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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3mick3 @ 17:16
I head over next Tuesday (28th) (I’m there until 9th July) Think the Chicago CSC use A&J Hudson’s on Ashland and Grace. That work for you? Email me on embramike@gmail.com (holiday email addy) and I’ll arrange to meet up. HH
Corky
Very true… be a happy clapper
the boy jinky
You’l never walk alone m8 h.h
TBJ
Your story is very touching mate.
God Bless your laddie.
Hope u make it over there some day.
Hail Hail
Arriving in Aldergrove airport I spotted two guys wearing kilts. I assumed they were Scots but then realised they were in our group (two idiots). We flew out of Aldergrove at 8am on Tuesday to Gatwick where we met up with friends from Edinburgh and Glasgow. We boarded a flight for Malaga in mid afternoon after an impromptu party. Once in the hotel in Malaga, efforts were made to erect the Randalstown banner across the street. After half an hour a Spaniard threw a brick attached to a rope across to us and the banner was duly raised. A police car arrived and the occupants had photographs with the banner as a backdrop. There were 54 in our party all with tickets but at least another 300 Celts were in the hotel that night. We boarded the bus early and arrived in the centre of Seville before midday. We watched the bathers the fountain, drank some beer and met Dermot Desmond. I met one of my sons and his pals none of who had a ticket. I was tempted to give him mine but he wouldn’t take it. I’ve just looked at some photos. The atmosphere was electric. One thing I remember is seeing four mature Seville ladies on the street with their eyes agog. Because of the noise they were missing their siesta. Five minutes later they came into the bar we were in, having purchased Celtic jerseys from one of the street vendors and determined to join the party. The walk to the stadium seemed to take hours as we had a guy with us who had some years earlier been hit on the head with a plastic bullet and had mobility problems. One of our group hived off to find a loo. He never went to the game and pulled out a complete ticket the following night, claimed the steward hadn’t removed the stub and allowed him to stand in a passageway (bollix). This annoyed me greatly as it was at my asking he got the ticket. He hasn’t got a match ticket since. The walk back to the city centre seemed to take twice as long as the journey out. About twelve of the party including our no go guy missed the bus back to Malaga. We stayed until Friday when the mood became a little lighter. About 20 of the group went to Kilmarnock on the Sunday to watch Celtic win 4 – 0 but more disappointment was the order of the day as Dunfermline accommodated Rangers. Another quiet trip home. Three of our group had attended every game home and away. The best stories are from the Lithuania trip.
TBJ
HAIL HAIL
Reading all these posts has the memories flooding back.
I’ve just remembered that the “coach driver” that took us up from Jerez ended up coming off the main drag and we ended up in a farm. He then had to reverse about 200 yards back on to the main road. It was at this point he explained in broken English that he had never driven a bus before and if anyone fancied reversing us out he would be very grateful. Not surprisingly we all lost confidence in him. I was never so relieved to get off a bus!
At the end of the game I walked back to the bus park alone as I had lost my two mates. Getting there I suddenly realised that I had not paid ANY attention to the bus. I didn’t even know it’s colour!
The scene was chaotic! There were hundreds of buses lined up as far as the eye could see. I was starting to panic a bit and them I saw a sight that reduced me to tears.
A typical wee glesga guy; drunk, sunburnt, topless and hopelessly lost staggers up to one of the policemen patrolling the park. The guy was massive and just standing still – like Darth Vader – surveying all before him.
Wee Guy; “Hey! Manwell, huv ye seen the Baurheed bus?
Darth doesn’t even blink!
Wee Guy; Well, huv ye?
Tumbleweed rolls passed. Darth still hasn’t even blinked.
Wee Guy just gives him a mouthful and staggers away into the night.
Just at that I recognised my driver among the throng and made my way over to the bus.
Next problem; you had to specify if you were returning at midnight or 4AM. It was quite obvious that I was not alone in deciding I had had enough.
The scene was Pythonesque. The driver was going up and down the bus trying to check names. He would eject people off the front of the bus and they would just go back on via the rear door. I thought we were going to be there all night.
Eventually he just gave up and we had about 100 on a 70 seater coach.
I remember looking out the window and EVERYBODY that we passed for nearly an hour was wearing Hoops. I don’t think I saw a single Porto fan the whole day except in the stadium.
Like many, I have the Seville DVD but it’s still in the cellophane.
But as Rod would say…..maybe…Tonight’s the night!
Hey, why don’t we all lose our virginity together? Put it on at 7.45 and we can come on later and chew the fat. It’s either that or River City or the Chelsea Flower Show.
New thread mibbe?
CharlesKickham – yes you can pay by debit card, I did. Now stop being so grumpy :0
houl yer wheest
18:11 on 21 May, 2013
Still got my full ticket too. WAs defo there!!!
Too many tales but highlights being
Fleecing a tout with some funny money
Going show shopping with the wife before game……best shopping ever done
The game…..still never watched again
My first beer after the game bought for me by my ma’s old class mate, king Kenny.
The joy I had with my nephew and father in law and mates was amazing.
Oh and the wife
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
………………..
Thanks for posting this & a huge HH to the very first CQN Badge man.
Still got mine
Emdy know the second song?
HH
TBJ
Of all the Seville stories, yours will live in my memory forever. I just wanted to say thank you for sharing it. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our own selfishness we forget to count our blessings for each and every day we are given.
God bless you and yours.
Seville remains my only foreign trip with the hoops. Never had a chance of a ticket didn’t care it was enough to be there. Hire car to Manchester airport. Flight to Madrid via Brussels. Bullet train to Seville.
I said to my mate on the car journey to the airport this is going to be feckin mental. I’d never seen so many cars filled with the hoops and this was just going to Manchester.
Met a couple of young guys in the airport, flying to Alicante they had no idea how to get to Saville. A quick fone call and my mate arranged for them to be picked up by a bus from the shamrock bar in Benidorm.
Got the first train from Madrid to Seville don’t know if these trains were supposed to tilt but this one did.
The train manager threatened to stop the train because of the crowd in the buffet car. Draft beer what was that all about? The two girls working in the car told him to feck off, they were making a fortune. What a sing song! Big respect to the Buchan csc, some stamina bhoys.
Watched the game on the big screen, fell asleep standing up, I never new Bob was sent off til the following day.
The train station that night was full to the gunnels, slept outside back to Madrid in the morning.
The best trip I’ve ever been on in my life, I’d do it all again tomorrow even if they told me the result would be the same.
There are football clubs and then there is Celtic. Believe always have done, always will do. Thank you to everyone who was there, absolutely the best of days.
HBfD
TBJ
I wish it didn’t have to be under those circumstances, but Seville is a richer place for the gift you gave them.
Special thoughts for very Special people.
Yours in particular.
YNWA
I don’t think there be a true Celt amongst you. Not a word about Sevco today!!!
So unCeltic of you all!
MWD
Embramike @ 18:06
Sounds good to me mate I will need to look it up and see where it is from where I am staying. I will email once I have looked it up.
HH
Mick
TBJ
Had a wee tear in my eyes reading about your bhoy.
Muchas Gracious.
YNWA
HH
Tbj
Ya big daft arse I’m sitting sobbing here.
I had no idea, God bless your son.
BT if your around
blantyretim
14:02 on 21 May, 2013
I’m jelous of that game vmhan….
Do you still have the grass skirt btw? ;)
………..
Not got it amigo, I was attracting too much attention in Seville, there was two scary looking polis who were extremely stand off ish and as we walked past Coorslad and the two wives goaded me into getting a pic with them, they were not very friendly and explained that it was not possible to have a picture taken…….. After a wee bit of persuasion by the Derryghirls they both had their arms round me and we had our picture :>)
BT I never kept the skirt, if we won then I’d still be wearing it at CP ha!
V
TBJ
A wonder place for your Bhoy to rest.
When i think of Seville ,i will always now associate it with your Bhoy swell as OUR final.
May he rest in eternal peace.
TT
Tbj, thanks for sharing. God bless your son and you.
John the rangers bore on Ssb bemoans the fact the the share issue may have been fraudulent and he bought shares. Boohoo
We tried to tell them it was an exercise in the spivs lining their pockets but did they listen? No.
The world’s most stupid and gullible fans…..
Vmhan,just looking at the Photo now…some great photos.
TBJ,xox
Bhoys of CQN
Thank you one and all for your thoughts and kind words.
My boy was celtic daft. .. I like to think of him up in heaven with jinky … big jock.. tommy burns. .. bob marley etc
Talking about the Scotland squad on the radio. Ten years ago a Scotland squad gathered to watch the match in Seville – and cheered when Porto scored. Never been back to see Scotland play.
Huns in panic mode on SSB. Good!
Flew from US to LHR then to Madrid. Two days in the Celtic pub there met the fellow from Chewing the Fat .. Hemphill nice guy. Two hours in the Madrid train station on Monday afternoon and was lucky to book the last train out of Madrid for Wednesday.
Yep it was drunk dry: conga line and guys drinking wine spritzers which were the last booze in the train.
The scenes in Seville were as described. Cathedral: Irish pub; walk to the stadium — no ticket and then off to the park. Couldn’t see the screen due to the sun. After the game I hobbled off and slept on a park bench. Up at 5 and and walked back to the city. breakfast Churros? And then Cathedral for a wash and then to the train station. I slept and snored the entire way back. A Celtic fan had to wake me when we arrived. When my father died a few months later — he had a copy of the game taped and on the tv. The last Celtic game he ever saw.
loved it.
TBJ
God bless you.
Got the Seville Celtic fans poster framed in my Huddle Room.
Still astonishes friends here, who think it must have been photoshopped in some way.
HH
The Boy Jinky
Very moving.
YNWA
TBJ-You can never have enough Captains in your team.
TBJ
HH to you & your bhoy.
Goldstar
The club that died of blame.
Their Supporters blame us Tims.
CG blames CW
CW blames CG
whilst David Murray and Walter Smith avoid blame.
Pat Stanton on shortbread , spine tingling.
As a follow up to the Ballymote to Paradise cycle
I am pleased to advise that six cyclists took part in a cycle from Celtic Park on Saturday down to the grave of Brother Walfrid at Mount Saint Michaels Cemetery in Dumfries , 82 miles later
The cycle was arranged for following reasons one to promote the 125 4 125 charity and two celebrate the birthday of brother walfrid 18th may
I enclose some photos from the day
http://www.flickr.com/photos/94223413@N03/sets/72157633525652489/
Along with details of some of the team’s my donate pages as set up
https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/rob1888
mydonate.bt.com/teams/125jolhgh
mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/dannygarry
https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/1888miles1254125paulmuldoon
Have I broke the blog or are we all in tears
I just popped in as I felt the urge to clarify that I am not obsessed with the huns. Never have been. However I am obsessed about the death of hun FC and have been since I was seven years old.
ChestClearedCSC
Embramike
Message sent