Adam Smith, regarded by many as the father of modern economics, once observed that crop failures caused dearth but that it took “the violence of well-intentioned governments” to convert “dearth into famine.” Throughout the 19th century, governments, social-reformers and subsistence –dwellers learned the enormous human cost that resulted when the poor were left to starve.
Ireland suffered regular famine for more than a century before when what became known as THE Irish Famine first struck the country in 1845. The potato blight travelled across Europe before arriving in Britain and then Ireland, but in most places the links between those who were suffering and those who were in a position to alleviate that suffering were sufficiently established to ensure dearth did not become cataclysmic famine. Not so in Ireland.
The famine lasted until the 1850s, a million starved to death. Nothing would ever be the same again. The blight returned in 1879 but by then the Celtic population of Ireland, who suffered disproportionately in earlier famines, were politically better represented and had structures in place to ensure those in need were assisted. As a result, the 1879 blight caused great hunger but cost fewer lives.
Brother Walfrid lived through the famine of the 1840s. The community who 125 years ago today decided to form a football and athletic club in order to feed the starving either lived through the same hardship, or were the progeny of those who did. All were informed by the actions across the water in 1879. Squalor, disease and starvation afflicted Glasgow, as it did many of the newly industrialised cities of the world. Walfrid and his colleagues were not going to stand idly by and hope for the best.
Celtic Football Club was not the only institution established in those years to cater for the poor. Across Britain others campaigned for clean water, sanitation, better working conditions and occasionally health care, but Celtic were quite unlike any others.
Football had caught the public imagination and benefited from the increased availability of leisure time in the early 20th century. Brother Walfrid could just as easily established a musical troupe to raise funds. If so, there would be no Celtic. Those who met in St Mary’s hall had seen how successful other football clubs were becoming and decided to copy their ways. They watched how successful Hibernian, from Leith, had become and decided Glasgow’s east end would be equally fertile ground.
Hundreds of other football clubs were formed in the 19th century but no others had the unique story of Celtic. If you listen to modern brand consultants you will hear them talk about establishing a legend for your brand. Adorn it with positive, aspirational sentiment that people want to be a part of. Whenever I hear this kind of talk, or watch a business try to position itself along these lines, I think of how getting the foundations right on day one set our club out on this enormous journey.
No one was trying to establish a brand in 1887, in fact, those in charge of the club seemed immune to the concept for over a century, but all of the positive sentiment which is persistently associated with Celtic can be traced back to that meeting at St Mary’s, even down to what might have seemed like small detail. Unlike Hibernian, Celtic would not be a club for members of a church or parish, this would be a club who wanted all members of society to work with, support and play for. From conception, the message of social responsibility was evangelised.
The world is enormously different today than it was back then, and our community reflects those changes, but anyone who counts himself a Celtic fan is a product of the club’s history. You are here for a reason.
Tomorrow night’s opponents proclaim they are ‘more than just a football club’. In their case that is correct, but this is a truism for most football fans. Few will say, ‘Although I turn up every week, there’s nothing special about this place’. Those who understand how much more Celtic are than just a club, know that it is no longer the responsibility of Brother Walfrid, now it is yours and mine. We have the enormous responsibility to take care of that 125-year heritage and, if possible, enhance it. That’s the challenge every time you get your ticket out your pocket, you scribble on a blog, or you’re asked to assist someone in need.
What an enormous privilege.
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Gnoch it on the head..eh?
With the injuries team selection for Lenny will be quite easy
—————-Forster——————-
Lustig Ambrose Wilson Matthews
Brown Wanyama Ledley Mulgrew
————–Commons—————–
—————Samaras——————
Bench – Zaluska, Miku, Kayal, Watt, Ibrahim, Fraser, another defender from Development squad
When Celtic beat Man City away in the Next Gen last autumn, Paul George was the best player on the park.
Apart from the multi-million-pound signings in the Man City ranks, Dylan McGeouch and Tony Watt were both playing for Celtic.
Kayal33
Would have Ledley at left back, no seen much of him in midfield recently
philvisreturns
13:00 on 6 November, 2012
MurdochauldandHay – The most important Irishman of all
At first I thought it was about Bono. (thumbsup)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~
Strangely,Philvis,so did Bono…….
There’s a debate going on. Do you like gnocchi pillowy soft or with more of a bite? I prefer the latter personally. I grew up with my Nonna and Aunt making gnocchi, most of the time for a special occasion, and remember them more on the chewy side. Don’t get me wrong, the pillowy soft version has its place and just as good but I like biting into these clouds of happiness.
Fanny CSC
Adam Matthews can play left back, with Lustig on the right. There is a need for speed.
.
Paul67..
Very Well said..
It seems We have had 125 Years of G.O.D. (Generations of Dedication)..
Summa
CANAMALAR 1545
Cannae win them all,bud.
To say I’m surprised is a bituvanunderstatement.
But,heyho,each to their own………..
Hail Hail
Brilliant article Paul67
Have only had chance to read back a few comments because of work!!!!
but just wanted to add my congratulations on such a fine article on a such a fine historic day,
and what a headline
125 years of Enormous Privilege
DBBIA 15 42 .
Bridget St John ——–
Been a long time —– I have that LP —– I will have a look for it on the haven’t been played in @ 35 years shelves . .
Sometimes I think of selling the Dandelion stuff .
Saw her at Uni [ 1970 ? ] on a Dandelion bill —– her / Lol Coxhill and Stack Waddy . She could certainly play the guitar.
“SFA must choose a Scotsman to lead national team”
Craig Brown
.
Or..
G.A.D..(Gnocchi Al Dente)..
Summa of BournePastaRecipesCSC
I’d go with that kayal. But maybe swap Charlie and Joe.
Its a big ask for Sammi tomorrow. Especially since it’s only been two weeks since he suffered an injury that looked really nasty
CELTIC FIRST
I agree that we must not be caught for pace,but Adam is badly out of form just now,IMO.
A great player in the making,to be sure,but I would be wary of playing him just now,especially out of position.
Even Danny McGrain only looked brilliant when he was played there,instead of the absolutely world-class right-back which he was.
Thanks,Willie Ormond-you ensured Danny’s excellence was a wee secret……
Gents – any idea why when I move from page to page on here it doesn’t jump straight to the comments, instead it always reloads the full page with lead article etc. I’m using latest version of Firefox.
It behaves as normal on my Samsung Galaxy (as in it jumps straight to the comments).
HH from a very wet Denia.
Bobby Murdoch. It will be a tough gig for anyone, no matter who gets the nod. On the other hand, it could be the making of Adam, absolutely the making of the bhoyo.
Hello CQN,
Could any of you fine Bhoys/Ghirls recommend where to watch the Barca game in Vegas?
Much appreciated and thanks in advance :-)
Hail! Hail!
Me We!
From earlier,I dont have a ticket for game so might pop over here for an hour before heading home to get settled for the game.
I have some hoops top that I will never wear again maybe pass them on to our spanish friends,WE ARE MORE THAN A CLUB :))
—————–
ASonOfDan
11:29 on
6 November, 2012
AS Celtic welcome FC Barcelona to town this week, the club is keen to ensure that supporters of both teams can enjoy this momentous occasion.
Celtic are delighted to be back at Europe’s top table. This will be a football fiesta like no other and supporters will be able to see that the wonderful relationship between Celtic and Barca is celebrated.
Therefore, on the day of the match, this Wednesday, November 7, a Fanzone, bringing Celtic and Barcelona fans together to enjoy this great occasion will be set up at Merchant Square in the Merchant City.
The city of Barcelona always welcomes Celtic and our supporters so warmly and it is right that we should offer our good friends the same hospitality.
We are sure the Fanzone will be very popular with supporters of both clubs and we look forward to everyone who attends enjoying the venue, enjoying the city and enjoying the famous Celtic welcome.
The venue will provide an opportunity for fans to gather and meet and there will be music and entertainment on offer to supporters.
The event will run from 12.30pm – 5.30pm and supporters travelling in the official Barcelona party are advised to be on board their bus by 5.45pm latest for the short journey to Celtic Park.
We hope you all enjoy the live music and entertainment that is provided and that you have a safe and responsible time before attending the match.
bsr
My auld zia makes a mean gnocchi – when she can be bothered.
Never been a big fan of them – not her’s in particular, but gnocchi in general.
Buon appetito!
HH!!
If Charlie plays left back we have to play Joe Ledley in front of him, with Beram Kayal coming into the middle, I think we’ll get slaughtered with Charlie in midfield and Adam behind him..
.
Denia..
Click on the Timestamp below bloggers Name..
Simples..
Summa
It’s autumn —-
Time for Chestnut Gnocchi with spicy sausage meat and rosemary ..
Goes down well with a bottle of Nero D’Avola or a cheeky wee Frappatto
DBBIA,SOT
Bridget,IIRC,played on a few late 60s/early 70s JOHN MARTYN tracks.
Not sure,think they were briefly married? Hey,I’m sure they probably couldn’t have told you one way or the other back then……….
Anyway,one of my favourite JM tracks,jooooooooooost because it felt like a nice wee soothing track to play.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edX0CCOmCT8
Excellent piece Paul,
You have a great knack of putting our History into context, this season starts a new era for the Club yet as you say the journey remains the same.
CELTIC FIRST 1609
Aye,that could well be the case. Wouldn’t be the first time.
For those unfamailiar with the delights of gnocchi..
A sort of pasta for potato lovers – these are small Italian dumplings usually made from potato, flour (traditionally buckwheat flour) and egg and shaped into small ovals with a ridged pattern on one side. They can also be made from semolina flour, as they are in Rome. Gnocchi are often poached and then cooked au gratin (with breadcrumbs and grated cheese) in the oven and served as a hot starter.
Inspiring article, Paul – just what Celtic deserves.
BTW the password you gave me has stopped working, but no worries: the one I’d used previously is working again – CQN, like God, moves in mysterious ways.
Paul67
Superb piece. Sometimes we need reminding of our privileges and responsibilities and today is a good day for it.
Me We
Queen Victoria Pub (inside Riviera Hotel) 2901 Las Vegas Boulevard tel; 702 795 9260
celticbars.com
.
Hope to be Repeating this soon..
Paddy Power @paddypower
Did you know: Celtic are the first team in 2012 to prevent Messi getting an assist or a goal!
Paddy Power: Did You know: NO Team in Europe has been Able to Stop..Sammi Samuel Summer of Samaras Scoring a Sammi=Like Goal this Season in Europe..
#DisiplesOfTheProphetSamaras
Summa
Celts that bring a smile to my face are
Larrson
Wee jimmy
Elliot
Burns
Tully
The last 3 initials also bring a smile to my face. EBT anyone
BMCUW
John Martyn? Or Iain David McGeachy to give him his proper name.
A flawed genius no longer with us.
If you ever meet Mrs Tally she might tell you that she was a neighbour of his for a period in the 70s, I think, in a place called Roberton in deepest Lanarkshire It was beyond the back of beyond!
They didn’t get on!
But that is another story!
HH!!
Epetition on the blog,
@tom_watson: Letter to the PM in response to the announcement of an investigation into child abuse allegations: http://t.co/16Rm8BBR
South of Tunis.
Nero D’Avola every time for me with that recipe – BUT- I wouldn’t take much pushing to drink anything at all with it.
throughtheproverbialclootcsc
Kilbowie kelt 14.03
Agree with you 100%.My great grandfathers were born 1844 & 1846 both in Doaghmore,so know a lot about those times.You have a few years on me.Good Health.
DBBIA —.16 07.
Very soothing .
Used to have a Bridget St John [ with Kevin Ayers and Daevid Allen] 45 — If You Got Money .
I sold it @ 5years ago for £ 250. I found it in a junk store , played it once and saved it for a rainy day.
.
Johann..
Re; Gnocchi (Small Italian Dumplings)..
I Think You will find Marco Negri’s Middle name was Gnocchi..:O)
Summa of SmallItalianStrikersCSC