I had the great pleasure of joining with local councillor Linda Erskine and Celtic and Scotland Captain Scott Brown to present prizes at the John Thomson Memorial Tournament in Cardenden last week.
The Tourniament was established in 1983 and this years competition played at Moorside Parkmarked the 31st outing of the tournament. A bumper crowd from the local community and further afield made sure the day was lively with all the young competitors having a great day and some brilliant youth football being played by young boys and girls.
The tournament was one by JT All Stars, runners up were Bowhill Rovers and the consolation prize went to Dundonald Bears. Kinglassie picked up a prize for the most sporting team and the Rovers Rebels got the top scoring team in what was a very competitive competition with 17 teams taking part.
I also had the privilege of joining the committee President Alex Burns MBE in laying a wreath at the grave of the Celtic Goalkeeper John Thomson who died as a result of a tragic accident in a game with Rangers in 1931 and then we laid wreaths at the Miners Memorial which is the resting place for the miners who lost their lives in the Bowhill Colliery disaster which happened on the 31st October 1931 and followed shortly after John Thomsons tragic death and he himself had worked in the colliery.
It was also great to meet the Celtic and Scotland Captain Scott Brown who seemed to spend most of the afternoon signing autographs and standing for selfies with the young fans and parents alike! Mr Brown is an inspiration for young sports boys and girls and it was tremendous he put of so much time and was so encouraging to all the young people.
The John Thomson Memorial Committee do a great job in running this and other events throughout the year and must be congratulated for all the hard work they do to engage young people in sport.
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.
