Oliver, James

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Fullname: James Oliver
aka: Jimmy Oliver, Jim Oliver
Born: 1 Aug 1889
Died: […]
Birthplace: Dumfries
Signed: Jan 1909 (loan)
Position: Goalkeeper
Debut: Celtic 1-1 Hearts, League, 9 Jan 1909
Internationals: none

Biog

Goalkeeper James ‘Jimmy’ Oliver played two league games for Celtic in season 1908-09.

He signed in January 1909 on loan from Creetown Volunteers after an injury to regular keeper Celtic Davy Adams.

The Dumfries-born keeper – who had previously been on loan to Morton – made his Bhoys debut on 9th January 1909 in a 1-1 league draw with Hearts at Parkhead.

He had to wait a while for his next match, and once back in goals for the first team he kept a clean sheet against bottom of the table Partick Thistle in a match at Parkhead on 29th March 1909 in a 1-0 victory.

When his loan expired at the end of the season he went on to join Girvan Athletic.

He may not have had a long run in the first team,with just two league appearances, but he played his part to help Celtic win the league title in what was to be a very close race, Celtic pipping Dundee by just 1pt to take the league flag home for the fifth time in a row. Celtic were going through the club’s first true golden era, heading towards a then record six league titles in a row.

So in retrospect his performances made an important difference, and for that we should be very thankful to him, and he had a great experience to look back upon.

Playing Career

APPEARANCES LEAGUE SCOTTISH CUP LEAGUE CUP EUROPE TOTAL
1909 2 0 n/a n/a 2
Shut-outs: 1 0 1
(50%)

Honours with Celtic

Scottish League

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