Peter McGonagle

William 'Peter' McGonagle (30 April 1904 – 20 December 1956) was a Scottish footballer who played mainly for Celtic at club level and also played for the Scotland national team, as a left back.

Peter McGonagle
Personal information
Full name William McGonagle
Date of birth 30 April 1904
Date of death 20 December 1956(1956-12-20) (aged 52)
Playing position(s) Left back
Youth career
St Joseph’s Boys Guild
Greenhead Thistle
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
– Duntocher Hibernian
1926–1936 Celtic 287 (7)
1936–1937 Hamilton Academical 20 (1)
1937–1939 Cheltenham Town
National team
1930–1934 Scottish League XI 5 (1)
1933–1934 Scotland 6 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

McGonagle joined Celtic from Duntocher Hibernian in October 1926. He started as a left half but converted to left back. He made his Celtic debut against Falkirk on 27 August 1927.

His Celtic career, often blighted with incidents, came to an end in the summer of 1936 when he was released after playing 324 Scottish Football League and Scottish Cup games, scoring 8 goals.[1] One such incident occurred in a game against Rangers in 1935, when McGonagle was infuriated by a late challenge on Joe Kennaway from Rangers forward Jimmy Smith, which had laid out the Celtic goalkeeper. Smith had a reputation for his overtly-physical approach, and on this occasion McGonagle thought he had gone too far. With Kennaway receiving treatment and Smith sat in the penalty area, the enraged McGonagle picked up the match ball and marched over to where the Rangers forward was, and standing directly over Smith he slowly raised his arms and with considerable force bounced the ball off Smith's head. McGonagle was sent off for his actions, and for some Celtic directors it was an indiscretion too far; from that moment his days at Parkhead looked numbered.[2]

He later played for a season at hometown club Hamilton Academical, then spent a year in England in the Southern League with Cheltenham Town where he settled after retiring, working as a mechanic.[3]

International career

McGonagle made his Scotland debut against England on 1 April 1933 at the age of 28,[4] and went on to earn six caps.[5] He never scored for Scotland, but missed a penalty kick in a 1–2 defeat by Ireland in his second game on 16 September 1933. His last Scotland cap came against Wales on 21 November 1934. He also represented the Scottish League XI (5 caps, 1 goal).[6]

Personal life

McGonagle was born in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire. He was the son of former Hamilton Academical player Peter McGonagle (1894–95 season, Scottish Football Alliance),[7] being given the nickname 'Peter' during his school days as a result.[3][4]

His son Peter McGonagle (1934–2013) was captain of Scotland and Great Britain Water Polo teams.[8]

Honours
Celtic[1]
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References
  1. Celtic player McGonagle, Peter, FitbaStats
  2. McGonagle, Peter, The Celtic Wiki
  3. McGonagle, William (1936), Hamilton Academical Memory Bank
  4. Sat 01 Apr 1933 Scotland 2 England 1, London Hearts Supporters' Club
  5. Scotland player Peter McGonagle, London Hearts Supporters' Club
  6. SFL player Peter McGonagle, London Hearts Supporters' Club
  7. 1894/95, Hamilton Academical Memory Bank
  8. http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Tributes-waterpolo-hero-Peter-McGonagle/story-17993545-detail/story.html#axzz2fTPWX6tF
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