Celtic will face Ferencvaros in the next round of the UEFA Champions League . The match will be held at Celtic Park tonight in what is sure to be a testing one legged affair. The European away support are disappointed at not being able to travel to Budapest, a fantastic city to visit watching the Bhoys, whilst it is also a shame from a historical point of view that the club can’t revisit Budapest, where they competed for a prestigious trophy back in 1914…

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‘Good things come to those who wait’ is a phrase extolling the virtue of patience. Celtic certainly exemplified this proverb during The Budapest Cup shenanigans of 1914. It was during that year that Celtic had sealed a league and cup double, whilst Burnley had won the FA Cup in England. Both clubs happened to be touring Hungary prior to the beginning of the 1914/1915 season and as British teams were regarded the finest in the world at the time, Ferencvaros Football Club took advantage of these top side’s visiting their home city.

Ferencvaros decided to hold a charitable match between Celtic and Burnley at their FTC Stadion for the benefit of Balkan War refugees. A silver trophy in the shape of a lighthouse was donated by Hungary News newspaper, to be awarded to the winner of the clash, which had been alluringly named ‘The Budapest Cup’. Astonishingly, the hosts didn’t notify Celtic of the match in advance, but fortunately the club were able to shuffle their plans to fulfill the fixture when the late news came through.

The game took place amid scorching conditions. The pitch was dry and the crowd of close to 10,000 saw an aggressive encounter. Jimmy ‘Napoleon’ McMenemy put Celtic in front through a 20th minute penalty. Burnley then equalised with a penalty of their own in the second half, after ‘Sunny’ Jim Young handled in the box. The match finished that way, with the game tied at 1-1.

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Reports in the press allude to the fact that Celtic refused to play extra time. The Hoops, weary in the mid-May sun, instead opted to travel to Burnley at a later date, where a replay could be held, and the Hungarians agreed to forward the trophy to the eventual victors.

On 14 September 14 (1914), four months after the original game and almost seven weeks after the outbreak of World War I, Celtic finally travelled to Turf Moor. The Bhoys took the game to Burnley and dominated the first half without tangible reward. At the break, Peter Johnstone had to be withdrawn from the Celtic team with a foot injury and due to there being no substitutes in those days, the Hoops played on with ten men. Nevertheless, Jimmy McColl netted a blinder just shy of the hour mark and the ever-reliable Patsy Gallacher doubled Celtic’s lead ten minutes later. As the game drew to its close, Burnley livened things up when they pegged a goal back from the penalty spot. It wasn’t enough for the Clarets though, as Celtic held out for a 2-1 win and the unofficial title of ‘World Club Champions.’

Speculation ranges in regard to the aftermath of Celtic’s victory. It is clear that a share of the gate receipts were sent from Turf Moor to Hungarian charities and it is also unquestionable that the trophy was not sent over from Hungary as promised. However, there is ambiguity as to the reason why that silver lighthouse did not find its way to Burnley. Some say it was raffled off to raise funds for the Red Cross, whereas others claim that the trophy was lost after the outbreak of the war.

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Regardless of the reasons, all would be atoned for, in May 1988, almost exactly 74 years after the original Budapest Cup clash took place in Hungary. It was then that the Chairman of Ferencvaros, Zoltan Magyar, marked Celtic’s centenary celebrations by presenting his Parkhead counterpart (Jack McGinn) with a large majestic vase in recognition of their triumph. It may not have been a silver lighthouse trophy, but it certainly made amends for the unanswered issue in 1914.

Liam Kelly

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The news of the death of Pat McCluskey was greeted with sadness in the Celtic communit. He was a man who played his own small part in Celtic history, and is one of the few players to have scored a penalty kick in a Scottish Cup final, joining men like Willie Orr, Andy Lynch, Odsonne Edouard, Henrik Larsson and a few others. Pat did this in 1975 (Billy McNeill’s last game) after Paul Wilson had scored a couple of headers.

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I met him twice. One was in the corridor of Station Park, Forfar on April 28 1984 when his team, Queen of the South, had just lost 0-3 to Forfar Atheltic. It was hardly the highlight of his career, and he was looking suitably despondent. He was not exactly “Fat Pat” as he was unfairly called, but he was certainly “wide” or “broad”. I nodded in his direction, and his first question to me was “How did Celtic get on today?”. He smiled when I told him they had beaten Hibs 3-2.

The other time was early this century when he came to our Supporters Club along with Joe McBride and Bertie Auld to discuss the state of the nation. Bertie was the star of the show, Joe, a naturally shy man had to coaxed and pleaded with into telling us how good he was, but Pat, whose career had, in all truth, been less outstanding than those of the other two, spoke knowledgeably about the game, talking honestly and refreshingly about Jock Stein, his disappointments and of course that night with the Scotland squad in Copenhagen in 1975, when a spot of “high jinks” (to put it tactfully) saw him and four others banned from playing for Scotland. It was Joey Harper who led him on, claimed Pat! But he came across as an honest lovable man whose love for Celtic shone through everything he said.

He came from Kilsyth (next door to Jimmy Quinn’s Croy!). He joined Celtic in 1969, made his debut in early 1972  and won three Scottish League medals, two Scottish Cup medals and a Scottish League Cup medal. He could play either in the central defence or (less often) as a midfielder, and he was never out of place alongside Billy McNeill and Kenny Dalglish. He played 115 times for Celtic and scored 10 goals.

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He was allowed to go to Dumbarton in 1977. Many supporters felt that this was a mistake, for 1977/78 was a disaster of a season when Celtic never recovered from the sale of Dalglish in August, and McCluskey might well have helped shore up the porous defence, especially when McGrain and Stanton were injured as well. He then moved to Airdrie and latterly Queen of the South, after a season in the USA.

In truth, Pat was never one of the all-time greats like Quinn, McGrory, McNeill or Larsson, but he was an honest journeyman, and a very lovable man whose devotion to the Celtic was obvious whenever one met him. He was frequently seen outside Celtic Park on match days talking to supporters. RIP Pat McCluskey.

Editors Note: I got a text on Monday night from a friend while out celebrating my birthday with my family that former Celtic player, Pat McCluskey had passed away. Pat’s time at Celtic was before my days of watching Celtic but I had the chance to meet him on many occasions at the NAFCSC convention. A gentleman who also had time for the fans is how I would describe Pat. We will have tributes in the new fanzine and on a future Podcast.

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Born in 1948, David Potter first saw Celtic at Dens Park, Dundee in March 29. It was a 3-5 defeat, which equipped him admirably for the horrors of the early 1960’s. He had “followed” Celtic for a few years before that and recalls having been called upon to impersonate Jock Stein and receive the family silver teapot which had to do for the Scottish Cup as it was presented on April 24 1954, after he and his father had spent a nerve wracking afternoon listening to the radio!  Since then, he has “followed” every Celtic game with bated breath, and has written extensively about the club in magazines and books. His favorite team was that of 1969 (which he rates marginally better than 1967) and his favorite player was Henrik Larsson.

His ambition for Celtic is for them to keep on winning silver in Scotland and to be something in Europe once again. His other interests are cricket and drama. He is 70, a retired teacher of Classical Languages, married with three children and five grandchildren. He now travels on the Joseph Rafferty bus from Kirkcaldy. He also loves Forfar Athletic.

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It was an absolute pleasure to interview John Fallon for the Celtic Soul Podcast episode 22. In Part 1 of a 2-part interview, John spoke about the current Celtic goalkeepers before we looked back at his life as he celebrates his 80^th Birthday. John the big tough goalkeeper was emotional at times as he looked back on growing up in Glasgow when his father was running the Empire Bar in the Saltmarkets area of the East End.

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John’s grandfather had come from Sligo and married John’s grandmother Murphy. He takes pride in his Irish roots; his summer holidays were spent in Sligo. John recalls many of the games and the players he watched from the terraces as a youngster and he has fond memories of 1957, Celtic 7, Rangers 1 in the Hampden Sun. John tells a great story of how his father got news of the result while opening up his Pub.

Little did John know that a year later he would be signing for Celtic and within another year he would make his debut and play alongside his heroes. Celtic through and through, that’s how I describe John and he is missing watching Celtic so much.

The great Charlie Tully wrote in his newspaper column how good a keeper the young John Fallon was after John trained with his heroes as part of the Kelly kids, the next day, John signed for Celtic without asking what his wages were. Money was not important and anyway his mother took his wages, put it in the bank and gave him pocket money.

The Bhoys Are Back In Town

He talks the listeners through that famous day in Lisbon in 1967 from the dugout, to his place on the bench where he recalls many moments of the game and what was said at half time in the dressing room to the final whistle madness and the evening reception where Billy McNeill would hand the players their winners medals.

John also talks about how his medal was taken off him that night and replaced with a replica medal at a later date. Thankfully after an argument on Twitter last year, John’s original medal was found and was on its way back to John thanks to Peter Lawell.

John also mentions how the Lions who played on the way to the final but not in Lisbon were maybe let down during the 25^th Anniversary of Lisbon Lions.

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Heartbroken that’s how John felt when he left Celtic and Part 1 finishes with glimpses of John’s strained relationship with Jock Stein who was asked to leave John’s house by John’s wife Esther. Jock had just told John he was finished at Celtic and he was on his way to Motherwell. They never spoke again after John was refused entry through the main entrance to Celtic Park a few days later for a European game. John admired Jock as a coach but questioned his man management skills.

John played against Celtic when he captained Motherwell but would not return to Celtic Park as a fan until Billy McNeill became manager.

Click the link below to listen to the first part of the interview. Part 2 will feature on Tuesday’s show.

Andrew Milne started More than 90 Minutes in 2001. He has written for numerous publications and online about Celtic.  He is a former newspaper columnist with the Daily Ireland and the man behind celticfanzine.com. He is host of the Celtic Soul Podcast & Celtic AM pre-match events at Malone’s in Glasgow on match days and follows Celtic Home & Away. He is a season ticket holder for Celtic FC and the Republic of Ireland. He is also P.R.O. of St. Margaret’s CSC, a member of the Celtic Trust and the Celtic Graves Association.  

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John Fallon celebrated his 80^th birthday today, the original Holy Goalie, John was born into a Celtic family and would go onto live every young bhoys dream by signing for the Hoops where he would go onto play for the team for over a decade during the clubs greatest period in our unbroken history.

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John has been ever present home and away supporting Celtic over the decades since his retirement from professional football. John is ever present at Supporters functions and charity events and always has time to chat to fans on match day.

A Lisbon Lion who played at the highest level and won a bagful of medals. I first met John in Las Vegas back in 2002, when a friend introduced me. I arranged an interview soon after for the fanzine and then after striking up a friendship with John, he joined us as a columnist. Since then he has contributed to almost every issue.

His column has proved one of our most popular because of his honesty and willingness to call out officials and referees and their honest mistakes! John has continued to support our charity events from he first came over to raise money for the St. Margaret’s CSC Gary Kelly Cancer Charity Dinner with Neil Lennon back in 2003. On his last visit to Drogheda, he joined Gary in his local for a few Brandy Shandies, two footballing legends modestly chatting about life rather than their achievements.

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Over the years John has introduced me to so many former Celtic players including Sean Fallon who I had the pleasure of him chatting about his career in a hotel in Ballymote in Sligo on the night before he unveiled the Brother Walfrid monument. I only wish I had recorded that conversation.

John has picked me up when I have arrived in Glasgow on early flights to take me to his house for breakfast before driving me to away games and then dropped me back to the airport. A giant of a man. Cut him and he would bleed green. He is Celtic to the core.

At the start of the lockdown, I phoned John for a quick chat and ended up doing the following short interview.

Growing Up A Celtic Fan?

I was brought up in a family of Celtic fans, my father and brothers all supported Celtic, The first game I can remember was against Clyde in the 1947/48 season and that’s when I got the bug for Celtic and it has never left me.

Joining Celtic?

I joined Celtic officially in December 1958. I started off my underage football journey as a centre forward and then moved into midfield as an under age player and only started playing in goals when I was in my late teens.  

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Who signed you at Celtic?

I was signed by the great Jimmy McGrory, he was a complete gentleman but not that much of a manager I’m afraid.

Settling In?

I found settling in easy and it was not bad because of my previous experience training with players as part of the Kelly Kids. 

Team-mates?

Big Billy (McNeill) , (Luggi) John Clark, Charlie Gallagher, (chopper) Bobby Murdoch, Bobby Carroll and John Divers were really good mates from the Kelly Kids and the Crabbit One, Paddy Crerand, he would fight with his shadow if things went wrong. 

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Nights Out ?

We did not have many nights out I am afraid, we were under constant watch back in those days. Celtic fans would report to the boss if you went into a bar. I walked into a bar with my mates from the street and asked for a half pint of shandy. I must have been 18 going on 19, the barman asked, “Are you the boy who signed for Celtic?” I shrugged my shoulders, stuck out my chest and proudly looked at my mates and said YES and he just looked at me and said “See that door you came in well get the f**k out before your kicked out” 

1965 Cup Final?

1965  Cup Final well that’s the year everything started when we won the Scottish cup that year, Jock Stein came back as Celtic manager and the rest is history, We went on to win leagues, cups, doing trebles along the way and winning the big cup in Lisbon.

Your Greatest performance between the sticks?

It is difficult to single out one game. I loved the experience of playing in Madrid.  Both League and Scottish Cup finals I played in (2 Scottish Cup Finals & 3 League Cup Finals) all were special and also playing in the World Club Final against Racing Club. 

I treasured every game I played for Celtic.

Leaving Celtic?

I was heartbroken leaving Celtic against my wishes but before I knew it I was a Motherwell player. 

The Bhoys Are Back In Town

John also spoke to us on episode 2 of the Celtic Soul Podcast and we have lined him up for a more indebt interview for later in the week when John will look back on his 80 years of following and playing for Celtic.

I phoned John up yesterday to wish him a Happy Birthday. Covid 19 means that John has had to reduce the numbers at his party today but I’m sure he will be surrounded by his close friends and family and have a great night.

John is Celtic and Celtic is John. Happy Birthday John. Wish I could be there to buy you a Brandy Shandy and raise a glass to the Original Holy Goalie. Your Celtic Soul Polo Top is in the post. Thanks for everything over the years and for the keeping us entertained with stories and the odd song.

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Click link to read John’s More than 90 Minutes tribute to his Captain Billy McNeill

https://celticfanzine.com/billy-mcneill-my-captain-john-fallon-a-personal-tribute/

Click Link to hear John chat to me on the Celtic Soul Podcast Episode 2

Andrew Milne started More than 90 Minutes in 2001. He has written for numerous publications and online about Celtic.  He is a former newspaper columnist with the Daily Ireland and the man behind celticfanzine.com. He is host of the Celtic Soul Podcast & Celtic AM pre-match events at Malone’s in Glasgow on match days and follows Celtic Home & Away. He is a season ticket holder for Celtic FC and the Republic of Ireland. He is also P.R.O. of St. Margaret’s CSC, a member of the Celtic Trust and the Celtic Graves Association.

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