Died: 6 March 2013
Birthplace: Dumbarton
Signed: 8 May 1955
Left: 27 May 1957
Position: Goalkeeper
Debut: Aberdeen 0-1 Celtic, League, 22 April 1957
Internationals: none

Biog

Goalkeeper Bernard ‘Benny’ McCreadie signed for Celtic in May 1955 from Renfrew Juniors as cover for Johnny Bonnar and Dick Beattie. His first season was blighted by a series of hernia injuries which saw him make very few games till an operation solved the hernia. At one point it was reckoned that Benny would take over from Bonnar rather than Dick Beattie, as it eventually turned out.

Through the 1956-57 season McCreadie swapped games in the reserves between the sticks with John Bonnar, a situation that Bonnar was far from happy with.

His only competitive game for the Bhoys came in a 1-0 league victory at Aberdeen on April 22nd 1957. Having made his competitive senior debut on the 22nd, his name was promptly put on the released list on the 1st May 1957 (along with John McAlindon, Ian Reid, and Billy Craig).

He departed Parkhead for Rochdale on May 27 1957.

Known as Big Ben he moved to the USA in August 1966, and then to Jakarta in the 70's due to his work in the building trade. He had hands like shovels but later suffered from arthritis in his hands from his time as a keeper.

Bernie was a gentleman who remained a faithful Celtic man through out his time away from Scotland.

Post-football, one of his great interests appears to have been as a "Chieftain" of the Java St Andrew Society, see link.

Bernard McCready, Chieftain 1977/78
It may be back in the mists of time, but well do I recall my Ball and it was riddled with memorable anecdotes. But the ones that stick out in my mind are centred on my guest speaker, the Canadian Ambassador, Glenn Scott Shortliffe, whom I scarcely knew. When he got up to make his speech and opened with, “Your Excellency, Sir John Ford, ambassador of Scotland”, (who was also a guest at the top table) I nearly fell off my chair and thought to myself, “He’s had too much Black Label”. After what seemed an eternity and the whistling and cheering had died down he continued, waving his left hand somewhat dismissively towards Sir John, saying, “And associated territories.” What an opening! He then ended his speech with another unexpected remark, “I had to smile to myself as I listened to your Chieftain’s speech, lauding Scotland and its people, because I know he’s a Canadian.” That raised a lot of eyebrows and caused me to squirm in my seat, but he was correct, I do have dual citizenship, British and Canadian. Not many people knew that back then.