Maley was an interesting character. Strangely for a man so interwoven with Celtic, he did not always agree with many of the fans’ opinions or actions. He was a Royalist, speaking fondly of meetings with the King, and also a supporter of the British Empire, not least when backing military recruitment events during World War One. Indeed, he tried himself to enlist but was deemed to be too old.
At other times, he was embroiled in fights and arguments with fans. During the 1920s, Maley was openly critical of violence associated with ‘brake clubs’ (early version of supporters’ clubs).
He said: “The war fever is dying out of men’s blood. I feel sure that by next season we shall be rid of the brake club hooligan, against whom all sporting men’s hands should be turned.” Celtic’s first manager went even further, saying those fans were “The greatest blot that has ever soiled Scottish football.”
Willie’s tenure in charge at Celtic Park saw numerous other notable club events, including the Celts switching to their now world-famous Hooped shirts in 1903, and also leading the Bhoys in their first travels outwith Britain, going to Austria and Bohemia in 1904, and then further afield to the USA in 1931.
The latter event eventually became a reminder that not all of Willie Maley’s time in charge was happy; heartbreak could at times be found too. Over the years, Willie Maley had cause to attend the funerals of Celts who had died through illness or addiction. But the most infamous of these tragedies came in 1931.
He wasn’t guessing he just never going to give Celtic the verdict we should look into the history of this and official few others of there involvement in games involving Celtic how many close or not so close go against Celtic we all know the non penalty the rangers thought they had it was to close for var never seen anything to change the refs decision like yesterday but muir did intervene and called out the ref and linesman as inadequate