The Bhoys are away from home this weekend – but this past week saw the anniversary of the club’s first game at the current Celtic Park site, back in August 1892. It was a sometimes bumpy road that took the Bhoys there, one that changed Celtic and Scottish football forever.
Celtic were founded in November 1887 in a hall near St Mary’s Church, Calton. After this, the new club needed two main things: a team and somewhere to play. Founders such as Brother Walfrid and John Glass worked together to recruit players.
A new ground would be an essential part of Celtic’s rise. Land was leased near the modern-day stadium. The first Celtic Park was built through a combination of paid labour and volunteer efforts; it had a stand, pavilion and dressing rooms.
The first game at the original Celtic Park did not feature Celtic. Instead, Hibs and Cowlairs opened the ground with a 0-0 draw on 8 May 1888. Three weeks later (28 May), Celtic played their first game at the ground; this was a 5-2 win versus Rangers.
The Bhoys played at this ground from May 1888 until July 1892. The club’s landlord believed he could make more money and so tried to impose a nine-fold increase in rent. Celtic instead refused to pay and looked elsewhere for a new home.
Various options were considered for the new ground. North and south Glasgow sites were possibilities, however eventually it was agreed to remain in the east end. The new site was only a short was only a very short walk from the original ground.
Once again, Glasgow Irish volunteer efforts were needed. Over months, they worked with professional builders to construct a fine new stadium. Before its opening, club patron Michael Davitt laid a sod of Irish turf and shamrocks on the pitch. It was later dug up and stolen!
The first event at the ground was not a football game. On 13 August 1892, the Celtic sports were held, featuring athletics and cycling events. Thousands of people came to see the new ground – and got soaked!
Celtic’s first game at the ground was on 20 August 1892. Playing a league game versus Renton, the Bhoys scored a late goal to win 4-3. This eventually helped Celtic to win their first league title in season 1892-93.
That first Celtic game created some notable firsts. Jock Bell of Renton became the first man to score at the ground. Johnny Campbell was the first Celtic scorer. There was also the first sendings off; Johnny Madden for Celtic and McQuilkie for Renton.
For goalkeepers, the first ‘firsts’ at this Celtic Park came later. In October 1892, Celtic lost 3-0 to Sunderland. Scotsman Ned Doig kept the first clean sheet. The first Celtic clean sheet was kept by Joe Cullen when Celtic beat Hearts 5-0 in November 1892.
The new Celtic Park received extensive praise from in and out Scotland. Several journalists praised the ground as one of the best in Europe. One person famously remarked that the move was like going “from graveyard to Paradise.”
Since then, there have been numerous changes to the ground. This includes the building of new stands and the addition of roofs. The biggest modern change was of course the 1994-95 renovation started by Fergus McCann and finished in 1998.
The modern-day Celtic Park is unrecognisable from how it looked in 1892. But over the years, it has been right at the heart of the Celtic story, witnessing numerous matches and celebrations. It is indeed the “dear old Paradise.”
Matthew Marr
Follow Matthew on Twitter @hailhailhistory
Matthew’s debut Celtic book titled ‘The Bould Bhoys – Glory to their name’ was published by Celtic Star Books last year and is available to order HERE. This brilliant book is also available on Amazon Kindle for just £3.49 and includes all photo sections that appear in the hardback edition.
Celtic not paying, nothing new there.
There’s no connection between the story and the photograph.
We didn’t have a photographer at that game, but Geo was there at the game where we won the league in May at Rugby Park and that is actually mentioned in the story…