Earlier in the week we looked back on Celtic’s 3-0 win over Benfica at Celtic Park in November 1969.

CATCH UP HERE…12 Nov, 1969, Celtic 3 Benfica 0 – “Their support was fantastic and it was worth an extra man to the team,” Jock Stein

We asked for supporter feedback and opened with this one…

Reaction to Celtic 3 Benfica 0 – “Tommy Gemmell unleashed his thunderbolt. The noise was tremendous”

This morning Tommy Hamilton shares his memories of being at Celtic Park on 12 November 1969 when Celtic played Benfica in the European Cup. Over to you Tommy…

Attending Celtic v Benfica 1969

How could I ever forget this game, my first ever European game at Celtic Park. I was just 13 years old and was out with my pal Tony ( Who was sadly killed when hit by a car just 5 years later). We noticed the Celtic Supporters Bus at St Mary’s Chapel in Whifflet Coatbridge and thought we would chance our arm and ask if there was room on the bus for us for us. “ Come on in son, you’ll have to stand as the bus is full” was the reply.

Tony and myself approached the Rangers end at Janefield St and we both secured a “Lift Over” pretty quickly. I had been to see Celtic a few times with my older brother but always in the afternoon, this was my first ( but far from last) game under the floodlights and I remember being in awe at the scene of 80,000 fans roaring on Celtic, compared to my previous visits, to Paradise, this was different, VERY DIFFERENT.

Two minutes in and Tommy Gemmell scores a screamer from about 25 yards, I had never witnessed anyone strike a ball so hard, and that moment has stayed with me for 50 years, of all the goals I have seen Celtic score down the years, this is the one that is etched into my memory just like a photo. I don’t think my ears have ever stopped ringing from the wall of noise that greeted all 3 goals that chilly November night, a very special night that has been tucked into the corner of my memory for so long.

Hail Hail

Tommy Hamilton