Quick Facts
Biography
David Hamilton (31 January 1882 – 25 January 1950) was a Scottish footballer who played as an outside left (winger). He played for Celtic for ten years between 1902 and 1912.
Career
Born in Glasgow in 1882, as a teenager Hamilton played for junior side Cambuslang Hibernian. He was selected for the Scotland Junior international team for matches in 1902, alongside future Celtic teammate Alec Bennett. Later that year Hamilton joined Celtic and soon after was selected for the British League Cup final against Rangers which Celtic won.
Having proved his worth against strong opposition, Hamilton secured his place in the Celtic team and appeared regularly over the next decade. He established a reputation as a wide man with great pace and dribbling skills, which earned him the nickname 'the Dancer'.
He was part of a successful forward line which won six consecutive Scottish League titles between 1905 and 1910 and confirmed Celtic as a national force - their manager Willie Maley commented "The Bennett, McMenemy, Quinn, Somers and Hamilton forward line was a treat to watch in their sinuous movement and deadly attacks".
Hamilton also won four Scottish Cups. In total he played 259 league and national cup matches for Celtic and scored 62 goals. His popularity is indicated by the fact a brake club (an early form of supporters club who travelled by wagon) from the Gorbals area had his portrait displayed on their banner.
The 1907-08 season was particularly eventful for Hamilton. In the October he was suspended for two months for using 'obscene and threatening language' towards the referee during the Glasgow Cup Final against Rangers, with the remark believed to be "I wish I had a revolver!". He missed the replay of that final but returned in time for the New Year's Day Old Firm derby and scored the opening goal (one of a total of 10 goals against Rangers). Celtic finished as league champions, also secured the Scottish Cup - with Hamilton scoring in the 5-1 win over St Mirren - and finalised a clean sweep of trophies available by winning the Glasgow Merchants Charity Cup.
In 1912 Hamilton left Celtic and joined Dundee; he retired in 1914.
National team
Despite his success at club level Hamilton never appeared for the Scotland national football team, but was selected for one Scottish Football League XI fixture against Ireland in 1903.
Later life and legacy
Hamilton suffered a family tragedy just as his sporting career was ending when his wife Mary-Ann died from tuberculosis in 1915 (aged 33), leaving him to bring up their five children alone. He died in Glasgow in 1950.
In 2011 a Celtic delegation including descendants of Hamilton and club representatives Jim Craig and Bobby Lennox attended Dalbeth Cemetery in the East End of Glasgow to mark his grave with a tributary headstone.
Honours
- Scottish League (6): 1904–05, 1905–06, 1906–07, 1907–08, 1908–09, 1909-10
- runners-up (1): 1911–12
- Scottish Cup (4): 1903-04, 1906-07, 1907-08, 1910-11
- finalist (1): 1908-09
- Glasgow Cup (5): 1904-05, 1905-06, 1906-07, 1907-08, 1909-10
- runners-up (3): 1902-03, 1908-09, 1910-11
- British League Cup (1): 1902