Gilfeather, Edward

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Fullname: Edward Gilfeather
aka: Eddie Gilfeather, Eddie Gilfilan
Born: 2 June 1903
Died: 1970 […TBC…]
Birthplace: Auchterderran
Signed: 21st September 1921
Left: 25 June 1926 (to Hibs)
Position: Half-Back
Debut: Celtic 4-1 Queen’s Park, League, 13 Oct 1925
Internationals: N/A
International Caps:N/A

Biog

“Bushy haired” Edward Gilfeather was a half-back who was signed as a 19-year-old by Celtic in September 1922 from Cowdenbeath. “A capture for any team” it was said.

After being loaned to various clubs – as Celtic had no reserve side – he finally made his first team debut for the Hoops in a 4-1 league win at home to Queen’s Park on October 13th 1925, with write-ups writing him in wrongly as “Gilfilan“.

As a player he was said to have the tendency “to simply boot the ball up the middle every time he is in possession“. A forerunner for the long ball system of play? Or simply a sign of a lack of confidence? Then again, the long ball is hardly a new tactic, and has been one used since the inception of the game.

Tall and athletic Gilfeather was a solid if limited player and he made only one further appearance for the Bhoys in what was to be in the League title winning season of 1925-26, in a 3-1 win over Hamilton which was the penultimate match of the campaign. He was in practise a makeshift for the great John McFarlane.

He did go on to play a further match for Celtic as a filler for Paddy Connolly in the Glasgow Charity Cup in the first match as Celtic defeated Partick Thistle 2-1, but he didn’t play in the other rounds with Celtic going on to win the then post-season closing tournament with a 2-1 win over Queen’s Park.

He left soon after to join Hibernian in June 1926. In between he had a number of loans periods at various clubs, but this “capture” never met those early expectations.

Eddie Gilfeather did have two seasons at Tannadice on loan from Celtic. He was in the line up on the first occasion that the Club played as Dundee United and became a regular in the side, having a major influence in their winning the Second Division championship in season 1924-25. There was speculation that he would sign permanently for Dundee United but he returned to Celtic.

It may not have worked out on the field for Eddie Gilfeather at Celtic, but he still had one great achievement at Celtic, being the players’ billiards champion during his time at Celtic.

It is believed that he passed away in 1970. […TBC…. http://celticgraves.com/topic/9669274/1/?x=50…]

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

Scottish League

• 1925-26

Glasgow Charity Cup

• 1

Pictures

• Player Pics

Middle Row, second from left