1931-06-27: Ulster United 1-3 Celtic, American Tour

Match Pictures | Matches: 19301931 | 1931 Pictures

Trivia

  • Celtics opponents were the Toronto Ulster United team but since they were enhanced by 5 players from the The Toronto Scottish team–including Billy Somers, the son of a famous Scottish international (could this have been Peter Somers?), and Davie Weir who had played for Glasgow Rangers before coming to Canada, also Andy Stevensthey were described as United but might have also been referred to as Toronto Ulster/Scottish.
  • Local newspapers claim today was the hottest day in 20 years.
  • Police commandeered members of the Essex Scottish Regiment, and issued them with night sticks to fight the Red rioters who disturbed a meeting addressed by politicians at the Patterson Collegiate Auditorium. Three police officers were injured after the Communist hecklers were ejected after which rioting lasted for two hours in the streets of Windsor, Ontario. Two of the ring-leaders David Norris, 21, from Wales, and John Sharoiski, 30 from Poland appeared in court where Sharoiski was released on bail, but Norris will be deported within one week on the order of the Immigration Service as he has been in Canada for less than five years. Bail was put up “for all the Reds” to the value of $10,000 by Mrs. Gertrude Beren.
  • 14 policemen were hurt in a riot in Winnipeg when a mob of over 1,000 tried to gain entry to the hotel where Senator Gideon Robertson, Minister of Labour, has been meeting city officials. “A number of unemployed men received head injuries as the police charged the jobless mob.”
  • The Glasgow Herald reports the trial at the Old Bailey of Herbert Leo Wrigley, a 19 year old bank clerk in the London Post Office was on trial for possession of a firearm with intent to kill and IRA membership. LINK

Review

(see reports below)

Teams

TORONTO ULSTER UNITED:
Bobby Kirk, Dave Eadie, Dick Pryor, Joe Clulow, Billy Somers, Davie Weir, Andy Spence, Johnny Cairns, George Graham, Hagen, Andy Stevens.
Scorers:
Hagen.

CELTIC:
J. Thomson, Cook, McGonagle, Wilson, McStay, Scarff, R. Thomson, A. Thomson,McGrory, Napier, McGhee.
Scorers:
McGrory, (2); A. Thomson.

Referee: Art McNeilly.
Attendance: 9,000
Venue: Ulster Stadium, Toronto, Ontario.

Articles

  • Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

Articles

The Scotsman – Monday, 29th June 1931, page 8

CELTIC WIN IN CANADA

Toronto. June 27.—A thrilling match before 9,000 “fans” ended in Glasgow Celtic beating Ulster United by three goals to one here today.

Ulster, reinforced by five stalwarts from the Toronto Scottish team gave the visitors a good game in the first half but “wilted” badly after the resumption.

At half-time Celtic led by one goal, scored by McGrory, to nil.

A. Thomson and McGrory added further goals in the second half, while Ulster’s solitary goal was scored by Hagen.

The broiling sun did not appear to upset the Scots, whose play improved as the game progressed.

The crowd repeatedly cheered clever work by McGrory and both the Thomsons.

Ulster failed to take advantage of several opportunities of scoring, missing an open net once in the first half, and twice in the second.

They held their own in mid-field but could not hold the Celtic forwards.—Press Association.

Ulster v Celtic 1931

The Scottish cupholders were extended to the limit by the local team which was strengthened by the addition of five players of the Toronto Scottish, leaders of the National Soccer League. Between nine and ten thousand spectators jammed the stadium to see the game.

The visitors were held to even terms for the greater part of the first half until their brilliant centre, Jimmy McGrory, headed in the first goal of the game after 34 minutes play. Napier made the thrust and centred beautifully; McGrory getting his head to the ball and with a cunning twitch, put it beyond the reach of Kirk, the local goalkeeper.

from the Toronto Star:

1931-06-27: Ulster United 1-3 Celtic, American Tour - The Celtic Wiki

Build up to the game published on 18th June 1931

1931-06-27: Ulster United 1-3 Celtic, American Tour - The Celtic Wiki

Further build up to the game with some info on Jimmy McGrory published on 20th June 1931 in Toronto Star

1931-06-27: Ulster United 1-3 Celtic, American Tour - The Celtic Wiki

Match preview published on 26th June 1931 in the Toronto Star:

1931-06-27: Ulster United 1-3 Celtic, American Tour - The Celtic Wiki

Match day preview published on 27th June 1931 in the Toronto Star:
1931-06-27: Ulster United 1-3 Celtic, American Tour - The Celtic Wiki

Match report published on 29th June 1931 in the Toronto Star:
1931-06-27: Ulster United 1-3 Celtic, American Tour - The Celtic Wiki