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Fullname: James B Duncan
aka: Jimmy Duncan, James Duncan
Born: 10 December 1930
Birthplace: Kings Park, Glasgow
Died: 1 December 2014
Signed: 22 January 1951
Left: 2 Feb 1955 (Army); Apr 1955 (free); 22 June 1955 (St Mirren)
Position: Outside-Left
Debut: St Mirren 1-2 Celtic, League, 1 Nov 1952
Internationals: none
Biog
Jimmy Duncan was signed by Celtic from Baillieston Juniors in January 1951.
The outside-left made his competitive debut for the Bhoys in a 2-1 league victory at St Mirren on November 1st 1952 in a mostly reconstructed side following a 1-0 loss to Hearts, and netted a debut goal for a positive start. Jimmy Duncan’s goal came from excellent play by McPhail which saw him take the ball from Baillie then beat his man and deliver an excellent ball to Duncan who rounded the keeper to score.
He had to wait a month before his next game and then a long time till the next season before further chances were given.
His only other goal in his time at Celtic was in a 1-1 draw against Rangers at Ibrox in September 1953, scoring with “a cracking right-foot hook“, an eventful game that is looked back more for the pitch invasion and general trouble between the supporters on the day due to the flying of flags then for the game on the pitch. Jimmy Duncan had equalised for Celtc just two minutes after Rangers had taken the lead, having swapped positions with Charlie Tully in the match. The second half was tamer, and at the end Jimmy Duncan was a hero that helped Celtic to the league title. Notably, Celtic had been hammerred 4-0 by Rangers only a couple of weeks earlier in the league cup, so his equaliser made a bigger difference in retrospect to help regain confidence.
Despite that notable goal, he was to only play a small part in the league campaign season of 1953-54, all in the first half of the season, with six league appearances as Celtic finally won the league for the first time since 1937-38.
He got to only play in one match in the run the Scottish Cup run as Celtic went on to win the double that season, playing in the 3-1 Scottish Cup semi-final replay which Celtic won 3-1, where notably his shot was headed in by a Motherwell player for an own-goal in favour of Celtic to give Celtic the lead. Motherwell fought back but then so did Celtic who won comfortably.
However, with the likes of Tully, Peacock and Mochan standing in the way of a first team place it was always going to be difficult for Jimmy Duncan to make his mark at Celtic Park in what was an admittedly poorly managed Celtic squad.
He made a total of nine appearances for Celtic and scored two goals before being released in April 1955 having only played a single major game in season 1954-55, a league cup match v Hearts, although he also played a single game in the Glasgow Cup that season too.
He went on to play for St Mirren, Dundee United and Albion Rovers.
Jimmy Duncan passed away on Monday 1st December 2014, at the age of 83, following a short illness.
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 1951-55 | 8 | 1 | 1 | N/A | 10 |
| Goals: | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Honours with Celtic
Scottish League
Scottish Cup
Pictures
Articles
Death of former Celt, Jimmy Duncan
By: Newsroom Staff on 05 Dec, 2014 15:28
Celticfc.net
FORMER Celtic player, Jimmy Duncan, has passed away at the age of 83 following a short illness.
An outside-left, Jimmy joined Celtic from Baillieston Juniors in January 1951, although he didn’t make his competitive debut until November 1952.
That game was against St Mirren at Love Street, and he scored in a 2-1 victory for the Hoops when Willie Fernie was also on the scoresheet. He went on to make a total of nine appearances for the first team, and scored one more goal in a 1-1 draw against Rangers at Ibrox in September 1953.
Jimmy left Celtic in 1955, joining St Mirren before having spells with Albion Rovers, Dundee United and Stranraer.
The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic are with Jimmy Duncan’s family at this very sad time.