Celtic

About Celtic FC

Celtic FC is one of the most successful and popular clubs in Scotland, and their home stadium, Celtic Park, is considered to be one of the most exciting venues in Europe to experience football. The atmosphere created by Celtic supporters is described as so energetic and passionate that when playing at home “Celtic can beat anyone”. Celtic FC has worked its way to get to where it is today, visible through the slow reconstruction that has occurred over the many years since it established itself. The club started with only six acres of land to play football, now significantly transformed to to today’s football grounds where more than 60,000 people can experience a Celtic match.

Club History

Celitc FC was founded in St. Mary’s Church on November 6th 1887, in Glagow Scotland, in order to help alleviate poverty in Glasgow’s East End parishes. Brother Walfrid, the Irish founder of the club, created the organization in order to raise funds for the charity The Poor Children's Dinner Table. He came up with the name Celtic in order to reflect his Irish and Scottish roots.

The club played its first match, on May 28th 1888 against The Rangers, winning 5-3, which was the start to the club’s success. Celtic FC reached the final of Scottish Cup in their first season of competition, but lost 2-1 to Third Lanark. The club won its first competition, The North- Eastern Cup in 1889, beating Cowlairs 6-1 in the final. Celtic won their first Scottish Cup in 1892, defeating Queens Park and their first Scottish League Championship in 1893.

It took ten years for Celtic FC to turn from a non profit organization to a private limited liability company, and Willie Maley became first the secretary-manager. The following seasons Celtic FC won the League Championship for six consecutive seasons, even having a double season for the first time in 1907. Unfortunately, this was the end of club’s success, for 20 years.

The next time The Celtics won a championship was in 1937, beating Aberdeen in a Scottish Cup final, with a record crowd of 146,433 at Hampden Park, watching the match. Celtic FC won the Empire Exhibition Trophy in the following season, defeating Everton FC 1-0. Then World War 2 began and football matches were halted in Scotland.

Following the war, during the 1950s Celtic FC became a powerful club in Scotland. They won the Coronation Cup in 1953, and the League Cup back to back in 1956 and 57. The club was led by legendary captain Bobby Evans.

During the 60s the Celtic FC continued its success. The squad reached the semi-final of its second European Championship, the European Cup-Winners Cup, but lost on aggregate to MTK Budapest. Jimmy McGrory became manager in 1965, as the club won the Scottish Cup, with Billy McNeill scoring the game winning goal. Following that season Celtic FC reached the semi finals of the Cup- Winner’s Cup, but lost on aggregate to Liverpool. However in 1967, the Celtic had the biggest season as they won every tournament in which they competed including the European Cup.

The team continued to dominate in European competitions during the 1970s. However, despite going far the squad was unable to win. They reached the final of the European Cup in 1970, but lost 2-1 to Feyenoord during extra time. The following year Celtic reached the European Cup semi-final, and lost again. Billy McNeill took over the managing position and guided the squad into a championship his first season at this position.

Ex player David Hay replaced Billy McNeill as manager in 1983. After two years Celtic FC won Scottish Cup in their 100th cup final. His stay with the club was short, as Billy McNeill returned to the managerial position in 1987.

Just one year after he returned Celtic FC won its first double in 11 years. One year after that, the club won the Scottish Cup, with Joe Miller scoring the game winning goal against the Rangers. Liam Brady took over the managing position in 1991, becoming the first manager, who did not previously play for the organization. However, he had a short stay as former Celtic superstar Lou Macari took over the position in 1993.

In 1994, businessman Fergus McCann took control of the financial instable Celtic FC. He replaced the board of directors and management. He raised €14 million in order to help refinance the club. In addition to that, he helped reconstructed the stadium, in order to hold a capacity of 60,500 spectators. He also appointed Wim Jansen to the head coach position, who guided the club to their first League Cup victory in 15 years.

In 1999 McCann departed from the club, and Allan MacDonald became the new CEO. John Barnes takes over the coaching position, but leaves only after two years as Inverness Caledonian defeat Celtic FC at home for the Scottish Cup. Martin O'Neill, a coach with an established winning reputation takes control of the managing position in 2000. He starts his managing career with an impressive 6-2 victory over the Rangers at Celtic Park.

From that point till present day Celtic FC has remained dominant in the Scottish Premier League. Martin O’ Neill retired from this position in 2006 and was taken over by Gordon Strachan. The won the Scottish Cup three times and the Scottish Premier League six times. Current captain defenseman Stephen McManus and striker Ben Hutchinso are the team superstars.

Club Rivalries

Celtic FC and Rangers FC have been rivals ever since the first match between the teams, held in 1888. The rivalry is known as the Old Firm Derby. The reason for the rivalry is the close proximity of the two teams, in Glasgow. Religion is also a factor in their rivalry as most Celtic fans are Irish and come from a Catholic background, and Rangers fans come from a Protestant background. The two clubs are the most successful in Scotland, having won 63 Scottish Cup and 93 Scottish Premier League titles between them.

Stars of the Current Squad

Stephen McManus

Gary Caldwell

Thomas Gravesen

Club Legends

• Ronnie Simpson • Danny McGrain • Tommy Gemmell • Bobby Murdoch • Paul McStay • Billy McNeill • Bertie Auld • Jimmy Johnstone • Bobby Lennox • Kenny Dalglish • Henrik Larsson

Most Appearances

Most Goals

Player Recognition & Awards

Team Honours

•European Cup: 1966-67

•Scottish Premier League: 42 1893, 1894, 1896, 1898, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1919, 1922, 1926, 1936, 1938, 1954, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974*, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004 2006 2007, 2008

•Scottish Cup 34 1892, 1899, 1900, 1904, 1907, 1908, 1911, 1912, 1914, 1923, 1925, 1927, 1931, 1933, 1937, 1951 1954, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1974 1975 1977 1980 1985, 1988, 1989, 1995, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007

• Scottish League Cup 1957, 1958, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1975, 1983, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2006

Club Management

Chairman: John Reid Manager: Gordon Strachan Assistant Manager: Garry Pendrey Coach: Neil Lennon

Uniforms

Home Colors- Green and white striped Jersey. White Shorts 　 Away Colors- Yellow Jersey, Green Shorts yellow Socks

Stadium

Celtic Park is located in the Parkhead area of Glasgow in Scotland. It is nicknamed “Paradise” by the Celtic FC Fans. It is the largest stadium in Scotland, holding a capacity of 60,857 seats, and the second largest in Great Britain after Old Trafford. Celtic FC has played at the stadium ever since 1892. Current chief executive Peter Lawell plans to expand to the stadium in the future.

Sponsors

• NTL Ireland • T-Mobile • Nike, Inc. • Thomas Cook • Phoenix Motorcars • MBNA • The Big Plus • Sanyo • Scottish Leader • Soccer Savings • Celtic Village • Seat Exchange

Important Links

www.celticfc.net-- official team website

References

www.celticfc.net www.wikipedia.com