The funeral has taken place of Belfast Celtic legend Alexander ‘Lexie’ Moore, the last survivor of the team which beat Scotland.
He passed away peacefully on Sunday at Templemoyle Nursing Home a week short of his 96th birthday and was laid to rest at Altnagelvin Cemetery in his home city of Derry.
Mr Moore was the last survivor from the famous Celtic team that defeated Scotland - who were British champions at the time - during a tour of America in 1949.
He scored a goal as the legendary Irish side beat the Scottish national team 2-0 in New York during a ten-match tour of the states.
The victory came just a day after Belfast Celtic’s resignation from the Irish League was confirmed.
The dramatic decision to walk away came after a clash with Linfield in December 1948 during which Belfast Celtic players were attacked by Linfield supporters at Windsor park.
During the incident Celtic player Jimmy Jones suffered a broken leg and was kicked unconscious while other players were injured.
Due to his injury Mr Jones was unable to travel to America and was replaced by Mr Moore who was taken on loan from Glenavon.
During his career he also played and later coached at Derry City and was a successful amateur snooker player.
Irish rugby star Mick O’Flanagan was another guest player brought on the '49 tour.
On the day the team beat Scotland Mr Moore was joined on the scoresheet by fellow Derry man Jonny Campbell.
He was an honorary life member of the Belfast Celtic Society and in the past travelled from his home to Belfast to take part in society events.
During the tour of America he kept a diary which was later used by Belfast Celtic Society chairman Padraig Coyle to write a book.
Mr Moore used shorthand learned while serving a radio operator in the Norwegian Navy during World War Two to pen the diary.
The drama Mixed Messages was later based on the book.
Mr Coyle, who is also the Belfast Celtic Society chairman, said that during the tour Belfast Celtic played the Derry man’s wages and gave his wife an allowance.
He said Mr Moore retained an affection for Belfast Celtic.
“It was important to him because of the way he was treated and he scored a goal against Scotland,” he said.
“It is a big loss and he was a very special man, an absolute gentleman and was such a generous soul.”
