HE MADE 41 appearances for the club before moving to England in 1967 to play for West Ham United. Two years later he returned to Scotland with Dunfermline and moved to Dumbarton in 1972.

John Cushley was born in Hamilton January 1943, John Cushley joined Celtic in July 1960 as a centre-half, making his debut against Kilmarnock in March 1963.

John was a Modern Languages graduate of the University of Glasgow, he acted as interpreter in 1964 when along with Jimmy McGrory he travelled to Spain to try and talk Alfredo Di Stefano to sign for Celtic.

advertisement John retired as deputy head teacher at St Ambrose, Coatbridge, in 2003. At the school he spotted the talent of one pupil, right-back Mark Wilson, now a first team player after John helped recruit him to the club.

After retiring from playing John Cushley had a successful career in teaching and recently returned to Celtic as Education Officer to the club.

John retired last year through ill health after having being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

Former team-mate Jinky died in March 2006 after a five-year battle with the illness.