Personal

Fullname: John McIlhatton
Born: 3 Jan 1921
Died: 13 Feb 1954
Birthplace: Ardeer, Scotland
Signed: 23 Nov 1940 (trial)
Position: Inside-right
Debut: Hamilton Accies 1-0 Celtic, Regional League, 23 Nov 1940
Internationals: none

Biog

John McIlhatton played for Celtic as a trialist in a 1-0 Regional League defeat to Hamilton Academicals on November 23rd 1940.

Although the Bhoys were keen to sign the obviously talented inside-right they dallied in securing his signature long enough for the player to be tempted to join Albion Rovers!

It was to prove a costly mistake for Celtic as McIlhatton developed into a wonderful winger who was soon to be the most sought after player in Britain. He was said to be a great dribbler with the ball and goal creator. It was typical luck for Celtic, nothing could ever go right for them during the war years of WW2, and in retrospect this just compounds the misery from those days.

He eventually left Coatbridge in April 1946 to sign for Everton in a £5,000 transfer deal where Everton secretary Theo Kelly said "In Johnny McIlhatton we have as good a player as Stanley Matthews".

Sadly he died at a young age, only 33 years of age. Too short a life for any man.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

none

Pictures

• Player Pics

Links

• Celtic & World War Two