Allan, Thomas

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Personal

Fullname: Thomas Allan
aka: Tom Allan
Born: 9 October 1891
Died: 1974*
Birthplace: Carluke, Lanarkshire
Signed: 4 January 1910
Left: 1913
Position: Centre Forward
Debut: Celtic 0-0 Hibernian, League, 25 Apr 1910
Internationals: N/A
International Caps: N/A
*Note: See notes below & CGS forum

Biog

The Carluke-born centre-forward made just two competitive appearances for the Bhoys in three seasons at Celtic Park.

He joined Celtic in January 1910 from Carluke Milton Rovers, although one newspaper report indicates that he may have actually signed from Law Volunteers (another local Lanarkshire side).

He was reputedly “a centre forward of whom big things are promised“.

At Celtic, he went on to play in a string of friendlies before making his full competitive debut in a scoreless home draw with Hibs in the league. That game – on 25th April 1910 – saw the Celts clinch the title, a then record 6 championships in a row – and Allan was selected as a replacement for the injured Jimmy Quinn.

He played the final league game of that season – another 0-0, at Dundee – but being well behind the Mighty Quinn for a starting spot, Allan was never to wear the Hoops again in a competitive match.

His two matches were the final matches of the 1910/11 season, and can be seen as trial matches for him, but it wasn’t to be. Two no score draw games is a disappointment for any centre-forward, but he got to play in a league title winning side and the ultimate winning game (albeit practically all the work had already been done by the time he was in the side).

Celtic won the league title by just 2pts over Falkirk. If Celtic had lost both of these games, then depending on the outcome of Falkirk’s remaining matches, the final outcome could have been very much different. The goal difference was similar and Falkirk actually had a better scoring record.

Loan spells at Airdrie and Vale of Leven followed before being released in the summer of 1913.

He is believed to have died in 1974, aged 83, a long life.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

Scottish League

• 1909-10

Pictures

• Player Pics

Dundee Evening Telegraph

Wednesday 05 January 1910
Suggests Thomas signed from Law Volunteers, rather than Carluke Milton Rovers

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Notes

• From CGS Forum:
  Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950
  View Record
  Name Thomas Allan
  Gender Male
  Birth Date 09 Oct 1891
  Birth Place Carluke, Lanark, Scotland
  Father John Allan
  Mother Christina Mckinlay Allan

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