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Arthur, Willie and Albert Kidd

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

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.

The Road to Lisbon, update

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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  1. Summa of Sammi.... on

    .

     

     

    PeteC.. What’s PeteTong..?

     

     

    Could be Worse You could be Like Me Priscilla Queen of Yon Desert.. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

     

     

    Hit Me up with a Guid Mix for when I Return..【ツ】

     

     

    Off Oot to speak to the Doc.. Who is going to speak to a Doc.. Who in Turn Will.. .. ..

     

     

    On a Lighter Note I’ve just Watched Live on TV a Cow being Rescued from Drowning in a Desert..

     

     

    Yip that’s Right The SES (Resuce Volunteeres) just saved a Coo from Drowning in the Floods in Beaudesert Queensland Live on TV..

     

     

    And then .. Yes Then..Went to save a Family stuck on the Roof of their 4WD ..

     

     

    #OnlyInStralya

     

     

    CQN.. are We All Betting ‘

     

     

    One for Arthur ‘ in The Grand National next Week..? 【ツ】

     

     

    Summa of LowlandCoosCSC

  4. petec on

    Summa of Sammi….

     

     

    Our kids have little chance when the betting adverts are Relentless in between watching Any Game.

     

     

    I thank the Almighty that Aidan likes the Food Network, still loads of nonsense on there too, small mercies.

  5. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    A CEILER GONOF RUST on 31ST MARCH 2017 12:14 AM

     

    I’m off to my love chariot. I need to be up early to make it into Dundee Waterstones to get a hardbound copy of the Koran.

     

     

     

    All my Islamic friends assure me its a cracking read.

     

     

     

    inshallah

     

     

    ====================================================

     

     

    I hope you do.

     

     

    ” Cracking ” is one way to describe it.

  10. Margaret McGill on

    Petec

     

    Palestinians are mostly Muslim.

     

    I recall many Palestinian flags being shown by Celtic supporters and Celtic Fined a bunch. I believe Celtic supporters collected a bigger bunch and sent it to our Muslim brethren.

     

    To me the problem is religion not your local flavour

  12. petec on

    Margaret McGill on 31st March 2017 12:43 am

     

     

    Petec

     

     

    Palestinians are mostly Muslim.

     

     

    I recall many Palestinian flags being shown by Celtic supporters and Celtic Fined a bunch. I believe Celtic supporters collected a bigger bunch and sent it to our Muslim brethren.

     

     

    To me the problem is religion not your local flavour

     

     

    ………………………………………………………………………………………….

     

     

    You are being thick for a purpose, or on purpose?

     

     

    I can’t be any clearer than I hæ been. You still nibble.

     

     

    What is yer Problem?

     

     

    Islam is the problem not Muslims.

     

     

    Good Night see you relatively early today. I will be on earlyish.

     

     

    I cannae w8. Don’t make W8.

     

     

    EVaporate

  14. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    PETEC on 31ST MARCH 2017 12:27 AM

     

    Summa of Sammi….

     

     

     

    Our kids have little chance when the betting adverts are Relentless in between watching Any Game.

     

    ================================================================

     

     

    Hundred % with you on that one , Pete.

  15. Margaret McGill on

    Petec

     

    So can I infer Christianity is another problem not christians?

     

    Buddhism is the problem not Buddhists?

     

    Judaism is the problem not Jews?

     

    I apologize for being thick but looks to me like religion is the problem

  24. Canamalar it looks like OCD obsession on

    you can only beat yer woman with a stick no thicker than your thumb, seems fair enough to me, unless you’ve got inordinately thick thumbs

  27. Canamalar it looks like OCD obsession on

    Macjay.., @ 12:49

     

    So those two gobshites and yerself have made futureproof statements that his prediction will never be true, a dam filled up and it will always fill up ?

     

    I suppose when yer future is limited to a few years like yours then you wont know and wont be held accountable for spreading lies about sustainability or climate change, yer legacy will make yer kids inheritance worthless eh

     

    Or do you think they will be able to buy a ticket for the next ark

  29. Margaret McGill on

    I believe In the one holy apostolic heat capacity of carbon dioxide to retain its excited quantum states at nighttime

  31. Canamalar it looks like OCD obsession on

    DBHOY,

     

    I was a late learner and convert to the Etta appreciation society, I’m still finding talent from the 20s, 30s, 40s & 50s that blow away anything current. But I do like PN he is one of the few original talents in the market, glad he’s regurgitating such quality.

     

    HH

     

    now wheres that stick

  32. Canamalar it looks like OCD obsession on

    Mags..,

     

    I love the baby Jesus, especially when he identified the banksters and broke a few inanimate objects to display his displeasure in his fathers house, especially when you think what he could have done, if you believe.

     

     

    On climate change – the climate is always changing, I’m loving the idea that thems with loads of arrogance and money think it will insulate them and theirs. True communism, we’ll all die together :) And the baby Jesus dont take bribes or birthrights :)

     

    Eye of a needle Macjay :) And it aint no hole in the wall :) Its coming for you

  36. KEVJUNGLE on

    I’m nothing…….

     

    I’m everything….

     

    I’m nothing…..

     

    I Love….

     

    I Love….

     

    I Love….

     

    I’m nothing….

     

    I Thought that I’d lost it all….

     

    Only to find it all…

     

    I’m nothing…..

     

    I’m no one….

     

    I’m a believer…..

     

    I’m a doubter…..

     

    I’m a sinner….

     

    I’m a victim….

     

    I’m destitute….

     

    I’m troubled,……so troubled…

     

    I’m a believer….

     

    I’m nothing…..

     

    I can see the light…..

     

    I prefer the dark…don’t be afraid of the dark….

     

    ….just,….just don’t…

     

    I’m…..off-oot.

  38. Jobo Baldie on

    Good morning friends and a Big Happy Friday from a damp and grey, but mild-ish, East Kilbride.

     

     

    The weekend of 6-in-a-row is almost upon us. Enjoy these times. Enjoy every single moment.

  40. Moonbeamswd on

    MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 31ST MARCH 2017 12:54 AM

     

    PETEC on 31ST MARCH 2017 12:27 AM

     

     

    Summa of Sammi….

     

     

     

     

    Our kids have little chance when the betting adverts are Relentless in between watching Any Game.

     

     

    ================================================================

     

     

     

    Hundred % with you on that one , Pete.

     

     

    ==========================

     

     

    Are you still 100% happy at your club assisting with a full 90 min add campaign for betting while they play?

     

     

    MWD

  41. Thunder Road on

    https://videocelts.com/2017/03/blogs/keys-calls-for-sky-boycott/

     

     

    Former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys has called on disillusioned Scottish football fans to turn their back on the broadcaster.

     

     

    Alongside BT Sport the English based broadcaster have the live rights to SPFL matches through until the 2019/20 season tied up.

     

     

    With under £20m a year going into the Scottish game the SPFL has one of the worst broadcast deals in Europe- with the same broadcasters putting record money into the English game.

     

     

    Speculation that BT Sport may go solo with a £31m/year deal was greeted with joy in some parts but is still way below the going rate.

     

     

    A deal for £50m/year would represent decent value for Scottish football, clever negotiators should be able to raise that figure and get some continuity of service with one or two slots set aside for broadcasting rather than the current graveyard slots.

     

     

    Keys was the face of Sky Sports for almost 20 years but has no love for his former employer and how they treat the Scottish game.

     

     

    Speaking to the Daily Record he said: “I wouldn’t advocate people taking to the streets to make their views known but the people of Merseyside deserve enormous credit for the boycott of The Sun newspaper after they were scandalously treated by it post Hillsborough. They simply refused to buy it.

     

     

    “Maybe it’s time the people of Scotland took a similar stand. Maybe they have to send a message to London they’re not prepared to put up with this. What’s the best way to do that? Stop spending 35 quid a month on a Sky subscriptions.

     

     

    “Scottish football is never going to get better unless it has the wherewithal to be able to so. And that requires somebody comes and spends some money on it.

     

     

    “It needs people who are prepared to invest in it and to grow it, not try to take it on the cheap.

     

     

    “It’s wrong Scottish football is at the bottom of the European league never mind the British league when it comes to TV rights but what Scottish fans have to do is find a way to make those buying the rights sit up and think.”

     

     

    Sky’s often half hearted coverage of Scottish football is often slated online with BT appearing to have a greater interest and commitment.

     

     

    English football is a big driver for subscriptions north of the border but with money going through the roof and BT offering exclusive Champions League coverage and other European football there is competition at play- except in the carve up of Scottish broadcasting rights.

  42. Thunder Road on

    http://www.celticfc.net/news/12323

     

     

    Tosh delighted to play on the hallowed turf in Henrik v Lubo game

     

     

    By: Newsroom Staff on 30 Mar, 2017 16:58

     

     

    THE history of Celtic is part of Tosh McKinlay’s life and very DNA. His grandfather and father took him to games. He was presented with a medal as a boy by Jimmy Johnstone. And he was part of the team that won a Scottish Cup in 1995, a league cup in 1997/98 and a league title the same season.

     

    The former defender was almost 30 when he finally joined the Hoops but his links with the club were forged by being born in a Celtic family.

     

    “I grew up with the tail-end of the Lions,” he said. “My first game at Celtic Park was 1972.”

     

    He will return to Paradise for Celtic FC Foundation’s Henrik’s Heroes v Lubo’s Legends charity game on Sunday, May 28 and is particularly looking forward to the salute to those who won the European Cup 50 years ago.

     

    “Jinky was my all-time favourite,” he admitted. “I was privileged to watch them but privileged to get to know them. And Jinky presented me with a medal for a five-a-side tournament at Partick Burgh Hall.

     

    “These things stick in your mind. These guys are very humble people. It was great to grow up supporting the team and then playing for the team and then meeting all those greats.

     

    “You can’t explain what it means to you as a club. When I was growing up my father and grandfather took me to games. Unfortunately, my grandfather did not live to see me play for Celtic but when they talk about living the dream I know what they mean.

     

    “I will always be grateful to Tommy Burns for allowing me to do that,” he said of signing for Celtic in November 1994.

     

    And McKinlay rates Henrik Larsson as the best he played with, though the competition is strong.

     

    “Henrik’s goal at the start of the St Johnstone game that stopped 10-in-a-row will live long in the memory,” he said. “I was fortunate in that I played with the Three Amigos – Jorge Cadete, Pierre van Hooijdonk and Paulo Di Canio – and I also played with Andy Thom and Paul McStay but the king was Henrik.”

     

    And Tosh McKinlay is looking forward to the charity match. “It is always good to get back on the hallowed turf and pull the boots on.”

     

    Henrik’s Heroes versus Lubo’s Legends will take place at Celtic Park on Sunday, May 28, 2017, with a 2pm KO.

     

    Tickets are on general sale, on a first come first served basis – maximum of 10 per person – priced at £12 for adults and £6 for concessions*.

     

    Tickets are available to purchase online at http://www.celticfc.net, by calling 0871 226 1888** or by visiting the Celtic Ticket Office. Rail Seating does not apply to this match.

     

    Premium tickets (£30) and corporate packages (£135) are also available by calling 0871 226 1888** (Option 4) or emailing matchdayhospitality@celticfc.co.uk

     

    Net proceeds of the game will be devoted to Celtic FC Foundation, a charity aiming to uphold and promote the founding principles of our football club. The four priorities are to improve health, promote equality, encourage learning and tackle poverty and the Foundation have a strong track record of delivering successful community-based projects. There will be detailed projects in relation to proceeds from this match in due course.

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