The Celtic Graves Society are proud to announce a ceremony to commemorate the final resting place of

JOSEPH CULLEN

At
St Kentigerns RC Cemetery, 951 Balmore Road, Glasgow
On
Saturday 25th February 2017 at 12 noon
(Prior to the Hamilton Academical game)

Speakers at the event shall include:
Jim Craig, Lisbon Lion and Celtic Graves Society Patron
John Fallon, Lisbon Lion and former Celtic Goalkeeper
Tony Hamilton, Chief Executive of Celtic FC Foundation
Celtic Historian
A blessing of the grave will be conducted by Father White of St Mary of the Assumption Church, Calton

Born in 1868 to Irish parentage in the Hutchesontown Burgh of Glasgow, Joe Cullen would go on to become the goalkeeper in the first ever Celtic team to lift the Scottish FA Cup in 1892.

Joe Cullen was signed from Benburb on 1st January 1892 immediately after the bhoys had been at the wrong end of an 8-0 thrashing by Dumbarton at the original Celtic Park. The erratic performance of keeper Tom Duff was seen as one of the main causes of that friendly defeat and in response the bhoys went out and quickly secured the services of Cullen and he made his debut the very next day at Cathkin Park in a 3-1 win over Third Lanark.

The former Scottish Junior international was in goals for Celtic's first Scottish Cup triumph in April 1892 and in August that year he played in the first match to be staged at the present Celtic Park. The great Dan McArthur would eventually oust Joe from his starting spot and after 73 games for Celtic he moved to London to Tottenham Hotspur in May 1897 then subsequently to Lincoln City.

Joseph Cullen was Celtic's goalkeeper in a period when to be a goalkeeper was a hazardous occupation. This was due to the barging of goalkeepers, known as bungling, which was a major part of the game. Joseph represented Celtic between 1892 and 1897 and won one Scottish Cup in 1892, two league titles (1892/93 and 1893/94) and two Glasgow Merchants' Charity Cups (1891/92 and 1892/93).

Sadly he died prematurely from pneumonia in 1905.

All supporters are welcome to attend and leave flowers at the graveside.

For more information on Celtic Graves Society please visit

www.celticgraves.com

where donations to the work of Celtic Graves Society can be made.

For further information see:

www.facebook.com/CelticGravesSociety or @CelticGraves on Twitter

or search for Joseph Cullen on www.thecelticwiki.com