Cardenden competition in memory of John Thomson ran for 41 years

Alex Burns said that this month's competition in memory of John Thomson, who came from Cardenden and played for Celtic until his tragic death in 1931, would be the last one.  

He was the manager of Bowhill Amateurs in 1982 when he decided to air his disappointment to the Glasgow giant's board of the day that the young man who he described as the "prince of goalkeepers" had not been given a higher profile by the club.

Thomson, a coal miner from the village, was spotted by a Celtic scout when he played for Bowhill Rovers and Wellesley Juniors. He was signed in 1926 at the age of 17. 

A former Cardenden miner, John Thomson was just 22 when he was fatally injured in a Rangers v Celtic match in 1931. (Image: Celtic FC) He went on to play 164 games for the club, plus four appearances for Scotland, before that fateful day on September 5, 1931, at Ibrox Stadium, when he was fatally injured in an accidental clash with the knee of Rangers forward Sam English. 

Thomson's skull was fractured and despite the efforts of medical staff at the Victoria Infirmary in Glasgow, he passed away that evening.

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His life was cut short at the age of just 22 by a freak accident, but such was his impact on Scottish football that more than 10,000 people attended his funeral at Bowhill Cemetery.

Alex felt the club could do more and his appeal led to the Celtic board handing over a trophy to him for a children’s football tournament to be held in Cardenden. The first competition took place in 1983.

The first competition was held in 1983 after Alex Burns contacted Celtic to complain that the 'prince of goalkeepers', from Cardenden, was not given the profile he deserved. (Image: David Wardle) He said: “Like John Thomson, I was a miner and I was fortunate to attend the same school as him, Denend Primary, so I knew fully what he meant to the village.

“The first tournament saw 18 teams entered and that day brought some tremendous football in front of a huge crowd. 

"A special prizegiving ceremony was held at the former Bowhill War Memorial Club, which saw John’s brother, Jim, present some of the prizes, and he then laid the first wreath at the graveside in Bowhill Cemetery.

Action shot from the last ever John Thomson football tournament, played at Dundonald Bluebell's ground earlier this month. (Image: David Wardle) “The tournament was a big success and following it we held a series of fundraising events to ensure that John’s graveside was fully maintained.

"We were fortunate that on the first occasion a stonemason from Glasgow did a full upgrade free of charge and since then we have been able to ensure its upkeep.

“The generations of staff and pupils at Denend have never forgotten John Thomson and one group put on a play about his life, written by David Potter, while the school choir also appeared at Celtic Park before a Premier League game to sing the John Thomson song to the crowd.

“We were also delighted to play a part in seeing John included in Scottish football’s Hall of Fame at Hampden Park."

Alex went on: “In total over 4,000 children have taken part in the tournament over the years, thanks to the tremendous work of all the committee people who have been involved.

After the tournament, wreaths were laid at the grave of John Thomson in Bowhill Cemetery. (Image: David Wardle) “I would also like to thank all the many companies who have sponsored us over the years, including the local Celtic supporters clubs who have done so much work to help ensure tournaments have gone ahead, and also Celtic FC, who provided the trophy to be competed for, and for their support over 40 plus years.”

The last John Thomson tournament, held at Moorside Park, the home of Dundonald Bluebell, on Sunday September 15, saw four teams take part with Bowhill Rovers emerging victorious. 

Alex said that the size of the 2024 entry had a major impact on the decision to call time on the event.

“We are now in an era where youngsters have many more activities to engage them rather than playing football and in recent years the numbers of teams participating has reduced significantly and perhaps the time is right to end the event,” he concluded.

“My I add though that while only four teams were participating, it was still a great event and Bowhill Rovers were deserved winners. 

"It was a pleasure to have Rory Fallon, grandson of Celtic ambassador John Fallon, and Willie Johnston, the Cardenden man who played many times for Scotland, to present prizes.”