Jock Weir
Encyclopedia
Jock Weir was a Scottish
professional
association football player, most notable for scoring a hat-trick
for Celtic
on the final day of the 1947–48 season that prevented the Glasgow
club from being relegated.
Weir signed for Hibernian
in 1942, but did not play league football until the 1946–47 season due to the Second World War. During the war, Weir made guest appearances for Cardiff City
and Brighton
. Upon the resumption of league football in 1946, Weir enjoyed instant success, scoring four goals as Hibs won their first post-war league match 9–1 against Queen of the South
. Weir had scored 14 goals in 19 league matches (and four goals in his only Scottish Cup
appearance for Hibs) by the end of January 1947, but was allowed to join Blackburn
for a fee of £10,000. This was perhaps because Hibs had the services of most of the Famous Five, which allowed the club to sell other talented players, including Weir, Leslie Johnston
and Alex Linwood.
Weir was not such a great success with Blackburn, however, and was allowed to return to Scotland in 1948, signing for Celtic
for a fee of £7,000. This transfer signalled a change of attitude by Celtic, who "had treated wartime football with contempt" and had passed up the opportunity to field guest players of international standing, including Matt Busby
. Weir's arrival did not immediately arrest Celtic's decline, and the club entered the final day of the 1947–48 season
with an outside chance of being relegated. This possibility was averted, however, as Celtic won their match 3–2 against Dundee
at Dens Park
, with Weir scoring a hat-trick. Weir then went on to score two goals in the Glasgow Cup
final against Third Lanark
that year. Normally that trophy would have been held in low esteem, but a crowd of 87,000 attended, realising the potential of the Celtic support. Weir was part of the Celtic team that won the 1951
Scottish Cup
, beating Motherwell
1–0 in the final.
Bob Crampsey
wrote that Weir was an "unlucky" player, as he missed out on the positive effect that Jock Stein
was to have on Celtic. Coincidentally, Weir later had a brief spell with Llanelli A.F.C.
, the Welsh club that Stein played for. Despite making 100 appearances for Celtic, Weir did not earn international honours due to stiff competition from several players, including Lawrie Reilly
.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
professional
Professional sports
Professional sports, as opposed to amateur sports, are sports in which athletes receive payment for their performance. Professional athleticism has come to the fore through a combination of developments. Mass media and increased leisure have brought larger audiences, so that sports organizations...
association football player, most notable for scoring a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
for Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
on the final day of the 1947–48 season that prevented the Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
club from being relegated.
Weir signed for Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
in 1942, but did not play league football until the 1946–47 season due to the Second World War. During the war, Weir made guest appearances for Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
and Brighton
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
. Upon the resumption of league football in 1946, Weir enjoyed instant success, scoring four goals as Hibs won their first post-war league match 9–1 against Queen of the South
Queen of the South F.C.
Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries. The club currently plays in the Scottish First Division, the second tier of Scottish football. They are officially nicknamed The Doonhamers, but usually referred to as Queens or QoS...
. Weir had scored 14 goals in 19 league matches (and four goals in his only Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
appearance for Hibs) by the end of January 1947, but was allowed to join Blackburn
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
for a fee of £10,000. This was perhaps because Hibs had the services of most of the Famous Five, which allowed the club to sell other talented players, including Weir, Leslie Johnston
Leslie Johnston
Leslie Hamilton Johnston was a Scottish footballer who played for Clydebank Juniors, Clyde, Hibernian, Celtic, Stoke City, Shrewsbury Town and the Scotland national football team.-Career:...
and Alex Linwood.
Weir was not such a great success with Blackburn, however, and was allowed to return to Scotland in 1948, signing for Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
for a fee of £7,000. This transfer signalled a change of attitude by Celtic, who "had treated wartime football with contempt" and had passed up the opportunity to field guest players of international standing, including Matt Busby
Matt Busby
Sir Alexander Matthew "Matt" Busby, CBE, KCSG was a Scottish football player and manager, most noted for managing Manchester United between 1945 and 1969 and again for the second half of the 1970–1971 season...
. Weir's arrival did not immediately arrest Celtic's decline, and the club entered the final day of the 1947–48 season
1947-48 in Scottish football
The 1947–48 season was the 51st season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division A:Champions: Hibernian Relegated: Airdrie, Queen's Park-Scottish League Division B:Champions: East Fife, Albion Rovers...
with an outside chance of being relegated. This possibility was averted, however, as Celtic won their match 3–2 against Dundee
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
at Dens Park
Dens Park
Dens Park is a football stadium located on Dens Road in Dundee, Scotland. The stadium is the home of Dundee F.C. and has a capacity of 12,085...
, with Weir scoring a hat-trick. Weir then went on to score two goals in the Glasgow Cup
Glasgow Cup
The Glasgow Cup is a knockout football tournament open to teams from Glasgow. It was competed for annually by senior Glasgow clubs from 1887 until 1988. It is now competed for between the youth teams of Rangers, Celtic, Clyde, Partick Thistle and Queen's Park.It is dominated by the Old Firm of...
final against Third Lanark
Third Lanark A.C.
Third Lanark Athletic Club was a football club that originally existed between 1872 and 1967, 95 years in existence, based in Glasgow, Scotland. Third Lanark were known as Thirds, the Warriors, the Redcoats and the Hi Hi's...
that year. Normally that trophy would have been held in low esteem, but a crowd of 87,000 attended, realising the potential of the Celtic support. Weir was part of the Celtic team that won the 1951
Scottish Cup 1950-51
The 1950–51 Scottish Cup was the 66th staging of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. The Cup was won by Celtic who defeated Motherwell in the final.-First round:-Replays:-Second round:-Replays:-Third round:...
Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
, beating Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
1–0 in the final.
Bob Crampsey
Bob Crampsey
Robert "Bob" Crampsey was a Scottish association football historian, author and broadcaster, described as a "much loved Scottish cultural institution" by The Times...
wrote that Weir was an "unlucky" player, as he missed out on the positive effect that Jock Stein
Jock Stein
John 'Jock' Stein CBE was a Scottish association football player and manager. He became the first manager of a British side to win the European Cup, with Celtic in 1967...
was to have on Celtic. Coincidentally, Weir later had a brief spell with Llanelli A.F.C.
Llanelli A.F.C.
Llanelli Association Football Club is a Welsh semi-professional football club that plays in the Welsh Premier League for the 2010–11 season. The team has been based at Stebonheath Park since 1920, and as of 2009 is managed by Andy Legg....
, the Welsh club that Stein played for. Despite making 100 appearances for Celtic, Weir did not earn international honours due to stiff competition from several players, including Lawrie Reilly
Lawrie Reilly
Lawrance "Lawrie" Reilly is a former Scottish association football player. He was one of the "Famous Five", the Hibernian forward line during the 1950s. The others were Bobby Johnstone, Gordon Smith, Eddie Turnbull, and Willie Ormond...
.