Celtic Football Club

Celtic F.C. (pronounced 'selltick', not 'kelltick') is one of the World's most famous football clubs. The club is based in the city of Glasgow, nicknamed the Bhoys. Together with their city rivals Rangers they dominate Scottish football as the Old Firm and form one of the most famous rivalries. Their kit is green and white hooped jerseys, white shorts and white socks. They play at the 60,832 seater stadium Celtic Park, one of the most famous stadiums in Europe.

Celtic was founded in 1888 by Brother Walfrid as a way to raise money for Irish immigrants, mainly in the East of Glasgow, which at the time was terribly deprived. However, for her supporters, Celtic is much more than a football club, it is a reflection of their culture and history. Many believe that had it not been for the success of Celtic Football Club this history and identity may not have survived to the extent that it has. Celtic was founded as an outlet for the political, cultural and religious identity of the Irish immigrant community in Scotland in general and Glasgow in particular. These identities were important to those who were often greeted with sectarianism themselves in their host community. The Irish identity, now perhaps more accurately a Roman Catholic identity, is still very important to the majority of those involved in the club.

Under their first manager, Willie Maley, the Bhoys won 30 major trophies in 43 years. Celtic defeated Everton 1–0 at Ibrox for the Empire Exhibition Trophy, a possible predecessor of european competition. This one off trophy is held very dear by Celtic supporters as they are its only winners.

Former player Jimmy McStay was manager of the club during the war years of 1940-1945. There was no official competitive league football during these years and McStay was seen as something of an interim manger during these troubled times.

Ex-player and captain Jimmy McGrory became Celtic's manager in 1945. Under McGrory, Celtic defeated Arsenal, Manchester United and Hibernian to win the Coronation Cup, a tournament held in May 1953 to commemorate the coronation of Elizabeth II.

On October 10, 1957, Celtic successfully won the Scottish League Cup, retaining the trophy they won for the first time the previous year.

Jock Stein succeeded McGrory in 1965. A former player and team captain, Stein gained most of his fame as Celtic's manager, and is acknowledged as one of the greatest football managers of all time. He managed Celtic to its nine straight Scottish League wins from 1966 to 1974—a Scottish record, equalled by Rangers from 1989 to 1997.

1967 was to be Celtic's best ever year. Celtic won every competition it entered: the Scottish League, the Scottish Cup, the Scottish League Cup, the Glasgow Cup, and the Bhoys became the first British side to win the European Cup. The "Lisbon Lions", managed by Jock Stein and captained by Billy McNeill, defeated Inter Milan 2–1 in Lisbon, Portugal. Jimmy 'Jinky' Johnstone, Bobby Lennox and Bobby Murdoch were three of the greatest ever Celtic players who also played in that famous team, who today have a stand in Celtic Park dedicated to them.

Celtic reached the European Cup Final again in 1970 but were beaten 2–1 by Feyenoord in the San Siro Stadium, Milan.

In 1994, expatriate businessman and Fergus McCann took control of the club, ousting the family dynasties which controlled the club since its foundation. To alleviate the club's financial strain, Celtic was reconstituted as a public limited company, resulting in one of the most successful share flotations in British history. The club netted £14 million towards the refinancing of the club. However for many of the supporters, some of the ramifications of these events have changed the face of Celtic. In recent years the club has managed to remain successful while keeping a tight eye on its finances.

The fans of Celtic share the blame for the sectarianism which unfortunately continues within football in Glasgow, as this problem can be attributed to both the blue and green halves of the city. There is a small section of Celtic fans who actively support militant Irish Republicanism and a number of campaigns have failed to completely stamp out sectarian singing in Celtic Park, there is more of a problem with secatarianism from travelling fans at away fixtures. Both Celtic and Rangers have high profile anti-sectarian initiatives, it is however probably a fact that the success of both of the old firm has to do with a large support that has been found on a sectarian basis.

Despite the sectarian divide in Glasgow, Celtic early in its history decided to sign Protestant players, and has frequently had a number of Protestants on its roster. Today, the playing rosters of both Old Firm sides are multinational, multiracial, and represent both sides of the sectarian divide. In 2003 an estimated 80,000 fans travelled to see Celtic take part in the UEFA Cup final in Seville in southern Spain. Although Celtic lost the match on in extra time despite two Henrik Larsson goals. The conduct of the Celtic supporters received much respect and supporters were awarded with Fair Play Awards from both FIFA and UEFA.