Celtic's foundation | Brother Walfrid

Brother Dorotheus
The Marist Headmaster of St Mary’s School in Abercromby Street, it was Dorotheus who first spotted the abilities of Walfrid when he was sent to teach in the school. Dorotheus supported and encouraged the Irishman’s various charitable schemes before Walfrid was given his own new school to manage, Sacred Heart in Bridgeton.

When Walfrid started the Poor Children’s Dinner Table in Sacred Heart, Dorotheus took up the idea and was soon providing dinners for over a thousand children per week in the Calton. He assisted Walfrid in bringing the biggest teams in Scotland to play challenge matches in Bridgeton with all proceeds going to the Dinner Tables.

These experiences, combined with the Scottish Cup success of Hibernian, persuaded the two Marists of the potential benefits in starting up a club of their own to take advantage of the football craze sweeping the nation and their community – and to provide regular sustenance for the most needy in their parishes.

The role of Dorotheus in assisting Walfrid has often been overlooked.