Twin Towns CSC -‘Europaka nazioak elkarren eskutik. Free Nations in Europe. Athletic Club – Celtic Glasgow. 2011-03-26.’
Founded in November 1997 and they are based in the twin towns of Ballybofey and Stranorlar in East Donegal. The club’s home base is McKelvey’s Bar, Ballybofey and annual membership has remained fairly constant at approximately 60 members per season since the club’s formation.
Membership is mainly drawn from the Finn Valley area of Co. Donegal, covering Ballybofey/Stranorlar, Glenfin, Drumkeen, Convoy, Raphoe, Castlefinn, and Lifford, but membership is open to all and includes fans from much further afield. The club holds ten season tickets, while a number of members have secured their own individual season tickets over the years.
They run a bus to most home games, with many people from the surrounding areas who are not members of the club also being accommodated, particularly when their own tickets are not available and the club can secure additional tickets.
The club is very grateful for the help it receives in this regard, particularly from their good friend, Jim Gallagher, and the Sons of Donegal CSC, Glasgow, but also from the Celtic ticket office staff and their transport operator, Seamus Doherty of Doherty Travel.
The survival, smooth running, and success of any supporters club or organisation are dependent, among other factors, on having a strong and vibrant club committee, and the TTCSC recognises and acknowledges the enthusiasm, diligence, dedication, and hard work of all those members who have served on their committee over the years.
The club’s success is reflected not only in the consistent and healthy membership numbers but also by the fact that a significant number of their members today are the sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, friends, and other relatives of the founder members of the club, fulfilling the ambitions and vision of those founder members.
Committee members for 2022/23 include Stephen Doherty as ticket and transport officer and treasurer, Bartley McGlynn as secretary and PRO, Dean Taylor as chairperson, Rosalind Doherty as assistant treasurer, Conal Thompson in charge of merchandise, Eugene Bonnar, Robbie Deasley, Thomas McMenamin, Ciaran Gallagher, Gavin Tinney, and Gail Turner.
The club has also developed friendships and associations with other CSCs over the years, and along with that with the Sons of Donegal CSC, a special bond and cherished friendship has evolved between the TTCSC and the Anton Rogan White CSC from Clydebank. The two clubs have become great friends, and annual visits by their members to Clydebank and Anton Rogan White CSC members to the Twin Towns have strengthened and sustained that bond and friendship.
In keeping with the Celtic tradition of helping those in need, the club is always conscious of supporting charitable organisations. Their association with the Anton Rogan White CSC also gave rise to the two clubs undertaking a joint fundraising initiative, resulting in significant funds, supplemented by the Celtic Foundation, being raised and donated to Crumlin Children’s Hospital, Dublin, and Yorkhill Hospital, Glasgow.
There have been many momentous occasions, causes, events, and nights for celebrations whilst following Celtic over the years, be it in McKelvey’s Bar or home and away trips to games. One outstanding highlight occurred in March 2011, when a number of their members travelled to Bilbao for a friendly fixture against Athletic Club.
During their visit, a presentation consisting of a stone carving depicting the seven Basque regions and incorporating the Athletic Club crest was made by the Athletic Bilbao fans to Celtic supporters and gratefully accepted by the TTCSC on behalf of Celtic fans worldwide.
The presentation celebrated and cemented the strong bond and friendship that have developed between two great football clubs and their supporters over the years and that still exists to this day. The club is the proud custodian of this memento, which is normally on display in McKelvey’s Bar. The inscription on the metal plate on the base of the carving reads ‘Europaka nazioak elkarren eskutik. Free Nations in Europe. Athletic Club – Celtic Glasgow. 2011-03-26.’
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.
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