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Bonnar, John

john bonnar
John Bonnar will go down in Celtic folklore for his part in ensuring one of the great unique triumphs in Celtic history.

Signed in August 1948 from Arbroath Bonnar - the son of Donegal parents - hjad originally made a name for himself as a junior. However it would be in the Coronation Cup of 1953 that the keeper would earn his place in Celtic and football folklore.

Originally brought as cover for Willie Miller John's debut for the Bhoys came on November 6th 1948 when he kept a clean sheet as the Celts defeated Clyde at Shawfield in a league tie.

Not particuarly tall for a keeper Bonnar was prone to the odd costly error but was also able to produce moments of magic. So it was that in 1953 Bonnar turned in a string of magnificent performances against Arsenal, Manchester United and Hibernian to play a huge part in help an unfancied Celtic lift the Coronation Cup.

The next season he played his part in a league and Scottish Cup double but would later lose his place to Dick Beattie. John would leave Parkhead for Dumbarton in 1958 but his Coronation Cup heroics meant he would always be remembered with huge affection by all Celts.




APPEARANCES LEAGUE SCOTTISH CUP LEAGUE CUP EUROPE TOTAL
1946-1958 120 22 38 n/a 180




Herald and the Sunday Herald,
January 15, 2004

John Bonnar - Kerrydale Street
John Bonnar (nicknamed, "Tiger"), the former Celtic goalkeeper, has died after an on-going illness. He was 80. Bonnar played 180 times for club and had 49 shutouts. Signed from Arbroath in August 1948, he made his debut in a 4-0 win over Clyde at Shawfield before helping the club to the 1954 Scottish title.

He spent 10 years at Celtic and retired in 1960 after short spells with Dumbarton and St Johnstone. Bonnar will best be remembered for his world-class displays against Arsenal, Manchester United and Hibs when Celtic won the Coronation Cup in 1953

Lisbon Lion Jim Craig, former Celtic assistant manager Sean Fallon, current youth coach Tommy Burns and ex-striker Frank McGarvey attended the service at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, less then a mile from Parkhead.

Region: United Kingdom, Europe, Western Europe
Provided By: Financial Times Information Limited
Copyright 2004. All Rights Reserved.
Record Number: A20040115 -12D0-EIW,0,XML,EIW

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