One unusual @CelticFC history story features the circus.
In 1893 it was advertised that a team of "past & present" Celtic players would participate in a tour of Scotland as part of @CircusGinnett shows.
They would play 6-a-side games versus local teams.
1/9
#celtic #celticfc
In 1893 it was advertised that a team of "past & present" Celtic players would participate in a tour of Scotland as part of @CircusGinnett shows.
They would play 6-a-side games versus local teams.
1/9
#celtic #celticfc
There is some dubiety about these claims.
Certainly some people involved had played for @CelticFC but many hadn't.
It's unlikely Celtic even knew about this, even if all circus adverts said it was an official team. Nowadays litigation would stop such claims!
2/9
#celticfc
Certainly some people involved had played for @CelticFC but many hadn't.
It's unlikely Celtic even knew about this, even if all circus adverts said it was an official team. Nowadays litigation would stop such claims!
2/9
#celticfc
The only notable former @CelticFC player to be involved was the circus team captain, "General McLaren".
James (Jimmy) McClaren played for Celtic in the 1880s/1890s. His nickname was the "Ould Gineral (or General)".
thecelticwiki.com/players/all-ti…
3/9
#celtic #celticfc
James (Jimmy) McClaren played for Celtic in the 1880s/1890s. His nickname was the "Ould Gineral (or General)".
thecelticwiki.com/players/all-ti…
3/9
#celtic #celticfc
Some other players named as Celts are Britton, Galloway & McAllen.
There's no record of them playing in @CelticFC's first XI. It's possible they were reserves or in a 'scratch' team.
Calling them Celtic players could also be false adverts to boost sales!
4/9
#celtic #celticfc
There's no record of them playing in @CelticFC's first XI. It's possible they were reserves or in a 'scratch' team.
Calling them Celtic players could also be false adverts to boost sales!
4/9
#celtic #celticfc
It's also conceivable many of these players hadn't ever actually played for @CelticFC.
Britton - named as one of the players - could be Jimmy Britton, who played with Clyde.
He was part of Glasgow Select teams with Jimmy McLaren so would have known him.
5/9
#celtic #celticfc
Britton - named as one of the players - could be Jimmy Britton, who played with Clyde.
He was part of Glasgow Select teams with Jimmy McLaren so would have known him.
5/9
#celtic #celticfc
The circus games took place from May-Aug 1893.
The circus toured numerous locations including Brechin, Bathgate, Motherwell, Banff and Alva.
The games with the so-called @CelticFC players took place in what was described as a giant waterproof pavilion.
6/9
#celtic #celticfc
The circus toured numerous locations including Brechin, Bathgate, Motherwell, Banff and Alva.
The games with the so-called @CelticFC players took place in what was described as a giant waterproof pavilion.
6/9
#celtic #celticfc
During the tour the "@CelticFC" players won, lost and drew their various games, apparently mainly winning.
Sometimes they just played random groups of local men, other times it was versus organised sides like Forres Mechanics and Elgin Rovers.
7/9
#celtic #celticfc
Sometimes they just played random groups of local men, other times it was versus organised sides like Forres Mechanics and Elgin Rovers.
7/9
#celtic #celticfc
The circus performed for Queen Victoria at Balmoral 1 June 1893. It's not clear if the Queen watched the claimed @CelticFC team.
Other attractions she'd have seen at the circus were clowns along with various animals including horses, ponies and mules.
8/9
#celtic #celticfc
Other attractions she'd have seen at the circus were clowns along with various animals including horses, ponies and mules.
8/9
#celtic #celticfc
Perhaps one for the @TheCelticWiki, @joebloggscity? Happy to write up something.
Have any of you heard this story before?
@cfcliamk96
@jamiebhoy2009
@Stephen4_2
@EarlyCeltic
@CelticStarMag
@AndyMitchMedia
@TheShamrock1888
@Boola_vogue
9/9
#celtic #celticfc
Have any of you heard this story before?
@cfcliamk96
@jamiebhoy2009
@Stephen4_2
@EarlyCeltic
@CelticStarMag
@AndyMitchMedia
@TheShamrock1888
@Boola_vogue
9/9
#celtic #celticfc
@threadreaderapp Unroll please
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