Ahead of our visit to Tynecastle on Sunday I’m going to share this story with you. It was written by a Celtic fan, Arthur. Arthur wasn’t always a Celtic fan. In fact, he travelled with his grandfather to Rugby Park on the final day of the 1964-65 season with his fellow Hearts fans to see the title decider.
For Arthur, it wasn’t all about Hearts, though, his favourite player was their stop striker, Willie Wallace. When Willie left for Celtic Park in 1966, Arthur’s allegiance followed him. Neither of them would look back.
Williie was back from Australia a few years ago, when we did his autobiography. I was with him at a signing session at Waterstones in Stirling when this guy walked in with a carrier bag from the Celtic Superstore. Willie was busy holding court so I made my way towards the new visitor, Arthur, who told me his unique introduction to Celtic.
What a great moment seeing Arthur and Willie meet.
Some of us are born into Celtic but an increasing number of us make our own way to Celtic Park. Arthur’s story was brilliant. He chose Celtic, chose the Lisbon Lions, six months before they would become so, and almost half a century on the fire burns as brightly.
I love hearing stories of how people come to Celtic. One for another day, is the son of an African father and Scottish mother, who received copies of the Sunday Post in the mail, courtesy of his non-football affiliated Scottish grandfather.
The intention of sending the ‘Post was no doubt to inform a Scottish ex-pat of what was going on back home, but the lasting result was to spark excitement in an African man for Jock Stein’s Celtic, one which still burns in his son today.
That’s maybe a story for another day, but Arthur sat at his keyboard to recall a great Celtic league win, as well as a memorable family moment, here’s his story:
“My Dad. He was my best pal, a warm, likeable man with a great sense of humour. We shared a love of football in spite of me becoming a Celtic fan when Willie Wallace transferred to us. He’d shout for us on TV against Rangers or in European Cup games.
“But he was always a Hearts man, although not so much as years past. After seeing them lose the league title in 1965 on goal average, then the cup at Hampden in 1968 to Dunfermline, he used to think he was ‘a jinx’.
“Fast forward to the third of May 1986. Me, my wife and three kids, and my mum and dad head from Edinburgh to Loch Eck near Dunoon for a weekend in a caravan. My youngest daughter just two months old, made my Dad as happy as his other grandchildren.
“We listened as best we could to on the car radio to the Celtic game, but reception up round the Rest and Be Thankful was patchy! Eventually we reached the caravan, unpacked a few things, brewed a cup of tea, and got the telly on.
“By now late afternoon, Celtic had done all they could to snatch the title from Hearts, but it looked like it was heading to Tynecastle. In my heart a wee bit of me was happy for my Dad.
Then, to quote Archie McPherson, ‘WOOOSHH’! Albert Kidd scores for Dundee late in the game. ‘WOOOSH’ ! The wee man does it again. An ‘Archie Gemmill’ type goal, scored by Bobby Ball’s lookalike.
“As it does, the adrenalin hit me. Up I jumped, dancing round the wee caravan, tea cups getting bumped, alarmed kids wondering what’s up with me. My mum cheering as she was happy for me.
Then I looked at my Dad. Hadn’t seen him like that often. Thirty years on I don’t remember his exact words but by his expression, a bit like gathering thunder, I could see he was less than pleased.
“Embarrassed silence engulfed the caravan.
“Finally my mum broke the silence. ‘ I’ll put the kettle on’. I think I mumbled an apology to my Dad, like a wee boy. And you know what? He gave me one of his bear hugs and forgave me.
“Never forgave Albert Kidd though.”
Here we go………..
Many thanks to everyone who entered the raffle for tickets for Sunday, we raised £1298.73, which is already with Mary’s Meals. The winner has been informed, but has not responded to his email yet, so check! Thanks again to the guys at Intelligent Car Leasing.
It’s seven weeks until the cyclists set off from Celtic Park on The Road to Lisbon. This is an incredible Celtic fan project, read the update here and make sure you keep an eye on progress.
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BMCUWP…
From Breaking Bad, there was the spin-off Call Me Saul … now that we are in the process of legalizing pot in Canada, it may be time for a new show… Call Me MIT … a lawyer with a shady past, and all his glaucoma suffering pals, and all their hijinx …. we’ll save the episode about the CQN Lisbon trip for sweeps week! .
MIKE IN TORONTO
I’m good -Thanks .
Still a bit miffed that I failed to get a ticket for Manuel Gottsching doing the great E2 -E4 @ The Barbican .
Coldplay ? — NO NO NO !!!. . Reminds me of a former flame of my son . Mrs S of T met her before I did . — ” What’s she like –? ” – -” Camper Boots , has never heard of The Ronettes and likes ####### Coldplay ” . Don’t know which of those was the biggest crime -probably the Camper boots. .!!.
Off oot .
Nags here?
Raising sand 2-25 Doncaster
Gl all
Morning all
Kolumbus 14.50 navan
Good luck
3.35 Doncaster
Donncha
Best of luck to all
Cheers GFTB
Lads,
CQN Nap selections on here today, please…
Apologies for the delay in updates the last couple of weeks – Cheltenham, Paddys Day, and a weekend trip to Oz to blame – but hopefully I’ll be able to sort through all of the outstanding results later today….
Cheers, fleagle1888
CQN Saturday Naps Competition : WEEK 30 results (Mar 4th)
Last update here…
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/brendan-delivers-again-why-ex-celt-miller-isnt-getting-a-deal-lions-raffle/comment-page-14/#comments
Cheers, fleagle1888
Yuften in 3.35 Doncaster
Muckle Roe 5:25 Uttoxeter,not going near Doncaster betting
wise, good luck everyone.
Secret Act
2:25 Doncaster
Good luck with your Naps Bhoys .
15:35 Doncaster
Donncha
HH.
Good day and good luck to all especially our wonderful bhoys tomorrow.
Doncaster: 2.25
Sacred Act
Fleagle don’t bother with the updates :O(
Going with BLUE BAYOU 1.50 Doncaster.Good luck all.
Kempton 240 Dutch Golden Age
Good luck everyone
CQN Saturday Naps Competition : WEEK 31 results (Mar 11th)
WINNERS:
Nye Bevans RS (London Prize) @10/1
twists n turns (London Prize) @10/1
leftclicktic (Desert Cry) @11/4
Fastbhoy (Gilgamesh) @7/4
Losers:
16 roads (Draycott Place)
21-5-79 (Johnny Delta)
BMCUWP (Eastern Impact)
Bull67 (Lithic)
Burgas Hoops (No Selection)
call me gerry (No Selection)
Cathal (Full Irish)
Cosy Corner Bhoy (Rouge et Sage)
Dim Sam (Keystroke)
Fin 15 (My Target)
fleagle1888 (Bollin Julie)
Gerryfaethebrig (Fixe Le Cap)
Graffitionthewall (Sonoftheking)
green T (Lithic)
Gweedore Celt (Jazri)
hashadenough (Prime Venture)
ohits (No Selection)
Onemalloy (Kayf Blanco)
Raymac (No Selection)
Rockon (Not Another Muddle)
Som mes que un club (William H Bonney)
TheBarcaMole (Crystal Lad)
voguepunter (Illwalktheline)
WWW(GBWO) (New Kid in Town)
Zihuatanejo (Molly Childers)
Hyperlink to Week 31 selections :
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/why-newco-want-a-hail-mary-manager/comment-page-11/#comments
Cheers, fleagle1888
1425 Doncaster
Father Bertie
CQN Saturday Naps Competition : WEEK 32 results (Mar 18th)
WINNERS:
NONE… I guess everyone was suffering from a post-Cheltenham hangover!
Losers:
16 roads (Aengus)
21-5-79 (No Selection)
BMCUWP (Out Sam)
Bull67 (Mysteree)
Burgas Hoops (No Selection)
call me gerry (No Selection)
Cathal (No Selection)
Cosy Corner Bhoy (Vado Forte)
Dim Sam (Court Frontier)
Fastbhoy (For Carmel)
Fin 15 (Spooky Dooky)
fleagle1888 (Sufi)
Gerryfaethebrig (Goulanes)
Graffitionthewall (No Selection)
green T (Romain de Senam)
Gweedore Celt (Sir Note)
hashadenough (Golden Spear)
leftclicktic (Ballybolley)
Nye Bevans RS (Caid Du Lin)
ohits (No Selection)
Onemalloy (Spooky Dooky)
Raymac (No Selection)
Rockon (Rock the Kasbah)
Som mes que un club (Kilim)
TheBarcaMole (Casper King)
twists n turns (Eaton Hill)
voguepunter (Duke Street)
WWW(GBWO) (Ardean Lass)
Zihuatanejo (Firebird Flyer)
Hyperlink to Week 32 selections :
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/scouting-your-network-keeps-you-pep-and-patrick/comment-page-15/#comments
Cheers, fleagle1888
CQN Saturday Naps Competition : WEEK 33 results (Mar 25th)
WINNERS:
TheBarcaMole (Deauville Crystal) @9/1
16 roads (Duel at Dawn) @5/1
Rockon (Warriors Tale) @9/2
Nye Bevans RS (Yala Enki) @9/4
Losers:
21-5-79 (Eminent Poet)
BMCUWP (Seldom Inn)
Bull67 (Highland Reel)
Burgas Hoops (No Selection)
call me gerry (No Selection)
Cathal (No Selection)
Cosy Corner Bhoy (Castafiore)
Dim Sam (Shades of Midnight)
Fastbhoy (Shotavodka)
Fin 15 (Zarak)
fleagle1888 (Postponed)
Gerryfaethebrig (Miss Tongabezi)
Graffitionthewall (Call Me Vic)
green T (Simply Me)
Gweedore Celt (Seeyouatmidnight)
hashadenough (No Selection)
leftclicktic (Aqua Dude)
ohits (No Selection)
Onemalloy (Eminent Poet)
Raymac (No Selection)
Som mes que un club (Un Guet Apens)
twists n turns (Tara View)
voguepunter (Tinker Time)
WWW(GBWO) (No Selection)
Zihuatanejo (Ericht)
Hyperlink to Week 33 selections :
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/financial-fundamentals-the-newco-loss-reported-as-profit/comment-page-11/#comments
Cheers, fleagle1888
CQN Saturday Naps Competition : WEEK 33 Standings (Mar 25th)
It’s all change at the top of the Naps table… with Nye Bevans Rebel Soldier charging through the field with 2 winners in 3 weeks… Gweedore Celt leads the chasing group.
CQN NAPS TABLE:
+17.00 > Nye Bevans RS (9)
+11.00 > Gweedore Celt (5)
+9.58 > WWW(GBWO) (14)
+8.50 > twists n turns (5)
+6.00 > Cosy Corner Bhoy (8)
+3.13 > BMCUWP (5)
+2.75 > Fin 15 (4)
+0.75 > 16 roads (7)
-3.00 > TheBarcaMole (3)
-3.08 > Dim Sam (8)
-5.68 > fleagle1888 (7)
-10.00 > Cathal (2)
-10.32 > Bull67 (7)
-10.75 > Fastbhoy (4)
-11.00 > leftclicktic (6)
-16.50 > Som mes que un club (3)
-17.67 > 21-5-79 (2)
-18.25 > Zihuatanejo (3)
-18.50 > hashadenough (3)
-20.50 > green T (4)
-21.38 > Onemalloy (3)
-23.50 > Graffitionthewall (2)
-24.25 > ohits (2)
-24.50 > Rockon (2)
-28.50 > call me gerry (1)
-28.50 > Raymac (1)
-29.00 > Burgas Hoops (1)
-33.00 > Gerryfaethebrig (0)
-33.00 > voguepunter (0)
Cheers, fleagle1888
William Hunter 3:15 Kempton
thank you for all your efforts Fleagle
Lads,
hopefully it’s a day for the big outsiders on Town Moor today… I’ll be backing Mutarakez in the Spring Mile (14:25), but it’s my Lincoln selection for the nap :
Zhui Feng (15:35 Doncaster)
Good luck everyone… and Hail Hail for 6IAR this weekend !
fleagle1888
Mowhoob 5 45. Chelmssford. Cheers.
Cecil Corbett 5.10 navan
Oh This Is Us 3.35 Doncaster
Good luck to all
HH
First of all; many thanks due to fleagle for creating and running with the ‘Saturday naps comp’…
WITHERNSEA 3:35 Doncaster
Regards & Hail Hail
TBM
17:40 @ Navan – Crackerdancer – NAP!
Good luck everybody.
SENNOCKIAN STAR 315 K
Air Ministry in the 5:20 at Doncaster for me
Good Luck to all
Hail Hail.
Bravery in the 3:35 at Donny please HH
Doncaster 3.35. Third Time Lucky
GABRIAL 3.35 D
Such a hit Bull67.
I wouldn’t have backed thon horse with stolen money.
Well done.
HH.