The screen opens on 26th May, 1967. Scenes from early evening on Kerrydale Street as crowds gather. Then to the tarmac at Abbotsinch Airport. First Sir Robert Kelly and Jock Stein walk off the aeroplane steps, then a group of men, all you see of them are their team blazers, as they carry a large box. Someone within range of the microphone utters in a dulcet Glasgow tone, “That’s the cup in that box”.
Contemporary commentary then begins, “The bus begins its trip from the airport to Celtic Park”.
That’s the first 11 seconds of an hour long programme but the viewer is already captivated. Later we return to now-familiar images from the day The Trophy came to these shores for the very first time, and to the proceeding day, in Lisbon and in Glasgow.
CQN’ers you have read for many years are soon on screen sharing the most important memories of a lifetime. You’re told by the narrator, “As boys, these players beat impoverishment, illness and intolerance”. We hear from some Lions, and Lions’ wives. Their tone is occasionally celebratory, but more often it is deeply personal. It’s often what they’ve hidden, in that peculiarly Scottish manner, all their lives.
Be clear: the Lions’ contribution to Glasgow 1967: The Lisbon Lions, which transmits across the UK tomorrow (24th) on BBC1 (at 9pm in Scotland, 10:45pm rest of UK), was brilliant. Bobby Lennox, Jim Craig, Willie Wallace, John Clark and Bertie Auld took us back in their own words, sometimes to childhood. Collecting his Higher Degree for Understatement, Willie Wallace said, “I was lucky enough to score a couple of goals”. Kathleen Murdoch affirmed that most of us knew her husband Bobby was a great player, adding, “He was also a good man”. The word “good”, was invested with gravitas. Having watched plenty of Lions-related footage I didn’t expect to be brought this close, this personal, to the people involved.
If you have an ounce of spare hydration in you, you’ll shed a tear. Lions did, on camera. You will also smile, laugh and have endorphins rush through your body. The film is all for you, until the final few minutes, when we cut to “In the heat of Lisbon”, chanting through Celtic Park in 2017, with the light display on the 67th minute.
Narration stops for this, almost as though it demands viewers measure the impact of Lisbon for themselves. If ever a film evangelised a football movement, this is it.
Watch it, but not after the event. Do so before the Great Anniversary on Thursday. Context for what we are about to celebrate is difficult to grasp. This film will help us all correctly define its importance.
CQN presents Lisbon Lions and wives, Greenock Celtic Supporters’ Club, Friday 26 May 2017
The Lions were paraded on a coal lorry when they reached Celtic Park on 26 May 1967. We have a coal lorry, we have the Lions. This will be an incredible event. There’s also a live band.
Admission by ticket only, get yours here. They will be posted until tomorrow or collected at the door thereafter.
187 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- »
holy moly bd
wahts the waether like connaire?
lovely here in north yorks, I’m even enjoying ‘I heart Shiraz’
omg ‘whats and weather
Sad sad times in Manchester,god bless everyone
Good evening, friends. very jealous of all those heading out to Lisbon. However, I’ve just set a new record for reading all the day’s posts on the lunchtime article. I’m sure things will get busier as the weekend approaches.
We
Hope everyone heading for Lisbon have a blast,sitting here with Lisbon lions t chirt on,not one bit jealous:-)))
Need
More
Posts
Think everybody very busy at the moment.cup final on Saturday
People goin to Lisbon
My family are off to Derry then Donegal at the weekend
This is what it means to be hectic
Face is coming all of a glow
This old codger is here but he’s getting too slow
Getting too slow…. shh
Park Rd 67.
If you are lurking. Well done to Girvan. I think a draw in your last game gives you the title.
Obviously by beaten Maryhill you helped Cumbernauld and they took advantage by drawing 1.1 with Rutherglen. Cumbernauld conceded in the last minute, so the players were a bit deflated until they heard Girvan had won.
It means Cumbernauld are now a point ahead of Maryhill with one game to go. Cumbernauld and Maryhill are both at home tomorrow to the bottom two teams
Hail Hail
I’m really looking forward to seeing John Terry go up to lift the Scottish Cup on Saturday.
Sad, sad day for the people of Manchester.
Big Ood: Enjoy your trip to Lisboa. Thanks again for your advice on getting back to Dublin after the 1-1 Soft Loans Co. match.
Fairhill Bhoy,
good to meet you in SP,
sorry if my lot ruined your peaceful week,
suffering bad for it now ;-)))
Just watched the highlights of the 1:5 game,and only just realised only Pedro approached our boss,he was actually looking for more hand shakes?sorry if I’m wrong by the way:-))
GORDYBHOY64-ha ha ,you lot deserve your hangovers.Good to meet you to mhate .how kismet was that:-)))
things the young saint stivs could never believe he would say in his life –
that michael portillo rail journey to scotland programme is a great watch.
Fairhill Bhoy,
yeah sitting like a burst ball just now,
first time in SP,wont be the last
One of the missing Scots girls in Manchester, ‘serious’ in hospital, no sign of her pal, can’t begin to imagine how the parents are,
GORDYBHOY64-hope everyone got home in one peace,especially SC:-))))
Fairhill Bhoy,
aye the bhoy is hardcore,
only one who went for a beer when we got back yesterday
Fairhillbhoy
Afre reading your post, I had a look at extended highlights (35.00) of that game.
In spite of knowing what to expect, I was still struck by the bias of the co-commentator ( Walker , I assume? ).
The English guy was pretty straightforward; his Scottish assistant, dreadful. It would have been difficult for Simunovic`s left leg to have been bent any further back for the Miller tackle but according to The Idiot, it was two footed !
JJ
!!BADA BING!!
I hope and pray the wee girl makes it.
Thanks for posting that.
Philbhoy- a parent’s worst nightmare, some heartwarming stories of punters helping out.
!!BADA BING!!
I saw that in the news. God bless them all.
!!BADA BING!!
My wee girl has just turned 17.
She has been to lots of pop concerts in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Could it happen here?
goals from first half of the season
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3jR32SkuRA
JIMMYNOTPAUL
Cheers mhate , aye a point on Saturday will be enough to win title , heard at game last night that Cumbernauld were 1nil up so was gutted when i heard final score , hope they get the win tomorrow !!
Gooood Evening CQN
From Liverpool, next stop Lisboa :-)
I see big Sam has resigned at Crystal Palace
Philbhoy- our girl is 10, music mad, been to the Hydro with her mum , 3 times in last 6 months…..
!!BADA BING!!!
I’ve just stopped her pocket money………….
one for the purists
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJi19hrdAm4
Bada
Philbhoy
Unfortunately because we live in open liberal democratic societies there are easy targets everywhere for fanatics
W B Yeats summed it up many years ago
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Park Rd 67.
Thanks.
Paddy had to go off injured after 70 mins, took a stud to the top of his foot. Physio says bruising in the bone. He had an ice pack on all day at work and more treatment tonight, anything to be fit for tomorrow.
P.S. He said that’s why they didn’t win. If I give you my response I will be deleted. :-))
I’VEHADTOCHANGEMYNAME on 23RD MAY 2017 9:30 PM
one for the purists
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJi19hrdAm4
Brilliant.
HH.
JIMMYNOTPAUL
Hope Paddy makes it tomorrow night , i’m sure if he had lasted 90 mins they wouldn’t have conceded !!