In the months afterwards I made a trip to the Celtic Superstore to buy the DVD of the match. I wasn’t ready to watch it but needed to have it nonetheless, for when the time came. I’ve still not opened the box.
I watched the game from high up in the Porto end. The Porto fans were great, allowed us to celebrate with all the enthusiasm you could muster for goals in a European final, then wished us well as we made our way through them and out of the stadium. Had Celtic won while dropping like flies whenever an opponent coughed, it might have been different.
Porto were favourites and would go on to prove how good a team they were by winning the Champions League 12 months later. Their players would demonstrate their prowess across the world for the next decade. They had fabulous talent, so much so, that they should have aspired to better than the gamesmanship used during their run to the Uefa Cup and Champions League wins.
On the field it was a tale of great goals and heroic defeat, off the field, it was one of the most spectacular events in sport.
80,000 Celtic fans made the pilgrimage to Seville and treated the world to a carnival. The city became the scene of one of the largest parties the game had ever known. For me the pre-match schedule involved a two hour trip north before a panicked dash across the city collecting match tickets. What a stress!
There was 10 in our party and collecting the tickets took priority. Once we had them we could afford time to eat, but what? Several restaurants were sold out, we eventually found a café with frozen chips and a meat-based slab of something or other. No choices. No beer, wine or cola either, it was diluting orange juice or water. An entire city was pretty much emptied of food and drink.
You could forget about motorised transport to get to the game, we had to walk from the city to the stadium on the very outskirts of town. It was hot and dry. An enterprising local was selling a retained stash of cola at the side of the road at a hugely inflated price, no one passed him without buying.
This was a journey to a football game, but not one any of us were familiar with.
The long walk home from the game was memorable for the incredible reaction we got from the locals. They applauded each of us as we walked past their homes in recognition of what took place in their city throughout the day. Things like this don’t happen but that day was different. Seville, like Lisbon, will always remember Celtic. Fifa and Uefa made their Fair Play Awards the following year to Celtic fans, a nomination normally reserved for clubs.
I met a German couple in the hotel elevator. “Are you disappointed?” they asked. “No. We were beaten by a good team”. I had celebrated two Celtic goals in a European final and watched as we pushed a tremendously talented team to the brink. Disappointment comes a lot worse than this, although time brought regret.
Seville 2003 was not Lisbion 67 but it was a wonderful occasion in our very proud history. Let’s do it again.
For those who prefer their nostalgia with a bit of silverware, 10 men won the league, 24 years ago today. Big Billy was back and the Celts were in control.
Speaking of Lisbon 67…… Willie’s book, pre-order your signed copy now!
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Marrakesh Express
Great story but its 10 years on now so you can tell the truth.
You swapped your dodgy fake for his real ticket, didn’t you. :-)
Mort
Fantastic Seville stories on here today so thought I would add mine.
Having driven to Gatwick from Glasgow for a 6am flight to Malaga with a mate who had got my boys ticket due to his Maths higher being on the day of the Final, we arrived at our hotel in Marbella in time for the FA Cup Final. The following days were spent watching the increasing number of Hoops gathering in the bars and restaurants along the front.
On the day of the game I boarded a supporters bus which had been arranged prior to leaving Glasgow and which was picking up at hotels in Torremolinos. At one of the hotels a lad got on the bus who I recognised from years earlier when my bus the Johnstone No1 shared with his bus St Brendan’s from Linwood to away games. We immediately struck up a conversation and it turned out that both of our brothers were travelling over to the game from Australia.
About 30 minutes into our journey I got a call from my brother and nephew who were on a train down to Seville from Madrid having arrived from Melbourne. Amazingly sitting next to them was the brother of the guy I was sitting next to on the bus up to Seville…!!
Later that day we all met up along with my other brother and my Mum and Dad who had flown in on a day flight for the game. it was I believe one of my Dads proudest moments to share this amazing Celtic experience with his wife and 3 sons. it really did pay off having faith in the team and buying the tickets prior to the Liverpool game. I carry the ticket stub to this day in my wallet
I would love to think that I could one day share the same experience with my wife and son
livibhoy
No argument from me. Henrik was a far superior player in every way. Jist saying that Laudrup was better than average.
As for Lubo? I get teary eyed just thinking of him.
CQN Seville meltdown
Magic Stuff CSC
Saint Stivs
16:24 on 21 May, 2013
is this our Pablophanque that posted Seville Memories to you tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCMlmVimGcI
————————————————————
the very man!!
Johnny Clash
When Chris Salewicz’s book came out, we found out that he and we were almost neighbours who could have loaned each othercups of sugar (albeit, not really….. or really not at all). My wife drove up to see the house that he had been brought up in and reported that it was rather dilapidated and very Foreign suburban (her being Foreign, she didn’t use that word).
She has reported from her most recent pilgrimage (I say “pilgrimage” since you can’t stalk a dead person) that the house has been restored significantly….but still no blue plaque I’m afraid.
Laudrup was a class player and he wasn’t a Hun in that he never took up their ways in the same manner that Amoruso, Novo, etc did.
Henke & Lubo were two class acts who were dissed by the press and such as Nicholas and Burley.
Dontbrattbakkinanger
16:48 on
21 May, 2013
Hoopslegend Rico Annoni could snuff out Laudrup.
Indeed.I believe it was Laudrup who first coined the phrase,
“Aw Naw……..etc.
Around this time 10 yrs ago, i walked the stairs to stadium, with my son & daughter, having a good chat with Joe McBride. Wanted to get in plenty of time, due to horror stories about fake tickets. So much joy when our light turned green, so much disappointment for the kids, when the steward checked my bag & took the 4 bottles of water from me, so much joy for me that he allowed me to keep my 6 cans of cerveza.
As i mentioned this morning, my son’s tears of joy at 1st of Henke’s goals, will live with me for ever.
Cheating, diving, time wasting bassas of Porto & ref, who prob got a big brown envelope, new merc, rolex, house in Algarve & the rest. They were the biggest disappointments.
Catman
your and your parents are thanked in my own contribution earlier.
10 years ago, eh, I can still remember having the conversation with you, about how was i going to get to Seville.
Do you recall also the 4 Tickets couriered from a contact in Spanish FA, that went missing in Transit with TNT ?
Embramike @ 10:29
I am off to Chicago in a couple of weeks for a few days if you know of any good pubs I’ll meet you for a pint if you fancy it.
HH
My program and ticket are still proudly displayed in my house to this day. Left Glasgow for Faro a few days before the game on what I thought was a normal Algarve flight. Surely most folk would not stay that far away from Seville. Anyway there were a few hoops but when we landed someone shouted Hail Hail and the whole plane erupted. Then onto the hotel in Pria de la Riocha and it was like a Celtic holiday camp. Flags, singing and even crates of Buckfast! How did they get that there? Hired the car ( bedroom suite) and into Seville. The rest is history.
RIP Canon Mochael Mc Namee St leonards EK ….
One of Gods great human beings and an altogether lovely and beautiful gentleman. Your poignant sermons were an inspiration and will be truly missed . Love and God Bless Always.
After the final whistle is my own favourite memory of Seville, none of us left the stadium, to a man we all stood and sang we are Celtic supporters, we made more noise than the Porto fans during the presentation of the trophy, so much so that Mouhrino instructed his players ho were celebrating to over to the Celtic fans and salute them, thats when we all stopped singing and started booing them instead. We got beat but standing there alongside so many defiant Celtic supporters it felt like a victory.
Day of the game.
Wanted to take everything in so decided not to drink to much unti we got to the park with the big screen.
You had to buy tokens from one place and then exchange them for beer at another.
Me and my mate got 40 euros worth of drinking vouchers and as we made our way over for a beer we bumped into half of the greenhills pub .after much hugging and catching up and with kick off approaching my mate took some of the vouchers and headed for a few beers to do us to half time.
He got lost and i never seen him again till tea time on the Thursday.
So i watched the first half stone cold sober without a drink and in bloody warm weather.
Half time arrived and i decided to join the cue for a drink wondering what happened to my mate , anyway being a kind sole i got 4 beers thinking that james will surely be back by the time i get served.
Got the beers and just got back to my spot and Henrik goes and scores, cue mucho celebrations and my tray with the 4 beers disappears without a drop passing my parched throat.
I must have been the soberst guy out of the ten thousand at the park.
H.h.
Ahhhh Seville! What an absolutely sublime few days it was. I was working in Aberdeen back then and managed to get a ticket along with my two younger brothers. I remember having to work till about 3am on the Wednesday morning so I could take the time off (boss was a hun so counted myself lucky!). Anyway got on the 7am train to Queen St and sat down hoping for a couple of hours sleep before the inevitable party in front of us. Guy sits down opposite in his hoops “where you off to mate” says he. Seville says I sleepily. “me too” says he twitching with excitement and promptly slaps 12 beers on the table between us. Needless to say they were gone by the time we reached Glasgow. The first of many new friends I made over the next couple of days.
There then followed a drunken, song filled, journey via Glasgow airport, Birmingham airport and a night out in Madrid from which there are still pictures of my kilt adorned youngest brother hanging upside down on a pole, on stage in a nightclub beside a drag queen!!! Getting back to our hotel 2 hours before the express train to Madrid on the morning of the game.
That Madrid-Seville train journey was in itself fantastic fun. Again I sat down hoping for some sleep only for the guy sitting next to me to produce freezing cold cans of Grolsch. “Want a beer”, “No I really need to sleep thanks”, “go on, there cold”….. nuff said… I believe we drank the bar car dry on that train!
Arriving in Seville itself was just incredible. What a sight what an atmosphere! I could go on and on but I really must get some work done…
saint stivs
16:46 on 21 May, 2013
The guy made a full dvd, lasts for a few hours. The whole week long journey, he blags his way in everywhere, from vip suite at airport at start of week, getting into game & at very end blags into press area, everywhere. A good watch, but a bit long. Near the end he is in press area & sees Jabba, who really does look peed off that we lost. A few laughs along the way, he gives running commentary all through. If you get a chance, worth a watch.
Seville 2003 came a few weeks after I had flown home from the usa to bury my beloved son
My wee mum was even more distraught than I … so the offers to go to Spain were rejected. .
Family first
A friend of my sisters was going and she agreed to take my sons ashes and scatter them at the stadium.
I gave them a lift to glasgow airport… parked the car and we went to the bar upstairs.
The place was a sea of green and white… songs and chants and laughter.
I wished them well and waved them goodbye .. my boy made it to seville and there he rests in peace ;)
TBJ
I never knew that mate. .
God bless
Catman
Great story……but better than the thorn inn? C’mon I don’t think so :-)
Met mini Catman recently…
Good Lhad.
TBJ.
thanks for sharing.
The stories that people are willing to share on here, in relation to a football match, of family loss and rememberances of those who had passed on are humbling.
BT
I need to visit it one day
St Stivs
The celtic family. …
TBJ
It is a lovely crity full if history and lovely senoritas..
some fantastic storys of the pilgrimage to Seville…ah well here’mine…after a we drinky in the gallowgate my m8 and i headed to glasgow airport for our lunchtime flight..never seen anything like it..it was as if the airport was our stadium..managed to get into the first bar met my brothers m8 then we proceeded through passport control into the other celtic lounge it was mobbed..got to the bar beers in and noticed a donkey up on a pole with amorussos hun top on…oh the abuse said donkey got lol… previously my bruvs m8 had introduced me to a guy called blink mcdonald ..shook his hand ..was none the wiser..in the lounch a beach ball was being banged about in the air..as you do..next minute it hit the guy in front of me who was sitting supping his beer..it was blink mcdonald…you should have seen the look he gave the guys who were responsible…ohhh dear and they knew who he was..wasnt until later i was told who he was…anyway flight delayed till 14:50 on the day before the game was no bother landed in our hotel in Matalascanas in Huelva region about 10pm.the hotel lounge was like bairds before a hun game..absolutly jumpin till 3am..up for 9:30 breaky then outside for the buses to Seville..what a sight that was a sea of green and white all with brand new carling strips on ready to invade Seville..we landed at the stadium at mid day walked over the bridge to the first bar in the searing heat.90 something..and met porto fans all sitting quiet..then i burst out wi the gorge cadette song..what a reaction they were in shock and all the bhoys surrounding us joined in this went on for about ten mins..then we all mingled with them it was such a great time..never had a ticket..i didnt care for one either..watched the game later on in a bar full of tims and we still partied well on after the game..missed my bus back to our hotel..2of our party done the same at a cost of € 200…not me..met a couple of guys later from glasgow in a bar about 1am told. them my plight and they gave me a bed in their hotel just round the corner..what a relief!!after seeing dozens sleaping rough on walls on the pavement etc..i was bricking it..no way was i doing that!!breaky in the morn ..bus station was 15 mins walk away and there were still guys sleeping all over the floors of the bus station decked in flags for covers..got a bus to matalascanas at the secind attempt..firstone filled in 3mins with young ones heading to the beach…like glesga fair to ayr lol..arrived at the hotel to a cheer by my m8’s at the poolside…bumbag aff an straight into the pool..yaaaa beutyy!!! we partied all day and never got down beat..until we boarded the jumbo to take us hame…i’d do it all again tomorrow if i had the chance..a thanks to the guys who put me up that night!!special fans indeed h.h
Doctor Whatfor
16:39 on 21 May, 2013
livibhoy
Not looking for a fight. Honest. But Laudrup was a very good player.
*he was a flop in Italy
Brian Laudrup was a good player – but he wasn’t a patch on his big brother Michael who was a VERY good player who starred for both Barca and Real Madrid.
HH!!
BT
I might make the pilgrimage next year
TBJ-Helluva story mate.HH
TBJ- puts it into perspective for the rest of us
me- I arranged to meet my 2 mates on the steps of the cathedral having flown out myself- “We will be the ones wearing the hoops” they said- cue my mobile’s battery failing as I try to locate them- never saw them till I got back to Greenock- did meet plenty of other people I knew though- a pilgrimage
The Boy Jinky
Of the many ‘Seville stories’ that have appeared here over the last few days yours is the most poignant, the most moving and the most touching!
YNWA!
HH!!
Bada
The mention of seville 2003 triggers memories in every tim. Mines are pretty bitter / sweet… but guess most peoples are.
TBJ-HH
@OfficialNeil: 10 years today since we were walking out at Seville..one of the best experiences of my life..fans were magnificent
Stairheedrammy
Perspective. .. is a word I learned the meaning of in 2003
Tallybhoy
Thanks … celtic are a bond from father to son. In my heart I know my boy still sits with me at every match
oh and the bus cost me €5 lol..m8 ‘s were sick h.h
SSN shamefully showing a weathermap of Oklahoma area,cos Man City and Chelsea are playing a stupid bounce game at the weekend.Gutter journalism
The Boy Jinky, Christ I thought I couldn’t cry anymore about Seville, till I read your post. That puts so much of the nonsense we all go on with into perspective.
Seville……………..
First there was the ecstasy of qualifying for the final .
Never thought I would see that in my lifetime.
Then came the panic about travel and a ticket .
Then came the horror when the letter duly arrived from Celtic saying I was unsuccessful in the ballot for a brief.
Then came joy when a ticket was secured from an unlikely source.
Then came the anticipation of the biggest game of my life.
Then came the pride, seeing how many Tims had made the pilgrimege.
Then came the tears when the bevvy kicked in.
Then came the awe to see Henrik score those majestic goals.
Then came frustration at the cheating antics of Porto.
Then came the party……oh what a party!!
God Bless Fergus.We would have thought that experience unthinkable 9 years prior.
Thank u Martin.You fulfilled a lifetimes ambition for me.