BILLCOWIE1958
Well-known member
Great quote and post, Lennono
I think there's something extra special about the fans and players who aren't raised in the 'traditional' way.
I was born into Celtic, I didn't have much choice, but for as much as I'm thankful for it, I believe that some lads and lassies have to be brave and buck their own traditions to support Our Club.
On the subject of favourite players, I played nets, do Packie was always my hero.
Tommy and The Maestro were my favourite outfield players, but Packie (apart from his commentary) still tops my poll.
Hmmm
But for the Grace of God I could have been a HUN ?
Being the eldest product of a mixed marriage Catholic mother Protestant father I could have gone in either direction Funnily enough my own daughters are products of exactly the same scenario but that's an aside
Fortunately my father came from Aberdeen and had no real interest in football nor religion for that matter although members of his side of the family were steeped in Freemasonary and my paternal grandparents bought a flat just opposite stairway 13 at Ibrokes when relocating to Glasgow in the late 1940s but in fairness no family pressure was ever put on me as to footballing allegience although I did attend a Catholic school indeed Seminaries for a few years after I had left primary
My earliest recollections of football were the results being read out on the telly at tea time
I also remember watching a game on telly and the commentator advising the programme audience that a certain player had been looking to find another certain player with a pass and me asking my dad how the commentator had known this? ??
Funny how certain things remain so prominent in the memory even after almost 60 years ? Probably proves that I was a Muppet even then
Anyway living in and going to school in Easterhouse in the early/mid 60s just as Celtic were beginning to emerge from decades of slumber and wilderness occupancy my interests were stoked by classroom and playground chatter and the mention of names such as Stein McNeill Johnstone Lennox McBride and Parkheid
Outside of school we'd all play together both Catholic and Protestant kids Celtic minded or HUNS and I cannot recollect any anomosity although I reckon something must have rubbed off on my psyche as even today I can only refer to THEM as HUNS or SEVCO
I recall some of the Proddy kids supporting Celtic but Catholic kids would never reciprocate and follow the HUNS
I sometimes wonder if my attitude marks me out to be a bigot?
After almost 60 years of such entrenchment I have come to the conclusion probably not but if it does then who gives a fuck? ???
I sometimes wonder what I'd miss most if I didn't live in Glasgow or emigrated?
There would be a few things Friends The City itself After all I consider it to be my city The banter and friendliness of the people and I suppose that must include HUNS to an extent but obviously in non footballing or religious contexts BUT what I'd miss more than anything is going to Parkheid
I know that many of you travel great distances to come to Glasgow every other week or more regularly and you have my total admiration for your stamina commitment and resolve
Maybe it's Parochialism or lack of ambition on my part but Glasgow and Celtic are what I know What I've always known and I don't ever see that changing Not in this lifetime at least
I love to travel and have done extensively but there are few acres in Glesga's East End which has a grip on me and I just couldn't live without getting my regular fix of it
HH?
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