Charlie Tully Plaque to Be Unveiled in Belfast.

Last updated : 06 June 2008 By Clydebuilt
Former Celtic hero Charlie Tully is to be honoured in a ceremony this weekend to commemorate one of the Falls Roads favourite sons. Celtic supporters from across the world will gather at St James' Road at 12.15pm before parading to the gifted winger's former home at number 11 for a short 1pm ceremony at which the plaque will be unveiled and blessed.

Members of Tully's family will join what is to be a carnival day with many Celtic Supporters Clubs in attendance, many of which are to replicate the old 'Brake Club' banners that the fans used to display on their way to the games earlier in the century.

The plaque was the idea of the Terry Nelson Celtic Supporters' Club. Long-serving member, Paddy McDonnell, urged fans to come along.
He said: "We are honouring one of the greatest-ever Celts here, so we want to see as many people there as possible.
"Charlie Tully was a proud West Belfast man. It's fitting that a plaque should be mounted on the former home of a Celtic legend."
After the commemoration, supporters will be invited back to the West Club for a buffet and live music.

Tully was born in West-Belfast on the 12th of July and died in his sleep at his Belfast home on the 27th July 1971 - a day which was marked by mourners in the Falls Road area as thousands wept in the streets. He signed for Celtic from Belfast Celtic on the 28th June 1948 He played his debut match at Inside-left at home against Morton on 14 August in a 0-0 draw. Charlie played a total of 319 matches for Celtic, scoring 47 goals, throughout his illustrious career, which spanned 11 years.

Tully was best remembered for scoring a goal direct from a corner in a 1953 game against Falkirk. The referee disallowed the goal, refusing to believe anyone could have scored from a corner. He ordered a retake, and from it Tully scored again. This guaranteed him cult status amongst the Celtic faithful.

And this wasn't the first time Cheeky Charlie had scored direct from a corner. In 1952 he scored twice against England in a 2-2 draw, one from the corner flag.
Tully was also a member of the Celtic side which beat Rangers 7-1 in the 1957 Scottish League Cup Final and played numerous times for Northern Ireland.

God Bless Charlie Tully!

Yours in Celtic

Clydebuilt