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.
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https://youtu.be/Xn8vDXZZH_k
Jock Stein receiving the BBC Team of the Year award in 1967.
WHAT IS THE STARS , 9:34 PM
You are not wrong my good man
Where is everyone?
En route to Lisbon.
Ah
31003
Did nobody tell you? ;-)
Whits happenin in Lisbon?
So…..thanks tae the government banning 10 packs I’m now smoking more than ever…….so how’s that good for yer health?
31003
Try this https://www.visitlisboa.com/whats-on
…..oh….and ahve noticed that pepperamis are half the size but still the same price……healthier but mer cash oot yer poaket
Just back from some serious climbing on the streets of Lisbon. Made it up to the top of the Elevador de Santa Justa which gives fantastic panoramic views over this part of the city. Climbed all the way without the assistance of mechanical aids :-)))
A lot more Bhoys in town now and passedby a number of them heading back to our hotel. Anonimity is a double edged sword ;-)
Things will start to hot up tomorrow with the golf chappies carving there round one of the local golf courses, and then the Celebration dinner/ drinking contest in the evening.
Stay safe back home everyone. Sounds like UK is a dangerous place to be right now.
I thought you chaps old like to see my exchange with sky following their rather pathetic coverage on Sunday.
Needless to say it’s unimpressive.
Hail hail to all
Dear Louise,
Thank you for your response.
However the cut away to a meaningless Premiership game was not as you suggest just before kick off as I watched and we were subject to the usual pre match preamble.
It is frankly disingenuous to suggest otherwise.
Sky sports appear to believe that Scottish viewers will continue to put up with what I repeat is disrespectful coverage of the Scottish game. Let me assure your colleagues that, regardless of whatever barrel you believe sky sports has Scottish football over it’s not shared by myself or a growing majority in Scotland.
I will now cancel ALL of my sky subscriptions and I have absolutely no intention of resubscribing. I will lobby Celtic to abandon any relationship with sky sports.
Quite frankly you are not worth it.
Enjoy the increasingly ridiculous money you are paying for an an increasingly mediocre product in the English Premiership. I look forward to your bubble bursting.
Best
Sent from my iPad
On 23 May 2017, at 19:56, All Viewer Relations wrote:
Hi
Thanks for your email to Sky regarding the Celtic v Hearts fixture on
Sunday 21st May
I understand your disappointment with the coverage finishing too early.
Sunday was an extremely busy day across all our channels and we tried to
make things work as best as possible.
Coming off the Celtic v Hearts game immediately after seeing the trophy
lifted was a compromise but we had to get to the Premier League match as
soon as we could, as it turned out it was just a few minutes before KO.
We discussed this in detail on the Friday beforehand and felt this was
the only route. Offering post-match on the Red Button was also not an
option due to the sheer volume of Interactivity at that time ? also an
unusual occurrence.
This is in no way to denigrate Celtic?s achievement?s this season ? in
fact we chose to follow Celtic in the last few weeks (8 out of the last
12 live SPFL games have featured Celtic) ? partly due to their fantastic
run this season.
In addition we have seen them in the Scottish Cup 4 times, including
this weekend?s Cup Final against Aberdeen and we are also planning to
mark their unbeaten season with a special programme, to be scheduled at
some point in the near future.
Going forward, we are working to ensure that this scenario is not
repeated next season.
Please be assured that your comments raised in your email have been
noted and passed to Sky Sports for their information.
Thanks, once again, for contacting us. We always welcome customers?
comments and actively encourage viewer feedback.
Kind regards
Louis
Viewer Relations
Original Message Follows:
————————
Dear sir/madam,
I was watching your coverage of the Celtic v hearts game today. Celtic
achieved various records today. However your coverage cut off just after
the trophy presentation with no ceremony or discussion and before the
lap of honour.
I watched a week or so ago at the extended coverage for white hart lane.
It’s obvious to me that you view Scottish football as second class and
your coverage is just pathetic.
I will cancel my subscription not just to sky sports but to all sky
channels. Quite frankly I am sick of paying for your disrespect.
Pathetic.
Neganon2
Peter Grimes?…….had a known that ah would be in Lisbon as well
Ah see Y fronts are making a comeback
Not long back in from St Mary’s. We have a mens prayer group on a Tuesday and tonight Fr Tom said a special Mass for those affected and impacted y the murderous events in Manchester.
Afterwards, as it was my birthday, the rest of the guys had prepared a meal in celebration for that so we had a lovely meal – pakora, home-made lamb curry and then strawberries and ice-cream (nae jelly), washed down with Margaritas and Gave di Gavi.
I was also given a bottle of Malt whiskey so I’m going to have a wee night-cap!
KTF
And another probably paranoid pointless observation.
Had a drink this evening at Cafe Brasiliero, which is close by a hotel some our lads are staying at. I happened to notice a table occupied by 6 or 8 guys, 2 of whom were wearing Chelsea polo shirts. Thiught it a bit suspicious, but probably nothing.
Lots of Police on duty, very visibly armed, ( semi-automatic weapons ) in the squares this evening. A reaction to last nights sad events in Manchester probably.
NEGANON2 on 23RD MAY 2017 10:58 PM
Good post and great sentiment; I will probably follow suit; however, in case you didn’t realise, you have included your full name in part of the post – just in case you want a Mod to remove the post.
KTF
I’vehadtochangemyname.9.30pm
One for the purists. ;-)))
Neganon . Good stuff.
Ah see the talk of Y fronts has brought a few posters on
NEGANON2 I think you should delete that post or at least part of it , better safe that sorry mate :-) The sky coverage was deliberately short in my opinion , soor grapes from Huns in strategic places .
Well, that was a wonderful day In ole Lisboa. Met wonderful people and enjoyed wonderful company and companies all day. Have I said how wonderful it is out here? And it’s going to get better and better.
This is what it’s like to be Celtic, in the heat of Lisbon. Wonderful. and yes I’m retiring early. Been on the go since 2 a.m. G,night Timland.
Bateen Bhoy Sounds like your havin a good time out there , just in case you run out of songs to sing , try this one …….. CELTIC DREAMS COME TRUE ( Any dream will do , Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat ) I closed my eyes , and wished for Rodgers , to show the tax dodgers , Glasgow’s green not blue , And now today , all the Huns are crying , cos the Celts are flying , Celtic dreams come true . X2 Dembeles goals and Rogics grace Patricks skills and Sinclairs pace and at the heart of all our success Scott Brown stands alone………. , I closed my eyes , and wished for Rodgers , to show the tax dodgers , Glasgow’s green not blue , And now today , all the Huns are crying , cos the Celts are flying , Celtic dreams come true……
Midnight, sitting on a warm patio in the company of BMCUWP (Cozy corner bhoy) was a non starter) Sipsini and the delectable Lynne enjoying cold beers in the warn night air. I am informed that CRC and Thunder road will be joining us soon. Life is good, Celtic are great but this company is magnificent.
HH
Teuchter ár lá Aye aw right rub it in why don’t you :-) Fancy a long distance duet ……CELTIC…….
Ok i’ll take the hint goodnight to all ,if anyone is lurkin at least :-)
Neganon 2 – edited name out of your post incase it caused you any concern. Don’t tell the Mods!
NEGANON
Well done. I dumped Sky a year ago last Jan. I made similar representations regarding the decrease in quality of the broadcasts of Scottish games, but also pointed out that I was not willing to subsidise the outrageous purchase price of EPL football, when my own club received virtually nothing in benefit from Sky’s coverage of a Scottish Football.
At the time I did watch some EPL games, but felt my point was better illustrated if I pointed out the absurdity of paying through the nose for English football I didn’t watch, when the club I would like my support to benefit received virtually none of my cash, and therefore I was not going to continue to contribute towards that and would lobby friends and family to do likewise.
Now? I never watch EPL and actually don’t miss it one bit. You very quickly wean off it.
In a few months a steady barrage of emails will begin to arrive in your inbox. Various incentives will be offered, which will get more tempting as time passes. My own offers peaked at a 60% discount, and offers of no contract sports. Each offer is another opportunity to make the point, so stay strong.
I would urge everyone else, who still subscribes to cancel. You feel cleansed and hopefully if enough withdraw their support, giving the same reasons as Neg and myself, then perhaps the situation may improve. Even if nothing changes, it is the right thing to do.
Top tip – You can use the money you save to go to the pub to watch the games and enjoy a pint or two.
Top tip 2 – if you worry about going cold turkey for certain games and have to see them, then a Now TV day pass is £6.99. Now TV is Sky, so they end up with your money… but if panicking about missing the odd game is stopping you cancelling, well I don’t think that Sky’s business model will survive on a few Now TV day passes.
In the style of Big Jimmy of this parish, “CANCEL NOW” and let the BASSAS know why :-)
HH
P.S.
After I had taken out two Now TV passes, they offered me a free Now TV box, so I can watch on the TV rather than the iPad.
PPS
…. If I ever take out another Now TV pass
RPMCELTICFAN
CELTIC
Any news on Resolution 12?
I’m one of the fortunate who has a ticket for Saturday – I eagerly look forward to the treble.
In light of recent tragic events, let’s hope we are not let down by the minority’s songbook – fingers firmly crossed.
Morrissey23rd
We can but hope that Peter will be making a statement under the statue of Christ the redeemer on Lisbon tomorrow.
MATS NILLOC on 24TH MAY 2017 2:00 AM
I’m one of the fortunate who has a ticket for Saturday – I eagerly look forward to the treble.
In light of recent tragic events, let’s hope we are not let down by the minority’s songbook – fingers firmly crossed.
_______
Sorry but are you at it with that comment?
HH
CRC
Neganon
Well done on your interchange with Sky.
As I’m abroad I cannot join you and all the other fans who have ditched Sky.
I always watch Celtic TV, but I may instead watch Sky this weekend.
I know I know. Bear with me.
I received a couple of Amazon Fire Sticks for my birthday.
My son talked me through a jail break on it, and I have access to BBC, Sky, BT etc.
So
Does watching Sky free qualify as a protest?
1954 Scottish Cup Final Celtic 2-1 Aberdeen
I have some clear memories of this game although I was a few days short of my 7th birthday.
The Scottish Home Service broadcast the last 30 minutes or so of Saturday games.
I was listening with my granny and through the crackle we heard the score.
I’d love to say we danced around the living room but she was far to upright and starched for anything like that.
Neilly Mochan and Sean Fallon had scored our goals while Paddy Buckley, who some thought was bound for CP at one time, equalised for Aberdeen.
Next morning we couldn’t wait for the papers after mass.
I remember vividly a picture of Jock kneeing a ball clear.
Of course I practised that technique for weeks afterwards.
That was our double secured after we completed a 10 game winning streak in the run in, 2 of which I was lucky enough to see.
Nostalgia CSC.
While checking back on Celtic Aberdeen cup finals I found this fascinating National Archives video on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/sh7NzdQtP68
It shows the 1937 Cup Final, 2-1 for the good guys, before a record 147k crowd at Hampden.
And “NO” I don’t have any personal memories of the game.
CELTIC:
Kennaway; Hogg and Morrison; Geatons. Lyon, and Paterson; Delaney, Buchan, McGrory, Crum, and Murphy.
Scorers:
Crum (11mins), Buchan (72mins)
VFR800,
A very Happy Hoopy Lisboa Birthday mate.
You kept that Birthday quiet.
HH