraves on Twitter or search for Patrick Gallacher on www.thecelticwiki.com