Paton: John Aloysius (Johnny)

WW2 Guest: 1944-1945 (Leeds United War-time Guest Player Details)

Outside Left

Born: Glasgow: 02-04-1923

Debut: v Barnsley (h): 06-01-1945

Height & Weight: Unknown

Paton was born and raised into a staunch Celtic family and began his football apprenticeship just a kick away from Celtic Park with St Mary's Calton. He then played with Denistoun Waverley before joining Celtic in May 1942. A press photographer by trade, he made his Celtic debut in a 2-0 Regional League victory at St Mirren on 16th January 1943. He was a Scottish Schoolboy and Junior International and served in the RAF during the war years in which he guested for several English clubs. It was in the War Years that he guested for Leeds United making four appearances for them in the 1944-45 Football League Northern Section (Second Championship). His Leeds debut was at Outside Left in a 0-1 defeat by Barnsley at Elland Road on 6th January 1945, this was followed, in consecutive games, by the reverse fixture in a 0-5 defeat at Oakwell and a 5-0 win at Bootham Crescent over York City. It was not until 10th March that he played his fourth and final game in a 3-1 home win over Preston North End. He was back at Celtic Park after the War and after struggling to make the team at first his ability to perform on the left as well as the right saw him cement his place on the left wing. He endeared himself to the Celtic faithful by “winning” the “Victory in Europe Cup” which was won by Celtic on 9th May 1945. The Cup was to celebrate the end of hostilities on the European continent and the Glasgow Charity Cup committee presented the “Victory in Europe Cup” which was awarded to the winners of the Charity Cup Final. Rangers were invited to participate but declined as they had a forthcoming Cup tie against Motherwell. This allowed Queens Park to step in and play Celtic. The game was drawn 1-1 and the equalising Celtic goal was scored by the Outside Right Paton. Celtic were awarded the trophy as they had won more corners than Queens Park and that corner had been won by Paton. So he won the corner that won Celtic the cup. He joined First Division Chelsea in November 1946 and there he scored three goals in eighteen League games and also played in five F.A. Cup ties. He returned to Parkhead in May 1947, but it was not a good time for Celtic and he played in the important game against Dundee to ensure they didn't get relegated in 1947-48. He did, however, play in the Glasgow Cup winning side of 1948-49. Paton scored twenty-nine goals in one hundred and eight appearances with Celtic. He joined Second Division Brentford in September 1949 and in his three seasons at Griffin Park he scored fourteen goals in ninety League games and another two goals in four F.A. Cup ties. He finished his football career with Watford who he joined in July 1952 and in his three seasons at Vicarage Road he scored seventeen goals in eighty-four League appearances and also played in seven F.A. Cup games. He later enjoyed a successful coaching career with Watford and then Arsenal.