There will be a joint commemoration held this weekend by The Celtic Graves Society in honour of Celtic captain Dan Doyle and early Celtic player John Kelly, goalkeeper in our first Scottish Cup Final in 1889. The event goes ahead this Saturday, November 15 at 12pm in St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth, 1900 London Rd, Glasgow G32 8TX. On November 6, 2010, the Celtic Graves Society held their first commemoration, laying a marker stone at the previously unmarked grave of Dan Doyle. Now, 15 years later they return to the same site where a new headstone has been erected at the grave. This continues the long-held aim by The Celtic Graves Society, to ensure that all Celtic captains’ graves are commemorated in an appropriate way, in recognition of their status as former captains. Dan Doyle was arguably Celtic’s first real superstar, the pin-up boy who was lured from English champions Everton in 1891 to become a sensation in Glasgow. Dan was much loved by the Celtic support and became an early fans’ favourite. He won four Scottish league titles and one Scottish Cup, and also represented Scotland eight times in an era of few international fixtures. He was also chosen to captain Scotland, a role also held by the man he succeeded as Celtic captain in 1897, James Kelly. After playing, Dan had owned a number of pubs but had fallen on hard times in his later life. He’d married but had no children. Dan Doyle was buried on April 10, 1918 in St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth a mere stone’s throw from Celtic Park and next door to Barrowfield the future Celtic training ground. The Archdiocese of Glasgow records show that Dan was a friend of the owner of the lair in which he is buried – it was not owned by Dan Doyle or any Doyle family member, but, in fact the lair owner was Celtic FC. It would appear that Willie Maley carried out one last act of kindness for his friend in his time of need and arranged for Dan’s burial. And so, to John Kelly. John was signed by Celtic in 1888 and had previously played for Mearns Athletic and Busby Cartvale to the south of Glasgow. John was Celtic’s goalkeeper in our first ever Scottish Cup final in 1889, the so-called Snow Final against Third Lanark, which was eventually ordered to be replayed because of the conditions. Willie and Tom Maley also played in this game. John’s Celtic career was briefer and less starred than Dan Doyle who arrived at Celtic in 1891, a couple of years after John left the club in 1889. However, John Kelly maintained his link with Celtic and the Maley brothers, and like other former players he became a nominated SFA referee. John was also very active in the burgeoning Irish sporting movement in Glasgow (like the Maley brothers) and he became president of the Glasgow Hibernian Amateur Swimming Club based in the Gorbals Baths. John maintained contact with Celtic and the Maley brothers and despite his brief spell at the club, he was invited and on the guest list when Celtic celebrated their first 50 years at the Grosvenor Restaurant, Gordon St, on June 15, 1938. An invite almost certainly issued by his old friend Willie Maley. John, who was a bachelor and had no direct family descendants, passed away a year later in June 1939, and again thanks to the records held by The Archdiocese of Glasgow it is confirmed he was buried in St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth. His relationship to the lair owner was recorded as ex-player. John’s final place of rest, was not just in a lair also owned by Celtic, but in the same lair as Dan Doyle and almost certainly arranged, like Dan Doyle before him, by Willie Maley. What makes this commemoration unique is that two Celts, unrelated by family or playing careers are buried in the same grave, in a lair owned by Celtic FC. A remarkable link and a tribute to the loyalty shown by Willie Maley to his friends and fellow former Celtic players. With no Celtic game this Saturday, November 15, if you can, get along and join in the commemoration of former Celtic captain Dan Doyle and former Celt John Kelly at 12noon in St Peter’s Cemetery, Dalbeth, 1900 London Rd, Glasgow G32 8TX. A commemorative brochure will be released on the day by The Celtic Graves Society, fully detailing this remarkable Celtic story.
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