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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I hope Neil Lennon enjoys his night, Hibs will be good for the league next season.
Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas
No apology needed as far as I can see. Please keep me honest – if there are mistakes in the data (there will be, it is manual and subject to user error) please help quality assurance by pointing them out – I will now recheck the Armstrong shot data!
Thanks again
HH
Re sam english :
Proud, young protestant. Bertie Peacock, I presume, proud, young protestant but deemed it an honour to don the hoops. So whats the point the thickos are making?
Bada Bing
What !! You dont think Celtic will win it :))
MARSPAPA on 15TH APRIL 2017 9:41 PM
Nae bother at all, make sure you get the Boss’s Tea and Toast just right or you will be the one with the trouble…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
GREENINBINGLEYINOSLO on 15TH APRIL 2017 9:4
Awesome post,mate.
HH.
Celtic by Numbers, thank you for your gracious reply .
Thanks again for your posts with our match stats, always a good read.
Lennybhoy
You know her so well :)
I’ll be over in your neck of the woods in a week or two , might pop in .
Bobbt Murdoch, Boca 10 have made an alteration to the Jinky star t shirt.
They have changed the star with the photo of the wee man to green now.
I passed their stall at Siverburn last week and I think they are trying to increase their sales to sevs with their new line of blue t shirts.
Some have British flags on them and another has WATP on it. Not good on the eye.
CELTICBYNUMBERS
I’ve said before that I’m genuinely in awe at what you do,I’ve watched Celtic for fifty years come October without that analysis.
I’m the fellla that told my Dad that wee blond guy was aw puffy faced,canny be fit,just before he scored six goals in Frank Beattie’s testimonial!
In other words,I know sod all.
Point is,my mate and I had a discussion today about Kante and Makakele. My argument was that M did his job,barely moved,passed it to a footballer.
His was that K gives you goals and assists! What,from the same position?
Thoughts?
MARSPAPA on 15TH APRIL 2017 10:15 PM
You know where we are, just remember the Teacakes for M and I’ll make the Tea…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
DALLASDALLAS
Not qiuite planned my wardrobe yet,but it will be Celtic themed. I’ve got the original you mentioned.
The problem wi BOCA10 is he can be too subtle at times.
Lady 1…https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cdxCurfPEoI
Until we meet again…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Lady 2…https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8zny53R1cJE
Celtic by numbers- As you can see, your efforts are appreciated by a great number of CQN’ers.
Mibbe you need a wider audience.
Keep on keeping on.
MARSPAPA -would like that mate:-
MARSPAPA -would like that mate:-))
Bed time,:-))
Lady 3…https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kQsEcH3Hg10
Dallas
Boca 10 are just chasing a profit….
Anyway fellow Celts for me CQN is always good, apart from the new posters who have aunties winning motors all the time, Starry Plough the eijit posted a different Aunty on the horsey article, anyhow, hope you all have a lovely Easter am away to cheer on Ricky Burns, one of the good guys who loves the hoops (even though his brother follows some new mob) family, canny live with them would hate too live without them
Hail Hail
LENNYBHOY- sorry for the confusion -:))
MARSPAPA- whit…..!! :) welcome back HH
Lady 4…https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RRMZQsKy5jE
Bobby, I was speaking to one of the boca 10 staff a few years ago. She told me over 60% of their sales were their Celtic stuff.
Talking of Celtic t shirts The Celtic shop has a cracking Lisbon one. Its a dark green one with a picture of big billy leading our team out before a certain match in Lisbon
Gerry enjoy the fight
BGFC
Delighted that you and wee the wee fella got sorted for tomorrow. I’ve been trying to pick you up two but as you know things have made it increasingly difficult recently.
Ricky Burns is struggling here !
I too saw the banner displayed at Ibrox today by the Union Bears.
John Thompson was also a Protestant.
To point score in such a manner is reprehensible.
Big Gold Dream beeb 2 tonight 9pm
Mike in Toronto/Starry
Seen this documentary tonight, covered Edinburgh music scene 77 onwards.scarsetcrise of fast and postcard records. Orange juice.
Lot of good scottish bands namef.you should get it I-player.
Enjoy
HH
LennyB
Lady 5…https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jT4_ohTS3Os
I could not be more thankful for what Dano and LB, done for me.
Tremendous Tims.
GreenBingley at 9.41
Chapeau, Sir. Haven’t seen you posting much but look forward to you posting more.
As if it matters what religion either player followed. I think Johnny Thompson was a Protestant anyway – not that it matters one thin dime.
I remember when I was a kid, kicking a ball around Drumgeith park in Dundee and a pal telling me about the Johnny Thompson story. And I got home and asked my dad, and he told me the whole thing, and finished by saying ‘Don’t ever forget, Sam English was a victim too.’ A life lesson there, for me.
Burns needs a KO here…
Huns for you eh?
Using the good name of one of their own and tarnishing that name with their hate and bigotry.
Personally I wish all the disease being suffered by good decent humans is taken from them and inflicted on these sub human hateful bigots for eternity.
MWD
Fair play to Burns but you could give him a hammer and an axe here and he still wouldn’t win.
Just popped in to say I’ve renewed my ST. A £25 rise to ££349 was a no brainer. My health issues continue, first game this year was last Saturday, but my seat is so special to me I’m afraid to let it go. Another op soon will, hopefully, solve my problems. Have a happy Easter Day all Celtic supporters. Off out now. HH