The Walk with Shay team sent me the next in their series on living club captains and their incredible raffle. The first can be found here, goo luck to all participants.
“The countdown is now on for the Walk With Shay Green Raffle Army prize draw on 25th May 2017 at Paradise. There is still time left to purchase raffle tickets to win our Club Captains of Celtic Away Top, covering 53 years of our Clubs unbroken history and a host of other amazing Celtic prizes, but don’t leave it too late.
Here is the next part of the club captains story”
Captain No 3: Tommy Boyd-November 2014
Tommy was an inspiration as Club Captain and still raises the bar high amongst the Celtic family as a Club Ambassador; giving up free time, and taking part in numerous fundraising events within the club and with the supporters, always taking time to talk to fans, signing autographs etc. Indeed, when we had a few beers in Mollies, he spent the entire night happily being interrupted by fans asking for photos and signatures. He obliged them all without a moan or groan. His wife told us that he loved the attention and was in his element. I had gone to the toilet at one point and a Chelsea fan who was standing next to me as we passed the time of day, asked “Who’s that you’re with? And I said to him joking, “Imagine, not knowing that! That’s Tommy Boyd, he played for your team”. I thought nothing more of it, until the boy appeared beside Tommy, ten minutes later asking for a photo. I later told Tommy, that I had chatted him up in the toilets earlier, for him.
For Tommy’s signature, I got in contact with Tommy’s CQN buddy who agreed to put the wheels in motion to assist with Captain number 3. A couple of days later, I was in the Kerrydale Bar having a pre-match beer with CQNer, TTTT. It was very busy, but who appears in front of me, as if by magic, Tommy Boyd. We had a brief chat and I said to him that I needed a favour as I was looking for him to sign the two tops. He said” Sure no problem”, and gave me his mobile number and told me to call him. The next week after a call, there was Tommy Boyd in my office at work signing the two tops. Tommy still claims to this day that he was the only Club Captain that came to us, to get the Tops signed… At this point, I had told Andy F about my plans and had enlisted his support and help in the search for the 11 club captains. There was still a long way to go and I started to realise that to complete this momentous task, that I would need help.
Captains No 4 and 5: Danny McGrain and Scott Brown-May 2015
Thanks to Andy F, this was a breeze in the park, as he got in touch with Tony Hamilton, CEO of Celtic FC Foundation who agreed to help. We duly and slightly nervously handed the tops into Celtic Park for signing in due course. The tops had never been out of possession up to this date, but we knew that they would be well looked after by Tony.
Danny had taken ill at the time, so we knew he had not been working at Celtic Park, but Tony went out his way to get both Danny and Broony to sign the tops, within a short space of time. The significance and uniqueness of the tops started to dawn on everybody now involved in collecting signatures, but we still had a long way to go to achieve the dream.
Captain no 6: Billy McNeill – March 2015
Billy, I had thought would be one of my easiest signings to obtain given his previous assistance on the Bringing Martin Home and Wee Oscar 4 Life campaigns. It was a joy to be invited into the McNeill household and for Billy to recall various Celtic stories. His wife, Liz was also lovely and they both knew my youngest daughter, Niamh who went to the nursery ran by Billy’s son. In fact, there was many a day when Billy popped into the nursery with lunches for the kids and I would have great delight in telling Niamh, just who the man, that regularly brought her lunch was.
I contacted Liz via text shortly after I had come up with the idea of the tops, but there had been no response. Billy was struggling with his illness and was going through a difficult time at this period. I had sensed that all was not well, and decided to put Billy’s signature on the back burner. It was actually not until the following March, that Liz got word to me, that they were waiting for me to pop in, so Billy could sign the tops. I arranged to pop in and since it was March 17th (St Patrick’s day), I bought 4 cans of Guinness for Billy and some wine and flowers for Liz and took them across. You could tell that Billy was struggling, but as they always did, the McNeill’s made me welcome in their house and we chatted for ages. Billy signed one top and Liz told him that it was a poor signature. I jumped in and say it was wonderful, Billy proceeded to sign the other top. He still regaled some great Celtic stories from years ago, but you could see at times how he struggled to remember and that he had a tear in his eye when he talked about Jinky. I gave him the four cans and he said thank you, to which he then said to Liz, “Am I allowed these?” She replied “You can have one can tonight, due to your medication”. I smiled as here was the legend Cesar being closely marked and had little or no room for manoeuvre.
Little, did I realise, that the signatures I had received that day were probably one of the last signatures given by Billy, due to his deteriorating condition which would restrict him from signing in the near future. It says a lot for the McNeill family that they had went out their way to help us, when this should have been the last thing on their minds at this difficult time, but this was the McNeills’.
Club Captain no 7: Neil Lennon-August 2015
We took a few months out in the quest for the Club Captains signatures, and started to push it again in August 2015. My Dad’s friend was Neil Lennon’s agent’s father (less than six degrees of separation!!) and I had previously pestered my Dad to speak to him to see if his friend could help. Eventually, it all came good and I was to pass the tops over to Lenny’s agent, Martin Reilly, as he was travelling down to Bolton to catch up with Lenny and Johan Mjallby. The tops were duly passed over to my Dad, with the instruction “Lenny only please” and he passed the tops over to his friend with the same message.
I got a call a week later to pick up the signed tops from my Dad’s friend house, and popped in after work as he lived just around the corner. As he brought the tops out, he said there was a little problem and told me that Johan had signed the tops as well, but it was ok as he was a Captain as well. I tried to hide my look of horror and not trying to sound ungrateful and I said “Thank you, but he wasn’t a Club Captain though, but never mind”. I thought “How am I going get around this one? Can I hide or cover it up, perhaps? Maybe even rub it out!” It is amazing what runs through your head at times. I was also struggling to get hold of Roy Aitken, and a crazy thought came into my head for an instant; “Perhaps I could kid on it was Roy Aitken’s autograph?”. As I looked at Johan’s signature more closely, I saw the number 35 next to his signature, I thought “Nope!” And dismissed the mad thought in an instant. This was going to be our Celtic kinder egg!
Part 3 to follow soon.
The countdown is now on for our amazing draw on 25th May 2017 at Paradise, but there is still time left to purchase (or sell) raffle tickets to win our Club Captains of Celtic Away Top, covering 53 years of our Clubs unbroken history, and a host of other amazing Celtic prizes.
Contact us now via:
email walkwithshay@yahoo.com
Twitter @walkwithshay
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BLANTYRETIM IS PRAYING FOR THE KNOX FAMILY on 17TH MAY 2017 7:03 AM
Great news! I’ll see you on Saturday!
Good Morning CQN
LISBON UPDATE
Thanks to the fabulous assistance of Friesdorfer I have been putting together a wee programme of events for the forthcoming Lisbon trip. Whilst not absolutely exhaustive and not containing every detail below is a mini guide to events and where to go in Lisbon over a few days.
Wed 24 May
7 -8 pm Reception and Dinner Casa do Alentejo Rua Portas de Santo Antão, 58
1150-268 Lisboa .
Thu 25 May
11 am Mass Basilica of Our Lady of the Martyrs Rua Garrett, Lisboa, Lisboa 1200-203
3pm-5pm Stadium Visit – Train from Cais do Sodre Train Station – Take the train to Cascais (normally platform 2) and alight at Cruz Quebrada station. The journey will take around 15 minutes and costs around £3. A Taxi from the centre of Lisbon will also take around 15 minutes and costs between £10 and £15.
6 pm Street Party in “Pink Street” or the Rua do Carvalho in Cais do Sodre across from the train station. Head for Bar Malt – All about beer. Live music from The Spirit of ’67 Band till the wee small hours. Pink Street is full of bars and restaurants with even more in the surrounding areas.
Sat 27 May
Hennessy’s Irish Bar or O’Gilins Irish Bar both in Cais do Sodre and about 100 yards apart.
* Many of you have purchased tickets for the big booze raffle but have found that no money has left your account. I, however, have details of all the actual purchases and the intended purchases and the people at e-bid have given me a step by step process to follow with each and every purchase which would then allow the payments to go through or for me to notify anyone who has not been charged.
I have not been able to do this yet due to time demands but I would hope to start looking at this tonight.
As for further ticket sales, not surprisingly I am not keen on continuing to offer sales via e-bid so am looking at a new portal and will report back on that soon.
All previous purchases will stand and the raffle will be drawn on 21st May.
Off oot to the Uni for the day …………..
REGGIE on 16TH MAY 2017 6:44 PM
BIG JIMMY on 16TH MAY 2017 5:23 PM
With respect I was asked to let it go.
Out of courtesy
1. No, if it doesn’t contain the word IRA I generally don’t have an issue, with a few exceptions I suppose Get the Brits out etc. People know what songs the club don’t want, you don’t need me to provide a list.
2. That’s not what I said. I said one of our previous managers had to come out and condemn IRA chants. I don’t want our current manager put in that position. If he is, anything other than unequivocally condemning them would make him virtually unemployable in England, certainly as their national coach.
3. Please don’t be ridiculous.
………………..
REGGIE,
I will deal with question 2 for the moment and your answer above.
I asked , ” Why would Brendan be asked about rebel songs being sung at Celtic Park, IF he went back to England” ? ( or words to that effect) ?
You have came on here a few days ago, appearing to be UTTERLY CONVINCED that would be the case, IF Brendan went back down south at some stage ?
You failed to answer the question, and also failed to quantify as to how Brendan WOULD be asked such a question.
You also failed to answer my question about Brendan NOT being asked about Liverpool fans singing about The Munich Air Disaster, when he was manager at Liverpool 9 As far as I am aware ?), therefore WHY should anyone down south ask him about what Celtic fans sing ?
Are you Mystic Meg ?
One other point, when Martin left Celtic…..and returned to England to manage….Was he ever asked about some of the rebel songs that Celtic fans sing ?
If NOT………..Then why do you come on here predicting something that you obviously have no inside knowledge about…unless you are Mystic feckin Meg /
Where is your evidence of IRISH players leaving Celtic and playing in England and being asked about some Rebel songs that some Celtic fans may sing inside Celtic Park……again I ask…”On what basis/evidence do you have that Brendan would ever be asked such a question…and by whom ….and for what reason ” ?
IF there was no reason to ask MON and/or Irish Celtic players the same question….then WHY BRENDAN ?
IF as you suggested Brendan ” Became UNEMPLOYABLE in England”…then on that “issue” I would have no problem with that, as it could mean Brendan staying at Celtic for the very long term ?
There is an old saying that maybe you are not familiar with..” Why go somewhere….where you’re not welcome” ?
HH
Sevco wheel out a guy who played for a different club 30 years to indulge in point scoring. Don’t they have any black players currently playing?
Really beneath contempt, can’t say I’m surprised though.
Reggie,
You do understand the meaning of quotation marks don’t you ?
Your exact words in context, your meaning was and is clear as is your reference to the “troubles”. As I said, your still smarting. The club is open to all but that does not mean at he expense of our heritage, if that is something you can’t accept, then find another club.
The songs of freedom are a considerable part of the clubs heritage, battlecrys and lullabies and song of
Oops hope and joy
REGGIE,
As for ME being “Ridiculous” ?
You have came on here making BOLD PREDICTIONS, and in my view ( and many other posters view )..assuming a whole lot of stuff that you failed to “back up” when met with responses from other posters including myself.
In your answer to my 1st Question you have stated, ” People KNOW what songs the Club don’t want” ………again, How do you know that ?
One example…” When Celtic fans sing songs like …” Go Home Ya Huns” or ” Who let the Huns out” ? etc etc…..what is your take on those songs, do you think the Club want Celtic fans to stop using the term “HUN” ?….If not, then why not ?
I know many Huns…who take offensive at me calling them a Hun to their face, so where would Celtic FC attempt to draw the line, if they unwisely chose to do so ?
Please advise me of when Walter Smith, Jock Wallace etc ex managers of the Huns, and ex Hun players leaving Ipox to ply their trade in England….”When were these Huns asked about the songs that the Hun support sing, when they got to England” ?….again Why would Brendan Rodgers be asked such a question by someone in England, do you meant the English media..if so…then again why wasn’t MON asked the same question ?
I am not picking a fight/argument with you, but you have came on here assuming a great deal, and unless you have “inside information” from within the English media and/or what is viewed as offensive within the Celtic Boardroom…or that you are indeed Mystic feckin Meg….where is your evidence ?
HH
Word of The Day (Inspired by Feargal Ó hAnnluain and Doiminic Ó Beacháin)
quisling /ˈkwɪzlɪŋ/
noun
1. a person who betrays his or her own country by aiding an invading enemy, often serving later in a puppet government; fifth columnist.
2. a traitor who aids an occupying enemy force; collaborator
Word Origin
Word Origin and History for quislingExpand
n.
1940, from Vidkun Quisling (1887-1945), Norwegian fascist politician who headed the puppet government during the German occupation of Norway in World War II; shot for treason after German defeat. First used in London Times of April 15, 1940, in a Swedish context.
KTF
VFR800,
I am about to send you an email in the next 10 minutes.
HH MATE.
Big Jimmy,
Did McLean refuse to wear the poppy ?
Now remind me he got pumped right?
Never worked again right ?
There’s a really interesting court case going on in Glasgow and this imbecile wants the blog to concentrate on its songs debate.
I’ve had enough of this troll, his/her intentions and Alegiamce have been clear from the off, thinks it’s a wordsmith but far too clumsy, it’ll be one of those that must have the last word so I’ll leave it at that.
” HUN” ?
I have over the years questioned Huns why they object to being called a “Hun”..as the should perhaps take it as a compliment.
I have said to some old Hun mates over the years…” If you knew your history….and I would then go on to advise them that THE HUNS ( Attila and his mates) were such a fearsome bunch in battle etc. So much so, that the mighty Roman Empire were very scared of them and their numbers, and what they were capable of inflicting.
The HUNS and Attila ( The leader AFF)…would raid Roman outposts and murder Romans and rape and pillage etc. It got to the point that the Roman Empire would pay MONEY top The Huins to stop them raiding Roman outposts etc.
The HUNS being very clever, would accept the “EXTORTION MONEY”….for a while, and then do the same all over again…and then extort MORE MONEY from the Roman Empire.
According to History, the Roman Empire were very very concerned that The HUNS could successfully “SACK ROME”…NAE BOTHER ? IF the Huns put their minds to it ?
So all you Huns out there…don’t take offence when called a “Dirty Hun Cheatin Bassa”…it’s actually a compliment ?
HH
The experience of the Irish immigrant to the Scotland was harsh and the level of anti-Irish sentiment in Glasgow is still astonishing. (IMO).
I read somewhere that Glasgow currently hosts more Orange Walks per year than Belfast and Derry together.
Perhaps the ongoing negative experiences of the Irish diaspora in Scotland puts them in a unique position to appreciate the struggle of the nationalist population in the six counties.
The experience for many in Dublin is completely different.
The Celtic supporter in Glasgow and Belfast shares the unique bond, they live in a society that to a large extent is (was) controlled by the Unionist/Sectarian/Freemason.
James Connolly, Padraig Pearse and others set off a chain of events that led to the departure of the Unionist and Orangeman from the 26 Counties. Modern Dubliners have never experienced the racism and sectarianism of the ‘Orange Culture.’ Many folk in Dublin have simply no idea of the reality of living in a Orange dominated state. Many Dubliners didn’t support the rebels in 1916, attitudes changed however given the harsh sentences of the British Courts.
Life in the 26 Counties is completely different to life in Glasgow. Having lived here for 20 years the kids have never seen an Orange Walk. They don’t know what a Freemason is, they have no interest in anyone’s religion. Same Sex Marriage is a reality. There is huge resentment towards the Catholic Church given the behaviour of the hierarchy and some clerics.
Ireland is still a lovely place with many of the challenges of the UK. Materialism, secularism, addictions, crime, it’s all here but in a much smaller scale and without the added twist of bigotry and sectarianism.
With that I’m off for a walk along the lovely River Boyne. Thanks to the sacrifice of many, it’s a place that anyone can enjoy for free irrespective of their religion, colour, gender, sexuality etc.
Hopefully Glasgow will one day share in that freedom.
Good Luck to BRTH and the lads coming over for his event in Lisburn this month:))
HH, James Connolly
Canalmar
Just to finish
I don’t have an agenda
You have a problem with anyone who challenges your views
Usually dismissing them as huns, idiots or dupes of the media ( either Scottish or western European media depending on whether your beloved Russians are involved)
You made a ludicrous assertion yesterday ( to annoy reggie I presume) that the provos won their”war”.
They didn’t
Nobody won. Lots of people lost
Its over now thank god but I will always challenge ludicrous nonsense no matter how many insults you throw my way.
Clogher celt
Great post
Well said
CLOGHERCELT
Good to see you around,mate. Our visit to The River Boyne will live long on the memory.
Grateful thanks for that,and much more.
HH
Right, off to Estadio Nacional and a wee day out in Cascais. Take care everyone.
WHITEDOGHUNCH
Thanks again for the restaurant tip. Looks unlikely to be visited as we are in Cascais tonight and heading to Time Out Market tomorrow evening, regrettably home on Friday.
Cheers. HH
To the quislings who sold out the patriot game
Indeed
WITs/BMCUWPs,
Enjoy Lisburn!!
Regards to CCB and the family.
Both views are equally fair, IMO, given the experiences of both posters.
One from a relatively free non sectarian society and the other from a sectarian society.
HH and Offski
Why sing songs about the troubles ?
does it make the team play better ?
do fitba teams fans across the sea sing about, the troubles ?
who does Grace play for ?
the huns sing about 1690, we sing about 1916 ?
dinosaurs ?
why sing about efff the queen when, her grant from….
the Common Wealth Games paid for the Celtic Way ?
why sing about setting Ireland free, then allow…..
Lawwell, Desmond etc, to put yeez at the back of the bus…..
whilst yeez are cheated with impunity ?
Back in the day, the JUNGLE backed the armed struggle to the hilt….
rightly so……imho.
but now, there isn’t a JUNGLE….
there isn’t the troubles…..
there isn’t the Provo’s….
although, on Saturday, there was, apparently, some Tory MP got into…..
bother for putting a tweet on twitter, along the lines of…..
….”Thanks for nothing Ireland, just know that, there will be a hard f###### border coming your way !”
this tweet was supposedly because, Ireland gave Britain a rubbish score at the Eurovision song contest.
these are the folk who might still be running the country!
might be a good idea to leave the plastic Provo song book at the bus…
of the bus rather than intensify the toxicity.
………..off-oot.
A very nice 25 at 9.30 am -way down south..
Italian TIM Cup Final tonight — Lazio v Rubentus . Tough one for the neutrals – wanting Rube to lose is one thing ,wanting Lazio to win is an another.. -but -Lazio winning would mean no Treble for Rube so that might just swing it .
Today’s 3 from 67 ( a very good year !)
7″ – The Gaylads –Peculiar Man ( Studio One )
7″ –Tomorrow -Revolution ( Parlophone )
7″ -The Emperors – My Baby Loves to Boogaloo ( Mala ) .
NB – IMO – the Don Gardner version of My Baby Loves to Boogaloo ( MALA ) is better than The Emperors but that was released in 1966 not 67.
Choons — Celtic winning the European Cup in 67 changed the world in so many ways- eg- Top Of the Charts before the win was -The Tremeloes –Silence is Golden — Naff — Number 1 choon after the win was the much less naff -Procul Harem -Whiter Shade of Pale
We awe fightin’?
That’s nice…
Reggie Perrin out :)
new article posted.
WITS,
I understand it is difficult for you in your apparent permanent state of bamboozlement but the rebels are now working through the ballot box, to any straight thinking person that tells you the armed part of the struggle is over and that that change was forced through their armed struggle, agreed? victory part 1.
All parties now accept the ballot box and not Westminster will decide on their fate, agreed? victory part 2
And that is a victory whether you like it or not.
Whether the ballot box unites Eire or not is not their responsibility, their overall goal is to unite Eire and they knew this could not be achieved through armed struggle or war as its alternatively known. Their strategy was to acquire the means that facilitate that goal, the ballot box and the freedom to canvass for a united Eire previously forcefully denied.
These are the basic facts of the matter, your mental gymnastics to find flaws in the outcome of the armed struggle simply displays a bitter personal issue you need to resolve, I for one hope you can find peace but your struggle should not blind you to the basic fact that the armed struggle achieved its goal.
Had we been arguing about the Easter Uprising at the time you would have been saying the exact same thing no doubt and there are many who would and still agree with that, as the north was left behind, however the free state became a reality only achieved through armed struggle, similarly the path to a united Eire will now be decided at the ballot box and not through force of might.
I doubt anything will change your mind or your penchant for snide digs so I’ll leave the last word and dig to yourself.
I’ve got school work to do.
Sadly, I have just received news about the death of a dear friend of mine. A friend of over 50 years. Billy was as fit as a fiddle but succumbed to a severely debilitating respiratory disorder shortly after his 80th birthday a couple of years ago. Billy was one of those rare breeds an RC from Larkhall and a relative of the Maestro. He wasn’t a Celtic fan as such more of a fan of sport.
The most upsetting thing about his death is that I will not make his funeral on Friday as I cannot get a flight back from Brunei that will get me back on time.
To my great friend Billy RIP. Eternal rest grant unto him oh Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him.
Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan on 17th May 2017 7:31 am
I tried to “buy” tickets for the raffle on Monday but it had closed the process.
Let me know how and I’ll buy a few tickets from you.
Will be in Lisbon on Sunday
Bring it on!! HH
BIG JIMMY on 17TH MAY 2017 7:38 AM
I asked , ” Why would Brendan be asked about rebel songs being sung at Celtic Park, IF he went back to England” ? ( or words to that effect) ?
You have came on here a few days ago, appearing to be UTTERLY CONVINCED that would be the case, IF Brendan went back down south at some stage ?
========
I don’t know why you keep repeating that. I didn’t say he would be asked IF he went back to England. I said based on the precedent of a previous manager having to speak out against IRA songs as Celtic manager, then you don’t have to Mystic Meg to reach the conclusion that it is possible that the current Celtic manager will be asked to speak out as well. It was a different world from when O’Neill was manager to when Neil Francis Lennon was in charge. As long as huns are acting like huns then I couldn’t care less what offends them. When otherwise decent civilised folk with no axe to grind view elements of our support as backward then that hurts me deeply. For holding that view I’ve been called a scumbag, bizarrely told I’m somehow smarting at the defeat of the British Empire, and told to find another club. And yet I’m the bad guy. Go figure