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.
618 Comments- Pages:
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666
777
888
What did you EXPECT?
Thomas Brolin
Shocking poetry.
For petec and all believers…happy easter…https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IvVr2uks0C8
(I’m not a believer but I used to be)
Goodnight all…https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wB9YIsKIEbA
ceLTUIC B IGH IME..
tHANK yOU tONY,.
wONDERFUL HEARING GUID NEWS.
sORRY F OR TAKU OVE TEYH bLOG.
Aff oot tae the church….
A very Happy and PEACEFUL Easter to one and all.
Starry
Maestros, rock garden,hurricanes etc
Went to maestros week in and out
Rock garden on fri night
Hurricanres made me smile.I worked the door of maestros after a couple of years and cotton club when it opened.
Along sauchiehall st there was mayfair and tiffanys
The music was always good mate I remember the scars, certain ratio and a lot mentioned.
HH
Happy Easter cqn
God bless all
Happy Easter to all.
They were all proud young Protestants…..
back in the day…..
Theobald Wolfetone
Mr Stein
King Kenny Dalglish
Daniel Fergus McGrain
Bertie Peacock
Mr Jansen
Mr Strachan
Mr Ronny
Murdo MacLeod
Alan Sneddon
Henrik….?
hauf the Lion’s
etc……
but here’s the thing…..
Who Cares ?
Anyway,….
See if the huns die again – how long will
Brendan be here ?
I’m sure that Mr Rodgers is aware that….
9/10 the Cellic play for half the calendar
year in European competitions…..
apart fae the years when Lawwell….
puts wan of his puppets in the dug oot!
That, could be the clincher…..hopefully.
Anyway,…..
Thoughts and Prayers for all
Supporters of Glasgow Celtic.
……off-oot.
I don’t profess to have any legal skills or experience but having read the ruling by Richard Millet QC vis-à-vis: SDI v Mr. D. King, Mr. P. Murray, The Rangers Football Club Limited, Rangers Retail Limited, I get the impression from my layman’s take of the narrative that TRFC, and King, and Murray, are each and all going to get shafted, royally.
However, in the reading, I kept get the nagging doubt (with suspicion), why hasn’t David King resigned his directorship of the Rangers Retail Limited post the Takeover Panels recent actions against David King and their total numptifying of his street credentials, why?
What does David King’s continued directorship of Rangers Retail Ltd. actually bring to the table and how does his continued presence possibly enhance the future prospects of the company (RR Ltd.)?
Would it not be in the best interests of RR Ltd. If Mr. King was to resign and walk away?
Is he deliberately trying to toxify to death RR Ltd.?
And in doing so negate the IPLA and the SHA between TRFC and Rangers Retails Ltd.?
An Tearmann on 16th April 2017 3:03 am
Starry
I was in the Rock Garden regularly in the late ’70’s and early 80’s and later did the legals for Maestro’s/Cotton Club, Nico’s, and Mayfair which later became The Garage.
At one point I represented every nightclub on Sauchiehall Street (and many more besides).
There are many sad and funny tales to tell about Glasgow’s licensed premises from that era — ones that worked, ones that worked far too well for their owners own good, ones that failed for a variety of reasons and of course tales of the punters extraordinaire who frequented them.
All good fun in those far off days and loads of good music too ………
Mind you, you can only represent nightclubs and pubs for so long before going completely insane, which is why I decided to leave it behind in favour of a quieter and more peaceful existence ………
A STOR MHA CHROI on 16TH APRIL 2017 5:22 AM
And in doing so negate the IPLA and the SHA between TRFC and Rangers Retails Ltd.?
————————————–
If Sevco were a country…
They’d be North Korea.
No dis-respect intended.
Happy Easter one and all.
Celtic for the victory.
HH.
A Stor Mha Chroi on 16th April 2017 5:22 am
This and your earlier point make for good questions.
However, I don’t think the cold shoulder will bother Ashley or Rangers Retail Ltd as the latter only trades with Sports Direct and Ashley controls that trading.
Still a total mess though and anything is possible while King behaves like a corporate lunatic.
A Heppy Easter to one and all especially Wee Fra and anyone else suffering illness or hard times.
Happy Easter one and all from a cool, clear and dry East Devon.
BROGAN ROGAN TREVINO AND HOGAN
Don’t you think that the SDI legal team will be rubbing their hands with glee the longer he holds a directorship at Rangers Retail Ltd. I would have thought that his general corporate misbehaviour lends credence to their claims against both he and Murray and TRFC.
i cannot fathom why he procrastinates in resigning.
To me it’s like begging to go first. to prove my courage, in a game of Russian roulette when their are not one, but six, bullets in the chambers.
16 ROADS – CELTIC ÜBER ALLES..
I’d rather they were Atlantis
He is Risen.
Beats All.
KevJ. Yer stuff is missed by me. I hope yer in the best possible Health.
Nae KJ early morning, nae Party.
KevJ…hope you are well sir and that your jungle flag is still flying proud…
Morning all.
For all of you travelling to Dingwall.
Have a blast and bring back 3 points please.
Hail Hail.
Aye kev , keep yer flag fluttering! .
Happy easter tae all.
I am the resurrection and the life.
And whoever believes in me, shall never die.
Hail Hail.
Good Morning Bhoys a Happy Easter to you and your loved ones. WEE BOBBY COLLINS a prayer said for you that you may find your Faith again and that you claim the gift of eternal life that Jesus promised all his followers. H.H.
Happy Easter to one and all from Paris helping my better half celebrate her 50th birthday.
HH
Good morning friends and may I wish you all a Happy Holy Easter Sunday from a rather wet and grey East Kilbride.
Alleluia, He is risen!
BROGAN ROGAN TREVINO AND HOGAN on 16TH APRIL 2017 6:44 AM
An Tearmann on 16th April 2017 3:03 am
Starry
I was in the Rock Garden regularly in the late ’70’s and early 80’s and later did the legals for Maestro’s/Cotton Club, Nico’s, and Mayfair which later became The Garage.
At one point I represented every nightclub on Sauchiehall Street (and many more besides).
There are many sad and funny tales to tell about Glasgow’s licensed premises from that era — ones that worked, ones that worked far too well for their owners own good, ones that failed for a variety of reasons and of course tales of the punters extraordinaire who frequented them.
All good fun in those far off days and loads of good music too ………
Mind you, you can only represent nightclubs and pubs for so long before going completely insane, which is why I decided to leave it behind in favour of a quieter and more peaceful existence ………
BRTH,
You missed another Disco that was near the top of Sauchiehall St, in the 1980’s, called “ZANZIBAR”.
Zanizibar grew out of the old Tiffanys. When it opened in late 1983, it had the best lighting system in Europe ( or so I was advised) ? It was owned by a guy called Tom Paulo. In late 1983 I was living in a flat just about 50 yards from Zanibar ( across from Nico’s Bar).
I was working two nights a week in Bars at the bottom end of Glasgow city centre in late 1983 as a Steward, when I met with a beautiful girl, who had just moved into my Close on Sauchiehall St.
She had just returned from living in OZ and Italy, and was working full time in a Bar directly across from Nico’s ( and next door to our Close), called “PYTHAGAROUS”.
Now “Pythagarous” used to be the old “AMPHORA” pub. ( owned by Eadie Cairns family).
Anyways, in early 1984 I was ” made an offer I couldn’t refuse” by the management at Zanzibar, ( who I had got to know slightly).
I accepted, and I would work at least 4 nights a week at the door ( Zanibar also had some private functions sometimes).
I was the main “Knock Back” man at the door for just over two years or more ?
Maybe I have “Knocked you back” hahaha ?
During that period, I was offered the chance of looking after a certain young lady called Marie Astrid Herrera, who had just won the Miss World contest in The Albert hall in London around September 1984.
Along with a couple of others, we looked after Marie in Glasgow and in Newcastle, when she would do “Autograph Gigs” in the cities “Topshops”.
Now the reason that Marie ( Miss World 1984), needed a wee bit more “protection” was because prior to winning The Miss World contest, she had been crowned Miss Venezuala in her own country.
Venezuala, like Spain had “Bullfighting”. When Marie was crowned Miss Venezuala, the bullfighters in her country named her as their “Pin Up Girl”. She didn’t ask for that “accolade”, it was imposed on her, and being just 18 years of age, and not knowing of any possible implications in other countries that may arise from her being the “Bullfighters Pin Up”, after she later won The Miss World contest in London, part of her duties was to promote the retail store called “Topshop”, by signing autographs in store over certain cities in Britain.
the story goes that moments after winning The Miss World contest in London, the Animal Rights Brigade, being aware of Marie being the Bullfighters pin Up Girl, decided to make certain threats against her via The Police and Press.
For guys like myself who had accepted the job of looking after Marie, we were advised by our bosses at Zanzibar that the Animal Rights mob had threatened to “Throw ACID in Marie’s face” , amongst other nasty things ?
Marie was ( as you can imagine) absolutely stunningly beautiful, with the Sultry Latin looks, and more importantly she had a great personality, and was very kind to all around her, especially one Big Jimmy ? Haha.
We had earned Marie’s trust etc, and I was very appreciative even at that time how difficult it must have been for her, being only 18, and outside her own homeland thousands of miles away, and amongst so many strangers.
Marie’s “English” was as good as my Spanish/Portuguese, but I did teach her one or two Scottish sayings.
I also taught her to chant, ” Celtic …Cha Cha Cha………Rangers…Boo, Boo Boo” !
Now I ‘m not saying that Miss World ” Fancied me” but, on the night we were heading back up to Glasgow, she asked me out on a date ?
I was sad to advise Marie that I already had a “Lemon Curd……”Burd” back in Glasgow, and told her ” Sorry Hen, but another time, another place….who knows” ?
Rumour has it that Marie ( Miss World) was never quite the same after my “knock back” ?
Seriously, if you look on “Google” you will see photos etc of Marie being crowned Miss World 1984, and how stunning she was, and still is, as there are also more recent photo’s.
I would have been around 28 when I met Marie who was only 18, and by simple arithmetic, she would be around 51 at this present time ?
Of course on working at the door of Zanzibar from that moment onwards, many regular girls to Zanzibar would ask me ” Where have you been since last week etc”, and when I told them that I was now not just a door steward, but a “Miss World Bodyguard”, my “Street Cred” went thru the roof, I can tell you !
I was unattached at the time of meeting Marie, but after looking after her albeit all too briefly ( as I also had a daytime job in Glasgow), I didn’t hesitate to use my new found status as a “Miss World Bodyguard” to the maximum effect, when chatting up the girls.
Sometimes it didn’t work……………..but other times ?
I wonder who’s kissing her now ?
Hail Hail.
Many wur cauld but few wur frozen ;))
Happy Easter
HH
Feckin Southampton FC !
I had a wee bet on a correct score double yesterday, ” Spurs to win 4-0″….and Man City to beat Southampton ,3 – 1″ i think the odds were ” 11/1 and 10/1″
Obviously Citeh won 3-0.
In fairness Citeh should have scored more than 3.
The Big Man is up and aboot today…HE has risen ! Happy Easter to all.
HH
Just dae the biso today Celts…get in there….get the 3 points…and get oot !
simples.
Celtic to win 4-1, with Stuarty Bhoy to score at anytime ?
HH
BIG JIMMY
Another great post!
remember a lot of the places you mentioned.
I worked in the Amphora for a while.
When I was a boy!
Should have posted earlier, al those travelling to Dingwall be aware of long delays at a Perth between the Broxburn and Inveralmond roundabouts,went through there last Sunday and it was pretty bad, apart from that enjoy your day, especially R and G and TOHG. Hail Hail Hebcelt
My friends in Celtic,
A very happy Easter to all.
On this special day for many, it is worth reflecting on the Christians who are still persecuted for their faith.Why do we seem to ignore it in the west ?
Anyway, the journey continues today.
COYBIG and HH.
Surely Griff and Rogic will get some decent game time today to get them a bit more up to speed.You have to wonder though is it worth it?.With the noises coming from The Death Star,seems we have no chance.
I mean,we are going to be facing “11 warriors”and Pedro is a genius manager.
Win today,and just go about our business quietly for the rest of the week.
Happy Easter to all.
Philboy and Big Jimmy.
The Amphora on a saturday afternoon when all the Glasgow musicians would meet up to put on their “Big Band Sound”was one of the great weekend highlights.
BIG JIMMY
I remember my first night working there, it was midweek and the place was dead.
I was tending the bar when my first customer walked in.
“What can I get you, sir/”
“A big newkie by the neck please” was his reply.
I had to seek out the manager for an explanation before I could serve the guy.
Happy days.
TURKEYBHOY
I didn’t work there for long.
I played fitba for Dennistoun Waverley and turned up late for work on consecutive Saturday evenings.
The manager asked me to make my mind up what I wanted to do.
Fitba won so was instanly dismissed.
No big disaster as I worked in the city full time.
Great article.
Happy Easter all.
http://www.scotsman.com/heritage/historic-events/insight-the-pilgrimage-to-lisbon-to-watch-the-lions-play-1-4420814