Photo Of The Day: The Mystery Behind A Magical Picture

Today’s photo of the day is slightly unusual. It represents a tremendous picture of young Celtic fans working together to give each other a lift over the wall, as opposed a lift over the turnstyle.

It is unclear as to what period the photo dates back to. My hunch was that it was a game from the early 1980s because of the short haircuts on show, however the clothing seems to suggest that the image is from the 1970s, meanwhile the image of one fan wearing a rosette could indicate that it is actually a scene from the 1960s!

In addition to this speculation, it seems to be difficult to determine the location of the shot. Some feel that the wall looks like that behind the old Celtic End at Paradise. However, others feel that the image is from Hampden Park.

One thing’s for sure – it is a wonderful sight to see young working class Celtic supporters doing their utmost to get into the ground. After all, this was a bygone era when free entry to football was a right of passage for children.

If you have any information about our photo of the day, please comment at the bottom of this article. We would love to hear from you.

About Author

Hailing from an Irish background, I grew up on the English south coast with the good fortune to begin watching Celtic during the Martin O'Neill era. I have written four Celtic books since the age of 19: Our Stories & Our Songs: The Celtic Support, Take Me To Your Paradise: A History Of Celtic-Related Incidents & Events, Walfrid & The Bould Bhoys: Celtic's Founding Fathers, First Season & Early Stars, and The Holy Grounds of Glasgow Celtic: A Guide To Celtic Landmarks & Sites Of Interest. These were previously sold in Waterstones and official Celtic FC stores, and are now available on Amazon.

10 Comments

  1. No trainers, just black leather shoes, so it’s not the 80’s school jumpers anoraks and Harrington style jackets put it at late 60’s early 70’s . Late 70’s would have been flared trousers. I’d guess at 68-69

  2. There’s a number 7 clearly visible to indicate which passageway it is. Don’t remember seeing them at Celtic Park, looks more like Hampden to me, possibly the Rangers end.

  3. Short hair, tight trousers, turned up jeans?? Definitely the 60s. 70s and 80s would have long hair and bell bottoms

  4. I was born in Westmuir St, Parkhead, in 1955.Don’t think it’s Celtic Park because there used to be green gates at the Rangers end of C.P.I used to do what these boys are doing to get in at C.P..I’d say it’s the late 60’s early 70’s
    The boy with his back to the wall and lifting his mate, this was called a “punty up”.When you were at the top you then had to “dreep down ” at the other side.These boys could have scaled Everest no problem.
    This was the norm until one of the lads decided to “borrow ” a ladder.Life became so much easier getting into C.P.
    I believe nowadays it’s called “using your initiative”.

    • Don’t know the date – my guess 70’s but there is no doubt it is Hampden. The brickwork is a clue but the clincher is the passage number 7 at the top right. Celtic Park did not have passage numbers. Ibrox and Hampden did. Passage number 7 would have been at the Mt Florida End. That rules out this being a Celtic V Rangers game.