The scene above is of Celtic Park in the 1990s, with the stadium and surrounding area pretty much as they were when Fergus McCann, you, me and 10,000 others stepped forward to buy the club. Improvements had been made on a decade earlier: the Celtic End roof ran to the front of the terrace, while you would walk around the east side of the stadium.
No one has ever satisfactorily explained to me how Fergus was able to decamp for a year, buy footballers and erect a 60,000 seater stadium after raising less than £20m capital, but when he left the stage 17 years ago next month, we had a facility appropriate for the times.
The east end of Glasgow has seen many economically poor decades – over a century’s worth, in fact. The area was built to cater for dirty industries and house workers and their families in as little space as possible. Poverty, social diseases and dreadful mortality rates have blighted the place ever since. As a consequence, housing and industrial land was cheap, and people prepared to plough money into the area were scarce when Peter Lawwell arrived the club started to acquire land around its footprint. The chief executive has always had a plan to move the club beyond its confines, in many ways. Celtic Park was going to be a visitor attraction all year round.
The long-disused London Road School (the large building to the right of the photo above) had a stone outer wall, but in all practical ways it was an unusable eyesore. Metal had been stripped from the outer and inners walls by thieves, the building was not watertight and vegetation had taken root high up the walls.
Celtic wanted to rip it down and develop the area, but the same forces which will prohibit you from parking within one kilometre from the stadium on match days from next season, denied the club permission. They only changed their mind when it became clear that the Queen would have to approach the stadium for the Commonwealth Games alongside the crumbling school.
If it wasn’t for one visit by the Queen, none of what subsequently happened in the area would have been possible.
Now Celtic plan to build a hotel, retail facilities and the long-awaited club museum (below) in the area to the south west of the stadium. The money and necessary partnerships are in place.
Don’t assume that the Council will welcome what is a stunning improvement to an enormously neglected area of their city. CQN’er, the late Councillor George Ryan, told me an SNP opponent at the Council objected to planning permission for the Celtic Superstore as it would have a negative economic impact in neighbouring supermarkets. You will deal with parking chaos next season for a reason.
The economic impact of Celtic on the east end of Glasgow for the decades ahead will be significant. Parkhead will morph from being a derelict scheme to being the site of a tourist attraction within one generation.
The community who laboured to level the ground to build the first Celtic Park on the site could never have imagined the process they were setting underway.
Well done to all, we can be very proud of the legacy we will leave future generations.
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BRTH….
I asked T for your number but he said he only contacts you on Facebook, reckon he forgot to tell you I was asking.
Sorry but I’ve not been able to get on the blog much.
I’ve book the two of us in at the Lisbon City Hotel from 22may until the 28th may, sorry for any inconvenience I caused you. HH
Am worried bout john fae Bothwell
Thomthetim
Great witness, him! He didn’t think his assault on Chicken George was a foul!
If the ‘keeper tackles like an outfield player, feet-first, he takes the consequences. Out of control, Agüero under no obligation to take evasive action.
I agree with that football expert JMcormick!
JUSTSHATERED…
I’d rather watch Moussa for 4 years.I know finance is important to a football club but I can’t watch cash/a cheque or a balance sheet perform for Celtic.The whole reason our club exists is to have as good a first team as possible,everything else is residual.Four years of Moussa is much more appetising than a transfer fee.
Whether it happens is moot,though.
HH
Cadizzy
I’ll never forget his joy at scoring the equaliser in the ’82 super match v Italia, thinking he’d got that magnificent Brazil team to the final, before Rossi struck.
They couldn’t defend either, but they’ll always be fondly remembered.
He’s wearing well, I’ll give you that!
Beatbhoy …. subservience!? You better take that back …. or I’ll …I’ll …. tell KT on you … and she’ll sort you out, so she will!
Chat with a young sevco in law last night who goes everywhere to watch them.
His main thoughts..
Take a narrow defeat at Parkhead
Envy us for getting a class manager
Half the bus want King out, half trust him.
Half the bus wanted Warburton out, half liked him.
Hotel another sore one to take.
CELTICMAC
BRTH
Heard on the radio a little while back about the potential impact of virtual reality technology on sports broadcasting. Never really been into techno myself but one idea did intrigue me which I think fits in with your wider perspective and it was this; A live broadcast, from the edge of the court at a NBA game, direct to your VR headset, Jack Nicholson style if you like. Anywhere in the world.
That tech long exists.my friend
The training of pilots in simulators with full confidence is 35/40 years old in commercial flight.. From that spiralled on leisure sims disney spaceworld.Thevdigital and gaming worlds already has got your personal “vr” helmet all we want is to plug into a live game.:-)
Enjoy your posts mate
HH
TIM MALONE WILL TELL on 22ND FEBRUARY 2017 7:16 PM
I wonder if visiting teams will be invited to use the hotel as an overnight convenience?
If so, will the Sevco squad wreck the tollets?
Or shit in the shower. Just saying.
MIT
Never mind that, get checking which film options are available for her this weekend!
Beatbhoy
Leaving aside Scotland (who churn them out with great effing regularity) the biggest international football disappointment for me was Brazil not winning in 1982 (though credit to Italy)….post 1966 obviously
I don`t share the preference of the earlier poster whose taste was for games against Scottish opposition in the SPFL as opposed to game in a future European league. Nevertheless, the game which I would choose to watch this evening is Hibs V Hearts rather than whichever CL games are on.
Cheerio for now,
JJ
Beatbhoy … actually, I think it is Moonlight this weekend …. we try to see as many of the Oscar Best Picture nominees as we can before the awards are announced. I’ve heard really good things about it.
..is that thon hot smoked away….ach bugger it, ah meant tae say cheerio.
paraphrasing which film?
JJ
I wish I could, I have posted a few times that his presence bothers me, a genuine billion air and the knuckle dragging ejits chase him for a glibby cos he is no a rrm, hopefully he doesn’t want to entertain them any more, cos small change from him could challenge us big time.
I have seen all the posts saying that it would take at least 100 mill, bollix, 20 mill spent shrewdly on the playing staff, another couple of mill a year for a quality manager we will have a title race, the rest would fall into place imo.
Everything works in cycles, they will be back, nothing surer.
HH
Sipsini
Not a problem for me at all and certainly no inconvenience.
Just glad you are coming out and note that you will be there on the 22nd.
Right now I am trying to put together a BIG list which is separate to the rooming and flight lists.
However, still e-mail me at jjoe88@hotmail.co.uk as I am putting together something that may well be e-mailed out to everyone who is going advising them of some entertainment and trip options while we are there.
Cheers
BRTH
Celticmac/Marrakesh Express
Re wembley sell out
As you point out a well structured and affordable ticket sy
Beatbhoy, am no expert but a lover that of the beautiful game when played beautifully. The Brazil of 1982 were magnificent, almost as good as the 1970 team and probably with more flair.
A long time ago when I first had Sky Sports they had to fill airtime and there was a film of the Brazil V Italy game played with David Pleat in the studio breaking the game down and analysing the tactics and approaches of both teams .
It was a feast for a football nut like me. I truly wish I was able to find it again it also taught me how little I understood of the professional game.
CADIZZY….
Fantastic Movie.. One of the Best Ever.. “Are There 2 G’s In Bugger Off”??
Local Hero.
H H
Celtic striker Moussa Dembele is ‘nailed on’ to join Chelsea this summer according to ESPN’s Craig Burley.
As reported by Football London, Burley told ESPN, that he believes the striker will be heading to Stamford Bridge in the summer. While Burley’s opinions don’t make the deal set in stone, he seems confident about the player’s future.
“Scottish football is quite embarrassing at the moment in terms of the standard but he is head and shoulders [above the rest]. He’s a good player and is young. Chelsea, I’m hearing, are the favourites [to sign him]. Talking to one or two guys I know back in Scotland, they said he is pretty much nailed on to go to Chelsea and possibly for around £40m.”
Dembele has 27 goals to his name in all competitions for Celtic, who look set to ease to another Scottish Premiership title.
Chelsea were interested in signing the player in January and the player even flew to London on deadline day, but only for a scan on a knee injury.
The Blues are set to face plenty of competition for the striker again in the summer with the former Paris Saint-Germain youngster attracting plenty of interest from around Europe.
Bayern Munich have also expressed an interest in the player, while Real Madrid are also thought to be keen on completing a summer deal.
Cadizzy
Yeah, some team. Incredible that amongst those players, the country of Garrincha, Pelé, Vavá, Amarildo, Tostão, Jairzinho had the clumsy Serginho as the spearhead of their attack.
And that great French side which blew it v Germany. . . . Would’ve been some final v Brazil.
to think that tramp graced the hoops
andyR53 on 22nd February 2017 8:06 pm
totally agree. I could watch it again and again and never get sick of it.
I remember in the mid 90’s working with an American guy in London who said it was his favourite film of all time. I think he knew it all just about off by heart….he was from Houston (natch)…which is where my brother now lives working in the oil industry (though sadly not for Knox Oil and Gas)
One of the Bears , saying,up at Lennoxtown,they are even ,redeveloping the Castle,is that true,and new indoor facility’s, getting built,
An Tearmann
AT, never been on a commercial flight, still using the ol’ hot air balloon.
JMcCormick
Sounds a great programme. If you find it, post the link. I’ll have a look too. Thought the game against USSR in the group stage when they came from behind was fantastic, Socrates and Eder scoring 2 late great goals.
Just read a great Henke interview in 4-4-2 magazine , downloaded from Twitter. Be careful , you may get something in your eye at times.
Celticmac/Marrakesh Express
Re wembley sell out
As you point out a well structured and affordable ticket system taps into Tottingham hotspur (ossi:-)wider/softer support.Could we do that at CP main stands developed?
Also having a market in london for those who may want to take in a match, tourists etc, while visitIing london
Hope they get beat right enough :-)
HH
HH
Ach well
https://s2.postimg.org/vfv262oft/IMG_4496.jpg
MIT
Hidden Figures for us. Hope you enjoy yours, haven’t seen it yet.
Cinema Quick News.
Cadizzy
A great Brazil team (but also a very fine Italian team). But for me nothing beats the tragedy of the Netherlands in 1974 (even though they were up against a great German team).
I’m not old enough to remember Hungary in ’54.
CADIZZY…
Hope you sayin… “Noxxxx Oyl n Gaasss..”
What a cast, Fulton Mackay got an Oscar nomination (at least ) for best supporting actor I think.
“HAPPER… You Mother Fu**er”
“Cal Security, tell them theres a man on the roof.. Shhot him down” Ha Ha .. Briliant.!!
And what about Mark Knofflers score?? Fantastic.
1-0 Hibs, Cummings
Hibs fans singing here we go for two in a row
Cadizzy
I’ve got a brother who lives far away on another continent too.
Shite, innit?
Greetings from offshore Congo,
See a bit o’ discussion about the Brasil ’82 side on here tonight. Having lived in Brasil awhile (in Paris these days) this was often a topic of conversation.
A lot (and I mean a LOT) of Brasilians will tell you that they consider the Brasil 82 side a better team than the Brasil 70 side.
Other interesting one (but a lot less Brasilians will confess to this one) is that some consider Maradona a better all round player than Pele.
The reason?
When in their prime, Pele played in a side which had a full front five who were, respectively, number 10’s with their club sides. Maradona had no such wealth of talent about him when Argentina lifted it in ’86.
And, finally, still on the Brasil fitba topic, my mate’s book on Socrates ( https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01GDD1JM0/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 ) is out next month. Andy (sadly, a shameless Hibbee), knows his Brasilian fitba, so should be a good read.
Cheers
Apricale
when you think of it, the Netherlands lost in ’74 and ’78 finals to the host nations. Very unlucky….apart from those finals, I think their only loss in those two tournaments was to a team that couldn’t beat Iran or Peru (sigh!)
An Tearmann
They haven’t won a game at Wembley in Europe this season so far.
That said think Spurs would really like to progress in the EL.
2-0 Hibs