18 Facts About Johnny Paton

John Aloysius Paton was a Scottish professional football player, manager, coach, scout and later a professional snooker referee.

Johnny Paton began his career in Scotland with Celtic and played in the Football League for Chelsea, Brentford and Watford.

Johnny Paton guested for Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Millwall and Manchester City during the conflict.

Johnny Paton scored for Celtic in the Victory in Europe Cup triumph over Queens Park on 9 May 1945.

Johnny Paton made 77 appearances and scored 16 goals before a dispute with the club's management over wages led to his departure from Celtic Park in September 1949.

Johnny Paton joined English First Division club Chelsea on loan in November 1946.

Johnny Paton made 23 appearances and scored three goals before returning to Celtic in May 1947.

Johnny Paton had contacted London Evening Star columnist Bernard Joy and asked for an advert to be placed in the paper that he was available for transfer.

Johnny Paton made 91 appearances and scored 17 goals before playing his final match in 1955.

Johnny Paton made appearances for Scotland at international level as a schoolboy and a junior.

Johnny Paton played for the RAF representative team during the Second World War and appeared alongside Stanley Matthews in the team.

Johnny Paton lamented the standard of football coaching in England in the early 1950s and said "many managers deliberately starved their players of the ball during the week, believing it made them more hungry for it out on the pitch on a Saturday".

One of the instructors was Brentford goalkeeper Ted Gaskell and Johnny Paton roomed with Greenwood, Hill and Malcolm Allison.

In 1961, Tommy Docherty offered Johnny Paton a scouting role and the position of 'A' team manager at First Division club Arsenal.

Johnny Paton later found out that Ron Greenwood recommended him for the role.

Johnny Paton had a good start to his reign, but after entering hospital for a cartilage operation on both knees, the team's form drained away in his absence.

Johnny Paton was relieved of his duties only four months into his reign, after just two wins from 15 Third Division South matches.

Johnny Paton was born into a family of Celtic supporters, with his grandfather holding a season ticket at Celtic Park and his father spending time on the club's books as a player.