Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr (Volume One) At the beginning of the 1930s, as a new Celtic Park emerged to dominate Glasgow’s east end skyline, Willie Maley was assembling the most exciting, attacking young Celtic team, seeking to restore the grand old club...
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr – Volume Two Following the series of tragedies which dominated the first part of the decade, Willie Maley and Jimmy McMenemy are building another truly great Celtic side, which will establish Glasgow’s grand old team as not just...
In the summer of 2005, incoming Celtic manager Gordon Strachan faced one of the most difficult jobs in world football, charged with restoring the fortunes of the grand old club after a heartbreaking end to the previous season, which saw legendary boss Martin O’Neill and many of the stars who had delivered such incredible success in the early part of the new millennium take their leave. The end of an era.
But this is Celtic...and our nights are darkest just before the dawn. Soon we would witness the thrilling emergence of a team of exciting new heroes who would create their own magical history in those iconic Hoops, as the next chapter in the greatest football story of them all was written, roared on by that Celtic constant, a fanatical worldwide support.
And what a remarkable chapter it is…Celtic theatre at its rollercoaster finest with last-minute dramas, the tragic loss of another of our immortal Lions and the onset of illness of another beloved redhead with Celtic pouring through his veins, then ultimately title triumph as the Hoops battle through a season dismissed by many as being purely transitional to regain their mantle as Scotland’s Champions, the Celts once again the dominant football force in the land.
It’s a season full of characters befitting of any Celtic Story. From Poland came Artur Boruc, the eccentric but brilliant Holy Goalie, and Maciej ‘Majic’ Zurawski, the international duo thrilling Hoops supporters at either end of the pitch. We had the perfect Irish Heartbeat in midfield, new skipper Neil Lennon joined by Roy Keane, the world-class Cork Bhoy fulfilling a lifetime dream by wearing those colours, the duo in their element as they dominate proceedings in a vital win at Ibrox.
And the incredible, lung-bursting power of Stiliyan Petrov, Stan the Man, the Bulgarian captain with his trademark winning goals turning one point into three in Celtic’s relentless pursuit of the honours. It’s a campaign where the young pretender Shaun Maloney steps out of the shadows with a series of stunning performances to become Scotland’s Player of the Year, and where John Hartson ends his Celtic career by becoming the latest in a long list of striking superstars to pass the century mark of goals for our club.
Finally, there is the genius of Shunsuke Nakamura, The King of Japan, commencing a Celtic career blessed with the most incredible footballing moments. Little known before his arrival on these shores but still revered two decades later. Technically perfect, he lights up Paradise.
It’s time to tell this story. To relive those goals. To remember those songs. When we had Majic, Stan and The King of Japan...
'The Bould Bhoys! Glory to their name' by Matthew Marr.
At Celtic Star Books, we take great pride in sharing the stories of the legendary players, teams
and events which make up the incredible history of our club.
From Kelly to Kyogo, and everything in between.
In our seventh publication - The Bould Bhoys! “Glory to their name," we follow the exploits of a wonderful early Celtic team in their attempt to win the Scottish League for the first time, with joy, controversy and intrigue every step of the way.
Author Matthew Marr picks up the story of our early Celtic heroes in the summer of 1892, three years down the line from Walfrid & The Bould Bhoys, our Autumn 2021 publication which completely sold out on hardback and is now available in Kindle form only. The fledgling club from Glasgow’s east end, established for the most noble of reasons, has won the prestigious Scottish Cup against all odds, beating the established order of the day, notably nine-time winners Queen’s Park. But there is unfinished business for The Bould Bhoys…
A new, season-long competition is up for grabs, the Scottish League Championship, viewed by many observers as a better test than the briefer knockout cup competitions to determine who is ‘the best in Scotland.’
What a cast of characters.
Dan Doyle.
Willie Maley.
James Kelly.
Johnny Madden.
Sandy McMahon.
Celts who thrilled our forefathers - “Glory to their name.”
The story of that season will now thrill you, as we reach the 130th anniversary of these events this spring. Matthew will walk you through each twist and turn as it occurs, bringing the heroes to life and placing you at every match as Celtic strive to succeed back-to-back Scottish champions Dumbarton as the team at the top of the League, looking down on the others.
The more things change…
If you love your Celtic history…then this is for you.
Willie Fernie - Putting on the Style by David Potter & John McCue
Piling on the agony, putting on the style
That’s what Glasgow Celtic have been doing all this while.
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven ways to make you smile
Watching Willie Fernie putting on the style!
Just one verse from the many songs still sung today which record glorious Celtic victories from the fabulous ‘50s, a decade which witnessed the Coronation Cup, Hampden in the Sun and a first League and Cup Double in 40 years, the last before captain Jock Stein became a revered Celtic manager.
A time of heroes in Hoops, such as Charles Patrick Tully, Bobby Evans, Sean Fallon and Neil Mochan. However, for many Celtic supporters of the day, one man epitomised that era, the Wizard of the Dribble, Willie Fernie, a beautiful, elegant footballer who was a key figure in all of those wonderful triumphs with goals and assists whilst playing in any number of positions.
Willie would enjoy a spell in England before returning to his beloved Celtic to help bring on the youngsters who would become European champions, then move into a coaching role under Jock Stein to develop the multi-talented generation known as the Quality Street Gang.
This is his story.
“Those of us who saw Willie Fernie play for Celtic saw a genius.”
David Potter
Harry Hood - Twice as Good by Matt Corr -
Mention the name Harry Hood and it evokes memories of a wonderful footballer in a glorious era, most notably at Celtic, his boyhood club. Wearing those magical, unspoilt green and white Hoops.
Of the chants which rang out as he scored vital goals for Celtic, 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.
Skilful, 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. A key man in an incredible team, some of whom pay tribute to Harry in this, his official biography.
Oh Harry, Harry! He did it all.
Please note that as with all copies of this book sold, £1 will be donated to Marie Curie in memory of Harry Hood.