The Celtic View which was published in the days following the tragedy highlighted some actions that Celtic were taking. One such venture was joint fundraising campaigns involving the Celtic and Rangers Supporters’ Associations, including collections being taken in pubs and social clubs as well as at Celtic Park.
There were various events held to mark the sad events and offer community support to those affected. Church services took place, including at Glasgow Cathedral and at St Andrew’s Catholic Cathedral in Glasgow. These were attended by Celtic and Rangers players and officials, as well as representatives from other football teams.
Rangers v Celtic – Scottish Premiership – Ibrox Stadium Tributes are left outside the ground on the 50th anniversary of the Ibrox Disaster ahead of the Scottish Premiership match at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow. Photo Andrew Milligan
The funerals were understandably poignant events, and on one single day there were 20 different services held. Rangers players and officials attended many of these events and in some cases, local Celtic Supporters’ Clubs were also represented to pay their respects.
Fundraising events were also held, in which Celtic played an important role. 25 days after the tragedy, a special game was held at a packed Hampden Park. This featured a Scotland XI against an Old Firm Select, with the Celtic and Rangers team being jointly controlled by the two sides’ managers, Jock Stein and Willie Waddell. However, this did not mean that the fans mixed and there remained two distinct ends at the game.
Both sides were supplemented with some prominent players from elsewhere in Britain, including Bobby Charlton and George Best. An entertaining clash ended 2-1 to the Scotland team, with all the goals coming from players who plied their trade south of the border. £45,000 was raised at the match for the disaster fund.
55years on and all both sets of supporters are worried about is the result of a game between two poor teams.
R I P.
Hail Hail.