O’Brien, John

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Fullname: John O’Brien
Born: 3 Aug 1877
Died: […]
Birthplace: Blantyre, South Lanarkshire
Signed: 30 Mar 1895 (trial)
Position: Goalkeeper
Debut: Leith Athletic 5-6 Celtic, League, 30 Mar 1895
Internationals: none
*Note: After research in 2021, it is believed that the goalkeeper is John O’Brien from Mossend (Lanarkshire), and not his contemporary (Edward O’Brien) from Dalziel Rovers.

BiogJohn O'Brien

John O’Brien was a goalkeeper with Mossend Brigade Juniors who was loaned to Celtic for one game to cover for Dan McArthur who was on international duty.

O’Brien’s only appearance as a Celt was in a remarkable 6-5 victory over Leith Athletic on 30th March 1895. However, it was reported that:

“[He] did not play up to his reputation as Scotland’s best junior goalkeeper and was responsible for at least three of the five goals conceded. He was very nervous.”

Consequently O’Brien possesses the worst goals conceded per game ratio for a keeper in the history of Celtic (but only if you look at the stats in a crude fashion).

To be fair on him, this was back in the days when football team formations could be primitive, and often played in a format of 2-2-6 or even 1-1-8, almost like how all kids play in the school playground. So he had a hard task with likely little defence in front of him, but Celtic still won.

It must be added that when he had his trial at Celtic, it is believed that he may only have been 17 year of age, too young even for the modern day and age for a goalkeeper. For back then when football was far more physically aggressive than now (and much more was permissible), it was asking a lot for such a young inexperienced player to make the step up to such a difficult position.

The scoreline seems to indicate that it was mostly attacking play by both sides and this covered for deficiencies elsewhere. As an end of season game, with the league lost already in the last game to Hearts, likely there was more leniency in play from Celtic than beforehand.

So pinning the blame alone on to this young inexperienced goalkeeper isn’t necessarily fair, and  Celtic did still win the match.  However, if Leith Athletic had won or even drawn, then it could have kept them in the top tier (they were relegated, joint bottom on seven points). So maybe explains their push for goals in this game, but they were facing a far superior Celtic side who kept their noses in front.

As a measure of his ability, only two weeks prior he had played for Scotland juniors v England in Glasgow where it was reported that:

His display… brilliant and seldom surpassed at either junior or senior level“.

John O’Brien’s career from research appears to have followed the below route:

Mossend Brigade, (Scottish junior), Celtic  (trial), Mossend Celtic, Benburb, Ashton North End.

So therefore sadly it appears he didn’t make it to the senior ranks beyond that one chance at Celtic.

Maybe a further opportunity could have shown his ability in a different light, but we’ll never know now. Competing with the great Dan McArthur for the goalkeeping spot was always going to be a tough challenge as well. Also if he had been given a further chance the next season he could have played a part with Celtic’s league title winning side.

Interestingly, he moved to Ashton North End for the period November 1896-1897, which was a similar time that famous pioneering black footballer Arthur Wharton played there too (1897-99). Arthur Wharton is believed to be the first black professional footballer, and he played as a winger and a goalkeeper; it is believed Arthur Wharton played in goals for Ashton North End. Therefore it is possible that he was a successor to John O’Brien. Ashton North End went bankrupt in 1899.

Note: this player should NOT be confused with Edward O’Brien who was a fellow contemporary player in the same era who moved from Dalziel Rovers to Benburb and then to Clyde. Sadly some reports do so.

Playing Career

APPEARANCES
[shut-outs]
LEAGUE SCOTTISH CUP LEAGUE CUP EUROPE TOTAL
1895 1 0 n/a n/a 1
Shut-outs 0 0 0

Honours with Celtic

none

Pictures

External Links


Notes

see: https://twitter.com/joebloggscity/status/1408097996848369665?s=20

  1. Edward O’Brien played in the junior international on 16 March 1895 at Kelburn Park when Scotland defeated England (Birmingham & Dist FA) 6-5. [we believe this could be wrong]
  2. According to the John Litster’s Record of Pre-War Scottish League players, EDWARD O’Brien (goalkeeper) was signed by Celtic from Mossend Brigade on 30/03/1895 before moving to Benburb in Sept 1895 and then Clyde on 11/12/1897. [we believe this could be wrong]
  3. Hard one to confirm as others have noted it as “JOHN” and they must have got that from a newspaper report somewhere. Match reports will not generally state a first name. One for a search of more local newspapers in the Mitchell Library unless someone already has it.
  4. O’Brien played in goals for Clyde on 25 Dec 1897, with Celtic winning 9-1. If this is the same O’Brien then possibly this man has the likely worst goals conceded of any player in Celtic games (5 conceded for, 9 conceded when playing against).
    There were 2 Glasgow League matches between the clubs not long after this and O’Brien did not play in either game.
    [we believe this could be Edward O’Brien]
  5. “Alphabet of the Celts” book (1990s book) stated name was possibly “John” O’Brien born on 3 Aug 1877.
  6. Scottish League Players’ Records, Division One 1890/91 to 1938/39. Steve Emms & Richard Wells
    – Edward O’Brien – Clyde;
    – John O’Brien, born Blantyre 3/8/1877(?) Mossend Brigade Jnrs Celtic, loan, 1 game, 1894/95 Benburb, 1895/96
    [We believe Edward & John O’Brien are two different players]
  7. Johnny O’brien, Mossend Brigade to Mossend Celtic. Which would mean that he joined Benburb 2 weeks later. Scottish Referee, 30 August 1895. Scottish Referee 1895 indicates that actually it is Johnny O’Brien.
  8. Eddie played for Dalziel Rovers. “The Dalziel Rovers are well pleased at their old custodian, O’Brien, getting honoured by the Glasgow League. “Eddie” has still friends at Ladywell.”
    Scottish Referee, 21/12/1896
  9. O’Brien (Benburb) has now joined the senior ranks. He played a League match for Clyde against St Mirren on Saturday. Played the week before against Hearts. London hearts lists him as Edward, with source being Litsters list.
  10. Resarch points to below as their record of clubs:
    John O’Brien Mossend Brigade, (Scottish junior), (Celtic), Mossend Celtic, Benburb, Ashton North End.
    Eddie O’Brien Dalziel Rovers, Benburb, Clyde.

Scottish League Players’ Records, Division One 1890/91 to 1938/39. Steve Emms & Richard Wells

Alphabet of the Celts

Scottish Referee, 30 August 1895.
Johnny O’brien, Mossend Brigade to Mossend Celtic. Which would mean that he joined Benburb 2 weeks later.

O’Brien (Benburb) has now joined the senior ranks. He played a League match for Clyde against St Mirren on Saturday. (believe this will have been Edward O’Brien)