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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| May 28 2008, 9:23 AM EDT (current) | TheHumanTorpedo | |
| May 28 2008, 9:22 AM EDT | TheHumanTorpedo |
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[Player Pics]
Centre-forward Willie Groves was among the very first to don the Celtic shirt and was certainly one of the earliest idols of the support.
The ambitious Bhoys lured the talented Leith-born player away from Hibernian in August 1888 having seen the talented attacker play with the Edinburgh side in their Scottish Cup triumph in 1887 and more recently in the opening of Celtic Park. An exceptionally quick player with a rocket shot, Willie was also a mazy dribbler and his twisting runs with the ball would have the fans in raptures.
After several outings for the Bhoys his competitive debut came in the club’s first Scottish Cup tie – a 5-1 victory over Shettleston on September 1st 1888 at the original Parkhead. He would however be tempted south to England’s professional league by West Brom in October 1890 and would help the midlanders lift the FA Cup.
Spells at Aston Villa (where he won the league) and Hibernian followed before he returned to Celtic in November 1896 when he played twice more for the Bhoys. By then Groves was past his best – having suffered from TB and other illnesses. He went on to play for Rushden before quiting football and working as a labourer.
The great Willie Groves played 18 times for Celtic and scored 16 goals.
Willie was referred to in the 'Bould, Bould Celts' poem written about the Celtic team of 1888.
There's one that wants a watching they call him Willie Groves
He's wonderful to look at as round the field he roves
Oh! he beats my comprehension: admiration I have felt
He's a dasher, he's a smasher, he's a bould, bould Celt.
Centre-forward Willie Groves was among the very first to don the Celtic shirt and was certainly one of the earliest idols of the support.
The ambitious Bhoys lured the talented Leith-born player away from Hibernian in August 1888 having seen the talented attacker play with the Edinburgh side in their Scottish Cup triumph in 1887 and more recently in the opening of Celtic Park. An exceptionally quick player with a rocket shot, Willie was also a mazy dribbler and his twisting runs with the ball would have the fans in raptures.
After several outings for the Bhoys his competitive debut came in the club’s first Scottish Cup tie – a 5-1 victory over Shettleston on September 1st 1888 at the original Parkhead. He would however be tempted south to England’s professional league by West Brom in October 1890 and would help the midlanders lift the FA Cup.
Spells at Aston Villa (where he won the league) and Hibernian followed before he returned to Celtic in November 1896 when he played twice more for the Bhoys. By then Groves was past his best – having suffered from TB and other illnesses. He went on to play for Rushden before quiting football and working as a labourer.
The great Willie Groves played 18 times for Celtic and scored 16 goals.
Willie was referred to in the 'Bould, Bould Celts' poem written about the Celtic team of 1888.
There's one that wants a watching they call him Willie Groves
He's wonderful to look at as round the field he roves
Oh! he beats my comprehension: admiration I have felt
He's a dasher, he's a smasher, he's a bould, bould Celt.
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
