The Celtic History Podcast

God Save Ireland is a patriotic Irish song that has a major place in Celtic's history. This is the story behind the ballad.

In 1901, Rangers won the Glasgow Exhibition Cup in very controversial fashion. A year later, Celtic would become champions of Britain and end up keeping a trophy engraved with the words 'Won By Rangers FC'. Here's how! www.amazon.co.uk/TAKE-ME-YOUR-PARADISE-incidents/dp/1700120271/

In the late 1800s, Celtic hosted the World Cycling Championships at Paradise. The decision to do so would have a major impact on the future direction of the club. https://www.amazon.co.uk/TAKE-ME-YOUR-PARADISE-incidents/dp/1700120271/

The story of a group of Celtic supporters who took forceful action against agents from English clubs, who kept signing Celtic players in the days before professionalism was introduced to Scottish football.

In 2002 an official greatest Celtic XI was voted for by supporters. However, no players from before the Lisbon Lions era featured in the team. To ensure that the heroes from the first 80 years of Celtic's history are not forgotten, it was decided that a podcast on the Greatest Celtic XI, comprised of players who did not play for the club after 1966, should be arranged. Joining me to discuss this topic were renowned historians David Potter and Matt Corr, while David Faulds took on the role of host. The three of us historians came up with a team each and an article will now be published on The Celtic Star website, where fans can vote on the matter to decide upon one definitive Pre-Lisbon 11. Visit thecelticstar.com to see the article. To view the video version of this podcast, please visit The Celtic Star YouTube channel.

Celtic Park suffered two stadium fires in the first half of the 20th century. The impact is still felt today as some incredibly valuable items were destroyed. This short episode tells the story of those events

Belfast Celtic FC was a legendary Irish football club, which played a key role in the history of Celtic FC in Glasgow. This episode looks at the relationship between the two famous institutions and the role which the Belfast Celts played in shaping the Glasgow club's identity. "When we had nothing, we had Belfast Celtic. Then we had everything!"

Former Celtic star Alan Thompson is set to release a biography - A Geordie Bhoy - on 1 December 2021. In this episode, Tommo gives listeners a taste of what to expect in the book, as he talks about his time at Celtic, his wider football career, and shares some personal stories away from the pitch. A Geordie Bhoy is available for Pre-Order NOW (on Amazon and warcrypress.co.uk). When fully released, it will continue to be available from those same websites, and other retailers - details of which will be posted on Twitter @jamieboyle10 and @Alantommo8 A Geordie Bhoy is written by Jamie Boyle and the foreword is penned by Martin O'Neill

In the modern game, Celtic Football Club can no longer be as politically outspoken as it once was. Governing bodies and sponsors dictate that, but whilst this is the case at boardroom level, many supporters of the club remain vocal in their political views and sympathies. This episode looks at the political history of Celtic Football Club. It sticks to the facts rather than opinion, as it is not for me to say what is right or wrong. Though, I do offer a distinction between politics and humanitarianism in the opening segment. I originally recorded this episode in May 2021, after an issue involving Palestinian flags at Celtic Park. However, I have decided to re-release the episode now, on the eve of Celtic's clash with Ferencvaros in Hungary due to the political history involving the clubs. Celtic were formed by people of political mind. Almost all of the founders were involved in political organisations in Glasgow such as the Irish National League. One of the club's founding fathers, Pat Welsh, was a wanted Fenian who took part in an uprising for Irish independence in 1867. Another founding father, Joseph Shaughnessy, represented 10 IRB men in a legal case surrounding the blowing up of a gasometers in Glasgow. Michael Davitt was named as Celtic's second ever Patron and may have been responsible for the name 'Celtic' being given to the club. Davitt was an MP, founder of the Land Leagues, a Socialist, an Internationalist, and a convicted Irish Republican. He was invited to lay the first sod of turf at the new Celtic Park in 1892, an event at which Irish Nationalist MP Timothy Daniel Sullivan sung his anthem God Save Ireland - a tribute to the three Fenians known as the Manchester Martyrs, who were executed following a sham trial little over two decades earlier. The club publicly protested against British involvement in the Boer War, held matches to raise funds for evicted tenants, and also sent a high profile delegation to Dublin to take part in the Irish Race Convention - designed to plan a route towards achieving Irish Home Rule - in 1896. From those political beginnings, a friendship with Belfast Celtic hardened the supporters' political views, particularly as the situation in the North of Ireland worsened after Belfast Celtic were forced to fold. Meanwhile, in the late 1960s, Bob Kelly refused to fulfill a European Cup tie against Hungarian opponents Ferencvaros. Kelly did so in protest against the Soviet invasions of Czechoslovakia, of which Hungary were a part. He famously said that "there are things for Celtic more important than money," and the club's stance caused a huge chain reaction across European sport. Sit back and enjoy some of these stories and more... whatever your view on politics at Celtic Park - one can't deny the historical facts.

Steve Finan is a journalist of 40 years' standing who has made the transition to author. He is a cobwebbed and dusty expert on newspaper and magazine archives and creates football nostalgia books, mainly drawing upon the extensive material in the DC Thomson archive. One of his recent books, Celtic In The Black & White Era, features hundreds of previously unseen classic Celtic photos from the glory days. Even if you know the history... you haven't seen it like this. These photos have lain hidden in archives for 40, 50 or even 60 years. They show the great events such as the European Cup triumph of 1967, Hampden in the sun, Gil Heron's debut, the John Thomson tragedy, and the Leeds United European tie of 1970. There are also scores of behind-the-scenes photos, images of Celtic heroes of the past as you've never seen them, and “new” old photos of the great games. It is the ideal gift for any Celtic-minded person - nostalgia for those who remember, a chance to experience the halcyon days for those who don't. There's never been a Celtic book like it! In this episode, Steve and myself discuss some iconic moments in Celtic's history, reminisce about the great characters at the club, and give listeners a taste of the photographs included in the book. We also touch on some of Steve's forthcoming projects, in which Celtic feature extensively. You can buy copies of Celtic In The Black & White Era from Waterstones, Amazon or the DC Thomson shop by clicking HERE

Mention the name Harry Hood and it evokes memories of a wonderful footballer in a glorious era, most notably at Celtic, his boyhood club. The chants rang out as he scored vital goals against the giants of European football under those massive lights in Glasgow's east end, in the intensity of the city's fierce derbies or major cup finals before six-figure crowds. Moments which created history. Skillful, intelligent and classy, with 125 goals and over 300 games for Celtic in that post-Lisbon era, where the Lions and Quality Street Gang merged with Jock Stein's astute signings to keep the Hoops at the summit of European football. Hood was a key man in an incredible team. In this episode, Matt Corr discusses his new book - Harry Hood: Twice As Good - the official biography of Harry Hood. We discuss the great man's life, football career and business achievements, as well as reminiscing about the fantastic Celtic teams of the early 1970s. Matt shares some stories from Harry's former teammates, such as Kenny Dalglish, and gives us a fascinating preview of the publication. You can purchase a copy from celticstarbooks.com and keep up to date on the project by following @HarryHoodBook on Twitter. £1 from every sale will be donated to Marie Curie.

Johnny Doyle came from a Celtic-daft family and had to be persuaded to give up his local supporters club membership to try and become a professional footballer. Under Ally MacLeod's guidance, teenage Doyle went on to win international honours before Celtic spent a record fee to take the flying winger to his spiritual home. He was one of Scottish football's most controversial and memorable characters before his tragic death at the age of 30. In this episode, we discuss Paul's new book about the great man and go through some of the funniest & most important stories included. You can purchase a copy from the-shamrock.net/2021/07/27/doyle/ or from Calton Books in Glasgow.

Celtic historian and author David Potter has written dozens of books about Celtic Football Club and it's legendary figures. In this episode, David discusses his new book - Alec McNair Celtic's Icicle. Packed full of incredible stories about one of the greatest ever Celts, this episode is not to be missed. You can purchase a copy of the tremendous hardback book by visiting celticstarbooks.com

In the late 1800s, Celtic were among the first teams in Scotland to host night time matches under the aid of electric/gas light. It was a far cry from modern floodlighting and the experiment was doomed to fail.

In 1889, Michael Davitt was named Celtic's second Patron. He was also invited to lay the centre sod of turf, imported from Donegal, at the opening of the new Celtic Park in 1892. An IRB man, Land League founder, Politician, International Speaker, GAA enthusiast and Celtic fan - Michael Davitt had an incredible life. In this episode, I explore what his position at Celtic can tell us about the early identity of the club and what parallels can be drawn between his beliefs and those of the Celtic founding fathers. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Liam-Kelly/e/B081T6RN6D/ - To purchase any of my four books, please visit this link. Michael Davitt's story features in Take Me To Your Paradise and is mentioned in Walfrid & The Bould Bhoys. *Thanks to Michael Davitt Museum (Co Mayo) for their ongoing information and for sending a comic on the life of the great man, which helped to create this episode. Check out their website by clicking HERE

There were over 20 individuals involved in founding Celtic Football Club in late 1887. Sadly, many of these men have been forgotten over the years. In this episode, I list those identified as founding fathers, before exploring the stories of the four most important people in terms of establishing Celtic: John Glass, Brother Dorotheus, John H McLaughlin, Brother Walfrid. To read the stories of all 21 founding members, you can purchase a copy of Walfrid & The Bould Bhoys: Celtic's Founding Fathers, First Season & Early Stars from celticstarbooks.com.

A number of Celtic players and supporters served in WWI & WWII. Some died, two won the Victoria Cross Award and one was awarded the Military Cross. This episode looks at those stories and explores the difference in attitude at the club between both conflicts.

Celtic's chaotic early years on the pitch had already seen protests and confusion in the Scottish Cup. The Glasgow Cup Final of 1889 was no different. From that incident, I move on to the story of how a group of Celtic supporters in the town of Johnstone organised themselves to target English agents who attempted to kidnap the club's players. The final chapter covered in this episode tells the story of Celtic's move from the original Celtic Park to the current site, in 1892. A sports day was held to open the ground and some very interesting events took place.

Throughout Celtic's history, the support has played a major part in shaping the club. Celtic fans have organised themselves and created their own groups since the late 1800s. In this episode, I explore the history of Celtic Brake Clubs, Supporter's Clubs, the Celtic Supporter's Association, Celts For Change, The Celtic Trust and the Green Brigade Ultras.

A split emerged between members of Celtic's committee ahead of the club's first AGM in 1889. As a result of the fallout, James Quillan founded a rival Irish club in Glasgow. Who did he take with him and why? More importantly, what impact did this have on Celtic? www.amazon.co.uk/TAKE-ME-YOUR-PARADISE-incidents/dp/1700120271/ (no background music for this episode)

Three legendary Celtic players are buried at St Conval's Cemetery in Barrhead. An ideal site to visit for locals during lockdown. This is the story of the legendary trio. To see more landmarks and sites of Celtic interest, visit the following link, where you can purchase a copy of The Holy Grounds of Glasgow Celtic: A Guide To Celtic Landmarks & Sites of Interest. All proceeds go to Celtic FC Foundation. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Liam-Kelly/e/B081T6RN6D/

Celtic reached the Scottish Cup Final in their first full season; a quite remarkable achievement. However, the competition featured some controversial incidents and it was far from plain sailing for the Celts.

Hibernian's Scottish Cup Final victory in 1887 is celebrated at St Mary's Church Hall in Glasgow. A series of speeches plant the seed of Celtic in the minds of those present. Thereafter, Brother Walfrid organises a further charitable football event - The East End Catholic Charity Cup - it's resounding success confirmed that football matches could raise a lot of money for charity. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Liam-Kelly/e/B081T6RN6D/

Brother Walfrid sets up the 'Penny Dinner Scheme' as part of The Poor Children's Dinner & Breakfast Tables. I explore the thinking behind this initiative, which other Marist Brother became involved with the project, and how the pair discovered football as an important fundraising tool. www.amazon.co.uk/Liam-Kelly/e/B081T6RN6D/

Pat 'Tailor' Welsh found himself on the run after an Uprising in Ireland. A British soldier captured him but allowed Welsh to escape to Glasgow, where he played a part in founding Celtic Football Club and was responsible for bringing Willie Maley to the club. But what was Maley's connection to Welsh in all of this?