A FOOTBALL fan has scored a piece of Glasgow history after netting a Celtic and Partick Thistle legend’s Scottish Cup medal.
Jimmy McMenemy’s 100-year-old silverware from the Firhill’s sides only triumph in the national competition was snapped up for nearly double its estimate in an online auction.
The rare memorabilia, featuring a lion rampant beneath a thistle, fetched more than £8000 last week.
The victory medal was awarded to Jags forward McMenemy following the club’s shock 1-0 victory over Rangers played at Parkhead.
Jimmy McMenemy: Partick Thistle and Celtic legend's Scottish Cup medal up for auction
McMenemy joined Thistle in 1920 and is widely heralded as one of city rivals Celtic’s finest ever players, having worn the hoops for 18 years where he picked up a number of trophies.
Brian Clements, McTear’s managing director, who auctioned off the medal, said: “We see a good number of Old Firm medals coming to auction due to the number of trophies both clubs have won, but this was something quite different and very special.
“Partick Thistle has only won the Scottish Cup once in their 144-year history so anything related to that historic moment is going to be of great interest to football fans and sports historians alike.
“Bidding on Jimmy McMenemy’s Scottish Cup medal was fierce and we are not surprised to see the value soar well above the higher estimate for the lot. This is a true piece of Scottish football history and we are delighted that it achieved such a good price.”
The forward was 39-years-old when he moved across Glasgow and had turned 40 when he stepped out onto Celtic Park in front of 28,294 fans for the Scottish Cup Final on April 16, 1921.
The match was known as the “Boycott Final” after the Scottish Football Association doubled the admission price from one shilling to two shillings.
Born in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, in 1880, McMenemy was a mainstay in Willie Maley’s Celtic side in the early part of the 20th century, winning 11 League championships and six Scottish Cups.
He was dubbed “Napoleon” due to his tactical awareness and leadership qualities.
The player made 56 appearances for Partick Thistle between 1920-22 and was capped 12 times for Scotland, scoring five goals for his country.
In later years McMenemy would be appointed as coach at Partick Thistle before becoming assistant manager to Maley at Celtic in 1934. He passed away on 23 June 1965, aged 84.
Partick Thistle’s cup triumphs have come exactly 50 years apart, with the Scottish Cup win in 1921 followed by the League Cup in 1971.
Club legend Alan Rough said: “Jimmy McMenemy was a legend in Scottish football and earned his place in the Jags history books as a member of the all-conquering 1921 Scottish Cup winning squad.
“It will be 100 years next year since the Scottish Cup win and 50 years since we won our last piece of silverware, so maybe 2021 will be our year again.”
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