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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Celtic 3 Barca 2
You heard it here first….
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
You are dead right……..that’s their intention, but a draw could be enough to scupper them!
HH
Top of the morning to you all from a still-dark Fife.
Watching Obama address the American people one can’t help but think that the old WASP order is gone and by demographics can’t come back. Descendants of immigrants (with Hispanics in the majority) will be the power in the USA.
The descendants of immigrants in this country haven’t done too badly either, but could do better.
A win tonight while the old order team contemplate the challenges of life in the Irn Bru would be a great birthday present for the Celts.
Hear’s Hoping and Hail Hail.
Must see pic o the day!
http://gyazo.com/110a9b9b592e5e5c4ce8b7e7a8a2422b?1352229306
hamiltontim 6:25:
I’ll have some that.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers
06:20 on 7 November, 2012
VMHAN
………..
Understand that but as a one off game tonight, I’d rather avoid defeat by at least drawing with the best team in the world ( ahem outside Glasgow).
I’d worry about the remaining games after tonight, just my thoughts on it as come full time most Celts would be happy with the draw.
HH
VMHAN
Absolutely correct,bud-and I would be happy with a draw too!
But then my glass-half-empty inner self would take over again…….
Vmhan
I used it as my screensaver yesterday!
Off out.Hope you are keeping well.
JJ
BMCUW I’m hoping we Give it another 100% effort and performance and with Sammi on at some stage then who knows.
Got to shoot
Vmhan Offski!
Good morning friends from a damp but very mild, for November, East Kilbride.
Really excited about tonight’s party and might just have to calm the nerves with a wee libation or two before the game. Hopefully we concentrate to the final whistle in each half tonight, learning from the last game. Every day’s a schoolday and all that.
Big Nan
“The old WASP order” bankrolled both candidates to the tune of billions of dollars.
Both men are mere stooges.
I will say no more on that sham election in a sham country.
Celtic for the victory.
Jungle Jim, fine thanks for asking and enjoy yir day in Planet Celtic, Todaloo!
Just checked last nights coupon..5 results, as always one lets you down, but a 2/5 shot! £200 thanks a lot Madrid! Never mind roll on this evenings entertainment. Come on Celtic.
Charlie Mulgrew will score for Celtic against the Catalans.
Sixteen roads to Golgotha
I am aware of that but the candidate that runs on the WASP ticket can’t get a majority in future IMHO.
Military Industrial Complex and Israeli lobby determine foreign policy no matter who is president. Sad business.
Sixteen roads to Golgotha
I think you’ve nailed it.
Charlie’s attitude and application in SPL games is questionable but he’s always up for the big games and they don’t come any bigger than tonight. I, to, think he’ll score but it’ll be his defensive duties that’ll have the bigger impact on the result.
Morning all!
Anticipation mixed with trepidation tonight.
Will be a wonderful spectacle – always is at CP on a European night: but tonight will be extra special!
No idea what team Neil will put out tonight – a few injury concerns to say the least.
To all those going – enjoy!
C’mon the Hoops!
HH!!
morning bhoys..
any ideas of best place to source an ipadmini, for mini BT of course..
Jobo Baldie
Jobo ,never mind the weather ,how long to go?
BT, I dont think they are officially released yet.
I was checking them out at weekend and Apple store looked cheapest and had 2 week delivery. Might be changed now though neebs.
Big Nan
I understand what you are saying mate.
We’ll be there to give the Bhoys a cheer……………
Won’t be on to post before going to game – good luck to all going tonight and a collective prayer and cheer from those watching (on TV) won’t go amiss!
Hope everyone enjoys what will be an eventful evening at Celtic Park.
KTF!
Geordie
argos and John lewis have them at £269..
I’ll have a look in apple store; cheers…
Morning,
Been awake since 5:00 and stomach feels like a tumble dryer.
Not felt like this since my wedding day.
Mon The Hoops!
B.B.C.
Former SFA president George Peat told BBC Scotland on Monday that it had been a two-horse race between Strachan and Walter Smith to become Scotland manager in 2004.
Peat said that Edinburgh-born Strachan had withdrawn himself from the process, and the former official suggested that money might have been the reason, and Smith was appointed.
You just have to wonder how low Peat can stoop.
Note the use of the word “may.”
jude2005
I hope your sister fully recovers from her illness.
Praywes said for her recovery.
So that is the President re-elected a big day ahead for picking the bones of that.
Celtic have a big match tonight.
Perfect day to release the reult of the Big Tax Case.
Sorry, should be prayers.
St.John.Doyle
oldtim. kikinthenakas and johann murdoch will be in merchant square/fanzone about 3pm today.
.may try to pop down and meet them although not going to match tonight..o(
Correction
“might” for “may”
Murdochbhoy, yermanfromMK
Let’s hope so chief.
sorry macjay
english was not my best subject at school… o))
Just about to head off to Glasgow ,if anybody has a spare ticket for the game I’ll make sure it goes to a good home ,ie me : )
Will check in and out of here on the way over just on the off chance.
Failing all that as will try at the ground till late on to try and get a ticket,which would be the best bar close to the ground to watch the match?
BT, that sounds about the same. I didn’t realise they were released my man. I’m on the swither myself for the wee man.
Asonofdan, I’m the same. I’m really not confident at all. I think I’ll pop in here now and again today to see if there’s any good rousing posts to raise my confidence levels.
COYBIG!!!
Good morning CQN
Can’t wait for tonight come on you Bhoys in green
Another great article Paul
Keep up the good work
Hail Hail
Sevco are set to shell out £800k to Rapid Vienna and avoid a Fifa court case.
Rapid sold current Everton star striker Nikica Jelavic to Rangers in 2010 for £4M and the final instalment of that transfer fee is due to be paid in the next few weeks.
Although the figure is around £200k shy of
the original sum agreed, Rapid chairman
Rudolf Edlinger is ready to accept the
compromise terms and withdraw the threat
of taking Sevco to football’s governing body.
Edlinger would not be drawn on the exact
details but said: “A large chunk of the missing monies should be paid to Rapid.”
Rapid will pocket around £600,000 of the money with Belgian side Zulte Waregem
receiving £200,000.
Zulte Waregem sold Jelavic to Rapid in 2008
and inserted a clause which guaranteed
them a slice of the pie from any future deals.
reading the night shift I noticed meantion of a press conf at ipox…
‘on this day in history the Marie Celeste set sail from New York..’
what plan is being set afloat today at ipox?
BT
Cheers
I will check and see what No.1 son is doing
My Virgin broadband was down last night so I never saw any arrangements for drink
I will try to keep up through my Blackberry will see if my broadband is fixed when I get in from work