On Thursday evening we, as a family, were honoured to be in attendance at The Celtic Star’s event in the Kerrydale Suite at Celtic Park for the launch of Matt Corr’s new book, Majic, Stan and the King of Japan.
My dad, Jerry Woods, has got to know David Faulds at The Celtic Star fairly well over recent years through regular correspondence about Celtic matters. The Celtic Star also very kindly previously serialised my dad’s book, To Lisbon and Back on a Fiver.
To provide some background to this, my dad Jerry Woods, is one of the lucky Celtic supporters to have seen our team lift the European Cup at the Estadio Nacional in Lisbon on that glorious day on 25 May 1967, and on the continued prompting of his family decided to write a book outlining his experiences. He wrote this book when in his 70’s in age and is very proud of his labour of love.
Following David’s kind invitation, Jerry attended Matt’s book launch with his daughter Geraldine, son-in-law Brian, myself and most importantly four of his six grandchildren, Conor, Niamh, Liam and Morven.
On our arrival at Celtic Park, it was clear that a huge amount of effort had gone into the evening. The Kerrydale Suite was set out excellently and the three cups from the last treble winning season were also ‘in attendance’ for photo opportunities.
My daughter Niamh purchased Matt’s new book which Matt very kindly signed for her. Matt made her night by telling her she was the first person to buy his book on the night!
As for the night, what a great experience it was and we are all so glad to have been a part of it. The host, guest speakers and music were all superb. The atmosphere in the room was excellent. Matt’s words and raw emotion when talking about his book was both touching and inspiring. I hope that the book is very successful.
On a personal and family level, The Celtic Star Editor made some lovely comments about my dad’s book and this very much touched us all as it was very unexpected. I know my dad was overwhelmed by this. When I spoke with him today he said that the event was one of the most entertaining and relaxing he has attended, with great music, guests, family and to be in the company of Celtic people.
Jerry’s oldest grandson Conor said, ‘to be invited to the event at Celtic Park was fantastic for me and my family and to see how my grandad reacted to his book being spoken about in such glowing terms was really emotional. I’ve never seen my grandad lost for words so I know it meant a great deal to him. Thanks to everyone for having us. It’s always a pleasure going to Celtic Park but it was extra special for me last night’.
On a final note, it was wonderful to see the lovely tributes to David Potter. David helped my dad a great deal with guidance and assistance when writing his book. David had been put in touch with my dad by my sister Geraldine as they worked together as teachers.
When talking about the event on Thursday afternoon, my wife Laura told me she had been taught Classics by David at Glenrothes High School a number of years ago. She remembered David as lovely man who ended his lessons by saying ‘now fly away like little birdies’ whilst flapping his hands. He was clearly a man with a huge personality.
Despite being a Lisbon veteran my dad had never actually met a Lisbon Lion so that was quickly rectified by The Celtic Star and as John Fallon was introduced and he was great company and was also very entertaining when up on the stage. And my dad was also introduced to Celtic’s finest Lisbon historian Pat Woods and both authors sat for a while talking about their books.
It was also great to see that The Celtic FC Foundation benefiting from the night which I understand from reading on The Celtic Star yesterday that a total of £1199.15 was raised and delivered to the Foundation as the beginning of a fund raising campaign to honour David Potter who was clearly so highly though of by The Celtic Star team and also be John Fallon. David’s wife and family were also at the Kerrydale to see this love from themselves.
David at The Celtic Star had mentioned to my dad that a number of people were asking about his book during the event. For anyone interested, it’s titled ‘To Lisbon and Back on a Fiver’ and is available for purchase on Amazon. I might be biased, but I can confirm that it’s a cracking wee read!
Hail Hail!
Kevin Woods
Click on the image below to order your copy of Majic, Stan and the King of Japan which has been personally signed by both Celtic legend John Hartson and author Matt Corr.
