What a Great Day!!!!

Here are the thoughts of a president, who after this meet-up felt even more honoured to be so, for the simple act of shaking hands, the friendly backslapping, the exchange of many a joke, though not with everyone present (for this I apologise, it was not out of lack of respect but the frenetic tempo of the day and lack of time prevented me from getting to chat to all present – I remember at least 3-4 guys who I didn’t even say hi to – even a person from Ascoli I think…I again apologise). However even the meeting up with others in the morning to head out in the mini bus was really good fun thanks to the happy exuberance of Bifo and Diego. Add to them the ‘madness’ of the owner of the mini bus, Massimo, the last minute arrival of Thommylow and the smiling faces of Sara and Irene (our Scottish member, so lovely a person too). The journey was spent watching a few DVDs about the history of Celtic which had Bifo and the others even more pleasantly astonished. The stop at the auto grill on the motorway in order to pick up Jimmyglesga with his amazing collection of Celtic scarves and a well deserved snack of bread, salami and beer aided our increasing adrenaline as we got closer to Florence. Finally we arrived at the pub, the first people we met, the handshaking, the smiling faces, all of these made the day unforgettable. I happily remember the joke played on Bifo, as well as the fact that we behaved completely polite and civilised so as to present ourselves as ‘true’ Celtic fans (others should use this as a good example for themselves – I want to say that as I knew of the responsibility on my shoulders and can proudly hold my head high). The final score was painful for all of us, our faces even in defeat kept the happiness of (finally) getting to meet one another from all over Italy( and showed how wrong are those who say that when football brings us together we become rabid animals in our behaviour).

There is no point in saying it really but I will reiterate it again anyway, my work will continue on this road that we have started on: we will do our utmost to achieve our next objective: to travel to Glasgow as a group in the 2008/2009 season.

Hail Hail

Boretim

- President

All the pics of this fantastic day are on : http://theitalianceltscsc.spaces.live.com

Who are?The Italian Celts – est 2007

Dear Bhoys

The Italian Celtic supporters club, ‘The Italian Celts’, was officially inaugurated on 5 September 2007.  Our club is officially affiliated to the association which unites Celtic supporters clubs throughout the world. The idea behind the club is to bring together all those who have the interests of the ‘green and whites’ at heart, making available and information blog ‘Memocelts’ for informative interaction, providing, at the same time, useful information for anyone wanting to follow Celtic in Scotland or in Europe, with the benefit of being able to have encounters enabling you to speak privately from the heart about our club. The founder members are: (in alphabetical order) Alessandro Boretti, Roberto Longobardi, Roberto Ruggieri and Max Troiani.

 

We would ask all those who would intend joining to read our constitution (ask for it by email at italiancelts@yahoo.it) and to abide by it. This idea is born of a long standing passion for Celtic, which had arisen in the past with the creation of two Celtic supporters clubs, the first as long ago as 1990 called the ‘ Packie Bonner number 1 CSC’ and the second in 1993 called ‘The Italian Bhoys CSC’. We hope that the’ green and white’ passion can expand beyond our circle of friendship and last as long as possible.

INTERVIEW WITH LUCA SANTONOCITO

We begin 2008 in the sign of the hope and we begin it with an interview with Luca Santonocito, the young Italian centralmidfielder, that since september of the last year has gone to reinforce the Italian presence in the Bhoys. Thanks Luca for your availability during the christmas festivities and we predict that 2008  will be rich with success in the hope that flag of the glorious Celtic can become one.

How are you doing with the language?

With the language good, I understand nearly everything that is said to me, when speaking I have still some difficulty even if it will not be long till that improves. On the pitch I makes myself understood well.

How do you understand the technical terms of the Pitch?

As I integrated myself with them, consequently I learned the technical terms and the ways to communicate with the team, aided by gestures like in Italy.

Which difference is between our training and theirs?

The Italians are above all based on technique and tactics and with the rhythm of game; the Scots there is less technique and tactics, a lot more physical and stamina training, the training is always relaxed and happy. Moreover, I train myself every day except Wednesday, I have two games at the weekend, and some days the training sessions are both morning and afternoon, other times in the gym.

How are relationships with the technical staff and management?

They are THE BEST, Willie McStay, reserve team coach, together with Strachan want to work with the reserve squad, but through necessity and success against Rangers, I  have played with all of the three teams, and I think that would possibly happened still however, in my comparison they have a great respect.

Have you found any differences, and which, between the youth sector of Celtic and that of Italians?

Obviously, it’s an other structure, an other organization, also the relationship between trainers and players is diverse, much more on the student level, for an example we joke lots with the coach,  there isn’t much tension and where there is it is a lot reduced. This creates a calm atmosphere.

What pushed you to make the important decision to leave Italy for Scotland?

First, the fact that they have seen me in Italy and they deliberately made  me do a trial , the result of which you know. Moreover I come from Inter, squad of great level, but they prefer foreigners over the national students where I played, even though less than a year. This point I have accepted with joy and the awareness of what was happening to me, promising not to disappoint anyone, from here my promise, if possible to become one that makes it at Celtic.

From the comparisons that surely will have been made, who that have seen you play, to who  are you similar to game style?

I think that I do not to know to how to give an answer, because when someone compared me to some player that I know only from the name and at my age, have not been able to see them, would not know to express a judgment, I have not been identified with anyone even currently, if I could resemble anyone, someone like Rossi, a complete player from my point of view.

The Celtic History

On 6^th  November 1887, in a meeting at St.Mary’s church on the Glasgow East End, the Celtic Football Club was officially founded by catholic priest, Brother Walfrid. The aim was to raise money in favour of the children of Glasgow East End. Brother Walfrid’s inspiration came from the Hibernian F.c., Edinburgh football side, whom was formed by irish people living in the capital. On 28^th may 1888 the team played his real first official match against the archrival of Rangers F.c.. the final score was a win for 5-2. For that match, Hibernian loaned 8 players to the Bhoys (nickname for Celtic). The St. Mary’s church is still there nowadays, just 5 minutes walking from Celtic Park.

OPEN LETTER FROM A CELTIC SUPPORTER

I was very priveleged to have been among the many thousands of Celtic supporters, who attended our recent Champions League game in the San Siro Stadium. I was in Milan, from Monday (3/12/07) until Friday(7/12/07). Throughout the total duration of our stay, our fans, were welcomed with a kind warmness, and open arms, not only by the people of milan in general, but also by the fans of both the Inter and A.C. Milan clubs. Throughout the full duration of the game, our fans, sang their hearts out, willing our team into the last 16 of the Champions League. At the end of game, the Celtic fans were requested by the home club, to remain within our allocated area within the stadium, in order to alleviate any crowd congestion outside the San Siro. Throughout, this 30 minutes or so, that we were requested to remain within the stadium, we sang our hearts out to a stadium, which was completely deserted, apart from the Police, Club stewards, and the Italian Press, who had gathered in a friendly manner on the running track, directly in front of a jubiliant Celtic support. Suddenly, the home clubs tannoy system, blasted out “Walk on”, much to the delight of our fans, who of course felt duly obliged to join in. Every Celtic fan, to a man, joined in, in what can only be described, as one of the most resounding renditions European football has ever heard from an away support, while the Italian Press, stewards, and even the Police stood in total awe. This effort, by our fans, was met with a warm and very meaningful applause, from all the bodies who had gathered on the running track, directly in front of us. Eventually, our cold, but very jubiliant support, were permitted to descend from the high heavens of the magnificent San Siro Stadium, and were met with a very much organised “guard of honour” and applause, from a swelling crowd of Italians, which incorporated A.C. Milan fans, Police, and Club Stewards, who all wanted to display their gratitude to a magnificent visiting support. Even the Police wanted a “part” of our famous support, with many openly wanting a piece of Celtic memoribilia. Each and every one of our fans, were applauded as we exited the stadium, and the International hand of friendship, was extended between all groups, in what, i can only describe as a memory that will remain with me for the rest of my life. Too often, the British press, are all too ready to vilify the fans of our Club, as bigots and sectarian dinosaurs, ……..where were these journalists ? Did we see these reports in our daily tabloids, or televisions ? I have followed my team, with great pride for over 40 years now, and apart from my own “Seville experience”, I have never witnessed such a warm and touching amalgamation of opposing fans, Police, and club stewards, as i did on my Milan trip, and I hope, in all sincerity,this can be the springboard to the world of football, that opposing fans, can mingle together, in a warm, safe, and sporting friendship. Without doubt, I take great pride, in being part of that great “Celtic family”, who invaded Milan in support of our Club. Once again,thank you, to our magnificent fans, who in my humble opinion, have extended, the sporting and friendly hand of Celtic Football Club to the rest of the footballing world. Hail Hail the Celts are here !

Willaim Doolan

JOHNNY DOYLE – THE MAN WHO LOVED THE GREEN !! of Alex Boretti

Victories, great champions, big achievements, you remember all the time. They are carved in history, above all, if you put this into every day context, they become traditions, handed down from generation to generation. Particularly when we are youths it becomes an inescapable fact  and never leaves us. So, it just like that for me, by now, adolescent and consumed by football, dedicated Celtic fan; our heroes, and  favourite players seem immortal to us. They cannot die tragically; if they die it’s because they seem about 100 years old or we know they will die after us. Johnny Doyle didn’t last that long. An electric shock killed him on 19 October 1981 when he was at home working with electrical apparatus. I confess: there were other Celtic players I knew, but I remember his goal against Real Madrid in the European Cup in March 1980. I couldn’t imagine that he would become my favourite player. When I heard the news of his death from a friend in Glasgow I could not believe such an absurd way to die, because it was so different from what I expected. Then, I got the Celtic View, I read it and looked to see who was this man, Johnny Doyle. I then received pictures of Celtic and my enquiries were directed to the early eighties when this player on the wing was bursting with courage all over the pitch. Born in Bellshill on 11 May 1951, a mining area, he spent his childhood between school and playing football with his dad who taught him to be two footed. After his youth football Doyle signed a contract with Ayr United for £4 a week and stayed there until 15 March 1976, when, after a bit of to-ing and fro-ing between the two clubs, Celtic bought him for £90,000. ‘I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep; I went to sleep that night at 4 in the morning, only after listening to Status Quo!’ he said later. He is still the last Ayr United player to be capped for Scotland (he gave his shirt to the manager, Ally MacLeod) His first season at Celtic Park was blighted by an injury sustained in the first minute of his debut against Dundee. His career in green and white went through a crisis in his first two seasons, then he began to impress with his twisting and turning, his dummies and speed and he soon became the darling of the Jungle. Always available, he attended club functions to the last minute, and , on more than one occasion, he asked fans who stayed near him to come back to his house after matches. Many remember him for that goal against Real Madrid, but my favourite goal was the third in a replay of a Scottish Cup quarter final against St Mirren at Love Street in 1980. Down to ten men after Tom McAdam was sent off, the Bhoys won in extra time after the match finished 2-2 in 90 minutes (Goals from Doyle, Bone, Somner and Lennox). Doyle scored an unbelievable goal in the second half of extra time, setting off from midfield, beating the offside trap and slotting home. His fiery temperament didn’t help him; I can remember him being sent off after hitting a referee in the face;  on the 21 of May 1979, leaving the Bhoys down to ten men after punching MacDonald in the Glasgow derby which was the title decider (won 4-2). But his heart was totally green and white. When the media reported, at the beginning of the 1981/82 that he was off to Hearts, Dundee or Motherwell, he retorted that he would never want to leave Celtic. His last appearance for the Hoops was in the Glasgow Cup in 81/82 against Queens Park when he scored. He was killed the next week in an electrical accident at home. After the last match of the 1981/82 season, against St Mirren which signalled the clinching of the title, three quarters of an hour after the match the fans stayed in the stadium singing the name of Johnny Doyle, singing ‘we won the league for Johnny Doyle’ and ‘ Doyle, oh Johnny Doyle, oh Johnny Doyle on the wing’ But the best memory of all came from Alfie Conn, one of his team mates, and a former Rangers player. ‘ Doyle was the one who wore a Celtic scarf on the day of a game, home or away at Fir Park or at Ibrox. It was a sign of his loyalty, but also a sign that he had no fear. I remember the first time I went back to Ibrox as a Celtic player. I got the dressing rooms mixed up and headed for the Rangers one. Doyle, naturally, scarf round the neck, took me by the collar and shepherded me into the Celtic dressing room, pointing out which was the right one’That’s my memory of Johnny Doyle, who realised the dream of every boy, and that’s to put on the shirt of the team of your heart.

Celtic-Milan

Bulletin (n°1) – 4 October 2007,  The Board

 

 With considerable regret and total aversion this club condemns the stupid gesture of that fan (even if it gives us pain to call him such) who ran on to the pitch during the Champions league game between Celtic and AC Milan and struck the Milan keeper. As much as we can, we feel obliged to apologise to the Italian club for the harm done, which will damage the reputation of our club and those million (in a manner of speaking) fans who follow Celtic throughout the world. Unfortunately, this episode indelibly stains the reputation which the supporters of the Scottish club have maintained and shown with pride wherever the club is engaged, also having attained the recognition of the ‘fair play’ award on the international stage. We don’t care about the footballing facts, the penalty or any sanctions which will be justifiably visited upon us. It must be emphasised that this act breaks all the rules which we have always respected and which we believe makes football a party for us all. To play at the level of competition offered by the Champions League for Celtic and their fans is an honour of the highest relevance; on the day when we recall the anniversary of the first satellite in space which subsequently ought to have enabled mankind to take off from earth, to be part of this act brings us back to earth with a bump and endless pain.