Belfast Celtic 1891 - 1949
Memory Lane
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"As I was walking down Broadway" We would very much like to hear anyone willing to contribute with stories or photographs and particularly the "old guard" who were there and lived through that important part of Irish sports history. But we also want to hear from all the "youngsters" out there - sixty years after its demise Belfast Celtic still commands the loyalty and admiration of people who never even got to see them play. We want to hear your story too. Drop us a line and we would be glad to include your part of the Belfast Celtic story on our pages. Please state clearly whether you would like your name published or prefer to remain anonymous. You can reach us here . Please note that the opinions expressed are the opinions of the individual contributors.
Jimmy Overend is 85 years old and has been a lifelong Celtic supporter. He lives in St James' in the shadow of the former Celtic Park site. He sent this letter to the Society whilst renewing his membership. My date of birth is 1st July 1924. Back then I became the first boy after three girls in the family. My father was a Belfast Celtic fanatic. So my first ever game had to be Belfast Celtic vs Glasgow Celtic in a charity game here across the road at Celtic Park on May 28th 1928. You can read the rest of Jimmy's reminiscences here Dave Crawford, Canada I am a 75 year old Belfast native who moved to Canada in 1957. As a boy of 11 years I was a Linfield supporter but even at that early age it was obvious to me, that Celtic was in a league by itself. In those days there was almost no coaching yet Celtic played a very disciplined game. Charley Tully, Jackie Vernon, Paddy Bonnar, Billy McMillan and Hugh Kelly were the players I remember best. Commenting on the 1948 game at Windsor Park It seems to me that in a prior game or maybe this one, Bob Bryson the Linfield centre half had his leg broken when he kicked into a ball at the same time as a Celtic player. If memory serves me right this may have stirred the "We'll get you" mentality of the idiots who inflicted the injuries on the Celtic players that day. Though a Linfield follower I have to say it was a very sad day for all of football when Celtic pulled out of competition. I have great memories of football in Belfast during and just after the war. I was also a great admirer of some of the Linfield players such as Davy Cochrane, Tommy Breen, Mickey McWilliams and Jimmy Feeney. Richard Carabine, London, England My Dad, Tom Carabine, is a great Belfast Celtic fan. He is fast approaching his 80th year but still enjoys remembering stories of this great club. He used to go along to every home game as a boy. He came from a poor family and could not afford to pay to get in so he used to ask any adults nearby to lift him over the turnstiles. When he was older he even managed to clamber over the gate sometimes. From John Feeney, Falkirk, Scotland "There wasn't much room on the card to say why I wanted to join the Belfast Celtic Society. It's because my late father told me that the club was the greatest in Ireland, renowned for the excellence of their play and for the dignity with which the club conducted itself. I follow Glasgow Celtic and like to see our club do the same. Whilst there was pride in his expression when he spoke about Belfast Celtic there was also a look of sadness and hurt at the way they were treated. Amongst all the great achievements of those connected with Belfast Celtic, perhaps it is their honour, dignity and the way in which they are revered and remembered to this day that is the greatest achievement of all. I have made an application for membership of the Society and will spread the word of your activities amongst friends and colleagues in Scotland." From Linda Mooney, Belfast, Ireland What a great article by Jimmy Donnelly. I remember Jimmy McAlinden visiting our house many times, especially when my father(Tommy Breen) was ill. He was my father's best man and was a true gentleman, he was so good to my mother during my father's wake. I was lucky enough to see his FA cup medal. He was such a modest man it took a lot of persuasion from my father to get him to bring it over to show it to me. I'll never forget the way he just took it out of his jacket pocket. No fuss. No ceremony. Just a quiet - "Well there it is." All those Celtic greats were and are just the same, no talk, no boasting. How unlike some of the players of today. Thanks for running such a great site, it brings back so many happy memories. From Sharon Gilfillan, England My grandfather Albert Edward Weir (Ned) played for Belfast Celtic from 1926-29. He Captained West End FC prior to this and earned 6 Irish caps at Junior level. He played in the squad that brought League Cup victories for Celtic in 27/28 and 28/29. I have attached a link to our website page which has been updated with a page from Mark Tuohy's History of Belfast Celtic confirming this. There is also a picture of him, an old program circa 1926 and some other bits that you may be interested in. I would love for you to put him on the site somewhere if that's possible. It would make me and my dad very proud. Look forward to hearing from you. From Iain Stanton, England Although I now live in England I am a proud Scot and fanatical Glasgow Celtic fan.Ii wasn`t even born when the famous Belfast Celtic were forced to call time thanks to sectarianism. I arrived six years later. Over the years I listened to my father and his tales of Belfast Celtic and of Tully in particular. Indeed in the late forties my parents emigrated to Canada for a few years living in Toronto. One of my Dad`s stories was when he went to the Triboro stadium to see Belfast Celtic defeat Scotland .Scotland had a fine team back then including Geordie Young and the great Bobby Evans. My Dad played for Toronto Irish back then himself. I myself am fascinated by the stories of the great team from the Falls. The spirit of Belfast Celtic must live on. From Martin Donnelly, USA I am, and have been for the past 26 years, and avid Glasgow Celtic fan. I have lived in the Pat Jennings, Gordon Banks, Peter Shilton, even Elisha Scott…..none of them could hold a candle to Tommy Breen. Tommy was a gentleman, and would never walk past our ‘wee shop’ without coming in and talking with me. I was forever in awe of this soft spoken ‘Giant of a Man’ who had played for Manchester United before the War. Tommy would pull up a stool with my dad and his cousin Jack (Uncle Jack), and the three of them would reminisce about past games. It was quite an education. “Do you remember the day Peter O’Connor scored 11 goals against Glenavon? Sure, he should have had two dozen the amount of chances that were presented to him!” And the like! As a child I envisioned Belfast Celtic as a team of Giants that never lost! My father’s eyes still light up at the thought of those games he witnessed as a boy and young adult. He had done the unthinkable and signed for Linfield and was installed as Captain of the team. Celtic and Linfield were neck and neck for the title in the last game of the season. Here is where my details may be off a little. Linfield needed a draw or win to claim the League title outright. Celtic needed to win. The score was level going into the last few minutes of the game, and if it were to remain that way, Linfield would be Champions. Celtic were awarded a penalty. Up stepped Bertie Fulton to claim the spot kick. Were he to score, it was inevitable that Celtic would be Champions. Tommy had played alongside Bertie Fulton for many years and knew him well. He had a fair idea as to how Bertie would dispatch the penalty. He guessed correctly, dived to save the kick, and Linfield won the game and the League Title. His proudest achievement was Captaining Linfield to the title over the all conquering Celtic. Some people on the Falls Road never forgave him for that! I know the passion that I feel for my team and how I would feel if they went away. People talk of ‘having difficulty getting over Celtic losing the league last season at the death’…I am still struggling with “Blowing” the title to Aberdeen in 1980 after being 10 points clear at Easter! From Des Brennan, Member 39 I feel I was very fortunate to have lived through the final years of the great Belfast Celtic team 1942 - 1948 period. My father, may he rest in peace, was the main reason for getting the Celtic fever in my blood. Just one annual event he always kept was the Celtic v Linfield Christmas match. We all had a lovely Christmas if Celtic won, but woe behold, if they got beat! My best memory of the players was Harry Walker. In my eyes he was the greatest! He led that team with great authority and ability. Harry lived near my family in the Castlereagh Road area and to get to Celtic Park he got the bus to the City Centre and then a tram up the Donegal Road to the Park. He always had his small case with him, boots etc in it. Just compare that with today's players.
I had two pals who were always with me on a Saturday afternoon - Patch Croy and Hawker Boyle. It never cost us a penny to get in to any of the Grounds - Celtic Park, Windsor Park, The Oval, Grovenor Park, Cliftonville - all that was needed was "Lift'us over Mr., please". It never failed.
I've just mentioned one player, but believe me, I can't recall one who I would say was rubbish. They all played their hearts out once they pulled that jersey on -The Stripes. Sadly, I was torn apart on that Boxing Day in 1948 at Windsor Park when I and three brothers witnessed the fiasco when the pitch was invaded and Jimmy Jones was literally kicked over the parapet in front of us. I was very pleased when the Directors took the decision to finish all their connections with N.I. Football.
So it is brought to us in a very true manner the words "When we had nothing, we had Belfast Celtic, then we had everything" Very ,very true. Yours sincerely. Des Brennan, Member 39 From Sean Fowler I was rummaging through an old record player my dad and mum bought in the early sixties. It’s the big console type with a space to hold your records in the middle. Imagine my surprise when I came across this old 45 - “Celts Are the Greatest Team” recorded by Charlie Tully (and autographed by him too). The memories came flooding back … as a toddler back on I knew very little of the history of Belfast Celtic (or Glasgow Celtic for that matter), but thanks to my discovery of that old record I was able to come in contact with many folks who have enlightened me to the rich history, trials and tribulations. Thanks. From Anthony, Glasgow, Scotland Hello all just a wee note to say how suprised I was to see a website dedicated to this once great team. Obviously the name will never die . I only found out about The Belfast division of my beloved Celtic while reading Charlie Tullys book "Passed To You"and I was shocked at the reason for their demise (though not suprised). My dad met Charlie as he stayed at my grans the 1st week he came to Glasgow - ever wish you had been born earlier? Anyway I will be popping in and out in the future . "Come on the Hoops" From Paul, Glasgow, Scotland Just thought I would write a wee note to say keep up the good work on The Belfast Celts who were cruelly treated due to mindless bigotry. Although I was born and live in Glasgow I first heard the story of the events leading to the attack on Jimmy Jones while I was reading. The legendary Charlie Tullys book "Passed To You" its good to know that the name hasn't died forever good luck to you I just hope we Celtic fans (Belfast and Glasgow) have something to celebrate soon. . From Ray Morgan, Aberdeen, Scotland Having been born on the Falls Road but moving to Manchester in 1950,I was always aware of Belfast Celtic as we made frequent visits "home" to my grandparents every summer holiday, one week there and one week all the way south to Bray. I was taken on many an occassion to visit Celtic Park hand in hand with my late father when he would tell me all the tales about his beloved team.I was too young to appreciate the signifigance of what he was telling me but I do remember going to Jackie Vernons butcher shop and seeing the great Charlie Tully on a flickering black and white telly playing for Glasgow Celtic. My fathers allegiance in Manchester was towards United and I have indeed supported them ever since but his memories were always based around Belfast Celtic and they were always the topic of his Belfast conversations until the next great thing came out of Belfast, George Best. Its only when you reach a later stage in your life you wish you had listened more to what your dad told you and at this stage I find myself avid for information on those times to give me a sense of what my father lived through. It was a boost to me to discover the web site and read people sharing their own particular memories. My grandparents lived in Waterford street facing the Dunville park and my memories of that time are never less than happy ones.I was obviously too young to see what was really going on around me and Celtic's short history probably encapsulates all that was right and wrong at that period in time From Mark Tuohy, Ireland Hello and a hearty welcome to all of you from County Down. I am one of the "youngsters" not having had the good fortune to see Belfast Celtic in action but, like so many of you, I heard from those who watched and shouted from the stands. When I was a child and then a teenager I spent many a night in front of a fire in the hearth listening to my two uncles - Gus and Jack Hove - regale me with tales of Jimmy Jones, Mickey Hamill, Charlie Tully, Boy Martin and all. They had a way of telling stories, of transporting you back through time; a way that was second nature to old Irish people. Little wonder then that I dedicated my book, Belfast Celtic, to them. It was mostly Jack who encouraged me to write the book. It was he who said, more than once to me, "There is a history that has to be written." He was instrumental in getting recorded conversations (they weren't interviews) with certain players and some supporters that he knew personally. This was in 1977 when Belfast was the ultimate paradox - a dangerous city and, yet, friendlier. I remember when the manuscript was finished we were talking about what to call it. Jack liked the idea of the poetical "Paradise Regained" as Celtic Park was nicknamed Paradise. Gus said that Belfast Celtic was the team and Belfast Celtic should be the title. So we stuck with his wisdom. I know that all the older generation would have had their particular heroes from the team. Gus, who is photographed as a boy with the 1913-14 team on page 19, worshipped Mickey Hamill while Jack adored the Mahoods and Bertie Fulton. It is evident that Belfast Celtic gave something invaluable to the Catholic population of West Belfast in a deeply troublesome era; something that no other sportsman or team or politician has ever done. The affection lives on and that is something of which we should be immensely proud. immensely proud. From Hugo Straney, Toronto, Canada Greetings from the frozen north Canada where the temperature is a balmy -28c with the wind chill it's nearly -40! Brrrrr. The net has finally done something worthwhile a site devoted to the one and only Belfast Celtic, being only 46 years old and born in 1956 the stories passed on to me by my Father the late Bill Jack Straney and many other family members relations and friends this team was really the stuff that legends are made of. My father was so dedicated to this team that as a boy growing up in Belfast in the late 50's and 60's he forbid us to go and watch an Irish league game in fact if we did go and see a Whites [Distillery] game and he found out we got the business. Why ? Because of the way in which they ran them out of the league after the infamous Jimmy Jones attack: He told me and my older brother Frank that we should never watch an Irish League game and that the only other team we could support and cherish was Glasgow Celtic and the rest as they say is history. II
think I owe it to the memory of my late father to keep the tradition alive in
any possible. As a boy growing up in Belfast in the late 50's and 60's life
was pretty good. As for being poor I wouldn't say we were, if
we were we didn't know it. Your parents lived from paycheck to paycheck or
more likely borrowed from Peter to pay Paul. I
never did get to see the Belfast Celtic play so only through my late father,
family, friends and relations was the legend told. Those
stories told to me at the time were maybe a bit of an older persons lost
childhood, but the message got across because as I grew up and went on this
journey through life you naturally look back and try to make some sense of
what it's all about. Today I can watch any sporting event from any where
in the world, NHL hockey, NBA basketball, NFL football, also I watch the
English PL soccer live on a Saturday In
the little streets of the Pound Loney that was only a pipe dream. You played
in the street till it was dark. Every football game was a world cup final. We
also had a few wimbledon centre court matches. I was always the "Roehampton
Rocket" - Rod Laver to you. Even the Grand National was run every year on
our streeet - now that took some fertile imagination. Unfortunately
one vital thing was missing. A local team to support. Yet there was a stadium,
a ground that the incomparable Stanley Matthews said was the finest playing
surface he'd ever played on. A ground that I graced once in my life as a
member of a team. I walked the hallowed tunnel to this
magnificent field of dreams - even if it was only as a ballboy [or mascot] for
the Star of The Sea U-16 in a Down and Connor cup final. I was all
of 6 or 7 but some of it is as clear as if it were yesterday. The Star won of
course beating St. Paul's Swifts. The score I am not quite sure of, but as a
young lad I forever wondered why I wasn't going to this famed Celtic Park to
watch my own big league soccer action. I was
always told the story of the demise of Belfast Celtic. Back then, I believe,
people did not have the same resolve as this generation. Not that it was their
fault but it was the times they lived in - a case of keep the croppy down. Today
would be a different story. The world would be watching for a start, and the
IFA would be shown in it's true light - an old boys club to keep the other
sort out if you know what I mean. To get to the crux of my message: as a youngster I always felt left out, never getting a chance to be a part of my father's generation. I watch the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team with my 12 year old and when we can we go, we watch Glasgow Celtic play at the local supporters club. Sadly
I never got to go along with my Dad to cheer on his beloved Belfast Celtic. As
an emmigrant to Canada almost 30 years ago - you know what they say, "Nobody
loves their country more than the ex-patriot". They also say of the
emigrant that he or she can never go home. That remains up to the individual
and to be blunt all we have is our reputation and our memories. I
will always feel betrayed and disappointed that I never got to see the
immortal Belfast Celtic take the field at Celtic Park. Hope springs
eternal that it may one day happen again............"for we only know
that there's gonna be a show and the Belfast Celtic will be there"......... From Charlie Laverty, NJ, USA My family has had numerous Belfast Celtic connections, chiefly through my late brother, Bob Laverty (from The Moy, Tyrone) who carried Celtic's tricolor at the game in New York. Bob was a close friend of Mr Joe Devlin, the Celtic trainer in the 1940s ... A number of the tour team were guests at our home in the Bronx at the time, including Mr Devlin, Charlie Tully and Jackie Vernon. In my possession I
have a gold medal won by Bob for the 1936-37 season with Lurgan Rangers, which
is now extinct, I believe.] He played a season with Limerick City and also with
Sligo Rangers (with Dixie Dean, I believe). I believe Bob also tried out for
Glasgow Celtic but suddenly emigrated to the US in 1939, and became a partner in
US soccer with the great Glasgow Celtic player, Jimmy McGuire. My sister Mairead
and I were friends of the Devlin girls, and while I was on leave from US Army
service in Austria (1952) I stayed overnight at the Devlin's home on Broadway,
off the Falls Rd. I have a post-card photo "album" of the 1946-7
team, including all the staff and directors. It's signed on the back by Mr
Devlin -- a cherished memento. Incidentally, Bob
was captain of most of the American teams (American Senior League All-Stars)
that played the international touring teams, including Liverpool, Djurgarten (Sweden),
the Mexican national team, Israel, Canada and others. The American Soccer Hall
of Fame have advised me that Bob appears eligible for membership, but to my
regret I have failed to complete assembling the documentation needed for such an
honor...Hopefully this will be accomplished by the end of this year. In
that regard, during a trip to San Diego in October to visit Bob's family (he
married Sally Niblock from Magherafelt) I expect to find photos there of the
Belfast Celtic tour. from Austin Heron, Belfast, Ireland I first saw celtic play in 1943 against Glentoran. It was at Grosvenor Park. The team was Kelly, McMillen, Sterling, Walker, Vernon, Douglas, Kernaghan, McAlinden, Byrne, O'Neill, Bonnar. Glens won 2-1. My eldest brother told me I was a scud. I saw them many times after that and they lost very few of them. I was at the Boxing Day match and the return at Celtic Park. I have great memories and theyre still my team. from Paul O'Hare, Belfast, Ireland. My Dad, a lifelong Belfast Celtic supporter, died last month at the age of 79. His first memories of the team were from the early 1930's and he could remember seeing the goalkeeper Jack Diffin. In 1987 we went to Bill McKavanagh's first slide show (which led to the TV program and video) and some of the old Celtic players were there, names that I had heard many times. They all got a great reception on the night, but I'll never forget the roar that went up from the elderly audience when Jimmy Jones was introduced. Of course, I now
regret not getting my father to record his Belfast Celtic memories in some way.
When he was a boy he knew Charlie Tully and met him one day in the crowd at
Celtic Park. Charlie's mother owned a sweet shop and she would send her
son to sell sweets at the game. On this day, he suggested that they go to
the far side of the ground, so my dad climbed up on to the track around the
pitch. Charlie handed him the tray of sweets then climbed up himself and
walked behind the goals to get to the far side. As they were passing the
goal, Charlie was scoring imaginary shots into the net - little knowing that he
would be doing it for real one day. It was at this point that my dad
realised that Charlie was letting him carry the tray of sweets the whole way for
him. Even at that age Charlie was cheeky. I just wish I could remember
more stories like this. From Spence Megahey in Belfast, Ireland I'm a
lifelong supporter of Distillery F.C. ( now Lisburn Distillery ), who attracted
some of the old Celtic supporters in the early 1960's, just before they left
Grosvenor Park. I am interested in the history of Irish soccer and have a copy
of "Belfast Celtic" by John Kennedy. I remember people talking about
the great Belfast Celtic team when I was a boy. It's good to see two Celtics
back in the Irish League, but it would be even better to see Belfast Celtic
itself in existence again. All the best with your endeavours. From Vincent O'Hara in Ireland. Browsing
through your website I was reminded of the book Passed to You written by
Charlie Tully and published by Stanley Paul in 1958. I still have a copy of this
book and I re-visited it to-day.
Most of it tells of Tully's time at Glasgow Celtic but the first two
chapters deal with his earlier days in Belfast. Chapter one, called Barefoot
Days , record his birth in McDonnell Street and his school days at St Kevin's
where football was frowned upon. In chapter two ( Elisha Scott ) Tully tells of
his early days at Belfast's Celtic Park and his relationship with the great
Elisha Scott. Charlie records his first outing for the club in 1942 against a
Glentoran Select when he was astounded, shaky and embarrassed to find himself in
the same dressing room as great players such as Tommy Breen , R. P. Fulton ,
Jack Vernon , Jimmy McAlinden and Syd McIlroy. He
goes on to record his debt to players such as Jack Vernon , Bud Ahearne , Paddy
Bonnar , Harry Walker , Liam O’Neill , Joe Douglas and Jimmy McAlinden. But
perhaps the most entertaining part of this chapter deals with his relationship
with Scott
Shortly after he signed Elisha presented Tully with a book of rules.
It said : ‘You are a Belfast Celtic player now. No matter who you are ,
first or second team man, be at the ground at the times scheduled. If you
can’t read I’ll read it out to you . If you are ill, phone the club doctor
or the trainer . If the club travels by train or bus be at the meeting place
thirty minutes beforehand. And remember there’s only one skipper on the
park.’
Charlie also felt the manager’s wrath on a few occasions when the great
Elisha would tell him: ‘ Listen Tully , you play it my way or you can take the
keys. You can open the ground up in the mornings and pick the team. We can’t
have two gaffers. If we shifted the goalpoat across the park you’d be a world
beater. Remember I’m the boss until you’re elected. Otherwise you’ll be
back painting goal-posts and lighting boilers.’ In his last chapter which he entitled Return
of Belfast Celtic, Charlie makes some poignant comments, although some of
these comments have been made irrelevant by time and subsequent events. He says:
‘Since then, ( i e the withdrawal of Belfast Celtic from football ) the
best playing field ( outside of Wembley ) and the trimmest stadium ( bar none )
has seldom been used. When the dogs – or some exhibition game – aren’t in
progress, all is silent.’ His last paragraph says: ‘ Perhaps I will be
allowed to make a forecast. Belfast Celtic, which has the stadium, the equipment,
the organization, the players willing to sign for them and a big support longing
for the club’s return to Irish football will be back. Speed the day !
From John McAloon in Texas, USA As a boy I watched the Celtic Greats play and I can honestly say that I don't ever remember Bertie Peacock's religious affiliation coming up among my father and my uncles. It truly was not an issue and the man was a big favourite with the Celtic support. I remember years later hearing the story of and Old Firm game where Bertie complained to Jimmy McGrory about the stick he was getting from the Huns. "Boss they're calling me all the Fenian so and so's out there." "Don't let that bother you lad" says the bold Jimmy, "Sure I used to get that all the time." To which Bertie is alleged have said, "Aye Boss, but you are one!!" Charlie Tully was simply beloved by the Celtic support. He had a smile as wide as Celtic Park, football wise was the 1950's version of Lubo. There was nothing he couldn't do with the ball. My cousin was at the Falkirk game, in the corner of the park where he scored two goals direct from a corner kick. The first one got chalked off by the referee who made him take it again. The Tims were furious and ready to invade the pitch, (not unknown in those days.) Charlie told them all to stay where they were and he's do it over again for them. This he duly did. His wit was legend. When asked by a reporter what was the best Celtic Team he had ever played in he answered:(In the old 2-3-5 line up) Tully, Tully and Tully, Tully, Tully and Tully, Tully, Tully, McPhail, Tully and Tully. When asked what the best match was he had ever played, he replied: "We were playing Partick Thistle at Firhill. I was late so I caught my own taxi to the ground. The team bus got held up in a massive traffic jam on Maryhill Rd, so I just went out and played by myself At half time Celtic were winning 1-0, then the team bus turned up and we got beat 2-1! The Mhan was totally outrageous, a great football talent and those who remember him will always keep him close to our hearts and his memory is sure to bring a wee smile to our faces. May he Rest in Peace.
From Paddy McIlroy in Belfast I was born in 1935 in Belfast and was brought up by my Dad, Paddy, as a Belfast Celtic supporter from the cradle. Sadly he died in 1948, not long before Celtic went out of football. I was a Juvenile Season Ticket holder and remember as if it were yesterday leaning over the balcony of the Donegall Road Stand above the players tunnel waiting for them to come out. The first sign was the strong smell of embrocating wafting up. And then they took the field. It was unthinkable that they would not win.
My Dad had told me so many
wonderful stories about players I had not seen - the incomparable Mickey
Hamill; Bertie Fulton, who played in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin; Elisha
Scott, then the Manager but one of Ireland's finest goal keepers; Sammy Curran;
the McIlroy brothers Syd and, was it Charlie? And many, many more.
In my days, the line up was
sacrosanct as Goalkeeper; Right and Left Backs; Right Half, Centre Half and
Left Half; Outside Right, Inside Right, Centre Forward, Inside Left and
Outside Left. No substitutes, of course. If a player got injured,
the chances were that he would stay on the field on the wing.
And the players I saw week after
week? These are the some of the ones that are ingrained in my memory.
Goalkeepers - Kevin McAlinden, Hugh Kelly (my favourite) and Joshua Sloan;
Right Back - Billy McMillan, from Carrickfergus I think; Left Backs -
Mattie Cullen and the one and only Bud Aherne who later played Stanley
Matthews out of a match; Right Half - Harry Walker, the best player
never to have been to have played for Ireland; Centre Halves - Jack
Vernon, who went on to West Brom and was later Player Manager of Crusaders and
was regarded by some as the best Centre Half in the world at a time.
The other great Centre Half was Charlie Currie; Left Halves - Joe
Douglas and Robin Lawlor (on whom I modelled myself, long throw in and all);
Outside Rights - Norman Kernaghan, possibly the youngest player ever capped
for Ireland, and Johnny Campbell, originally from Derry, I think; Inside
Right - Jimmy McAlinden, who won an FA Cup Medal with Portsmouth in 1939;
Centre Forwards - Tommy Byrne, Jimmy Jones (of whom a foolish commentator is
reputed to have said "Jimmy Jones, not much of a footballer - all he
can do is score goals"), Eddie McMorran and Jimmy McAloon from Glasgow
Celtic; Inside Left - Liam O'Neill, Johnny Denvir from Lurgan and - yes
I saw him many many times - Charles Patrick Tully (and he is in a team photo
in Cliftonville Pavilion from 1943 when he played for the Reds); Outside
Left - Paddy Bonner, with the thunderbolt left foot and who lived on the
Donegall Road. So many of them were internationals, of course. And
many of them were in the Belfast Celtic team which beat the Scotland
International team in the
United States.
And other players who
immediately spring to mind - Tommy Breen from Dundalk who played goals
for Celtic and then went to Linfield; Wing Half Mickey McWilliams who did
the same - and who lives in Bangor where I now do; Peter O'Connor, who
scored eleven goals in a match against Glenavon; Artie Kelly, Alec Newberry and
Kevin McGarry.
And yes, I was at the infamous
match at Windsor Park which ended in disgrace for a section of the Linfield
crowd and tragedy for Celtic. But I also remember Celtic beating
Linfield eight goals to one at Windsor on another occasion and Glentoran
nine goals to two at Paradise, as Celtic Park was also known.
I could go on and on but I expect
that my memories would be even more flawed than some of those I have recorded
may be.
I will finish with these thoughts.
My Dad taught me that the Celtic ideal was good, wholesome and something to be
proud of. I passed that on to my four sons. All six of us, my
wife, four sons and myself are shareholders of Glasgow Celtic and we have
Season Tickets. I have said to my sons that their shares are theirs
to do with as they decide - but that I would like to think that in a hundred
years from now they will still be in the family and that they will still be
supporting Celtic.
From Sean McC in Belfast IIlive beside where Paridise used to stand, my great-grand father used to go to all the matches and if Belfast Celtic were still a team, id be going to them too. Paradise is now Been built over and is Park Centre on the Donegal Road
From Stafford in Belfast Best wishes with the new web site. I like what I have read so far and I look forward to seeing more.
I
do not remember Belfast Celtic as I was just a wee kid when they quit football
but my Uncle Bob told me all about the legend, Charlie Tully. There were
many stories, most of which I do not remember, but I always remember that my
Uncle Bob could not mention Tully's name without smiling at the same time.
I don't think you could mention Belfast Celtic without making reference to
Charlie Tully. I guess that says it all.
From Paddy in Belfast My Dad, God rest his soul, was a big Belfast Celtic fan. He was born in the Old Pound Loney in 1923 so he was a young man when he used to watch Jimmy Mc Alinden, Harry Walker, Jimmy Jones and Charlie Tully work their magic at Celtic Park. Sadly
I myself never got to see this great team but I often listened to the great
stories my late Father used to tell me about them. My Dad used to talk about the
late, great Charlie Tully. He said this guy had it all. I remember my Dad
telling me about the great goal he scored against Glentoran in the 1947 Irish
Cup Final. I don't think you will ever see the likes of this great team again.
Belfast Celtic were a team in a league of their own. From Kieran in Canada My Dad, God rest him, was born in east Belfast in 1910, so was a teenager when he used to watch "Blind" Sammy Curran work his magic at Celtic Park. My Dad married and moved to Bangor in the early '40s and when I was a teen in the late '60s, Sammy and his wife bought a wee sweetie shop just around the corner from us. My Dad and Sammy became good friends at the local and one day Sammy presented Pop with a gold ceramic harp. The harps were a momento, presented to each player in the Belfast/Glasgow Celtic friendly match on Easter Monday 1926. The Belfast Bhoys won that match 4-2, with Blind Sammy scoring twice.
From Max in Italia Dear friend, the
e-mail in which you told us about your new website fills us with joy! Just few
weeks ago I was surfing the web and I was a bit disappointed to find out that
there were no forums or websites about this grand team, that I have learned to
admire in particular reading "Paradise When I pay a visit
to the friends of mine in Dublin I often watch Irish football games,but my
thought try to imagine how it should be when teams like Belfast Celtic were
performing in a league that could really claim larger attendances than today.
Obviously our side is Celtic FC and my dream is to see this team at highest
european levels, but a secret hope, I think shared by many bhoys, is to
redevelop the Irish Leagues restarting from the spirit of those times. From Jim in Ireland I’m sad to say that I have no direct connection with So I began to learn a bit about the club.
The love these people had for When we traveled across to I also have a keen interest in the history of football on this island
and
From Kieran in the US It was Boxing Day, oh 'round about ' 69 or ' '70,when I went to see an oldtimers match between the great Belfast Celtic and a Northern Ireland select at the very dilapidated Celtic Park in Belfast. Old bhoys like Jimmy Jones and a quite rotund Charlie Tully played that very cold and frosty morn'. Celtic won by about 6-1,even with the extra pounds and less hair. As my Daddy was a big Belfast Celtic fan,I had no choice but to become a follower of Glasgow Celtic and as much as I love following the Lhads (just got back from Fla.) I still have a massive place in my heart for a team I never knew. Blind Sammy Curran lived around the corner from me, Cheeky Charlie managed my hometown Irish League team (Bangor) and I have Jimmy Donnelly's autograph. As I say, I'm devoted to Glasgow Celtic,but that team from Belfast will always be so special to me......Beal Feirste Go Deo!
From Padraig in Ireland Hello to all
Belfast Celtic fans! Just to let you know that a party of former players
crossed to Glasgow last weekend to visit the other Celtic. I was lucky
enough to be with them and we had a marvelous time.
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