On This Day in 1940, the reign of Celtic legend Willie Maley came to an end

The Celtic Star

·23 de fevereiro de 2025

On This Day in 1940, the reign of Celtic legend Willie Maley came to an end

On This Day in 1940, the reign of Celtic legend Willie Maley came to an end…

Jimmy McGrory collects the trophy. Willie Maley is to his far left, holding his hat

On this day in 1940 saw the end of the reign of a historical figure in the history of Celtic football club. A man who dedicated over a half a century to the club decided to retire.

Vídeos OneFootball

A man who brought Celtic great success, and would leave us an everlasting legacy that every Celtic supporter has always recognised and always appreciated. And even to this day Willie Maley’s name is remember in the songs of the Celtic support…

Willie Maley was has name, he brought some great players to the game, when he was the boss at Celtic Park…

Willie Maley had been a vital figure at the club since its first ever game in 1888. Yes Willie Maley served our club for an impressive 52 years, and that is truly some accomplishment.

Every single Celtic supporter knows of Willie Maley

Every single Celtic supporter knows of Willie Maley. He has a song dedicated in his memory, a song which is still proudly sung every single week, he’s Celtic royalty. Signed in 1888 as our club began its life and journey into the world of football, Willie who was a half back made his debut in the clubs first ever game in a 5-2 victory over Rangers on the 28th of May 1888.

Willie Maley’s book The Story of Celtic. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Willie Maley, according to records wasn’t the most ‘distinguished’ of players, but gave his heart to the club on the field when a lot of players were heading down south for more lucrative salaries. That loyalty was rewarded when he was appointed as ‘secretary manager’ at the age of just 29 in 1897.

Willie Maley was more ‘Director of Football’ than ‘first team coach’

Willie despite being manager didn’t work with the players in training, and preferred to watch the action from the directors box. He didn’t even indulge in team talks, or have any half time or post match words. In fact Willie didn’t even announce the starting line ups, and players would either find out if they were playing simply through the notice board or the newspapers.

Although that didn’t mean Willie wasn’t dedicated to his role. He worked tirelessly for the club and spent the overwhelming majority of his time working to establish contacts in the game, and looking at players. Willie also made sure we kept our best players at a time when they could easily be persuaded away.

Willie Maley, Celtic FC Bould Bhoy. Image by Celtic Curio

Willie was also a believer in bringing through young talent and seen this as the way forward as opposed to buying. He moulded these youngsters into thinking the Celtic way, and playing football the Celtic way. He lived and breathed Celtic, and made sure the players done the same.

That strategy worked and was a major factor in Willie’s success at the club. 48 honours were won in his 43 years in charge. A record that makes him one of Celtic’s and Scottish football’s most successful managers.

Willie Maley. Image via The Celtic Wiki

His legacy is more than just the honours though, as it was he who of course who implemented the football we know now as the ‘Celtic way’ he was the pioneer. Willie Maley a true Celtic legend.

Matthew Marr’s tells the Willie Maley story brilliantly on The Celtic Star earlier today. It’s a highly recommended read…