I remember the 10th anniversary of Lisbon. The BBC marked the occasion with a memorable documentary and on the exact anniversary, Liverpool won their first European Cup, against Borussia Monchengladbach in Rome. Celtic had just won the double, which would turn out to be Jock Stein’s last trophies.
We had little to celebrate on the 20th or 30th anniversaries, but the 40th anniversary was marked appropriately. For the first time, I felt we correctly defined the achievement of the Lions, not just for becoming European champions, but for pivoting Celtic’s history away from mediocrity to spectacular success.
The 50th anniversary will be the final big celebration, nothing like this will happen again. The groundswell you see from the fans, in particular on the 67th minute of each game, is unique to this year.
All of this leaves you and me with a question, do we let the anniversary pass us by as just another night on the calendar, or are we going to mark the occasion in an appropriate manner? It has to be the latter.
For me, this means doing what I can for the Celtic FC Foundation. I’ve signed up for what will be my first marathon, at Stirling, four days before the 50th. It is five weeks on Sunday, and if I get a move on, I might get to Celtic Park to see the second half of our final league game of the season.
I know most of us are not in a position to take on a project like this, but maybe you can support me along the way, the next five weeks will be difficult.
On a related note, I discussing the Dukla Prague semi-final at Celtic Park with my Dad, which happened 50 years ago this week, and he emailed me the notes below, on that night and on the Vojvodina game. We should tell each other as many stories as we have from that era. Here’s Martin42’s:
“50 years is a long time in football and sometimes our memories become a blurred, however that game will always loom large in my memory, as will the last few minutes of the quarter final tie v Vojvodina Nova Sad, to give them their full name.
“For the life of me I cannot remember who scored the 1st goal that night. 1-0 down from the first leg, we needed to score 2 goals and keep a clean sheet to go through to the next round.
“I will always remember the tension around the whole stadium as we won a corner and Charlie Gallacher trotted over to take it. I am sure the whole stadium was thinking the same as me, that Charlie and Billy had done it before in the Dunfermline cup final in 1965, and that they could do so again.
“The wait seemed to go on for ages but at last the ball came over, as straight as a die, to the forehead of our centre half and then into the back of the net.
“The duo had done it again, Charlie and Billy, 2 of the most important goals in our history.
“As for the home tie v Dukla Prague, we have spoken about it often, and you probably know my memories as clearly as I, so what I will tell you is about the break into my butcher van. That was the only time I used the van to go to a game.
“I always went to the midweek games with Thomas and John and we would to in via the Hamilton Road and Gallowgate but that night I went to the hospital before the visiting time to see your mum and then went straight into the game.
“We parked on the London Road and ran all the way to the ground, watched the game in a state of frenzy, and walked back to the van in a mind state that you will know when you think of Boavista.
“Policeman were standing at the van when I reached it and found that the back doors had been forced open, and the inside trashed. My knives and chopper were stolen.
“Back down to earth with a bump, well for a wee while anyway. Just had to face the consequences when I got home, clean up the van and mop up 2 or 3 trays of smashed eggs.
“At the end of the day, alls well that ends well and the football was more important that night than the mess and theft from the van.”
I’m not looking forward to the work I need to do for this marathon, but this occasion requires a significant gesture. For lots or reasons you’ll understand.
You can sponsor me here, money goes straight to fund the important work of the Foundation.
Thank you.
Published today by CQN Books.
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Petec
I was invited to a 40th Birthday party at the Ludge in the Renton, politely declined.
Celtic by numbers , I really enjoy your posts and it must take some amount of time to compile all the figures for our games.
One thing I really like about Stuart Armstrong Is his abilty to use either foot and not hesistating to do it.
Did he score a goal at Firhill in our 4 1 win there with his left foot?
Dallas
Yes, Twice.
TT~~~~~~F @@@@@ 906
Christ is the King Bro
I Thank You for yer Support. Awesome.
Apricale.
Auguri ! Fa caldo in Sicilia
Vojvodina.I agree with you .The Fitba Pinks’European Cup Preview for 66 /67 included Herrera fretting about Real and Atletico and stating that Dukla and Vojvodina were really strong teams..He also rated Ajax and Liverpool and stated that Celtic were unlucky not to have eliminated Liverpool from the Cup Winners Cup.
Make me move ma feet
FAIRHILL BHOY on 15TH APRIL 2017 6:34 PM
MARSPAPA-where yi gone :-)))
I replied to above post as follows:
LENNYBHOY on 15TH APRIL 2017 7:45 PM
FAIRHILL BHOY:
I’ve spoken to Marspapa, he has asked me to tell you that he has been really busy of late. He said he might get on later.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
A Great Belfast Character told me once that the Dr Ugs they helped the Communities come together.
I know Nothing, Nothing at all.
I know that………
Tontine Tim, lovely post about Sam English.
He sounded like a very good man.
This LA LANTERNA SOUNDS A MUST VISIT,Leonardos for me and the better half tomorrow :-)))
I cannae wait to see Tom doing his UNIQUE stuff.
Magical.
PETEC
We met some great Belfast fellas in our time,eh?
What a gift the ability to talk in cyberspace allows us to talk in person.
GFTB/young JP SHOULD Have BEEN A STAR
Rinsing out the Style
BOBBY,
I’m the Luckiest Ever. I think you know half the story . :))
Those Emerald wans. Especially Special.
BMCUWP 9.22
Nail on head…. CQN gives Celtic fans the opportunity to “talk” to other good Celtic fans…..
Most Friday / Saturday nights my brood are in their kip so Cqn is a wee God send to hopefully post rubbish about Celtic ….. (Or at times some Glasgow eateries or even horses)
By the way, noticed your post on Fleagles article, not had a winner for a while ????
What about one or two have yet to to have a winner to be a while for their next one :-)
Tim Reaper , thanks.
LENNYBHOY/no idea why you’re answering for B?but am hoping everything ok :-)
THETIMREAPER
You are right we did make a lot of changes that night in a very entertaining game. As regards Gordon you can see my analysis of him here – http://celticbynumberscom.ipage.com/old-gord-new-tricks/
In short his form dipped last season and he is back close to but not quite equalling 2014/15 efforts. As for being better than Forster – unfortunately I don’t have the data on big Frazer but I would be astounded of forehead if Gordon is better!
HH
Fairhill Bhoy 9.25pm
I don’t disagree at all, it still takes a lot to make it through the the ranks, in my time (probably your time) the Maestro was number 1… In recent times Aidan McGeady, James Forrest and now the marvellous Kieran Tiereny …… John Paul McBride probably had great ability but making it at Celtic needs far nor than just ability….. The Bhoy was defintely Celtic daft, and probably played more football away from us …. Jude2005 from here has young Josh at Celtic park, proud as punch and I love reading Jude’s posts but get Josh out on loan then Brendan will see him against the forwards we face week to week….make an impression get in the team and don’t look back :-)
If it was only that simple ….. Jude am sure your crombie will be a great disguise for the u-20s final :-)
That Tom goal @ Aiberdeen. That was Unique, I just couldnae…..
Rinsing out the Style
© BSR
Celtic Maniac.
JP WAS A STAND OUT,his own failings let him down
There is a picture on twitter of a display at Ibrox today. It said. Sam English a young proud protestant 1908 – 1967.
————
Shameful. Utterly shameful. This is just vile, filthy, sly provocation.
Sam English was the other victim of that awful coming-together. Johnny Thomson lost his life but so, in a way, did Sam English.
My old man used to play golf with Sam English on the Knightswood municipal course. He used to tell me he was ‘haunted’ by what happened that day.
Sam English, as far as I was told from my dad, who was from Killybegs, was not a Hun, but a decent man. I met Sam twice, and I agree with my dad. He was a good man.
If he was still around today, and saw a display at Ibrox that used his name in that insidious way, he would be disgusted and horrified.
Sometimes the venality and arrogant nastiness of the human condition drops me to my knees, it really does.
QuadroFENIANS
GERRYFAETHEBRIG on 15TH APRIL 2017 7:57 PM
BGFC 7.32pm
Miss GFTB asked to go the vigil but when I explained it might be longer than a normal mass she said, stuff that we will go to 10am the morra, also have two converts all through lent, some of us take it for granted but when two grown ups choose their faith it’s quite humble, I used too moan about mine (probably still do) anyway as many others have said WeeBigGeorge has a father that is actively showing him Celtic, never went to a game with my dad but he defintely gave me Celtic…
BigGeorge/Wee Big George….enjoy watching the hoops tomorrow, love reading your stories of trying to get tickets, Radio Scotland in reference to the lottery winners with Partick Thistles training ground had a phone in thing asking what would you do for your club if you won the lottery, obviously mine would be buy a box for family & friends but also get one of those fancy tickets that gets you 2 tickets for every away game (no ballot needed) my tickets would go to Plains for big & wee George :-)
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Just back – great service, and great to see and speak to the two new converts. Wee BGFC gave the young fella (Prunty) the high fives. Priest drenched Wee BGFC in the holy water at the blessing :-)
Gerry – that is a lovely thought re: tickets – thanks, and really appreciate the sentiment behind it. I actually feel very selfish, because Wee BGFC is such great company :-)
HH
BGFC
Lennybhoy
Thanks for trying to explain to Fairhill bhoy that i’ve been really busy and not read the blog for a while ……sorry for your troubles :)))
Fairhill bhoy
Howye doin ?
I’m fine just been busy getting on with life, as one does, so not a regular poster.
Jpm had everything or so it
seemed.
I just came on earlier to congradulate wee Lenny on winning the Championship .
Anyhoo need to go tea and toast to make for the boss and watch Jason Stathom on STV .
Hope all is well with you and the family .
Catchyeez :)))
GFTB/ he did well at st Johnstone
Celtic by numbers, i owe you an apology .
I have just re read my post earlier on and it came across as rude and ungrateful which was not my intention.
You could teach that crew on sportscene, Michael Stewart excepted , a lot about proper football analysis.
Fek me MARSPAPA -billy porter are u
CELTIC – Put Rangers/Sevco in their place next week.
Come on the Hibees next Season.
Well I worry-))
JIMMYNOTPAUL, ART OF WAR, BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS, LENNYBHOY
Hail Hail !!!
BGFC
Victor Wanyama…
It’s not easy
Have you heard…..
Fairhill Bhoy
I have followed JP McBride when he left us, at St Jo he had a couple of great seasons, probably helps by John O’N keeping him on the straight and narrow…..am not having a dig at JP in the slightest, if anything that’s my type of player :-)
Big George, as usual great stuff, envious is not the word, I love the fact that you and the wee mhan enjoy following the hoops and each other’s company ….. My daughter is my best pal, just wished she loved the hoops as much as your Bhoy obviously does :-)
Faihill bhoy
Lol!!
Never took you for a worrier ;)
Need to catch up for a beer or in my case a G&T :) xx
Maybe the PV ?
A very happy Easter to one and all.