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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Maleysbhoy – the very same I secured my hotel room thanks to J as his bro decided not to go! I was out with a few CQNrs the other week and bumped into Ian I worked with them all at the time!
Morning all.
Fantastic day on the blog yesterday with everyone recounting their Seville stories.
Some made me laugh, some made me smile, while others brought a lump to the throat and a tear to the eye.
Thank you all!
HH!!
Kris Commons will murder Hibs on Sunday. He will be another Cup Final hat-trick hero.
natknow – “we welcome the paper-chase…”
23:42 on 21 May, 2013
Pogmathonyahun aka Laird of the Smiles
Is your mate called Stevie? That’s on my mates FB page also!
CelticMemesCSC…
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Sorry for the late reply Nat but I went to sleep. No my mate is not Stevie, but it is a cracking photograph. A mass of Celtic humanity.
Kev jungle
Thank you … I know your 100% correct;)
Asonofdan
I share your prediction regards KC on sunday. In fact .. I feel it in my water :))))
Whither the cash strapped scrofulous hillbillies the day?
Rangers fans are calling for director Brian Stockbridge to resign, after he apparently filmed chairman Malcolm Murray appearing a bit shaky during a night out in London.
The fans were unhappy that members of the board had been splashed across a tabloid front page after the video appeared online.
Andy Kerr, of the Rangers Supporters Assembly, said: “The lack of class is not something Rangers fans have been used to.”
“The lack of class is not something Rangers fans have been used to” !! OMG he really isn’t joking either !! Hahahahhahahahahahahaahahahahah,pause for breath,Hahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahaahah, oh my aching sides
Zombies FC — how the delued keep reality at bay :-)
justpeedmyselflaughing CSC
Have the SFA, as organisers of the Scottish Cup, lined up a ‘celebrity’ to present the trophy on Sunday to the captain of the victorious side?
Or will it be the odious and corrupt Presidente doing the honours?!
No doubt he will be there – brass neck in full view!
I would refuse to shake his hand, while at the same time whisper into his ear!
HH!!
I see boy band BLUE have gone bust
You have to laugh
HH
Heading for RM when they are celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Manchester,
” They trembled as we walked past their houses”, and do you know there are some of them who would see that as a bragging issue. So happy & thankful that God made me a Tim. Aff Oot to Golf, God Bless all especially The Boy Jinky & Miki67 on this fine morning.
Morning Celts,
Tallybhoy I’d refuse to lift the trophy, at least make them wait and send Lenny up to collect it.
FTSFA
Morning all.
Bright but cold down here today.
Can the conflicted ones at the SFA stick it out? I’m sure they’ll try. Hope the GB come up with some witty ditty to ridicule them on Sunday.
Willie Wallace should present the cup on Sunday– ex International, Lisbon Lion, Legend, Nice Guy– and if the Hibbees were to win I am sure they would not mind receiving the trophy from a former Jambo!!!
“They drew their curtains, locked their doors and switched off all their lights as we walked past their homes” That’ll be the huns reminiscing when they celebrate the Manchester riots.
Corkcelt – u beat me to it mate…
I missed out on sharing the reminiscences of Seville yesterday, hectic day, just like I missed out on going to Seville, but I have saved the article and will read back tonight.
The few I have read so far have been, in equal part, amusing and moving.
I don’t really want to pick anyone out, I haven’t read them all, but BJMac, of these things are lifelong memories made, moved when I read your post from yesterday morning.
Someone wondered if they could be collated and published, a book/magazine special I would buy.
Got to go earn a living, laters.
Loathe as I am to praise Shortbread [apart from wee Jim Spence] the interview with Pat Stanton last night was first class.
Minx 1888
We must know each other. I had not long started in abbey building at the time but had worked there before.
It was ian and justins room whose floor I crashed on that night….or mark osullivan.
Pat Stanton passed my dad’s quality mark- his shorts were as clean when the game finished, as when it kicked off.
Pat Stanton was what I would always of wanted to be on a football player..
He made the game look so easy.
Good Morning.
I have not had the chance to write too much on these pages in recent weeks. This is partly due to the fact that I have been working on a wee writing project for and with a gentleman by the name of Willie Wallace!
The Heart of a Lion—the life and times of William Wallace will be in the shops from Friday onwards—just before the Cup Final against Hibs at Hampden.
It is an ideal read for the summer holiday beach or any other time, and is a “goody” for any Celtic historian or observer. However, for anyone who even vaguely remembers Lisbon 1967—then it is a “must”!
For those who do not know the story of Willie “Wispy” Wallace—the basics are that this is the only football player on the planet who Jock Stein bought in to improve the Lisbon Lions Squad.
Willie was already a proven goal scorer with Hearts and Raith Rovers, but he eventually signed for Celtic on 6th December 1966—halfway through the Lisbon Season.
So why did Stein want him?
It is a question that is fully answered in the book.
More than that, Willie takes you through a journey—of how a boy from Kirkintilloch just played football and got better, and better and better until he reached his zenith at Celtic Park.
Sitting in the stand at Paradise, Wallace openly admits to being blown away. Despite having already played in Europe for Hearts, he describes seeing and feeling Celtic Park with 75,000 packed inside and instantly reaches a conclusion; “ Oh! This is the place for me!”
Without Willie Wallace Celtic would never have been in Lisbon—that is how important he was to the 1967 Journey.
However, beyond that the book is full of personal anecdotes, funny stories and an insight into life at Celtic Park.
There is an excellent assessment by Archie McPherson, a forward by Rod Stewart, stats and snippets throughout by Pat Woods and a few words by myself where I drill into some unknown or unappreciated stories about Wallace, Stein, Inter Milan, Dukla Prague and a few others besides.
There are what may be described as a few surprises in there.
Willie now lives in Australia and has done for the better part of three decades. He is in regular touch with Celtic supporters and goes to the local Celtic supporters club to watch games and cheer on the bhoys.
He is a chatty man, loves a story, and is generally a very nice bloke who is now in his early 70’s.
However, what should always be remembered is that when it came to the peak of peaks in the history of Celtic Football Club, the Big Man—Stein—called for Wallace!!!
Willie Wallace will be making the following personal appearances and will personally sign copies of his book at the following times and locations.
However, if you wish to order a copy of the book online then please do so by using the link at the bottom of Paul’s Header article or click here:
http://t.co/y7XQij3RPd
—————————————————————————————————————
1. Saturday 25 May – Times 2pm -4pm at Waterstones Glasgow Sauchiehall Street
2. Monday 27 May – Times 12 noon – 2pm at Waterstones East Kilbride
3. Monday 27 May – Times 4- 5.30pm – Waterstones Falkirk –
4. Thursday 30 May – Times 5-7pm (late night shopping) – Waterstones Stirling
5. Friday 31 May – Times 1-3pm Waterstones Ayr –
6. Sat 1 June – Celtic Park store – 12noon – 2pm
7. Sat 1 June – Celtic store Clydebank – 3.30pm -5.30 pm
8. Thursday 6 June – 530pm – 6.30pm – Argyle Street –
9. CQN Golf Day Aberdour 14th June
10. The Lions Roar Again 21st June Kerrydale Suite Celtic Park in aide of 1254125
They have no shame!
wonderful stories . didn’t make Seville but had a tapas and beer fest in the house.
something in side so strong .
hail hail
Pat only won 16 caps for Scotland.
From rm ……too busy fighting amongst themselves to see the reality……
“I don’t believe you. You are obviously a FF/RST drone sent on a mission. When will your master understand that these tactics have been tried too many times for them not to be obvious.
I have nothing in common with Dingwall and his cronies. It shames me that they are associated with my club in any way whatsoever. “
Sorry, forgot……hahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Kano 1000
Congratulations on the book. Surprised Willie won’t be signing copies in Edinburgh.
May have to buy one on-line for fathers day.
LB
10 years ago today
Sitting on a train to Madrid checking out my lovely collection of Sunburn Blisters
Seville
Paul67 …. The meeja are reporting that Chris has now actually resigned from international football……
That’s me off Sky Sports, saving over £20/month and onto free BT Sports
Your BT Sport service
When BT Sport launches on the Sky digital satellite platform on 1 August 2013, you’ll be able to watch:
BT Sport 1 on channels 413 / 426
BT Sport 2 on channels 414 / 427
ESPN on channels 417 / 433
Whoever @CharlotteFakes is they have more than one target in mind.
Im delighted that they have started to show the world the knuckle rubbing link between the SFA & deadco that we have always knew existed.
The day Ogilvie and his ilk are exposed and dealt with is the day I dream of.
I’ll have to get fixed up with Blantyre Tim Sports as well.
Kris Commons gets what is going on up here in sevcoland.
Enjoy your days with your family and club Kris .
http://www.celticfc.net/newsstory?item=4070
Win tickets for the cup final.
Good luck Bhoys
LB
Clyde Traffic report there,Paisley Rd West closed between Edmiston Drive and Broomloan Rd………Demolition Day….
Was still in Seville today, breakfast and down into a boozer, you’d think we’d won it…. marvelous.
Ayrshire is Green and White but it’s started to rain, working.
GBTP
I think that Celtic FC / PLC should drop the bomb on the SFA
by announcing that – As of next season Celtic FC will not take
any part in the Scottish Cup tournament until – Campbell Ogilivie
is no longer part of the set-up.
Thinking oot loud – CSC
Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Kano 1000 08:49 on 22 May, 2013.
…………………………………………………..
BRTH regarding No.10 on your list of WW appearances can you give me a pointer on the details of number ten and how I find out about making a booking please.
“10. The Lions Roar Again 21st June Kerrydale Suite Celtic Park in aide of 1254125”
Thanks
ACGR