[BOTB] SongQuest III - Seven Sensational Seasons

done it a wee while ago .

 

1987/88 Write up has been edited in.

Here it is as well, for * and giggles, or anyone else who has been waiting on it before they vote. lol.

*****

Final

1987/88
​

Happy Birthday, Dear Celtic!



It was 6th November 1887 when Brother Walfrid assembled a committee at St Mary's Church Hall in the Calton, with the task of establishing a football club - the purpose of which was to fund raise in order to provide for the dinner tables of the destitute and the children of the immigrant Irish in the east end of Glasgow. What was born that night would become The Celtic Football and Athletic Club. And it was from these charitible roots that a community would be able to rally around.

And so it was, for generations, Celtic became so much more than just a football team. It was a beacon of hope for a many that all too often were subjected to prejudice, and a rallying spirit that emerged that gave a sense of community, identity and pride.

Ninety-nine years later, and that club and community had seen so many highs and lows through the years. Near miss of relegation prevented only by an 88th minute goal on the last day of the 1947/48 season, to the highs of Lisbon in 1967. The names of the greats that had become immortalized; Maley and McMahon, McMenemy, Quinn, Gallagher, Shaw and McNair, McGrory, MacLean, Thomson and the McStays, Tully and Peacock, Stein, Auld, Johnstone and Lennox, Dalglish and McGrain had all made their mark in making Celtic a dominant force in the Scottish game.

But now there was a new challenge. Through the 1980's Aberdeen and Dundee United had emerged as powers to be taken seriously and Hearts had proved surprisingly strong also. And now, the 'Souness revolution' at Ipox was well and truly underway with the backing of David Murray and English club's ban preventing those clubs from competing in Europe saw a number of the English elite heading north of the border, including England captain, Terry Butcher and goalkeeper Chris Woods, and more would follow.

By contrast Celtic were being subjected to the 'biscuit tin' mentality of the Board. The Board had in many ways rested on the laurels of the Stein era but had been content to sit back and it had been tellling. Despite the challenges, Davie Hay had never overseen the team finish below Runner Up in the league, including a surprise title in 1986. But with a revived R****** were now looking to build on their success the following year, Celtic were in an awkward spot.

Hay, as manager had a clear eye for attacking footballers, and it was clear that with the likes of McClair and Johnson there were goals in the team. It was this eye for a player that would serve him equally well as a scout in the 90's in identifying Van Hooijdonk, Di Canio and Cadete for the Celtic cause. But in defence things were different and quite simply, the Board was less than supportive of the manager in recruiting in this area. Jack McGinn, the recently appointed Chairman, famously was quoted as saying that 'if Davie Hay wants to bring those players to Celtic then he will have to pay for them himself!"

By the time the 86/87 campaign came to a close, Hay was running out of friends in the Boardroom, which made it odd that they would sanction the transfer of Mick McCarthy to the club only to sack Hay a week later. With the Celtic Centenary closing in, and desperate to have a season worthy, and despite less than stellar showings as manager down south with Aston Villa and Man City, that summer there were few around Parkhead that were disappointed to learn of the news that Billy McNeill would be returning to take charge of the team.


The Return of Cesar!

Obviously with the departures of McClair, Johnson, Murdo MacLeod, Danny McGrain and Davie Provan left significant gaps in the side, which meant that Celtic needed to bring in some new faces. including Andy Walker, Chris Morris, veteran Billy Stark. Frank McAvennie and Joe Miller over the course of the next few months. And with the departure of so many familiar faces, it was perhaps welcoming that one of the Celtic supports favourite sons, Tommy Burns, was given a testimonial match early in the season.

Celtic got off to a promising start to the campaign however, winning 4 of their first 5 league games, including a 1-0 win over R******, before being knocked out of the League Cup by Aberdeen. Although the chances of a treble were now off. Shortly afterward, Celtic were able to secure a 2-1 win, courtesy of an 89th minute Derek Whyte winner, over Borussia Dortmund - the first time Celtic had faced German opponants in a competitive fixture, and ironically MacLeod was amongst the visitors back to Parkhead that night with his new team. Unfortunately a 2-0 reverse in Germany once again prematurely ended Celtic's European campaign for another year.

McNeill was typically defiant that it wouldn't disrupt the team too much, however, as his team could now focus on the league. By the time that Celtic travelled to Ipox in mid October they held a 4 point lead and hoping to build on this further. In a match that had several contentious moments, including early in the first half when Frank McAvennie and Chris Woods came together, with the English goalkeeper grabbing McAvennie by the throat and Butcher pushing the Celtic player to the ground. In the end the referee saw fit to show red cards to both McAvennie and Woods, while Butcher would see red later in the match also. In the end, the 2 sides ended up with a share of the points following a 2-2 final score.


Seeing Red: McAvennie is grabbed by the throat by Chris Woods

This would not be the end of the matter however, as all of these players as well as another R****** man, Graham Roberts (who appeared to be 'orchestrating' the singing of sectarian songs by the home support) would end up in court charged with "behaviour likely to cause a breach of the peace". In the end McAvennie was found not guilty, Roberts was found that the case was 'not proven', but both Woods and Butcher were both found guilty, convicted and fined. McAvennie later reflected that "it was a season where they couldn't even beat us in court!".

The games continued along and the Hoops continued to impress, and by the turn of the year had only lost 2 league games, and were sitting top of the table going into 1988. And fittingly, the first match of the new year was against the old foes in blue. Celtic were not about to let their control of the league go, with Roy Aitken resolute in defence, Paul McStay inspiring in the midfield and Morris impressing down the flank, but it was the McAvennie show, as the charismatic striker scored both of the goals that sparked the jubulation of the Jungle, roused with a rendition of 'Happy Birthday, Dear Celtic'!



The only negative of the day, and indeed of the season was behaviour by some of the support that day, throwing bananas at R****** winger, Mark Walters. Especially disappointing, considering Celtic had previously featured players from the Carribbean and the Indian subcontinent, stretching back to the 1930's, when Mohammad Salim would play in bare feet for Celtic. An otherwise sad mark on a club that has always been devoted to the Maley maxim that it was 'not the race nor creed that matters, but the man himself'. So while its important to celebrate what made us great in the first place, it would be remiss not to acknowledge this.

Moving on, Celtic were now 7 points clear at the top of the table, and were determined to not let go of the hold they now commanded over the competition. In fact, Celtic would not lose another match until mid April, including yet another victory over our former neighbours, before losing to Hearts (a week after knocking the Jambos out of the Scottish Cup), but it was only a minor blip.

Celtic were all but champions, and deservedly so when they showed up at Celtic Park the following week. In front of an official capacity 60.000 spectators on hand (reports later emerged that unofficially up to 72,000 were actually there, as many, mostly kids, were allowed to sit on the old running track, and the gates were locked, with many thousands still outside and unable to get into the ground. That day, the Hoops were able to secure the League Championship, with a 3-0 win over Dundee, with Chris Morris providing the early goak to settle the nerves before Walker provided a second half brace in the space of about a minute put the game beyond the visitors and ensured the title for the Hoops for the 35th time!



Meanwhile in the Scottish Cup, Celtic had been just as determined to make sure that it would be a season to remember. The Bhoys had managed to get past Stranraer, Hibs, Partick and Hearts set them on course for a Cup Final showdown with Dundee United. And, despite the presence of Maggie Thatcher there that day - or perhaps quite possibly in part because of it - it was to be a match and an atmosphere well worth remembering.

The Tannadice side went ahead through Kevin Gallagher (the grandson of Celtic legend, Patsy Gallagher), early in the second half. But this only seemed to serve to inspire the Celtic team, who went on to put on a display of attacking football that must have rekindled memories of Lisbon more than 20 years before for the manager, as his side attacked relentlessly. McAvennie provided the equalizer with 14 minutes left to play, and in a season where so many victories had been secured late on in games, it was only fitting that McAvennie would be attracting all the headlines with his last minute winner!



The party was well and truly one worth savouring, for the players and fans alike. Although there was to be a Cup Final victory to savour the following year, there would be precious little else to celebrate for a long time after that remarkable season. Turbulant times were ahead, but for right now, that May day in 1988, there was only unbridled joy outpouring, amongst the players and amongst the fans.

It's fitting that a real Celtic man, through and through would pay tribute to the fans, that make the club so special, and continues to this day. "That's what's so special about them. They're there and they're always there. And * bless every one of them."

Thirty years on, and we remember all the heroes of that day and that season. A season in which Celtic won 3 of their meetings with our former city rivals and drew the other. A season in which an unsung hero like Chris Morris, who played every minute in all 55 games the Bhoys played that season deserved as much of the praise as favourite sons, like Aitken and McStay, and celebrated along with new heroes, Miller, Walker and McAvennie. A season of so many memories created and reflected on the history of the hundred years that had proceeded it, and as Burns praisd the Celtic fans, it was and remains special that we have so many wonderful memories of those that went before, and sadly, have gone since.

"* bless every one of them" Tommy Burns remarked, when talking about the support that day.

Indeed, * bless every one of them. For all those that have done the Hoops proud through that first century. Every player that has given their all for the jersey. Every manager that has gone grey guiding them. Every scout that identified talents and everyone that sat in conference with Brother Walfrid that November evening in 1887, that made it all possible.

* bless everyone of them!


Roy Aitken and the Bhoys celebrate the Cup triumph

**********

Good luck to our Finalists

@borobob and @Moustache​

 

Still my fav season as a Tim.. was a magic in the air that season.

 

As for voting status, 10/16 are in.

Waiting on:

@Keano88 @Mr Shelby @Officer Doofy
@Deebo67 @Swervedancer @Vinnie BBQ

 

@Taz

Your write ups have made this an amazing competition.. cheers

 

Generally speaking, history is something I've always been fascinated by, and naturally that means the club history also. Im not best placed to contribute to discussions of the technique of our current players to head a ball (for example), or discerning BR's tactics firsthand, but history is definitely an area I feel have something to offer and contribute on here, so writing about it is an easy and very satisfying undertaking for me.

 

You’re right to mention the Walters fiasco, was there that day and I was embarrassed by the way our support behaved towards him.. as a 13yr old it made an unforgettable impression. Even shook my head at my old man who thought it was hilarious, different times I guess but inexcusable still..

 

Isn't it strange how some things seem fated when it's impossible but Billy McNeill and the team wanted to win that so much while the big spenders wanted nothing more than gate crashing it, even getting convicted in court haha how absurd. I

t was a remarkable achievement.

Loved the song choices, well ok apart from one but one in a hundred years is not bad. It's probably one of the top 10 most widely recognisable tunes too, so I'm not affecting that vote.

Legendary BOTB Director, producer and award winning screenplay, I've already expressed my feelings regarding your gifted writing and generosity setting up and running these excellent competitions.

* Bless You Taz, * Bless You

 

As for voting status, 12/16 are in.

Waiting on:

@Keano88 @Mr Shelby @Deebo67 @Vinnie BBQ

 

This has taken over a week for 4 songs ffs

 

Let's just say that the 4 votes remaining are crucially important.And as has been pointed out a number of times, it is only 4 songs, should take all of 20 minutes.


@Keano88 @Mr Shelby @Deebo67 @Vinnie BBQ

 

I will vote shortly.

 

No rush

 

Cheers.

 

I abstain.

 

Just waiting on @Keano88 and @Vinnie BBQ

 

Hurry up @Vinnie BBQ

 

Will give this until 8pm tonight. @Vinnie BBQ has until then

 

You're welcome.