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Personal

Fullname: Patrick Joseph Bonner
aka: Pat Bonner, Paddy Bonner, "Packie" Bonner
("Packie" is an Irish short-hand for Patrick)
Born: 24 May 1960
Birthplace: Clochglas, Donegal
Height: 6' 2'' (188cm)
Signed: 14 May 1978 (Jock Stein's last signing)
Left: 1997 (although 1995 was his last game)
Position: Goalkeeper
International: Rep of Ireland
International Caps: 80 caps

Biog

Until the arrival of Artur Boruc, Donegal-born Packie Bonner was unarguably regarded as the best Celtic goalkeeper since the great Ronnie Simpson.

Hailing from a county which has strong links to the Bhoys and is a hotbed of Celtic support it is perhaps not surprising that Bonner should make a name for himself in Glasgow’s east end.

The big keeper joined Celtic in 1978 from his local side Keadue Rovers and somewhat appropriately made his debut on St Patrick's day 1979 in a 2-1 win at home to Motherwell. Brave, athletic and a superb shot-stopper Packie was to become a mainstay of the Celtic team throughout the 1980s and the early years of the 90s. Notably he was Jock Stein's last signing for the club.

A popular character with team-mates and supporters, his form for the Hoops saw him also establish himself as first choice keeper for the Republic of Ireland and in winning 80 caps he produced some great performances for his country at the 1988 European Championship and the 1990 World Cup.

Indeed at Italia 90 he became an Irish national (and Celtic) hero when during a second round clash with Romania in Genoa, Packie’s saves helped his county to a penalty shoot-out victory. The big man also enjoyed plenty of success at Celtic Park and throughout his time at the club Bonner picked up 4 league championship winners medals plus 4 Scottish Cup and 1 League Cup winners medals.

The only real weakness to Bonner’s game was the odd handling error and the tendency on occasion to flap at corners and crossballs. Also the pass-back rule change in 1992 seemed to be a struggle for him and knocked his confidence. On the whole though the man from Donegal was a superb servant to the Hoops and it says much about his ability that Celtic struggled for years to find a keeper of equal class to replace him.

He was axed by Lou Macari in 1994, who brusquely informed him that he was being released after the Aberdeen game on 17 May 1994. Bonner went to the US '94 World Cup as a free agent, then agreed to join his great friend Tommy Burns at Kilmarnock. When Burns got the Celtic job he brought Bonner back as player/coach.

A string of injuries and a focus on coaching saw his playing career fade out, but with an awesome 641 appearances to his name it was always guaranteed that the name Packie Bonner would be fondly remembered by Celtic followers. After his 1997 departure from the club Packie became involved in coaching and after a spell as Tommy Burns' assistant at Reading, he was part of the Republic coaching team that travelled to the World Cup in 2002.

Just after leaving Celtic he knocked back the chance to play for Berwick Rangers against Celtic in the League Cup. He then linked up with Billy Stark for a coaching stint at Greenock Morton in October 1997, before heading to Reading in May 1998.

Over the fifty years after WW2, Celtic wasn't blessed with many great keepers for some reason. There have been plenty of good keepers but few who could be regarded as being truly great. He may not have been as highly regarded as legends such as Johnny Thomson and Ronnie Simpson but Bonner’s achievements for club and country mean he is certainly worthy of being classed as a very good player, and is still fondly remembered by all who saw him play for us.

Playing Career

Links

• Testimonial Game 1997