Celtic F.C. supporters

Celtic F.C. supporters commemorating the team's 1967 European Cup victory.

The supporters of Celtic F.C., a Scottish football club, were estimated in 2003 to number around nine million world-wide.[1] Numerous fan magazines and supporters' websites are dedicated to the club, and there are over 380 supporters' clubs in over 70 countries around the world.[2]

Celtic supporters have traditionally come from the Catholic population of Scotland and people of Irish background, but not exclusively. In 2003, Celtic fans received awards from FIFA and UEFA for their exemplary fair and cordial conduct after 80,000 fans had travelled to Seville for the 2003 UEFA Cup Final.[3]

Fanbase

Celtic F.C. was founded as a charity for poor Irish immigrants in Glasgow by Brother Walfrid, a Marist Brother originally from County Sligo, Ireland.[4] Consequently, Celtic is strongly associated with Scotland's Irish Catholic community[5][6] and have a significant number of supporters in Ireland and among members of the Irish diaspora elsewhere.[1] In 2003 it was estimated that Celtic had a fanbase of nine million people worldwide.[1]

Worldwide diaspora

Celtic has developed a fanbase in a number of countries around the world, including Japan since 2005, when Japanese international Shunsuke Nakamura joined the club.[7] Although, prior to Nakamura's arrival, the Tokyo Celtic Supporters' Club was founded in 2001.[8] In 2009, marketing agency Sports Revolution reported that there were an estimated seven million Celtic supporters in Japan alone.[9] There are Celtic supporters clubs in South Korea,[10] Sweden[11] Croatia, Germany, Denmark and Norway[12] while the club's profile in Kenya has been boosted by a team in Nairobi. Kibera Celtic, who were inspired by Celtic's charitable roots and use the profits from football to fund charitable initiatives in Kenya and throughout Africa.[13] After the signing of Emilio Izaguirre in 2010, Hector Zelaya, the general manager of Izaguirre's former club Motagua, said that Izaguirre had sparked "Celtic mania" in Honduras and that many people now supported them.[14]

In 2003 it was estimated that Celtic had a fanbase of one million in the United States and Canada.[1] In 2002, former Rangers F.C. director Hugh Adam claimed that Celtic were "the best-supported football club in North America" and that the club's "Irish connection" was a determinant factor in their popularity.[15] In 2004, The Sunday Times, when commentating on several European teams who were touring in the U.S at the time, stated that clubs such as Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United attracted support in the United States only when touring the country. In contrast, Celtic were said to "have such a strong pre-existing relationship with a huge expatriate following here that their support will endure."[16]

There are over 60 Celtic supporters clubs in North America[17] and nearly half of all U.S states have a Celtic supporters club.[16]

Celtic have developed supporters clubs in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere.[18]

Attendance

Celtic fans at the Estadio Olímpico de Sevilla.

Celtic's home stadium is Celtic Park, located in Parkhead in the East End of Glasgow. It is the sixth largest stadium in the United Kingdom and the largest football stadium in Scotland. Celtic Park's capacity has been 60,832 since the mid-1990s following redevelopment that turned it into an all-seater stadium, then in 2002 was put down to 60,501 then in 2003 until the present 2013–14 season put down again to 60,355.[19]

Celtic Park's average attendance for the 2010–11 season was 48,968, the highest in Scottish football and the twelfth highest in Europe. Celtic's highest average attendance over the last ten seasons was 58,150 in the 2005–06 season. Over the next three seasons Celtic's average attendance remained above 57,000 before dropping to 45,582 during the 2009–10 season.[20]

The Scottish Cup Final in 1937 between Celtic and Aberdeen at Hampden Park was watched by a crowd of 146,433, which is a record for a club match in Europe.[21] In 1970, Celtic's 'home' leg of their two-legged European Cup semi-final tie against Leeds United was played at Hampden Park to accommodate the expected large attendance. A 136,505 crowd watched Celtic win 2–1 on the night,[22] a record attendance for a competitive European club tie that stands to this day.[23]

The club's large travelling support make Celtic a popular choice of opponent for English-based footballers to select for testimonial matches. Over 5000 Celtic supporters turned for Peter Beardsley's testimonial match at St James' Park, Newcastle, in January 1999.[24] An estimated 15,000 Celtic supporters attended at Old Trafford for the testimonials of Bryan Robson in November 1990[25] and for Ryan Giggs in August 2001.[26]

2003 UEFA Cup Final

In 2003, Celtic reached the UEFA Cup Final, with the match ending 3–2 to FC Porto. An estimated 80,000 Celtic supporters travelled to Seville for the occasion.[27][28][29] Celtic fans received awards from UEFA and FIFA for their "loyal and sporting behaviour" at the match.[30][27][31][32] Upon handing the award to Celtic fans FIFA president Sepp Blatter described them as being "the greatest in the world"[33] The massive travelling support that followed Celtic over to Seville to watch them in the final, they became known as The Bhoys from Seville.

Old Firm rivalry

Main article: Old Firm

Celtic's traditional rivals are Rangers; collectively, the two clubs are known as the Old Firm. The two have dominated Scottish football's history; between them, they have won the Scottish league championship 100 times since its inception in 1890 – all other clubs combined have won 19 championships.[34]

The rivalry between the teams has various ethnic, religious and political associations, in that Celtic are associated with Irish Catholic origins[35] and Rangers with Scotland's Protestant and British Unionist communities.[36][37] A report prepared for Glasgow City Council in 2003 found that 74% of Celtic supporters described themselves as Roman Catholic and 10% as Protestant. For Rangers supporters, the figures were 5% and 65% respectively.[38]

"The clubs have attracted the support of opposing factions in the political difficulties of Northern Ireland, which intensified the rivalry in Scotland."[39] Anti-sectarian charity Nil by Mouth notes that some supporters use songs, chants and banners on match days to express abuse or support towards the Protestant or Catholic faiths and proclaim support for Northern Irish-based terrorist groups such as the IRA and UVF.[40] A study in 2008 by the University of Strathclyde found that the Old Firm rivalry was "strongly linked to the conflict in Northern Ireland".[39]

There have been 400 Old Firm matches played as of 2015.[41] The games have been described as having an "atmosphere of hatred, religious tension and intimidation which continues to lead to violence in communities across Scotland."[40] The rivalry has fuelled many assaults and even deaths on Old Firm Derby days. Admissions to hospital emergency rooms have been reported to increase ninefold over normal levels[42] and journalist Franklin Foer noted that in the period from 1996 to 2003, eight deaths in Glasgow were directly linked to Old Firm matches, and hundreds of assaults.[42][43]

Occurrences of serious crowd trouble between Celtic and Rangers supporters stretches as far back as the 1909 Scottish Cup Final, which was contested by the two sides. The tie went to a replay after the first match ended in a 2–2 draw. The replayed match also ended in a draw (1–1) after 90 minutes. Despite public expectations, no extra time was played and in response thousands of supporters from both sides invaded the pitch to vent their frustration, causing £1000 of damage (a substantial sum in the 1900s). Both clubs petitioned the Scottish Football Association to have the tie abandoned and their demands were met when officials decided the match would not be replayed. The cup and all medals were withheld for that year.[44][45]

Both sets of fans fought an on-pitch battle in the aftermath of Celtic's 1–0 victory in the 1980 Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park.[46] In January 1988, Mark Walters became the first black footballer to play for Rangers; he made his debut in an Old Firm game at Parkhead and was subjected to racial taunts from Celtic fans, some of whom also threw bananas towards the pitch.[47] There was serious fan disorder during an Old Firm match played in May 1999 at Celtic Park; missiles were thrown by Celtic fans, including one which struck referee Hugh Dallas, who needed medical treatment, and a small number of fans invaded the pitch.[48]

Sectarianism

Both clubs have taken measures to reduce sectarianism.[39] In 1996 Celtic launched their Bhoys Against Bigotry campaign, later followed by Youth Against Bigotry to "educate the young on having ... respect for all aspects of the community — all races, all colours, all creeds".[49] Celtic partnered with Rangers to form the 'Old Firm Alliance' in 2005, an initiative aimed at educating children from across Glasgow about issues like healthy eating and fitness, as well as awareness of anti-social behaviour, sectarianism and racism.[50]

In March 2008, UEFA investigated Celtic fans for alleged sectarian singing at a match against Barcelona.[51] However the case was dropped before the end of the month due to a lack of evidence.[52] In November 2011, Celtic were again under investigation by UEFA for alleged offensive chants from their fans during their Europa League game against Rennes.[53] On this occasion UEFA found the Celtic fans to have been guilty of "illicit chanting" and fined the club £12,700.[54]

In April 2012, the general secretary of the Celtic Supporters Association said he was "genuinely sorry" after tweeting that it was a "problem" that the Protestant workers who built the Titanic "didn't sail on it".[55]

Irish republicanism

Celtic F.C. supporters have traditionally been associated with support for Irish republicanism, and the flying of Irish flags at matches is common.[56] Some groups of Celtic supporters also sing or chant Irish folk and rebel songs,[57] which express support for the IRA. In 2008 and 2010, there were protests by groups of fans over the team wearing the poppy symbol for Remembrance Day, as it is a divisive symbol in Ireland.[58][59][60] Celtic have expressed disapproval of these protests, saying they are damaging to the image of the club and its fans, and that they will ban those involved.[60][61][62]

In November 2011, Celtic were fined £12,700 by UEFA for pro-IRA chanting from some Celtic supporters.[63] In response to this in their Europa League game against Udinese, Celtic fans were seen to have unveiled a banner reading "Fuck UEFA". The club condemned the act,[64] banning for life the supporter responsible for the display,[65] whilst UEFA fined Celtic €25,000 in relation to the incident and related events during the match.[66][67]

In December 2013, the club were fined £42,000 by UEFA for an "incident of a non-sporting nature" in relation to a display shown by a section of the Celtic support before their Champions League group stage tie against Italian side AC Milan. The banners displayed by the Green Brigade ultras group showed portraits of Scottish hero William Wallace and Irish hunger striker Bobby Sands side by side along with the text: "The terrorist or the dreamer? The savage or the brave? Depends on whose vote you're trying to catch or whose face you're trying to save". After the disciplinary hearing, the club issued a statement in which they condemned the banners and stated that the actions of a "small minority must stop". After the incident, Celtic relocated 250 supporters from section 111 and issued temporary bans to over 100 more.[68]

The Green Brigade

Main article: Green Brigade

The Green Brigade are a group within the Celtic support who style themselves on the ultras groups found amongst many European and South American football supporters. They were formed in 2006 and describe themselves as "a broad front of anti-fascist, anti-racist and anti-sectarian Celtic supporters".[69] The Green Brigade have organised various displays at Celtic matches involving banners, flags and demonstrations which have been credited with improving the atmosphere at Celtic Park.[70] In November 2012, the Green Brigade organised a full stadium pre-match card display against Barcelona to celebrate Celtic's 125th anniversary.[71] The display featured a Celtic cross, green and white hoops and 125 Celtic in written form, with supporters earning the praise of club chairman Peter Lawwell.[72] They have however been criticised for some of their more controversial banners, such as the Poppy protest banner in 2010[73][74] and the banner displayed at a European tie in 2013 featuring portraits of William Wallace and Bobby Sands and accompanying slogan.[68]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Celtic to launch credit card for US fans". The Scotsman. 20 July 2003. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
  2. ↑ The North American Federation of Celtic Supporters Clubs lists some 125 clubs and the Association of Irish Celtic Supporters Clubs 40 more
  3. ↑ "Celtic fans get Fifa award". BBC Sport. 12 December 2003. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  4. ↑ Coogan, Pat (2002). Wherever Green Is Worn: The Story of the Irish Diaspora. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 250. ISBN 978-1-4039-6014-6.
  5. ↑ Giulianotti, Richard (1999). Football: A Sociology of the Global Game. Wiley-Blackwell. p. 18. ISBN 978-0-7456-1769-5.
  6. ↑ Smith, Adrian; Dilwyn Porter (2004). Sport and National identity in the Post-War World. Routledge. p. 82. ISBN 978-0-415-28301-4.
  7. ↑ Dr Hiroki Ogasawara (16 February 2009). "Celtic football club a real hit with Japanese fans". Goldsmith, University of London. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  8. ↑ Be there to welcome Naka back to Paradise Celtic FC. 12-12-2014. Retrieved 17-12-2014.
  9. ↑ "Celtic to consider US franchise club". The Scotsman. 26 October 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  10. ↑ "Celtic Korea". Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  11. ↑ "Celtic Europa". Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  12. ↑ "Nordic locations". Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  13. ↑ "Hoops hailed in Kibera". Celtic FC. 16 March 2011. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
  14. ↑ "Nou brainer". The Sun. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
  15. ↑ Adam shakes Ibrox pillars with warning of bankruptcy The Scotsman. 2 February 2002. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  16. 1 2 "Celtic's US fanbase fails to bridge financial gap". The Sunday Times. London. 25 July 2004. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  17. ↑ "The North American federation of Celtic supporters clubs". Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  18. ↑ "BRISBANE CELTIC SUPPORTERS CLUB". Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  19. ↑ "Celtic Park (unofficial)". Scottish football grounds. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  20. ↑ "2010/11 Average attendances in Scottish football". Scottish premier league. Archived from the original on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  21. ↑ "Brief History". Celtic FC. Archived from the original on 19 November 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  22. ↑ "Matches 15 April 1970 - Celtic 2 Leeds United 1". The Mighty Mighty Whites. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  23. ↑ "Season 1969-70". EUROPEAN CUP HISTORY.COM. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  24. ↑ "Celtic take the honours as Beardsley grabs spotlight". The Glasgow Herald. 28 January 1999. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  25. ↑ Shaw, Phil (21 November 1990). "Celtic steal the Robson show". The Independent. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  26. ↑ Carter, Jon (2 March 2013). "Defiant Celtic refuse to let Giggs savour testimonial". ESPN. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  27. 1 2 The Bhoys from Seville FIFA, 15 December 2003
  28. ↑ Celtic fans 'Europe's best' BBC Sport, 28 August 2003
  29. ↑ Finalists relishing Hampden visit BBC Sport, 4 May 2007
  30. ↑ Celtic Fair Play proposal Archived 19 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine., UEFA, 11 December 2003
  31. ↑ Celtic in Seville Observer Sport Monthly
  32. ↑ Celtic 2–3 FC Porto ESPN Soccernet, 21 May 2003
  33. ↑ "Leeds United: Fans deserve so much more – O'Dea INTERVIEW". Yorkshire Evening Post. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  34. ↑ "Scotland - List of Champions - Summary". RSSSF. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  35. ↑ Giulianotti, Richard (264). Sport: A Critical Sociology. Polity. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-7456-2546-1.
  36. ↑ Brown, Callum (1997). Religion and Society in Scotland Since 1707. Edinburgh University Press. p. 194. ISBN 978-0-7486-0886-7.
  37. ↑ Wagg, Stephen (2002). British Football & Social Exclusion. Routledge. p. 158. ISBN 978-0-7146-8204-4.
  38. ↑ NFO Social Research Sectarianism in Glasgow – Final Report Glasgow City Council, January 2003
  39. 1 2 3 Deuchar, Dr Ross (June 2008). "Territoriality and Sectarianism in Glasgow" (PDF). Strathclyde University.
  40. 1 2 "History of Sectarianism". Nil by Mouth. 2010. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
  41. ↑ "Everything you need to know ahead of Rangers v Celtic". The Sun. 7 March 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  42. 1 2 Millen, Dianne (April 2004). "Firm Favourites: Old Firm". When Saturday Comes. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  43. ↑ Foer, pp. 36–37
  44. ↑ Dart, James; Lutz, Tom (21 March 2007). "Why no one won the Scottish Cup in 1909". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  45. ↑ Dunmore, Thomas (25 August 2007). "Past Pitch Invasions #2: 1909 Scottish Cup Final". Pitch Invasion. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  46. ↑ McCarra, Kevin (18 May 2009). "Firm enemies – Rangers and Celtic, 1909–2009". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 January 2010.
  47. ↑ "A black day for Scots football". The Scotsman. 29 December 2007. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  48. ↑ "Rangers make history out of chaos". BBC News. 3 May 1999. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  49. ↑ Bigotry puzzle for Old Firm BBC News, 11 October 2001
  50. ↑ "Old Firm Alliance". SPFL. 22 April 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  51. ↑ Grahame, Ewing (29 March 2008). "Uefa inquiry into Celtic 'sectarian' chants". London: The Telegraph. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  52. ↑ "UEFA drops Celtic chanting case". BBC Sport. 31 March 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  53. ↑ "Celtic discover UEFA hearing date". BBC News. 14 November 2011.
  54. ↑ "Celtic will not appeal against Uefa fine for 'illicit chanting'". BBC Sport. 13 December 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  55. ↑ Celtic fan is warned over tweet Herald Scotland Published 9 April 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2012
  56. ↑ Mangan, J.A. (1995). Tribal Identities: Nationalism, Europe, Sport. Routledge. p. 63. ISBN 978-0-7146-4666-4.
  57. ↑ Brown, Adam (1998). Fanatics: Power, Identity and Fandom in Football. Routledge. p. 209. ISBN 978-0-415-18103-7.
  58. ↑ "Celtic fans jeer protesters for refusing to honour war dead". News of the World. 8 November 2008. Archived from the original on 9 November 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2010.(subscription required)
  59. ↑ Poppy demo fans face a Celtic ban Evening Times, 9 November 2010
  60. 1 2 "Celtic plan ban for anti-poppy protesters". BBC Sport. 8 November 2010. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  61. ↑ "Celtic seek end to 'IRA chants'". BBC News. 17 September 2002. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
  62. ↑ "Quinn warns on offensive chants". BBC Sport. 1 August 2006. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  63. ↑ "Celtic rule out appeal for uefa fine over illicit chanting". The Scotsman. 10 May 2012.
  64. ↑ Murray, Ewan (16 December 2011). "These people are not Celtic supporters and we will weed them out". The Guardian.
  65. ↑ "UEFA imposes fine on Celtic for offensive behaviour". The Independent. 28 March 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  66. ↑ "Celtic fined by UEFA over offensive banner in Europa League game against Udinese". The Telegraph. 28 March 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  67. ↑ "Celtic fined £21,000 by Uefa over banner in Udinese". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  68. 1 2 McGarry, John (13 December 2013). "UEFA fine Celtic £42,000 for Green Brigade's political banners at Champions League clash with AC Milan". Mail Online. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  69. ↑ Forsyth, Roddy (25 Nov 2010). "Demented atmosphere in Scottish football led to SPL referees calling for strike action". The Telegraph. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
  70. ↑ "Celtic's warning to Green Brigade". Evening Times. 29 April 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  71. ↑ "Incredible pre-match display from supporters". Celtic F.C. 7 November 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  72. ↑ "Peter Lawwell congratulates team and support on collective effort". Celtic F.C. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  73. ↑ "Celtic poppy banner angers DUP MP Gregory Campbell". BBC News. 8 Nov 2010. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
  74. ↑ "Poppy demo fans face a Celtic ban". Evening Times. 9 November 2010. Archived from the original on 12 January 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
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