We have been looking back to this day in 1980 when a George McCluskey goal in extra time was enough to win the Scottish Cup for Celtic against Rangers at Hampden. The game finished 1-0 to Celtic and a few of our supporters ran on to the park to celebrate. This did NOT amuse the revolting Bears at the Mount Florida end and they came onto the park in their droves looking for trouble.
There was no pretence that they were doing so merely to protect their players from attack, that was an excuse that would be wheeled out years later when their successor club lost to Hibs in the 2016 Scottish Cup Final.
We have links to the earlier articles at the bottom of this feature but here are some more supporters’ memories from that day at Hampden on 10 May 1980. If you were there we’d like to hear from you – email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk with your memories of the day and we’ll publish them later this evening.
IT WAS MY FIRST GAME!
I was 11 years old when I went to my first ever game against the original Rangers. My brother took me along with his best mate and an old guy he worked beside who was a Rangers supporter! In our end!
My memories are probably a bit hazy now but here goes. The stadium was a total dive back then with railway sleepers forming the terraces. It was huge though and there was drink everywhere, I was being offered cans of beer despite my age.
When McGrain had his shot and McCluskey diverted the ball home the place went mental. Then the dust/stoor/whatever that stuff was just hung in the air and you could hardly see! It was the same at the final whistle.
At the end we watched the riot for a bit then started the drive home. My last real memory of the day was driving through Glasgow behind a Rangers bus and there were cans and bottles getting thrown at anyone and everyone. We held back then had to hammer past when it parked up and we thought they were getting out to pay us a visit!
The match ticket was £2 by the way!
Scott Glasgow
THE OTHER MOB WERE SO ANGRY
I travelled up from London to see my sick Granda and on the same day my young cousin took his first communion.
We had four tickets in the Main Stand we parked the car in Battlefileld near Granda’s house, also my cousin and parents lived in Pollokshaws.
George McCluskey’s goal was great, deflecting Danny McGrain’s shot past McCloy.
At the end I have never seen so much dust in my life. The Celtic fans were getting onto the park to help out the Bhoys who were on there purely celebrating.
We knew the other mob were angry so waited to see the team get onto the bus with the Cup. We made our way back to Battlefield to see some drunken guys in blue hanging around, we had no colours so we were fine.
That night got I the sleeper back to London. I was only 17 then, so a guy sharing got in and asked if I saw the game, no I said! Was it a good result for you? No he said! A wee quiet snigger then off to sleep.
Never forget that day, for that reason and also today is my daughter’s 26th birthday too, she was born 12 years after the day.
Hail Hail
Steven Murray
AMONG THE FIRST ONTO THE PARK
I always remember it as the first final where they had the American Majorette’s for entertainment and being in the Celtic end my and my mate Podge went into the enclosure in the second half to chat them up! I was 15 yrs old and this was possibly my first final.
When the full time whistle went I saw someone starting to climb over from the Celtic end so I said to my mate let’s go and we jumped onto the pitch. We were one of the first few on and we celebrated with Tommy Burns, Johnny Doyle and Murdo McLeod. I remember stewards trying to get us off, next thing horses are chasing us off the park! I remember looking back from the Celtic end and seeing all the bodies stretched out at the far end victims of the thrown bottles by their own fans. I can remember getting home and my parents being glad I was safe. Will always have great memories of that day despite the hoards trying to ruin it for us. HH
Sam McEwan
