For me, growing up in the 70s and 80s, there are two periods of Celtic history, Before Lisbon and After Lisbon. We knew about Jimmy McGrory, John Thomson, Charlie Tully and Willie Maley, but that was a dusty old history. Everything post-Lisbon was real and vibrant. We grew up with first-hand accounts of Stein, McNeill, Auld and Johnstone, titans who conquered Europe and lived among us.
Not only did they live among us, the continued to interact with thousands of Celtic fans. They travelled the globe to supporter events, signed autographs, then in later years, stood for photos. They worked the lounges and, in Stevie Chalmers’ case, sold you tickets from the club shop. If you are a Celtic fan, and you have not met Bertie Auld, you must live far away from Glasgow. And even then, you must be very unlucky.
The men from that team, now largely in their 80s, cannot continue to be available to fresh generations. No new Celtic fans will know Billy McNeill, Jinky, Bobby Murdoch, Ronnie Simpson or Tommy Gemmell. 50 years of new Celtic fans did not see the Lions play, but they got to know them personally. That chapter is slowly closing.
Our challenge is to make sure that living history we were gifted survives as long as possible. If you were around in ’67, tell your stories. If you met Bertie or John Clark on the Celtic Way yesterday, talk about that too. Explain what kind of people they are, what you discussed and how they made you feel. Great clubs are built on great stories. Keep telling yours.
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Bada Bing
Tremendous gestures ???? HH
with man city playing man utd tonight, would be a nice gesture of a minutes silence in memory of billy, or at least black armbands, don’t forget he was manager of city for a short time.hh.
It would be a worthy tribute if Celtic approached Inter Milan to play a Charity Match in aid of Dementia
The black and white picture of Billy overlooking the Celtic Way, according to a tweet by Babs McMahon , was made by Celtic Quick News poster, Frantic07 . Its- a magnificent piece of work .
Watching the Manchester game and Souness said winning the English league was harder than the Champions league. Deluded or what a league consisting of Burnley, Watford or Brighton?
I think what is planned for a Saturday sounds as great balance of reverence and celebration.
On the football front, i’m Hoping the 7 times champions put in an overdue performance
PS
Should Brown become club captain and Tierney team captain next season?
Been done before with Boyd and was a good progression and an honourable way to drop a fully fit captain for some games. Just a thought
Why do Manchester United fans dislike Liverpool more than they dislike City? Is there a history or is it just because City were not a threat for a long time?
Don’t post often but after being at stadium today it’s a must. was on Bordeaux official Thomas Cook travel (first time doing the posh way, Phil Coles bus not available) 2000.. What a trip, Henrik having breakfast at the table next to us in the airport. Went to WH Smiths before flight to see Alan Thompson handing a young player (can’t remember who) a Rangers News when the wee guy was looking at the top shelf….his line I’ll never forget was “your better off with this wee man there’s much bigger tits in this” Stayed in same hotel as Big Billy he captivated us for 2 hours at breakfast. we were flying out straight after the game and staying on outskirts of town, Billy said said you guys not heading into town. I said we had to wait for the bus to put our bags on….The legend that he is said, I’m too auld for going into town this early I’ll get yir bags on the bus son.Met him again at the airport with our bags, a true legend.
Funeral next Friday ,St Als Garnethill,11.30,passing through Celtic Park at 1.30
Curiousity….has BR said anything ?
Bada
Why there ?
Bada
Sorry, dont mean you to explain why …but
FUNERAL OF BILLY McNEILL.
The funeral of Billy McNeill will take place on Friday 3rd May at St Aloysius Church, Rose Street, Garnethill, Glasgow, G3 6RE.
Funeral Mass commences at 11.30am.
(There is limited parking around the area. There is a pay car park in Cambridge Street although we would advise those wishing to attend to use the Underground, alighting at Cowcaddens).
After the church service the cortège will proceed to Celtic Park where fans will have gathered, arriving approx 1.30pm.
After leaving the stadium, the funeral will continue via Shawfield Bridge towards Polmadie Road where it will join the motorway en route to a private family interment.
Sitting here on this cool but sunny morning and realised that Billy was only 51 when he was terminated, cannae blame Desmond White this time, from us.
It is rumoured he turned down the Dundee job and apart fae a short spell mentoring Jim Duffy at Easter Road that was his last contribution to the game until we appointed him ambassador.
2 year after Billy left us the national team sugar lumped their own manager and appointed former Bully Wee boss craig brown, 4 months younger than Billy, neither he nor his predecessor had ever played for their country.
Big Billy had only played 29 games for he national side and we all know why, mckinnon, ure, come on. Yet he never let them down, even in that disastrous afternoon at Wembley where big Frank was crucified between 2 thieves, in a team containing fiery Scots Dave Mackay and Denis Law Billy was the Scotland MOTM, this is amazing considering the outlanders inside forward trio scored 7 of the goals.
We all know Billy’s managerial record, 4 Titles including the majestic 10 men won the League, 3 SC including the Centennial double, and 1 LC. 2 double runners up with the sheep and 1 Second Division promotion and 1 Full Members Cup with Man City.
And yet never looked at for the national team position, mibbees just mibbees, like TB, Billy was too honest for the denizens at Park Gardens.
Adi- not sure mate
Hot smoked – I went to a celtic/man u friendly sometime this decade or was it last ? The celtic fans started singing YNWA : I have never ever heard a sound like the response from Old Trafford – it was 60000 fans roaring from their guts in response – pure instinct, which then turned into ‘you scouse bastards’ no reason for it , it’s in their blood!
not heard Adi
To hell with Liverpool and R*ngers
We’ll throw them all in the Mersey
And we’ll fight, fight, fight with all our might
For the boys in the royal blue jerseys.
GIRFUT.
Fine display there from one of Billy’s former clubs, i know most Celtic supporters favour manure but one other notable manager they have had was Tom Maley won the Second Division and FA Cup with them.
Hi TONTINE TIM
I would probably prefer Liverpool winning the EPL to either of the Manchester teams, but only with the same degree of fervour as my preference for Po to any of the other Teletubbies.
Same as you, I’m positive – only Celtic matters :-))
HH
BGFC
BGFC
I had you down as a Tinky Winky man
TICKETING OVER Celtic fans unhappy after ticket details for Rangers clash are revealed
Season ticket holders who attended December’s game at Ibrox will not be included in the ballot for away ticket allocation for the Old Firm clash on May 12
BGFC
Dipsy Shirley. He’s (she?) green.
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Hello again all you young rebels.
Some fantastic ideas being touted on the blog with our clubs
charitable ethos in mind.
Thought RUGGYMHAN’s idea of a match between Celtic and
Inter would draw a massive crowd and how about that video
of the THAI TIMS singing the Billy McNeill song? that brought
a tear to my auld eyes, could that be used in some charitable
way?
H.H Mick
DallasDallas
Babs McMahon ????
@BarbaraMcMahon8
·
Apr 23
The Lion Sleeps Peacefully Tonight in Paradise.. ? xxx Credit to Frank McAllister for this truly humbling & emotional picture of our legend xx
HH
Image
https://mobile.twitter.com/BarbaraMcMahon8/status/1120773463487254530/photo/1
Frantic 07 pic
HH
Not a big fan, but I thought Tom English piece on big billy was excellent and from the heart.
Saturday is going tae be very emotional.
God rest ye Billy.
☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘?
The Scottish Youth Cup Final (under 18s), featuring our young guns against the young currant buns, is available to view live tonight on the BBC Scotland channel (116 on Sky). Hopefully a chance to see young Dembele over a full game (assuming he is selected), rather than selected highlights.
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Good morning from a damp underfoot but dry at the moment Garngad
Saturday has become an even bigger game now with the passing of Billy.
It would be a fitting tribute if we could play football the Glasgow Celtic way and get the 3 points needed, that will help us onto 8IAR.
COYBIG ????
HH
D. :)
Celtic were due to play Bayern Munich at Celtic Park in a vital European Cup Semi final, and the Visitors had a few thousands of their Bayern fans in and around Glasgow town prior to the Evening Kick Off, enjoying the Pubs and other Glasgow delights.
One particular wee Bayern Fan, decked out in his Teams Colours, managed to lose all his Friends that he had travelled with, and walked into a Celtic Pub, crammed with Hoops Supporters in great voice……
Just as he acknowledged that he might be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and ready to turn around…several Celtic Fans, embraced him and welcomed Him into the Celtic company, and many Drinks were consumed and many songs were sung, with His new found Celtic Friends REFUSING to allow the wee Bayern Fan to buy ANY Drinks, as this was after all “Glesga” at it’s best.
An hour or so before Kick Off, with the Celtic fans about to head out, the wee Bayern Fan suddenly realised that he didn’t have his Match Ticket for the “Bayern” End, and that one of his Bayern Friends had all their tickets, but he had no way of knowing were his Bayern Mates where ( This was before Mobile Phones !), and as such and being aware of the wee Bayern fans Plight, his new found Celtic Friends told him……” Don’t worry Fritz, here’s a ticket for the Jungle, just come along with us, and we will take care, and look after You etc” ?
The wee Bayern fan accepted this offer of generousity gratefully, and went along to Celtic Park, with his new Celtic Friends. His New Friends wouldn’t allow the wee Bayern Fan to buy any drinks, pay for his Match Ticket or pay for his Hot Dogs, Match Programme etc. Soon after they all were stationed in the Jungle as the Teams Kicked Off…..
After just 5 Minutes, Bayern scored to 1-0 up, and the Bayern Fan jumped up and down in celebration, he then realising that he was amongst the Celtic Jungle Support and his New Friends, immediately apologised for “Celebrating” etc…To which he was advised…”Don’t worry about it Fritz, Your among friends here”.
After 15 Minutes, Bayern scored again to go 2-0 up, and like before wee fritz began celebrating, only to apologise once again…” Don’t worry Fritzy mate, we are ALL Friends here, celebrate all you want”.
After 25 Minutes, Bayern score yet again to go 3-0 up, and wee Fritz is jumping up and down in Celebration once again when suddenly, He is hit over the Head with a “Screw Tap Beer Bottle”, sending him down, crashing onto the Jungle concrete….As wee Fritz lay there stunned and bloodied and shocked, He looked up and seeing his New Celtic friends towering over Him, He asked…….” What was that for” ?…………..to which came the Reply…….” Thats for Bombing Clydebank ya wee Nazi Bastard” !
HH
Jimmy.
Very good.
morning bhoys from a dreich looking Cheshire.hh.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D43JhXyXkAEtYrT.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D46XrUAW0AAKPFF.jpg
Stivs…………that Celtic Way one is magnificent.
HH.
BankieBhoy
Agreed. Truly atmospheric. I feel it should be utilised in some way.
JJ
PS As my screensaver for a start….if possible.
HOT SMOKED on 25TH APRIL 2019 8:48 AM
ok JIMBO how do i do screensaver please.
Well done, Frank McAllister ( the phottographer).