Hampden in the Sun, 66 years ago today we made history, we turned on the style and we piled on the agony…
Celtic Football Club has been involved in many spectacular and sensational games since its inception in 1888.
We’ve won 116 major honours and counting. We’ve also won numerous other honours perhaps not seen as ‘major’ such as the Empire Exhibition trophy, or the Coronation cup, and of course numerous Charity cups and Glasgow cups. Oh yeah, let’s not forget about the coveted Tennents sixes!
Supporters of all generations have witnessed some wonderful games, both at home and in Europe. There are too many to recall, such is the massive success the club has enjoyed in its illustrious unbroken history. At the top of the list is undoubtedly the European Cup final win in Lisbon on May the 25th 1967. That is a given. The greatest ever achievement in the history of Celtic.
Those who were lucky enough to be there or even be old enough to remember it happening, whether they were watching on television or listening on the wireless, should consider themselves very blessed indeed. If you were to asked any Celtic supporter if they could go back in time for any one match in our history, the Lisbon final would be the overwhelming favourite.
Maybe even the first ever game on the 28th May 1888 against Rangers in which we won 5-2 would be up there. But I’m guessing the close second would be the 7-1 victory over Rangers 66 years ago today. Yes the famous oh Hampden in the Sun game.
Sammy Wilson started the scoring that day with Neil Mochan grabbing a double, Billy McPhail hit a hat trick and Willie Fernie rounded it off with the magical seventh right on full time. A record win still to this day in a national cup final, and even sweeter it was in a game we weren’t given a chance. It was during a torrid period for the club, so to win a cup and do so in the style against our greatest rivals would’ve been the sweetest thing to witness. What a day and night it must’ve been.
We didn’t just beat Rangers, we trashed them and lifted a cup into the bargain.
The names of Beattie, Donnelly, Fallon, Fernie, Evans, Peacock, Tully, Collins, McPhail, Wilson, Mochan, and of course the boss Jimmy McGrory will be forever etched in Celtic folklore. It’s been 66 years since that glorious day and we’re still talking about it with pride. I can guarantee future generations will still be talking about it for another 66 years and more. A bit of history indeed and The Celtic Star will certainly be talking about it this evening at the Kerrydale at Celtic Park.
Tonight at the Kerrydale The Celtic Star will have – weather permitting – some very special former Celts at the launch on Matt Corr’s new book Majic, Stan and the King of Japan. There will be TWO former Celts from the 1950s who are the two oldest former Celtic first team players. We’ll also have the families of several of the players who played in the 1957 League Cup Final and a Lisbon Lion who will be more than happy to tell us his own memories of that game as a young Celtic supporter.
That and much more including Q&As with Celtic legends John Hartson and Tommy Callaghan and brilliant Celtic music from Boolavogue throughout the evening.
And Tommy Sheridan will be speaking about another two Celtic legends Frank McGarvey and Willie Maley while we will also pay our respects to Johnny Doyle on the anniversary of his passing. And of course we will remember David Potter who we lost in the summer and with his family present, will announce our plans to honour him and celebrate his outstanding contribution in telling the Celtic story.
What a brilliant Celtic night it’s going to be and the Celtic FC Foundation will benefit, which is perhaps the main thing. See you there!
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
MAJIC, STAN AND THE KING OF JAPAN IS OUT NOW – ORDER YOUR SIGNED COPY BY CLICKING ON THE IMAGE BELOW…
