Ibrox Disaster 1971 – Their fans smear a man who attended to the dying and injured should hang their heads in shame

YESTERDAY was the Anniversary of the Ibrox Disaster and DidsburyCelt provided us with his own personal memories of attending the game on that dreadful January afternoon in 1971. If you missed it yesterday you can catch up with Remembering The Ibrox Disaster, 2 January 1971 now.

Several posters on Celtic Noise added some additional comments that we’d like to share with you today.

TRIBALISM STOPPED – COMPLETELY

I have no recollection based on age on the Ibrox disaster as it was before I was born- but I know for a few hours my own family were concerned.

My Grandfather and Uncle had attended the game. My Grandfather and Grandmother had a rule on that particular fixture (as I had with my own Mother and now wife to this day) that you call in when you get to a pub just to say your safe. I even had to call my Gran after my Granda had passed on.

My Grandfather for whatever reason had failed to call home. My Grandmother told me she was frantic. For whatever reason my Granda and Uncle had lost track of time discussing games and singing songs and hadn’t come home til late.

By which stage the house was climbing the walls. Not only was he late he was completely unaware given no social media, mobile phones etc of what had gone on. While he had spent the night having a few beers and lamenting a late equaliser he had no idea, nor did many the worry that had been caused until he crossed the threshold.

One thing that does stay with me with such stories being told is the tribalism stopped. Completely.

Everyone knows the stresses, strains and danger on occasion of attending football matches especially pre taylor report changes.

It didn’t matter your footballing persuasion or othewise. Families lost loved ones and I think both sides of Glasgow’s divide realised it could have been anyone from either side.

Your family should never expect that when you attend a football game you may never come home. I know my Grandfather spent the following day accountng for friends and workmates who had attended the game in the home end. That for me sums it up.

Niall J

MY MOTHER COLLAPSED

I was 17 and at the game and had no idea that it had happened. No such thing, as social media (as you say Niall) to update anyone. I normally caught the train straight home to get ready to go out on a Saturday night, but decided to stop off and pay a visit to my granny, as she lived close by the train station.

As I was having my tea, a newsflash came on, saying disaster at a British football ground today…and I thought “That looks like Ibrox”.

When it showed what happened, I bolted out the door (they hadn’t said which end it had happened at). I ran home like the Flash, and when I got there, my mates had showed up and asked if I’d made it home, as they had seen it on the news and knew I was at the game.

My mother was in a right state, she collapsed, as I flew in the house.

A terrible tragedy which took so many lives.

DILLIGAF – a well-known member on Celtic Noise.

A CLUB LIKE NO OTHER

Truly a club like no other we respect and remember those lost and their loved ones from our bitter rivals on our forum proud so proud to be a part of the Celtic family – WINTER – a well-known member on Celtic Noise.

And they have the audacity to ask,,,what makes you any different from us..
Respect, compassion, thoughtfulness to name a few…GREEN SPRIG – – a well-known member on Celtic Noise.

PRAYERS FOR THE DEPARTED

I remember leaving that game with my dad I was 10, we never knew a thing about the tragic events that unfolded around us, when we got back to the car the radio informed us and my dad immediately thought, we had to phone my mum, no easy feat as we had no mobile and didn’t have a house phone, and had to phone our neighbour’s and she lived four closes away and ask her to let mum know we were okay. We found a phone box nearby and joined the cue of fans already waiting to phone their loved ones. As a ten yr old, I couldn’t figure out how mum would worry as it was at the other end of the ground, Dad explained I would figure it out as I got older, wise man that he was.

Anyhow prayers for the departed offered – 50 SHADES OF GREEN – a well-known member on Celtic Noise.

BIG JOCK WAS A HERO

My auld da was at the game but had walked it home before he found out what had happened and he said he was horrified by the amount of deaths. I also knew one of the ambulance men who were first at the scene and it affected him so much that he couldn’t speak about it, even after all this time. He did say that he thought big Jock was a hero that night.

Rest in Peace those who went to watch a game of football but never made it home – THE SHAMROCK – a well-known member on Celtic Noise.

An awful day for football, thoughts go to those who lost loved ones on that fateful day. Their fans who sing and smear a man who attended to the dying and injured that day should hang their heads in shame – KELLY – a well-known member on Celtic Noise.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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