Yesterday we carried an article on 1930s Celtic captain Willie Lyon which was of course written by Celtic Historian David Potter. Neil Doogan, whose father was the founder of the first ever Celtic fanzine The Shamrock, has been in touch to share some remarkable images of what he describes as bygone days.
READ DAVID POTTER’S ARTICLE HERE...“Without fear and beyond reproach,” Celtic’s Captain Willie Lyon awarded Military Cross in North Africa in 1943
Today we are all used to seeing old black and white photographs of Celtic from earlier generations restored, enhanced and colourised by talented Celtic Supporters on social media. Indeed there is one photograph of Billy McNeill beside a Portuguese policeman while holding the European Cup that was apparently a black and white image that has been colourised so brilliantly by Celtic fan Barry McGonigle that we find it impossible to tell the difference. Judge for yourselves..
Yet imagine trying to do that kind of thing decades ago before all the digital age and without the help of all the available software that graphic artists rely on these days. Imagine trying to do it in the late 1930s. It would be almost impossible.
We say almost, because Celtic fans gave it a go anyway and Neil today shares some images – probably the first ever attempts at colourising Celtic match pictures.
“I’m sending on some photos of era that Willie Lyon played in. My father was always fulsome in his praise of his skill and leadership .The photos are from my uncle Hugh’s scrapbooks dating from 1931 up to 1938. He coloured the photos himself although if you read note beside the team photo this was taken in colour by the Daily Record. I intend to share as much as is possible from scrapbooks to let the younger generation see the heroes of bygone days,” Neil Doogan explains.
” The games covered in photos are the Exhibition Cup against Hearts, Sunderland and Everton in 1938 and The Scottish Cup final v Aberdeen 1938 (My father was locked out his friend was let in and then the turnstile was closed .148.000 was the crowd). Also covered are the league games that helped win the league against Aberdeen, Hearts and Rangers.
So here goes starting with some photos of Willie Lyon…
