John McAlinden served Celtic Football Club for more than 40 years, first as a player and then as maintenance electrician and general factotum at Celtic Park.

Johnny Mack, as he was known at the club, was the man staff sent for first when any kind of practical work was required about the stadium. He carried special responsibility for the floodlighting. By the time he joined as a player in May 1948, from Penrith Amateurs, he had trained as an electrician. It was considered prudent in those days for a footballer to have a trade to fall back on. Wages were modest compared to today's standards John was there when Jock Stein was a player and again when he returned as manager. He counted the likes of Charlie Tully, Sean Fallon, and Bertie Peacock among his friends.

In his first game for Celtic as centre-forward John scored two goals against Hearts. Charlie Tully had a hand in setting up each of them and from that day on the two were firm friends. His time at the club was interrupted in 1954 by national service.

A native of Carlisle, John's football career began with Carlisle Catholic Youth FC and Penrith, from where he moved

to Celtic.

During his time with the Glasgow club he was loaned for a spell to Worcester City and when his playing days with Celtic were at and end he had a brief time with Shrewsbury Town. It was there that he sustained a cartilage injury which brought an end to his playing career and prompted a return to Glasgow.

Bob Kelly brought him back to Celtic Park as maintenance electrician, a job which he relished.

John married his wife, Lucy, who survives him, in 1960 and they had four daughters.

John McAlinden, former Celtic footballer and maintenance electrician; born December 25, 1930; died February 10, 2002.