A Day Of Celtic History – Part 1 – James McGrory Park | OneFootball

Over the last few years, I have had many days out in the name of Celtic Football Club’s history. In particular, during the research for one of my books, The Holy Grounds of Glasgow Celtic: A Guide To Celtic Landmarks & Sites of Interest, I visited many locations with connections to our great club and its illustrious past. Yesterday was another such day.

I have found myself working in Scotland temporarily, so I utilised the rare bit of extended free time up here, to tick some more places with Celtic connections off the list. First stop James McGrory Park.

Jimmy McGrory is a man who needs no introduction. He is a Celtic legend and the record goalscorer in British football. 550 goals were scored by the prolific forward from 547 appearances, but his footballing story all began in the humble surrounds of the Garngad at St Roch’s Football Club. McGrory played for The Candy as a youngster, signing for the Junior outfit a year after their formation, in 1921. Then aged 16, the Human Torpedo as he later became known, helped St Roch’s to win the double in the 1921/22 season. That double included the Scottish Junior Cup and the triumph remains the only time that the club has lifted the trophy in its 105 year history.

By mid 1922, McGrory was a Celtic player and the rest is history. The great man also became the manager of Celtic and held the role for 20 years. He was in the hot seat when Celtic won the Coronation Cup, the 1954 League and Cup double, and when the Bhoys thrashed Rangers 7-1 in the 1957 League Cup final. McGrory was also responsible for signing 10 of the Lisbon Lions.

In 2013, St Roch’s renamed their Provanmill Park Stadium James McGrory Park.

This weekend The Candy took on Vale of Clyde and I finally attended my first Junior game in Scotland.

Arriving at the ground about half an hour before kick off, I parked up nearby and only had to part with £9 to get in. A small club shop met my eyes as I entered the stadium. It boasted McGrory mugs and prints, a cracking James McGrory Park scarf and club shirts available for as little as £10. After getting a jersey and entering the club draw, it was time to take a wonder round the park.

To the left was the largest stand, running along the touchline. On the back wall of it, hung a Bertie Auld tribute and details of some charity work undertaken with Glasgow’s homeless individuals. Celtic stickers were prevalent and to the side of the stand hung several St Roch’s, McGrory inspired flags.

After seeing all the colour on show, we went to the clubhouse within the other stand behind one of the goals. In there was a huge image of Jimmy McGrory filling one of the walls, while another wall bore the image of the immortal St Roch’s Scottish Cup winning team, featuring a very young and scarcely recognisable McGrory!

Wall mural at St Roch’s

At this point, the man behind the bar spotted me taking photographs and asked if it was my first time at St Roch’s. When I told him that it was and that I was up from Bournemouth, he gave me a mini tour and let us have a look around the committee room, which boasted signed canvases from Scott Brown and Charlie Mulgrew, another image of McGrory, a Celtic v St Roch’s pennant and a collection of silverware.

We were made very welcome and then encouraged not to miss the teams walking out as St Roch’s do the huddle prior to the game. I saw this familiar sight and then walked past a little memorial garden, which pays tribute to people linked to the club. I took up a spot near the dugout and prepared to enjoy the match.

Shortly after kick off, the sound of a beating drum could be heard and a group of kids walked around singing all manner of Vale songs, even humorously declaring themselves ‘hooligans’ before wondering off to their own space in the ground to enjoy themselves. They were contrasted by St Roch’s young ultras at the opposite side. It was great to see young people being involved in local sport and being allowed to express themselves.

The football itself was a bit of a mix in quality. While there were spells when fans urged players to keep the ball on the deck, Vale’s opening goal was a brilliant lofted finish over the goalkeeper. There was plenty of full blooded challenges, along with effort and desire. However, there were several passages of tidy play and the Candy’s equaliser, just a few minutes after conceding, came when a great first touch brought the ball out the sky to allow the goalscorer to tuck home from close range.

Half time allowed for a cheaply priced bite to eat and drink. Then the second 45 produced the result we all wanted as St Roch’s won the game 2-1 to open their West of Scotland Division 1 campaign on a positive note.

St Roch’s is a great football club in the heart of the Irish community in Glasgow’s Garngad. It has a long and interesting history in its own right, but a special connection to Celtic, which made it even more enjoyable to visit. It is the site where arguably our greatest ever player graced the pitch at the beginning of his career and it is full of tributes to Celtic legends.

Next stop on my day of Celtic history – Eastern Necropolis. More on that soon.