Dukla, Vojvodina, McNeill, Gallacher and a marathon

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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.
Stirling marathon
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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618 Comments

  1. weebobbycollins on

    Big Jimmy…Astrid Carolina Herrera…I remember her well. Muy bonita por cierto…but I married one (venezuelan) even better looking…and still looking good after more than thirty years…

     

    Regards.

  2. Happy Easter everyone , enjoy the greatest feast of the year.

     

    Three points and a show from the Hoops would just do me fine. Mass beckons, gym, get the lunch started then Celtic on telly.

     

    Be good everyone. HH

  3. blantyretim is praying for the Knox family on

    Happy Easter bhoys n ghirls

     

     

    Hebcelt

     

    Thanks for your help with tickets mate

     

     

    Almere, if your in the pub at Pasdy point I’ve told Ihits to look after you.

     

     

    Cmon the hooos☘️☘️☘️☘️

  4. Morning all, what a place CQN is:))

     

     

    Reading back and realising that many of us had paths that crossed long before we arrived here!!

     

     

    BRTH

     

     

    Did you ever represent any of the Morris’s, they had Lucifers now the Sub Club and the Cul De Sac and The Mission??

     

     

    I’ve been away a long time from Glasgow but it never leaves you, one of the greatest city’s on earth!

     

     

    Mon The Hoops, Glasgow’s most famous sons..

  5. Big Georges Fan Club - Hail, Hail, Wee Oscar on

    Hello this is WEE BGFC. Hi guys! Thats me and Da en route to el Dingwall! :D Any news re traffic reports in Perth?

     

     

    HH

     

    WEE BGFC

  6. Big Georges Fan Club - Hail, Hail, Wee Oscar on

    Hello this is WEE BGFC. PS Happy Jesus has risen day!!

     

     

    HH

     

    WEE BGFC

  7. WEEBOBBYCOLLINS on 16TH APRIL 2017 8:54 AM

     

    Big Jimmy…Astrid Carolina Herrera…I remember her well. Muy bonita por cierto…but I married one (venezuelan) even better looking…and still looking good after more than thirty years…

     

     

    Regards.

     

     

    WWEBOBBY,

     

    Cheers mate, but we were introduced to Miss World as “Marie”. I also think that depending on where you read online, she is called Marie and ALSO the name that you have posted ?

     

    Sometimes even I get called different names now and again ??????? haha.

     

     

    I should have did what you did, and married that particular Venezuelan girl, my God how happy we could have been ……especially ME !

     

    Can you imagine 17 wee Big Jimmy’s running aboot Venezuela ? Perish the thought.

     

    I can also remember that we “Minders” didn’t have any problem with the Crowds and/or the animal rights brigade during our time with Marie, but sadly the VERY FIRST DAY that we weren’t there, and back in Glasgow, she was “Accosted” etc in feckin Brighton by protesters when on her way to another autographing gig.

     

    I remember being feckin raging when I heard this news, and it was also reported in the Press.

     

    I am someone who loves animals ( except reptiles and Huns)….same creatures really, but I know that the Animal rights Brigade in Britain “Probably” do some excellent work etc, but to threaten an innocent young girl with feckin “ACID”…BEGGARS BELIEF !

     

     

    kind regards mate,

     

    Happy Easter to you and your good lady and family.

     

    HH

  8. To the earlier poster who very kindly provided the links to a few Anti War songs, could you also provide the link to ” Barry McGuire…Eve of Destruction” song ?

     

    That song should come with a “health warning” ? But it is excellent.

     

    Sorry for being too lazy to read back yet again.

     

    HH

  9. Nye Bevans' rebel soldier on

    Happy Easter to all, hope you have a great day whether you’re spending

     

    the day with the loved one’s or the relatives or on your way to Dingwall.

  10. Looking at the USA News, I was taken by a quote from an ANTI TRUMP PROTESTER being interviewed on the streets in relation to Trump refusing to release his Tax details.

     

    This lady said…” WE ARE LIVING IN TIMES WHERE HONESTY HAS NO CURRENCY” !

     

     

    May I suggest this also applies to Scotland, the SFA and THEM ?

     

     

    HH

  11. Son mes 8.51.

     

    Fabulous read. Thank You.

     

    I’m sure there must be people on here who know the supporters.

     

    Hail Hail.

  12. BEATBHOY, 7.07

     

    I am fully aware that the huns died in 2012.

     

    I only said that they were “demoted”, as that was/is how it is viewed by others” ?

     

    i think your guilty of a wee bit of cheeky nit picking with me…If not then I apologise ?

     

     

    Just for the record, and in the off chance that anyone is even remotely interested in my views, I TOO am disgusted with the silence from Celtic Park in relation to ALL the cheating, resolution 12 etc etc undertaken by THEM, The SFA, The SPL, and The SMSM for deliberate ONGOING FAILURE to present the truth.

     

    However, PRIOR to the CQN Xmas Dinner last year, I had my own views on the POSSIBLE reasons for the silence from Celtic FC.

     

    I was fortunate enough to meet many great and knowlegible Bhoys at that Xmas do, amongst them BRTH. If I remember correctly ( we had had a few beers), my earlier views and thoughts were valid, and the Bhoys that I met that day also elaborated quite a bit more on the subject.

     

     

    From that CQN day, and the conversations from then, I came away a whole lot more knowledgable in many matters involving Celtic, and the POSSIBLE reasons why Celtic FC had said little or nothing, about this ongoing shocking state of affairs.

     

    Due to those conversations, I had also developed a better understanding into the POSSIBLE reasons why Celtic have ( in effect) taken a back seat on certain matters…………FOR NOW ?

     

    For the moment, I am more than happy to give Celtic FC including Peter Lawwell the benefit of the doubt, especially when ( in my view ?) Sevco continue to implode and self destruct on many fronts.

     

    I remain hopeful that Celtic FC will speak out, IF and WHEN the time is RIGHT ?

     

    But what do I know, I am only an ordinary Celtic punter, with no sources of “inside information” to fall back on ?

     

    Some on here may well disagree with my giving Celtic FC the benefit of the doubt…for now, but I sincerely hope that at SOME STAGE Celtic FC ( and OTHERS), Will launch a full frontal assault on THEM and The SFA etc for ALL the cheating that has went on ?

     

    Perhaps time will tell ?

     

    HH

  13. TONYROME,

     

    Your a STAR me Bhoy !

     

    i play Barry McGuire quite often on my playlist, but cos I don’t remember how to post Links, anymore ( am obviously losing the feckin plot), it’s good that others can listen to this anti war song from BarryBhoy with the link that you have kindly provided.

     

    HH

  14. Bhoyjoebelfast on

    Great article indeed in the Scotsman. We all have our favourite memories from May 1967.I was working outside Belfast,about three miles or so, with my 30 year old brother, his fav player one Willie Fernie. What a fantastic day for Celtic football club.Memories!!!

     

    Perry Como celtic supporters club.

  15. Bigjjimmy

     

     

    Some tale Mate,:-) I recall Zanzibar but thought it for the younger ones/dif crowd.I think it git bought over by italians who reopened joe paparazzis, (joepaps) I was only in it once during glasgows city o kultyir in 1988 as I was living in london by that time on a visit up.

     

    My recall of that end was Zaks-always at end of session

     

    Centre Court- quality sofas Nicos-trendy lol, good wee function room upstairs.Tiffanys for seeing bands, u2, simpleminds (movin up from the mars bar at St Enochs square)blancmange lol, mayfair was pre garage.

     

     

    BRTH

     

    Maesrros shut, refurbed and opened as cotton club, 2 names for ye Quigley

     

    and Calder and unicorn llesure

  16. I didnae get any Easter Eggs….yet again !

     

    I’ll go tomorrow and buy myself wan, cos they will be cheaper ?

     

    I’ll be in front of the Telly cheering on The Hoops today, without indulging in my other favourite pastime….GUZZLING loads of chocolate.

     

    Sometimes life can be cruel.

     

    Of course the auld ‘TIC will sweeten me right up today with 3 points. who needs feckin chocolate ?

     

     

    HH

  17. Grr

     

     

    Big chocolate fums:-)

     

     

    Unicorn leisure.

     

    The rock garden was owned by ron mc culloch who I think went on to own partly henry afrikas in york st

     

     

    The abc was a cinema with bifteka kebab shop

     

    Ultratheque and sauve Savoy.

     

    Lol

     

    HH

  18. AN TEARMAN 10.01,

     

    Zanzibar held approx 1,200 punters.

     

    it was a mixed crowd ” age wise” from Thursday to Saturday.

     

    However, for a spell they introduced an “UNDER 16’S ” night on Sundays.

     

    Trust me, we had our hands full some Sunday nights with those under 16’s trying to run riot in mini gang warfare !

     

    This was at the time of the break dancing etc, and there was always queues outside before we opened. I used to let some of the young break dancers in to do their “stuff” on the empty dance floor on Friday and Saturday nights for nothing for 40 minutes or so, ( before the so called adults could come in). Most of these kids literally had nowhere to practise their …..um “Dancing” ?

     

    Some of those kids had some fantastic moves, very entertaining.

     

    Sadly break dancing was most defo not for me, I had my own silky moves to charm the wummin, even when ” on duty” !

     

    HH

  19. Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan on

    starry plough on 16th April 2017 8:59 am

     

     

    Starry I only knew the Morris’s slightly. Sold the Mission to them (I think) for one client and bought the Sub Club later.

     

     

    I could list the nightclubs and pubs I worked for but it would take a while.

     

     

    Big Jimmy

     

     

    I remember the Amphora well and when it changed its name but don’t think I did a lot of work for them other than occasionally. That was not one of my regulars.

     

     

    Nice story about Marie Herrera — I remember her.

     

     

    Dashing out and have lots to do and organise today and tomorrow re Lisbon but if I get a chance I will do a list of pubs and clubs.

     

     

    One of the most amazing openings I attended was that of Alice Underground in Cambridge Street.

     

     

    The effect was as if underwater in a swimming pool complete with crashed car, piano suspended from the ceiling and various other things.

     

     

    There was a bit of a panic on the opneing night because they had opened the doors and were serving the invited guests and customers without being in possession of the actual licence which was tucked away in the inside pocket of my jacket.

     

     

    One of the owners was having a canary about my whereabouts and when I finally graced them with my presence (and the licence) I was treated as a hero and rewarded with a couple of bottles of champagne.

     

     

    It was a long night ………….

  20. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Big Jimmy , fantastic stories about pubs/ the dancin in Sauchiehall Street.

     

     

    Tiffany’s was a great music venue with my pals and I lucky to see top bands there.

     

     

    When the Curzon pictures was changed to Joe Paparazzi’s , a crowd of us ended up in there after a Pogues gig at the Barras in December 1986.

     

     

    The Pogues after show party was in the upstairs bit of Joe Paparazzi’s.

     

     

    About 2 am Spider Stacey was being supported by his girlfriend down the stairs. She had the hoops on along with a tartan skirt. We gave a rendition of there’s only one Spider Stacey to him which his girlfriend appreciated but Spider didn’t as he was out of it.

  21. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    The Garage is owned /part owned by Dave Ross who also runs the Admiral in Waterloo Street or is it Wellington Street.

     

     

    Dave is a good Celtic man.

     

     

    If another Hootenany is arranged, the Admiral might be a venue woth considering for it.

  22. Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan on

    An Tearmann

     

     

    I remember John Quigley well but was not his main lawyer.

     

     

    I also remember wee Ron McCulloch and Unicorn Leisure Ltd – I also didn’t do their work either except on the odd occasion when they were part of a movement I represented.

     

     

    Maestros/Cotton Club was later sold on to a couple of guys I worked for and The Mayfair (which was owned by Ross Bowie) was later leased out as The Garage.

     

     

    The ironic thing was that, in the main, I hated bloody nightclubs.

     

     

    Not my scene really.

  23. Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan on

    Dallas Dallas

     

     

    I am in touch with Dave Ross regularly and have arranged a wee Celtic fundraising night pre Lisbon in there on Thursday the 18th of May.

     

     

    There will be some music and some guests so watch this space for a wee announcement or two in the next week or so.

     

     

    BRTH

  24. Miss World 1984….where are you now, I have always regretted giving you a “Glesga Knock Back”…please contact me on here on CQN, perhaps we could rekindle that Flame ?

     

     

    Sometimes a man can be a fool to himself, I had no right to deny that poor girl !

     

     

    I remember I said to Marie ( Miss World)….” BE my girlfriend, my body is like a Temple” ?

     

    Marie replied, ” Aye yer right………..IT’S IN FECKIN RUINS” !

     

     

    OH the Glasgow banter Bhoys. Come to think of it …Marie was a right TIM, coming from Venezuala.

     

    She should have been Mrs Big Jimmy the 2nd.

  25. BRTH,

     

    The Admiral on the 18th May sounds good. I hope to make it.

     

    Last time I was in there was 2009.

     

    My old fitba playing mates and I would often go into The Admiral and Carnegies ( where many Celtic players hung oot), in the late 1970’s and 1980’s.

     

    Carnegies was a favourite of mine in particular, as the food was excellent, and I seldom left without a Girl on my arm.

     

    i was a hell of a dashing young man back then…a wee bit of a rascal with the ladies.

     

    Feck….those days have gone !….sadly.

     

    HH

  26. Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan on

    Big Jimmy

     

     

    Ah …… Carnegies!

     

     

    Owner was a HUGE Rangers fan ………………….

  27. Great article on the Lisbon Pilgrimage in the Scotsman

     

     

    This bit had me laughing out loud or whats is called LOL moment these days

     

     

    “Many had never been on a plane.

     

    Some tried to prise open the windows so they could stick their scarves out”

     

     

    67 memories csc

  28. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Brogan, Dave used to do the music quiz at the Mission on a Sunday and a very good qiuz it was too.

     

     

    I only know himto say hello to. We had a number of mutual acquaintences.

     

     

    That will be a good night on the 18th of May

     

     

    Was it a guy called Greg Macleod who owned the mission , sub club, church on the hill and the Fixx at some point?

  29. Happy Easter everybody from Sunny Algarve. Where sad to report the only suggestion that today is a special day is the appearance of Easter Bunnies everywhere!

     

     

    FAO Dallas Dallas I thought I had posted this last night but it’s still sitting in the comments box saying I’m not logged in. Not quite sure how that works!

     

     

    Anyway, here was my reply to you:

     

     

    Dallas

     

    I was about to purchase 2 Celtic T Shirts at the Buchanan Galleries stall a few months ago. I was taking them to the counter when I saw the WATP racist crap at the other side. I just dropped the shirts on the floor and walked away.

     

    It summed up Glasgow in a microcosm. Jinky and Henrik on one side of the stall and Union Jacks with WATP on the other side.

     

    Police Scotland should be shutting that stall down as its an affront to a civilised society. Mind you, they’re the ones that are probably buying that shite!

     

    Anyway, wee rant over. I’m currently in sunny Algarve and need to find a boozer to watch the game tomorrow so away to bed now.

     

    Night all and Hail Hail

     

     

    So, I’m away noo to try and find that boozer!

  30. Good to hear some familiar locations. I did a stint as a Barman in the Savoy round about 76/77. Remember Thursday was ‘Over 25s’ – referred to as ‘Grab a Granny’ – 25s are just warns to me now!

     

    I become 21 whilst dicoing the night away in Roselands. And of course there was the Ole Burns Howe………..what a waste of time and money that was:-)

  31. Blantyre Tim: I’ll be in Timmy’s in Torreblanca, Fuengirola, for today’s game.

     

     

    Hope we keep the unbeaten run going.

     

     

    Happy Easter all.

  32. Best place in sauchiehall street for us youngsters was Shuffles

     

     

    4 cans a lager & bottle a wine shared between 5 before you went in

     

     

    Saturday night fever csc

  33. MISS VENEZUELA.

     

     

    My Spanish brother in law works at the gleddoch hotel. Last summer real Madrid TV phoned reception to make arrangements to come over and reminisce about the decima team staying there.

     

     

    Reception says we have a madrista supporter here and Carlos goes on the phone.

     

     

    They make arrangements and Carlos says maybe you want to interview saint stivs as he was at the match.

     

     

    So I had a wee 1minute cameo at gleddoch describing zidanes goal to their presenter …. Who just happens to be …

     

     

    Another former miss Venezuela.

     

     

    No big deal. They all look the same.

     

     

    On camera I come across as a portonian Ronald Villiers.

  34. Big Jimmy

     

     

    No need for an apology, if it comes across as ‘nit-picking’ to you, fair enough. I re-read your post before replying incase I had picked you up wrongly, but didn’t think I had, so thought I would point it out, especially with the recent Corals case as further confirmation.

     

     

    I’ve had plenty of exchanges of views on the Big Lie and its constituent parts on here over the years with posters, so rest assured, whether it seemed I was nit-picking or not, it’s not remotely anything personal.

     

     

    Thanks for clarifying, anyway.