Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr (Volumes One & Two) – Out 4th September. Available to pre-order NOW!

AT THE END OF THE STORM – Celtic in the Fifties, Volume One 

They say night is darkest, just before the dawn. At the turn of the 1950s, Celtic Football Club was trading on memories of a glorious past. Struggling badly on the pitch and under attack off it.

But the introduction of a batch of talented youngsters from both sides of the Irish Sea brought renewed hope and optimism amongst the vast but disillusioned Celtic support that the good times would soon return after more than a decade in the doldrums, including a dreadful flirt with an unspeakable relegation in the immediate post-war years.

Charlie Tully, Bobby Collins, Bertie Peacock, Willie Fernie and Sean Fallon were amongst the latest hopefuls to wear those famous Hoops and live the dreams of thousands across the globe, joining established stars such as Bobby Evans and John McPhail.

In At the end of the storm, the first volume of Celtic in the Fifties, author and historian Matt Corr takes you step-by-step through that period from a Celtic perspective. From the controversial treatment of Tully, which threatened to end the Celtic career of the Irish genius, to the relief of a first major trophy lift in 13 years.

From McPhail’s hat-trick against Rangers in the ‘Danny Kaye final’ to the infamous saga of the ‘second-hand’ St Mungo Cup. This is another remarkable chapter in our incredible story, and it is one for the ages.

FLAGS AND CORONATIONS – Celtic in the Fifties, Volume Two 

It is the ultimate Celtic ’sliding door’ moment. When a journeyman defender was plucked from the obscurity of non-league football in South Wales to help the struggling Celtic cause in the winter of 1951, no-one in their wildest dreams could have imagined what would follow.

But that man was the incomparable Jock Stein, and under his inspirational leadership the Celts would emerge from the shadow of relegation to secure the iconic Coronation Cup then a first League and Scottish Cup Double in four decades. Stein’s list of teammates reads like a ‘Who’s Who?’ of Celtic greats, evoking memories of a quite wonderful era.

The genius of Charlie Tully, Willie Fernie and Bertie Peacock. The sheer will to win of Bobby Evans and Sean Fallon. The explosive firepower of Bobby Collins, John McPhail and Neil Mochan. It is a cast for the ages.

Of course, being Celtic, jeopardy, heartbreak and tragedy are never far away. From the deaths of young players and old legends to the controversial Eire Flag Crisis which threatened to end the club’s involvement in Scottish football permanently,

In terms of heroes and events which align perfectly with the history of the grand old team, the years following Jock Stein’s arrival at Celtic Park are right up there with the very best of them.

In Flags and Coronations, the second volume of Celtic in the Fifties, author and historian Matt Corr takes you step-by-step through that journey. It is unmissable.

You can pre-order both books now at Celticstarbooks.com –  Celtic in the Fifties will be published on Friday 4th September 2026…

Celtic Historian & Author Matt Corr

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