By the early 1970’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone” has become established as a main part of the Celtic repertoire. I have sung it at European games myself and there is no doubting how it helps the atmosphere but for grumpy old traditionalists like myself I prefer songs that are more obviously ours rather than copied from another support.
Much as it is now a Celtic standard my first thoughts on hearing it are of that night at Anfield in 1966 when we were (unfairly) eliminated from the European Cup Winners Cup.
One game I vividly remember from my Jungle days was the European Cup Semi Final with Atletico Madrid in 1974. We were quite near the front of the Jungle at the Rangers End side. It reminded me of the Racing Club game at Hampden in 1967. The Spanish side were worse. They had absolutely no intention of doing anything other than try and kick Celtic off the park.
We had a good view of the action but as well as the blatant fouling there were all the underhand tactics – sly kicking and spitting. The fans were enraged but generally kept their cool and their anger was displayed in words more than action. The following day at work a Rangers fan (of the “upper class” bigot type) admitted that he had been impressed by the Celtic fans and thought that if it had happened at Ibrox the pitch would likely have been invaded.
As I spent the most of 1975 and 1976 in Auckland it would be a while before I returned to Paradise. My Kiwi girlfriend (now wife) followed me back to Scotland shortly after I returned just in time for Christmas 1976. As a Christmas present I took her to Celtic Park on Boxing Day for a top of the table clash with the strong going Aberdeen who had recently beaten Celtic in the League Cup Final. Unusually for those days the Stand was all ticket but I thought that might be the best place for a first time female attendee so forked out the grand sum of 3 Pounds for 2 tickets.
We had a great view of an exciting game that ended 2-2. As the match ended I said to her “Well, what did you make of that then?” Her reply was ” I thought the Aberdeen goalkeeper’s shirt didn’t match with the rest of his outfit!”
It was back to the terracing for me though after that game. It was a bit of a nomadic existence to an extent as I had a couple of different spots in the Jungle depending on who I was going with.
However, that experience in the stand made me think about more comfort at the football. And it was not too long afterwards that I started becoming a stand regular. I had met up again with a former work colleague – Terry Crossan – who had been a regular attender at all Celtic games before he had moved to England. He was now back in Scotland and by this time I was living in Mt Florida. Terry introduced me to some of his mates who drank in Heraghty’s ( a couple of the guys also worked as bar men there).
They all viewed the games at Celtic Park from the Stand so I joined them. I had now come full circle. Some 15 years earlier my stance had been to the right of where I was now sitting. I had become one of those “reserved Standites!” I felt I still had the same passion as I had in the glory years but was now content to let the others do the singing. From our seats we had a great view of the Jungle. The inhabitants of that part of the ground were the first to spot the teams in the tunnel and we knew kick off was near as the singing got that bit louder and more scarves were raised.
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A very nice read Mike, thank you, although I think we will have to disagree over YNWA, but still a good read and I can remember attending quite a few of they games from the mid sixties myself.
Thanks- To be honest I actually like seeing and hearing YNWA at the big European games. If I do manage to get over for one of the CL games this season I will be joining in! Probably because of my age and being a bit grumpy I tend to think that things were better when I was young! I would prefer though if we did have an “anthem” that a was bit more unique to us. When I got my first proper mobile phone a few years ago my son put YNWA as the ring tone. I had to get him to change it as I got fed up with so many people thinking I was a Liverpool fan when they heard it ringing!
Watching the Scottish Cup final against Motherwell from the school boys enclosure,there may have been a hundred thousand packed into Hampton,and when big John McPhail scored the winning goal,the place went crazy. That was our first trophy since the war,. Mat Lynch was a teacher at my school,st.margarets,and later brought the treasured cup tothe school,to hold or just touch was a thrill of my young life! So I share many of your memories Mike. Keep the faith Hail Hail.
You’ve watched them for as long as I have , Mike, and the passion never leaves you. A great read!