Johnny Crum was a much loved Celtic icon of the 1930s

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The Celtic Star

·26 mars 2025

Johnny Crum was a much loved Celtic icon of the 1930s

Johnny Crum was an instrumental part of the Celtic side of the 1930s…

Celtic star Johnny Crum, Image by Celtic Curio for Celtic in the Thirties

Johnny Crum was a talented inside left signed from Ashfield Juniors in February 1932, and later that year he would make his mark as he scored his first goals for the club as he grabbed a brace in 4-1 victory over Motherwell at Celtic Park.

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Johnny quickly established himself as a regular in Willie Maley’s Celtic

An intelligent player with quick feet and a great football mind Johnny Crum quickly established himself as a regular in Willie Maley’s Celtic team. He wasn’t the strongest of players in an era of bruisers, but his heart and skill, and his character and wit more than made up for that, as he became a popular and vital cog in Maley’s side.

Willie Buchan and Johnny Crum. Image The Celtic Star

His skills and ability along with his charm impressed the Celtic crowd who despite not seeing much in the way of success, were being treated to some wonderful and entertaining football by Maley’s side who were ahead of their time in that regard.

Johnny was skilful and knew where the goal was

Johnny as well as having great skill on the ball also knew where the goal was as his record of 111 goals in 280 games would suggest. That sharpness in front of goal persuaded Willie Maley to move Johnny to centre forward after the retirement of the legendary Jimmy McGrory.

Despite it being a poor era in terms of success for the club, Johnny could be proud of his personal achievements which seen him win two league winners medals, a Scottish Cup winners medal and the Empire Exhibition Cup, as well as being recognised at international level that seen him capped twice by Scotland.

Johnny Crum in action against Rangers at Ibrox. He scored the winner as Celts won there on 21 September 1935 for the first time in almost 15 years. The Rangers defender is Jimmy Simpson, Ronnie’s father.

Johnny scored the opening goal in the 1937 Scottish cup final win over Aberdeen, a contest that was played out in front of a record 147,365 spectators, whilst also being the man responsible for scoring the goal that won the iconic exhibition cup against Everton in 1938.

Johnny’s shirt from that famous Empire Exhibition Cup win still sits proudly on display at Celtic park to this very day, and that recognition along with his overall contributions to the club make him very much a much revered figure in the club’s illustrious history.

READ THIS…Celtic in the Thirties: Unpublished works of David Potter – Johnny Crum

Johnny Crum’s shirt from the 1938 exhibition cup win over Everton which sits proudly in Celtic park this very day. Photo Just an Ordinary Bhoy

The outbreak of World War Two seen a decline in Johnny’s career and he signed for Morton in 1942 where he played until his retirement from the game in 1946. Johnny remained a Celtic supporter until his passing in 1969, and whilst he might be gone, his contributions to Celtic football club will never be forgotten.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Celtic in the Thirties

Celtic in the Thirties by Celtic Historian Matt Corr is published in two volumes by Celtic Star Books. ORDER NOW!

By popular demand, both volumes of Celtic in the Thirties are now available on Amazon Kindle, with the links to order below. Signed copies of both volumes are available on hardback from Celtic Star Books and if you would like author Matt Corr to add a special dedication to your copies please let us know. Order hardback copies HERE or for Amazon Kindle click on the links below…

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