Tommy Callaghan Explained

Tommy Callaghan
Birth Date:6 December 1944
Birth Place:Cowdenbeath, Scotland
Position:Midfielder
Youthclubs1:Lochore Welfare
Years1:1962–1968
Clubs1:Dunfermline Athletic
Caps1:126
Goals1:20
Years2:1968–1976
Clubs2:Celtic
Caps2:172
Goals2:14
Years3:1976
Clubs3:San Antonio Thunder (loan)
Caps3:9
Goals3:0
Years4:1976–1978
Clubs4:Clydebank
Caps4:30
Goals4:2
Years5:1978–1979
Clubs5:Galway Rovers
Caps5:29
Goals5:4
Totalcaps:366
Totalgoals:40
Nationalyears1:1968–1971
Nationalteam1:Scottish League XI[1] [2]
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Manageryears1:1978–1979
Managerclubs1:Galway Rovers

Tommy Callaghan (6 December 1944 – 25 October 2024) was a Scottish professional footballer who played for Celtic, Dunfermline Athletic and Clydebank. He was a left-sided midfielder famous for his long attacking runs from deep positions, and powerful shot.

Career

Born in Cowdenbeath, he signed for Celtic from Dunfermline on 22 November 1968 for a reported £35,000. Although he scored on his debut the following day in a 4–0 win over Partick Thistle at Firhill, he took a long time to settle at Celtic Park and was never really accepted by the supporters. After making more than 250 appearances for Celtic, Callaghan moved on to Clydebank on 4 November 1976. He scored for his new club on his debut three days later. He left Clydebank in 1978 to become player-manager of Galway Rovers in Ireland.

Callaghan represented the Scottish League twice and gained his first Scottish Cup winner's medal while with Dunfermline in 1968, his final season with the Fife club.

Personal life and death

His brother Willie played for Dunfermline and Scotland, and his father William, maternal uncles Patrick Flannigan and David Flannigan, son Tommy Callaghan Jr[3] nephew Willie Callaghan Jr, and grand-nephew Liam Callaghan[4] all played football to some extent.[5] [6]

On 25 October 2024, Callaghan died at the age of 79.[7]

References

Sources

Notes and References

  1. News: Tommy Callaghan. Londonhearts.com. London Hearts Supporters' Club. 18 December 2011.
  2. News: Tom Callaghan. Londonhearts.com. London Hearts Supporters' Club. 18 December 2011.
  3. http://partickthistleahistory.wikifoundry.com/page/CALLAGHAN%2C+Tommy+1998-2001 Callaghan, Tommy 1998-2001
  4. https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/dundee/1041922/montrose-fc-duo-appear-in-court-in-dublin-charged-with-assault-and-obstructing-police/ Montrose FC duo appear in court in Dublin charged with assault and obstructing police
  5. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15786233 Cowdenbeath's Liam Callaghan given Birmingham trial
  6. https://www.centralfifetimes.com/sport/13547248.four-generations-with-the-cowden/ Four generations with the Cowden
  7. Web site: 25 October 2024 . The great Tommy Callaghan passes away . 25 October 2024 . Celtic FC.