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Fullname: Thomas Duff
aka: Tom Duff
Born: 18 May 1867
Birthplace: Ayr
Signed: August 1891
Left: Jan 1892 (Cowlairs)
Debut: Hearts 3-1 Celtic, League, 15 Aug 1891
Position: Goalkeeper
Internationals: none

Biog

Signed in August 1891 goalkeeper Thomas Duff joined the Bhoys from Cowlairs and made his debut on the 14th of that month in a 3-1 league defeat to Hearts.

He had been part of the Cowlairs side which played Hibernian in the opening game at the original Celtic Park and he was regarded as an assured and consistant performer. However on New Year's day 1892 an erratic display from Duff was largely to blame for the Bhoys being thumped 8-0 in a friendly clash with Dumbarton at Parkhead.

"On that day Celtic used goal nets at Parkhead for the first time and poor Tom, having presumably celebrated the New Year late if not to excess, had to retrieve the ball eleven times in a 0-8 defeat (three goals were struck off)." - Eugene MacBride

After playing one game in a torrential downpour Duff would regularly suffer from rheumatics and he eventually returned to Cowlairs in January 1892 after nine competitive first team games. Although Tom's Celtic career was far from spectacular, as a member of the Orange Order his signing clearly illustrated how from its very earliest days the Bhoys - despite their Catholic origins - would not tolerate a sectarian or discriminatory signing policy.

He was even once attacked at Easter Road by Hibernian fans for his 'Orange sympathies'.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

Glasgow Cup

• 1891

Pictures

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