Weir Jimmy Image 1 Glasgow Celtic 1908

Description

Burnfoothill, near Muirkirk, Ayrshire born left back Jimmy Weir began his football career with Burnfoothill Thistle in 1902 and played for Dunaskin Lads in 1903 before joining Scottish League Ayr United in 1904. He first played for Glasgow Celtic as a trialist in a Scottish League 1-1  draw with St Mirren at Parkhead on 27th April 1907. He signed permanently with The Hoops in May and quickly established himself as the first choice left back. A fully committed defender who offered forwards little opportunity to shine, Weir was a strong tackler and a resilient defender but in those days of more robust football he would often get as good as he gave and he did so without complaint. A key player in Celtic’s 1908 Scottish League Championship and Scottish Cup double triumph. Hard working and exceptionally fit he played eight games in 11 days as Celtic took the 1909 League title.

By the start of the 1910-11 season he had fallen out of favour at Parkhead and he departed for First Division Middlesbrough in August 1910, making his Football League against Everton the next month. re-igniting his partnership with Donny McLeod who had joined ‘Boro two years earlier, to re-form a duo described as “the most dogged, dour and fearless pair of backs in England.” He had five seasons at Middlesbrough although he lost his place in their first eleven in September 1913 and only played 10 more times for the club before retiring in 1915 with the suspension of peacetime football due to the advent of the First World War, after 125 appearances for Middlesbrough.