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Fullname: Joseph Rae
aka: Joe Rae
Born: 6 March 1925
Died: 1 May 1987
Birthplace: Partick
Signed: Sep 1942;
Left: 14 June 1943 (Navy); July 1948 (Torquay Utd)
Position: Forward (and later a goalkeeper)
Debut: Partick Thistle 2-3 Celtic, Regional League, 3 Oct 1942
Internationals: none

Biog

Joe Rae was a centre-forward who signed for Celtic as a 17-year-old from Arthurlie in September 1942.

His first team debut came on October 3rd at Partick Thistle when Celtic secured a 3-2 Regional League win. The hard running youngster put in some promising early performance but Joe then joined the Royal Navy in June 1943 as the war effort continued on land and sea. A great loss to the club first side but there were national priorities.

Loaned out to Plymouth Arglye for the 1945-46 season Rae returned to Glasgow for the next season where he was called up as a stand in keeper on a number of occasions and never failed to impress with his performances between the sticks. He departed to Torquay in July 1948 after having second thoughts about a proposed move to FC Rosario in Argentina (cost him £61 ten shillings to get out of it).

Joe played 45 competitive games for Celtic and netted a fabulous 21 goals. This was through a period when Celtic really were at their worst as the Huns pushed their weight around. Club & board management was poor at Celtic, but Joe was one who could hold his head up high.

Joe passed away in May 1987.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

none

Pictures

• Player Pics

Links

• World War Two