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Personal

Fullname: James Birrell
aka: Jimmy Birrell
Born: 19 September 1916
Birthplace: Dunfermline
Signed: 3 January 1938
Left: 31 Aug 1940 (registration cancelled); Aug-Oct 1941 (Dunfermline Ath)
Position: Outside-Left
Debut: Celtic 3-0 Clyde, Glasgow Cup, 15 Oct 1938
Internationals: N/A

Biog

Fife-born Jimmy Birrell saw his Celtic career cut short by the outbreak of World War II.

Signed from Blairhill Colliery Birrell played six times for the Hoops in season 1938-39 making his debut on October 22nd in a 0-0 draw with Partick Thistle.

He won a Glasgow Cup medal in 1938. He took Frank Murphy's place, and was the first newcomer into the 1938 side, and was acclaimed "Celtic's latest left-wing sensation." Jimmy delievred the crosses for Delaney to head in the first goal.

That was to be the player's only season with the Celts as his registration was cancelled when football was suspended the following season due to the war.

On the outbreak of the war he returned to Fife to be a miner. Possibly another lost case for Celtic who were in need of some good players esp in retrospect as the following years panned out with the risable results that arose.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

Glasgow Cup

• 1938

Pictures

• Player Pics

Links

• World War Two