The Celtic History Podcast

In 1901, Rangers won the Glasgow Exhibition Cup in very controversial fashion. A year later, Celtic would become champions of Britain and end up keeping a trophy engraved with the words 'Won By Rangers FC'. Here's how!

In the late 1800s, Celtic hosted the World Cycling Championships at Paradise. The decision to do so would have a major impact on the future direction of the club.

In 2002 an official greatest Celtic XI was voted for by supporters. However, no players from before the Lisbon Lions era featured in the team. To ensure that the heroes from the first 80 years of Celtic's history are not forgotten, it was decided that a podcast on the Greatest Celtic XI, comprised of players who did not play for the club after 1966, should be arranged.

Joining me to discuss this topic were renowned historians David Potter and Matt Corr, while David Faulds took on the role of host.

The three of us historians came up with a team each and an article will now be published on The Celtic Star website, where fans can vote on the matter to decide upon one definitive Pre-Lisbon 11.

Former Celtic star Alan Thompson is set to release a biography - A Geordie Bhoy - on 1 December 2021. In this episode, Tommo gives listeners a taste of what to expect in the book, as he talks about his time at Celtic, his wider football career, and shares some personal stories away from the pitch.

Steve Finan is a journalist of 40 years' standing who has made the transition to author. He is a cobwebbed and dusty expert on newspaper and magazine archives and creates football nostalgia books, mainly drawing upon the extensive material in the DC Thomson archive.

One of his recent books, Celtic In The Black & White Era, features hundreds of previously unseen classic Celtic photos from the glory days. Even if you know the history... you haven't seen it like this. These photos have lain hidden in archives for 40, 50 or even 60 years. They show the great events such as the European Cup triumph of 1967, Hampden in the sun, Gil Heron’s debut, the John Thomson tragedy, and the Leeds United European tie of 1970. There are also scores of behind-the-scenes photos, images of Celtic heroes of the past as you’ve never seen them, and “new” old photos of the great games. It is the ideal gift for any Celtic-minded person - nostalgia for those who remember, a chance to experience the halcyon days for those who don’t. There’s never been a Celtic book like it!

In this episode, Steve and myself discuss some iconic moments in Celtic's history, reminisce about the great characters at the club, and give listeners a taste of the photographs included in the book. We also touch on some of Steve's forthcoming projects, in which Celtic feature extensively.

Mention the name Harry Hood and it evokes memories of a wonderful footballer in a glorious era, most notably at Celtic, his boyhood club. The chants rang out as he scored vital goals 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.

Skillful, 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. Hood was a key man in an incredible team.

Johnny Doyle came from a Celtic-daft family and had to be persuaded to give up his local supporters club membership to try and become a professional footballer. Under Ally MacLeod's guidance, teenage Doyle went on to win international honours before Celtic spent a record fee to take the flying winger to his spiritual home. He was one of Scottish football's most controversial and memorable characters before his tragic death at the age of 30.

In this episode, we discuss Paul's new book about the great man and go through some of the funniest & most important stories included.

Celtic historian and author David Potter has written dozens of books about Celtic Football Club and it's legendary figures. In this episode, David discusses his new book - Alec McNair Celtic's Icicle. Packed full of incredible stories about one of the greatest ever Celts, this episode is not to be missed.

In 1889, Michael Davitt was named Celtic's second Patron. He was also invited to lay the centre sod of turf, imported from Donegal, at the opening of the new Celtic Park in 1892. An IRB man, Land League founder, Politician, International Speaker, GAA enthusiast and Celtic fan - Michael Davitt had an incredible life. In this episode, I explore what his position at Celtic can tell us about the early identity of the club and what parallels can be drawn between his beliefs and those of the Celtic founding fathers.

There were over 20 individuals involved in founding Celtic Football Club in late 1887. Sadly, many of these men have been forgotten over the years. In this episode, I list those identified as founding fathers, before exploring the stories of the four most important people in terms of establishing Celtic: John Glass, Brother Dorotheus, John H McLaughlin, Brother Walfrid.

A split emerged between members of Celtic's committee ahead of the club's first AGM in 1889. As a result of the fallout, James Quillan founded a rival Irish club in Glasgow. Who did he take with him and why? More importantly, what impact did this have on Celtic?

Hibernian's Scottish Cup Final victory in 1887 is celebrated at St Mary's Church Hall in Glasgow. A series of speeches plant the seed of Celtic in the minds of those present. Thereafter, Brother Walfrid organises a further charitable football event - The East End Catholic Charity Cup - it's resounding success confirmed that football matches could raise a lot of money for charity.

Brother Walfrid sets up the 'Penny Dinner Scheme' as part of The Poor Children's Dinner & Breakfast Tables. I explore the thinking behind this initiative, which other Marist Brother became involved with the project, and how the pair discovered football as an important fundraising tool.