Goalkeeping Museum

There are few figures from the history of goalkeeping who generate such resounding applause and respect from those who witnessed him play as John Thomson, of Glasgow Celtic, who lost his life on the pitch, making a one-on-one save against arch rivals Glasgow Rangers.

On September 5, 1931, John Thomson played his last ever game of football in an Ibrox derby. Such was his talent and commitment to the goalkeeping cause, one commentator, Hugh Taylor, in his book The Masters of Scottish Football (1967), christened Thomson “The Prince of Goalkeepers”. That label seems remarkably apt, given the high description Hugh Taylor provides of the young Celtic stopper:

And yet… and yet… the goalkeeper I nominate as prince of his trade was only twenty-two when he died, hardly in the flush of manhood. But even at that tender age, as far as footballers go, he had become a legend. For he was John Thomson, Scotland’s most loved player.”

However, Taylor uncovers a lot more of this remarkable character, and goes on:

The name is still revered in Scotland. To thousands of Celtic supporters who weren’t born when Thomson died he is still the best goalkeeper who ever played. It is true his tragic death made him a hero for whom ballads were written, a footballer who will never be forgotten. But we must realise that when he played he was hailed as a genius, even though he was so young. He magnetized the fans; he was an idol. There was a story – and it was true – that when he was at at children’s party at a house in Fife a small ball was produced and, with the grown-ups next door preparing supper, the fun grew fast and furious. Too furious… a lad kicked the ball straight at the oil lamp on the table. Disaster seemed certain – until a slim boy reached with a speed that was to make him famous years afterwards. He hurled himself through the air with a panther’s grace and caught the ball just as tragedy seemed imminent. You could believe it of John Thomson.

Thomson had met with an untimely end, on the pitch at Ibrox with the scores locked at nil-nil. It is incredible to note, however, that over 30,000 turned out for his funeral.

The greatest talent ever lost to the world of goalkeeping? Sadly, we never will know.

You can watch a newsreel of John Thomson’s death below:

John Thomson was also remembered in verse, by T. Smith.

John Thomson

Hail and farewell! We say of those
Who come, and pass too soon,
The broken arc, the blasted rose,
The life cut short ere noon.

Hail and farewell to you, Dear John,
More regal than a king,
More graceful than the fleet-limber fawn,
Your year ends at its spring.

The athlete rare who typified,
All that is best in life,
Your brilliant deeds! the death you died!
Our lovely lad from Fife.

The unerring eye, the master touch
More buoyant than the ball!
The fearless heart, the powerful clutch,
The genius praised by all.

The squirrel’s swift leap, the falcon’s flight
The clear quick-thinking brain;
All those were yours, for our delight
Never, alas! again.

We did not need your death to tell
You were a sportsman true.
We bow to Fate, Hail and Farewell!
We shall remember you.

T. Smith

Remembered, indeed.