George Connelly
![]() Connelly in 1971 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 1 March 1949 | ||
Place of birth | Fife, Scotland | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1968–1976 | Celtic | 136 | (5) |
1976–1977 | Falkirk | 8 | (2) |
Total | 144 | (7) | |
International career | |||
1970–1973 | Scottish Football League XI | 4 | (1) |
1973 | Scotland | 2 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
George Connelly (born 1 March 1949) is a Scottish former international footballer who played professionally with Celtic and Falkirk. Connelly is from Valleyfield in Fife.[1]
Career
Born in
The group of young players who emerged at Celtic at the same time as Connelly were known as the
He is remembered particularly for two goals. Just before half time in the
Retirement
Connelly was earmarked as the natural successor to Billy McNeill at the heart of the Celtic defence and most likely as captain too.[4] However, a series of personal problems that have never been fully publicised led to him periodically disappearing from Celtic Park. After the fifth such walk-out in 1975 he didn't return.[3]
In a recent interview he stated that his poor salary at Celtic was the main reason for his eventual departure.[
In nine years with Celtic Connelly made 254 first team appearances,
He returned to Celtic Park for the first time since his walk out to do the half-time draw during the AC Milan fixture in 2006 in the UEFA Champions League second round.
In 2007, Celtic's Lost Legend was published by Black & White Publishing. Co-written by Connelly and Bryan Cooney, the book was a first hand account of Connelly's life and career. Celtic's Lost Legend was re-published in 2019.[5]
References
- ^ Alexander, Michael (26 August 2023). "How Fife man Ian overcame alcoholism and is now helping others do the same".
- ^ ISBN 0-907033-47-4).
- ^ The Sunday Herald, 2006.
- ^ Purden, Richard. "The mystery of why George Connelly's Quality was never fulfilled". The Irish Post. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ "Celtic's Lost Legend". blackandwhitepublishing.com.
External links
- George Connelly at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database