Barney Battles, Sr.

Barney Battles (January 13, 1875 – February 17, 1905) was a Scottish footballer, most notable for playing for Celtic.

Battles was born in Springburn, Glasgow, he moved to Midlothian when still a boy and played his early football with Bathgate, before joining Hearts in 1894 and then Celtic the following year. Whether at full-back or half-back, Battles was noted for his commitment, enthusiasm and fearlessness. Although he lacked speed, his finely-judged interventions more than compensated. He made his Celtic debut in the 2-1 away league win over Dundee on August 10, 1895. He remained with the club, on and off, until 1903, winning a League Championship badge in 1896, and winning two Scottish Cup Finals.

Late in the 1895-96 season, after Celtic had won the championship, he left for English club Liverpool, where he played in three 'test' matches for them. Battles joined Dundee in May 1897, then played another League match for Liverpool in March 1898, before rejoining Celtic the following October.

He impressed Scottish selectors with his consistent performances and in 1901 he starred in all three Home International matches. Battles also played for the Scottish League^[1] and played for the Glasgow Association against Sheffield in 1902.

After leaving Celtic he subsequently had spells with Dundee (again) and Kilmarnock before his death from pneumonia on 17 February 1905, at the age of 30. Battles died before the birth of his son, Barney Battles, Jr., who was named in his memory.^[2] The monies taken from the stand at the 1905 Scotland v Ireland match at Celtic Park were donated by host club Celtic to the grieving Battles family in tribute to their former player.^[3]

A reported 40,000 people lined the route to Dalbeth cemetery in Glasgow's East End on the day of Battles' funeral.

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