Another year and another brilliant young football tournament organised by the Cardenden based John Thomson Memorial Committee under the leadership of Mr Alex Burns OBE.
The thrill on the face of the young person up collecting their medal and trophy was just great and the committee made sure that every child who competed in the tournament received a small trophy. The collective spirt from all the children in their own teams and to the other teams was also very evident at the awards ceremony and the committee was particularly over the moon that this year there was three girls teams took part.
Celtic Football Club also support the event every year and send representatives and players to the tournament and wreath laying ceremony afterward. The first team was in action this year on the same day so no player but the audience were delighted with the presence of Lisbon Lion John Hughes as was I!
I was also honoured to lay a wreath at the grave of John Thomson and then at the memorial for those killed in the Bowhill mining disaster in that same year.
To conclude a great day there was a reception where the chairman led the festivities with his version of the John Thomson song!
Well done to everyone involved with this great tournament which seems to be going from strength to strength
The John Thomson Song
Unknown
A young lad named John Thomson,
From the west of Fife he came,
To play for Glasgow Celtic,
And to build himself a name.
On the fifth day of September,
‘gainst the Rangers club he played,
From defeat he saved the Celtic,
Ah but what a price he paid.
The ball rolled from the centre,
Young John ran out and dived,
The ball rolled by; young John lay still,
For his club this hero died.
I took a trip to Parkhead,
To the dear old Paradise,
And as the players came out,
Sure the tears fell from my eyes.
For a famous face was missing,
From the green and white brigade,
And they told me Johnny Thomson,
His last game he had played.
Farewell my darling Johnny,
Prince of players we must part,
No more we’ll stand and cheer you,
On the slopes of Celtic Park.
Now the fans they all are silent,
As they travel near and far,
No more they’ll cheer John Thomson,
Our bright and shining star.
So come all you Glasgow Celtic,
Stand up and play the game,
For between your posts there stands a ghost,
Johnny Thomson is his name.
These lyrics may or may not be copyrighted!
