Poem Biography.
To give an insight into the reasons or inspirations behind each poem we decided to divulge some background about each one.
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Tommy Burns.
When news of Tommys illness made its way into the press back in 2006 it came as quite a shock that a man who appeared so fit and healthy should have such a serious health problem. The future seemed bright for Tommy as he seemed to overcome the cancer scare, and after a short period away from Celtic park, Tommy returned to the club to carry on with the job he just simply loved doing. Sadly as often happens in these cases Tommy's cancer returned and after a brave fight against this horrible disease Tommy Burns succumbed to the illness, and he sadly passed away at 4am on thursday May 14th 2008.
Tommy joined CelticFootballClub as a 16 year old back in 1974 and was the epitomy of a celtic fan living the dream. As a young ten year old i first met Tommy back in 1980 when my father took me to Celtic park to collect some of my heroes autographs. as i stood outside the main doors Tommy and Tam Macadam appeared at the doors on their way to barrowfield. As i had been waiting for them , i had nervously been nibbling on the end of my pen, and unbeknowns to myself i had broken the seal on the pen and the nib had fell somewhere onto the floor of the Celtic car park. As i hesitantly approached the two Tommy's i was met by a big friendly "Hello wee man." from Tommy Burns. i asked politely if i could have his autograph and he said "Sure thing son."
As Tommy Burns placed the pen i had handed him onto my autograph book in readiness to pen his signature a look of confusion came over his face as no ink appeared on the page. He quickly noticed that the pen was broken and laughed out loud thinking i had handed him some kind of joke pen. " Aye. Very good wee man. A joke pen!" he said. I dont know what was funnier Tommy burn's reaction or Tam macadams who almost fell to the floor laughing at his team mate. in the years that followed i met Tommy Burns on a few occasions at various celtic player of the year dances and he always had time and a chat for everyone. While i cant claim to know Tommy Burns well i feel priveledged to have watched him play for the club i love and star in many great Celtic sides through his stay at the club.
I'm sure that many many people can tell better stories and speak more eloquently about Tommy. But i have my own personal story of my short meetings with Tommy and as a ten year old he made me feel so very special. Throughout their history CleticFootballClub may have had more gifted players than Tommy and in years to come they may sign more gifted players than Tommy............ But i am certain they havent and wont ever have such a special special person wear our beloved hoops.
With regards to the Tommy Burns poem , i just had to write some words about Tommy, i only hope i have done such a special person justice.
God bless you Tommy. You'll never walk alone....... Rest in Peace
Tommy Burns 1956 - 2008
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A Will to Win From Deep Within.
It has been a source of great joy in recent years, that Celtic have consistently grasped a victory from the jaws of defeat in the closeing stages of games, be they in Europe or in their Domestic competitions. In some cases, coming from behind to do so.
I felt compelled to write a few words on the subject after our recent last minute win against a very resolute Aberdeen team who were unlucky to lose 3 - 2, to a Celtic side who just never believe they cant win.
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A Bhoys Bond.
I thought it would be nice to try and approach a poem from the perspective of what Celtic would say to the Celtic Support Iif it could.
Down through the years many many people have written or spoken of their true love of our club i thought i'd reverse the trend so in my mind this is a love letter from Glasgow Celtic to her fans.
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The Maestro.
Paul McStay was one of the most gifted footballers Celtic football club had. it was such a pity for paul and the Celtic support, that between the middle of his career and the end of his career, the Celtic board wouldnt surround paul with players who had the ability that Paul McStay possessed.
if they had, we would have definetly not had to sit through nine seasons in a row were the league flag found its home accross the city.
Paul entered the Celtic team when it included such famous names as, Bonner, Aitken, McGrain, Macleod, Provan, McGarvey, McCluskey and of course BURNS. Paul more than held his own among the senior players and in no time McStay was a mainstay in the Celtic engine room.
towards the end of his career paul virtually carried a Celtic side that was in hindsight just not good enough. And watching Paul was the one saving grace of those times.
The Celtic supporters voted Paul worthy of inclusion into the greatest Celtic side ever, among such greats as Jinky Johnstone and Billy McNeil. And Paul was more than deserving of that award. He was, by the length of Argylle street, the best player Scotland has produced in a long long long long time.
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Celtic Heart.
On Saturday 19th April 2008 at a few minutes passed 4 am, my father passed away after a short, but brave battle against Cancer. This poem came from the memories that my fathers passing evoked in me. As a youngster my dad passed to me the love of the greatest football club in the world, and so much more. We travelled to games together and stood side by side on the terracing before takeing our seats in the upper north stand when Celtic park was refurbished. i miss him more than i could have ever imagined and i loved him more than he could have ever known. God bless you dad. All my Love xxx.
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Aiden.
Our current player of the year. Has so much more ability than probably any other player in Scotland it would be unwise to think we'll have him for his full career.
So for now we should enjoy this bhoy while we have him, quite simply he has the ability to play for any club he wants throughout the world. The kind of player we will tell our grand kids about.
Aiden decided he wanted to play for the Irish Republic rather than Bertie Vogts and Scotland. Aiden has been booed the length and breadth of Scotland for that decision. i felt compelled to write something about Aiden that encapsulated that decision. Hopefully i have conveyed that a large group of Celtic fans be they Scottish or Irish, give Aiden their full support no matter what country he plays his international football for.
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Gordon.
Having secured his third title in three years, and having never failed to win the league since his arrival as first team coach, Gordon Strachan has more than delivered the success we as celtic fans ask our club to give us. Amazingly Gordon remains to win over a section of our support who feel he isnt worthy of his place at our club. i was one of the fans who took a while to warm to Gordon but my fears evaporated as Gordon secured the League title at the first time of asking. Gordons poem was my little way of showing my support to a man who deserves better from some Celtic supporters.
hail hail ......its 3 in a row.
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A Celtic Dream.
Explanation Pending.
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The Lion.
There has not been a player in the history of Celtic who was more loved by the Celtic Supporters than Jimmy "Jinky" Johnstone. His wing wizardry and commitment to Celtic and its fans means his death was felt as if one of our own family had passed away. Jimmy bravely fought Motor Neurone disease but ultimately lost his fight and passed peacefully at home with his beloved wife Agnes at his side.
Jimmy terrorised many a defender with his trickery and skill and played his part in helping Celtic to the great success thay achieved while Jimmy was part of the playing staff.
I felt compelled to write something to honour Jimmy's memory and hopefully in some small way my words show the respect and love we had for the "wee man". Rest in peace Jinky.
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Scotlands Shame.
A wee dig at those foes who reside accross the city, who seem hell bent on bringing shame upon themselves at every opportunity.
There are elements to that clubs fan base that are quite simply SCUM.
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What Celtic means to me.
The love i have for our club is only overtaken by the love i have for my family. i have followed Celtic accross the borders of Europe, been a season ticket holder, brought the merchandise and of course sang the songs. having lived through some bad times when our club was on the floor, these days i appreciate what Celtic gives to us in recent years much much more.
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Seven One.
Simply the gretest victory over Rangers that we have enjoyed. The fact that it was a cup final simply adds the salt we can rub in their wounds. Seven One ya dancer.
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1997.
I think the word "RELIEF" probably best describes the way every Celtic fan was feeling as the full time whistle blew to end season 97/98.
Celtic were champions again to deny the team from accross the city a scottish record of ten titles in a row. Wim and Murdo had also steered the team to a win in the coca cola league cup.
Although the club has went onto success after success since that season ended, it will always be a point to ponder just what Wim Jansen and Murdo Macleod would have achieved if they had stayed at the helm of our club.
I have always felt that wim and murdo never got the recognition they deserved, and this poem is my way of saying thank you for giving us a special year, and for stopping the ten.
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Use Your Celtic Compass.
The number of Celtic fans who live beyond the shores of Scotland quite simply is amazing. It seems no matter where you travel you always come accross a celtic fan. no matter how far away from Celtic park you may be.
I wanted to write something to celebrate those Celtic fans who support our club by satellite link at stupid o clock in the morning on the otherside of the world..... hail hail.
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Henrik.
Henrik Larsson arrived at Celtic park to a Celtic support who were less than impressed with his signature, simply because the transfer fee was not in the high millions. And our nemesis accross the city were ploughing million after million into their transfer kitty.
After a dodgy debut at Easter road which i'm sure Chick Charnley will be forever gratefull for scoring the goal of his career. ( Oh Henrik! ) Our Swedish Bhoy went on to be one of the finest players Celtic fans had the pleasure of supporting.
Off the field he was a gentleman.
On the field he probably forgot more about football than some of his opponents had learned.
To summarise...... "Henrik Larsson is the King of Kings........"
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