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Fullname: Patrick McAuley
aka: Pat McAuley
Born: 31 July 1921
Died: 16 March 1970
Birthplace: New Stevenston (Lanarkshire)
Signed: 29 July 1940; 18 Mar 1942
Left: 21 Aug 1941 (free), 23 Aug 1941 (Arthurlie); 18 Mar 1942 (Luton Town)
Position: Left-half
Debut: Celtic 0-4 Hibs, Regional League, 26 Oct 1940
Internationals: none

Biog

Talented left-half Pat McAuley enjoyed two spells at Celtic Park in the 1940s.

Originally signed in July 1940 McAuley had previously only played junior football with Douglas Hawthorns. He made his Celtic debut in a 4-0 home defeat to Hibernian in the Regional League on October 26th 1940.

After just over a year at Parkhead he joined Arthurlie but in March 1942 returned to the Hoops for a second spell with the Bhoys.

McAuley had developed into a fine player. A clever footballer with abundant skills and an excellent football brain. He had the vision and ability to create chances from nothing and his scheming was the basis of many Celtic attacks. He was said to be the "brains behind attack after attack".

Alas too few of McAuley’s team-mates shared his talent and as such his qualities were often wasted. Celtic were at their worst during the 1940's, and the management were too much under the thumb of the board who were incompetent.

McAuley fell foul of the corinthian spirit of director Bob Kelly. He asked for extra money on top of his wages - essentially a wage rise - or to be transfer listed, prior to the November 19th, 1949 game against Third Lanark, and he was promptly dropped in favour of Alec Boden who took his position for the rest of the season. When he was reinstated to the team in January 1950 it was as left back and this marked the beginning of the end of his time at Celtic. He joined the touring party to Rome in 1950 playing in the Lazio 50th birthday match in Rome but never returned to Celtic Park for the 1950-51 season.

Disillusioned with life at a poor-paying (and poor-playing) Celtic, lacking in ambition and playing quality, he moved to Luton Town in December 1950. He played 222 games for the Hoops and scored 27 goals.

He later moved back to Lanarkshire, and at time of death was working as a crane operator at the old Ravenscraig steel plant in Motherwell.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

none

Quotes

Jimmy Mallan misses a penalty (saved by future Celtic player Ronnie Simpson) in match v Queen's Park:
Pat McAuley: "That's the last **** penalty you take for Celtic!"
48mins, Celtic awarded another penalty, and captain Pat McAuley sends it wide!
Jimmy Mallan: "That's the last **** penalty you take for Celtic!"

Pictures

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Links

• Celtic & World War Two