Brisbane CSC…

Founded on 12 July, 1986, they were based at the Queensland Irish Club on Elizabeth St. Jimmy Begley was an original member. They started getting together to watch video cassettes that were sent over two weeks after a game was played. John Mullaney got involved in 2005.

The club moved to Mick O’Malley’s in the mid-90s. In 2006, they became more organised as the club began to grow due to increased migration from the UK and Ireland. They ran raffles at games and raised thousands over the years for local charities and worthy causes. The club would get up to 200 fans at Old Firm games. John was a Celtic DJ from his days back in Coventry, so he used to play before and after games.

They also hosted several Celtic and well-known Irish bands, including Charlie and the Bhoys, Gary Og, and Shebeen. In 2009, Celtic came over to play Brisbane Roar in a preseason game, so they arranged with Celtic to use The Gap FC as their training headquarters for the period they were there.

In 2018, O’Malley’s closed, as did their backup venue, The Queensland Irish Club, so they moved to the Jubilee Pub in Fortitude Valley for two great seasons until they closed it to have a block of apartments built on stilts above it. This left them without a regular venue.

The club currently watches games at the Hotel Lord, but as it’s in the sporting area next to The Suncorp Stadium, which hosts football, rugby league, and union sides as well as concerts, it’s predominately for Sunday Rangers games, where they have their own area that holds over 200 guests.

They also use Gilhooley’s Irish Pub on Albert St. in the CBD for smaller games. They are lucky to have a backup with their links with The Gap FC, which allows them to host games there when the other two venues are not available.

They are still waiting for The Jubilee to reopen and to see if it is still a suitable venue for watching games, but until then they will juggle games around the three venues, with the CBD ones always getting first consideration. They have always had good links with Celtic, and they have hosted coaching clinics over the years at The Gap FC.

The CSC disbanded its club and committee status in 2014 and is open to everyone who wants to watch Celtic games and meet for get-togethers. Willie Wallace is their honorary president. They have no membership, committee, or subscription fees, and everyone is welcome to come along.

Contact is made via the Facebook page, so check for regular updates. The club has had other regular Celtic attendees over the years, including Andy Lynch and his son Simon, who played for Brisbane Roar for a couple of seasons. They also get occasional visits from Scott McDonald for big games, and Willie Wallace attends a few games every season. They rely on volunteers to organise games and arrange polo shirts and badges.

Lisbon Lion Willie Wallace will be in attendance as a special guest this Sunday for the Glasgow Derby. The Brisbane CSC announced today. Check out the Facebook message HERE.

Just a reminder Lisbon Lion Legend Willie Wallace is our guest of honour at Sunday nights Rangers v Celtic game live in The Lord Alfred. This is a charity night in aid of the homeless, so please bring any unused non perishable food to donate. to Loaves & Fishes. Live Celtic music from 7pm kick off 9pm

An extract from Football Without Fans – The History of Celtic Supporters Clubs by David McIntyre ( Celtic Bars). Football Without Fans – The History of Celtic Supporters Clubs is out now and available in print and kindle versions HERE.

More from Football Without Fans this week on The Celtic Star, the Celtic supporters website. Will it be your CSC that’s featured?