Top 3 of 2023 - Part 3

Croke Park, Dublin.   Home of the Gaelic Athletic Association.

Closing out 2023 I thought I’d wrap up the year with my own personal favourite moments of 2023 with a three part blog on my top 3 moments of 2023.  The short list pretty much picked itself,  it never took long for me to decide to celebrate 2 footballing triumphs and a trip to an iconic stadium in Dublin.

So, I'll finish up in Irelands Big Smoke back in the last weekend of August 2023.   The Irish capital was jumping.  The Notre Dame Fighting Irish were centre stage for the homecoming of all homecomings and Derry City were in town for their premier league clash against Bohemians at Dalymount Park.   Me?   I was in Dublin with my son and my brother hoping to enjoy the sporting fayre and of course a few Guinness.

For all the visits I’ve made to Dublin over the last 25 years, a trip to Croke Park has always passed me by.   So, this year I made sure it was top of the list of things to do as soon as we had dumped the bags at out hotel.

We took the Luas from our hotel up to O'Connell street and walked the rest of the way to the stadium, momentarily catching glimpses of the sporting cathedral through Dublin’s urban landscape.  We crossed the Royal Canal over the Bloody Sunday Bridge and the sheer size of the stadium comes into focus.  We made our way around The Hogan stand,  behind Hill 16 and round to the front entrance.

With its 82000 + capacity Cooke Park is the 4th biggest stadium in Europe, but it is much more than that.   It is the centrepiece of the Gaelic Athletic Association, the heartbeat of a movement started over 135 years ago and evolving over the years to promote and encourage involvement in traditional irish sports, language, dancing and music.  

Arriving way too early for our tour, we grabbed a bite to eat in the Museum cafe before taking a stroll through the museum.  The items, trophies, flags and pennants on display are a real treasure trove of sporting history spanning the 135 years of the GAA, every club is represented and at every discipline.  The interactive display items give you a chance to test your skills with a Hurley, Sliothar and Gaelic Football.  It's here you really appreciate the skill level required to be able to play Football or Hurling.

The museum has a dedicated exhibition to Bloody Sunday, retelling the story of the Tipperary versus  Dublin challenge match at Croke Park on the 21st November 1920 when Royal Irish Constabulary shot indiscriminately into the crowd there to watch the match killing 13 spectators and Tipperary player, Michael Hogan.

A visit to Croke Park is a must when you are in Dublin.  The history of the GAA is intrinsically linked to rebirth of Irish culture and language, the war for independence as well as the hopes and dreams of players of over 2200 GAA clubs across the 32 counties in Ireland and overseas.

Top 3 Moments of 2023 - Part 2

Closing out 2023 I thought I’d wrap up the year with my own personal favourite moments of 2023 with a three part blog on my top 3 moments of 2023.  The short list pretty much picked itself. It didnt take me long to decide to celebrate 2 footballing triumphs and a trip to an iconic stadium in Dublin.  So, for part 2, we head back to Hampden to watch history being made and to enjoy one last hurrah with our former boss.

Date - 3rd June 2023

Venue - Hampden Park, Glasgow

The winter World Cup in Qatar resulted in an extended domestic campaign.   Our national showpiece cup final was moved to June to accommodate the mid-season FIFA extravaganza and our kick off time was moved from the traditional 3pm slot to a 17:30 early evening window.  Inverness Caley Thistle stood between Celtic and an eighth domestic Treble and another piece of footballing history for our club.

Our route to the final saw us overcome Morton and St Mirren, before heading to the capital to turn over Hearts at Tynecastle.   The Semi-Final pitched us against our city rivals where once again we showed our superiority on the pitch and in the stands – that result effectively ended the season for the Govan club and set us up for a date with destiny.

Much of the chat in the run up to the final was focused on a “will he / won't he" narrative, as the prospect of losing Ange Postecoglou to Spurs became a reality.  However, as ever, Ange was professional in his approach to the match and his sole focus (at least on camera) was on securing the final piece of silverware of the season.

With Celtic fans making up three quarters of the stadium, our fans were in full voice for the early evening kick-off.   Callum McGregor followed in the footsteps of his predecessor Scott Brown, in leading the huddle and delivering a final rallying call to complete a domestic Treble.

When referee John Beaton blew the full-time whistle Celtic had run out 3-1 winners, securing the Scottish Cup thanks to goals from Kyogo, Abada and Jota.   It wasn’t a vintage performance, but it was a perfect end to hugely successful whirlwind stopover in Glasgow for Postecoglou.

The shambles of a team inherited after the Covid season had been rebuilt and reborn.   Our team had a new identity, style and purpose.   The team that Ange built had graduated – with honours.

As the players celebrated with the trophy on the pitch, the fans in Hampden gave Ange and his Bhoys one final send off.  Our rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone was spine tingling and our Ange Postecoglou/Papa Francesco chant echoed around Glasgow long into the night.

It was a bittersweet day in the end, celebrating success with the knowledge we would be searching for a new leader in the days that followed, but sometimes you’ve just got to live in the moment and make the most of what was a perfect occasion.

Top 3 moments of 2023 - Part 1

Closing out 2023 I thought I’d wrap up the year with my own personal favourite moments of 2023 with a three part blog on my top 3 moments of 2023.  The short list pretty much picked itself. It didnt take me long to decide to celebrate 2 footballing triumphs and a trip to an iconic stadium in Dublin.  So, for part 1, we go to a sunny day at Hampden in February.

Date - 26th February 2023

Venue - Hampden Park, Glasgow

February 2023 saw Celtic travel to Hampden for what the club and fans hoped would be the first leg of a domestic Treble.   The league cup final had produced the showdown the sponsors , TV companies, footballing authorities and fans had wanted.  Celtic were up against our city rivals and were eager to lay down a marker for the remainder if the season.

Ninety minutes later it was the fans on the East side of Hampden celebrating.  A 2-1 victory didn't  tell the full story of a dominant display from the Hoops.  Two goals from our Japanese sensation Kyogo grabbed the headlines , but a tactical masterclass from Ange Postecoglou and his squad really showed the gulf in class between the teams on the day.  The Celtic players were hungry, energetic and decisive.  We capitalised on our opponents hesitance and punished their mistakes.

The result was perfect, but the standout performance that day came from the 25000 Celtic fans wedged into our national stadium.  At no point in my previous 40 odd years going to see Celtic have I experienced anything like it.

The synergy amongst the Celtic support that day echoed something of a festival.  Everyone and I mean everyone was united in chorus.  From the Ultras sending fireworks high into the Southside sky, to those in corporate seating in the north and south stand, the atmosphere was electric.

Our opening goal came after 44 minutes.  Kyogo scored a tap in from 6 yards out, the goal sparked a 15 minute chorus of jubilation that echoed around Hampden for the entirety of the halftime break.

For our team to hear that from the dressing room, it must have been inspiring, because 10 minutes into the 2nd half we had doubled our lead.   Celtic were in control and even though we conceded a scrappy goal to make it 2-1, the result never seemed in doubt.

Part 1 of a Treble complete.  The result was great, beating our city rivals was fantastic, but for me the fans that day showed what a unified Celtic support is all about.

Big George & his Fairytale of New York

It never ceases to amaze me the emotions that can be triggered when you hear a song play.   After the sad passing of Pogues front man Shane MacGowan, the radio has been awash with the bands classic Fairytale of New York anthem.  The bittersweet love story penned by MacGowan and Pogues bandmate Jem Finer has been a Christmas staple since 1987.  Everything about the song has a way of reaching into your soul.   The musical arrangements, the video, the story and of course the chemistry between the two great singers who are sadly no longer with us.

The meteoric rise of The Pogues in the 80s was a shining beacon for Irish music and signalled an awakening for a new wave of traditional folk sounds.  My brother George was swept up in the euphoric musical movement that arrived at that time.  Well that, and the links to Irish folk and rebel music through watching Celtic over the years opened the door for George; a self taught musician to become part of the live folk music scene in Glasgow.

From the late 1980s and for almost 30 years, George was part of great live music family in Glasgow and around Scotland.   A regular in Jinty McGintys on Ashton Lane for of 20 years.  George performed in pubs and clubs across the city.  He auditioned for a role in a then new stage production under the management of legendary irish singer songwriter Phil Coulter and in 2007 George was chosen to make up part of the original lineup for Celtic Thunder.   For the next seven years he toured north America and Australia as a kind of father figure in the group.  

Fairytale of New York was as much an Easter song as it was a Christmas song for George.  No matter the time of year George would always belt out the Pogues anthem as part of his set. Whether he sang it solo or performed a duet with friends or family in the bar, Fairytale became a signature of a live performance from George.

After George's death in 2014 I struggled to listen to his songs or voice, the pain of missing my brother was; and still is at times now too much.  However, I know when I am ready there is a catalogue of songs available online where I can hear my brother doing what he loved.

A few years ago, a good friend of George’s contacted my older brother to say he found a recording that George had made for him.   The CD was a collection of some old songs George would sing in the bars in and around Glasgow and George had made the disc for his friends to take back home to Germany with them.

The recording was made at home by George, probably around 2003.   It was so nice to hear his voice back again and to once more listen to him perform Fairytale of New York.

The song will always be seen by most as a Christmas song, but for me it brings so many happy memories of going to see my brother doing what he loved.

The House That Dermot Built

The general malaise that has swept across the vast theatre we call Paradise, has been a slow burning fire that was ignited more than a few years ago.  The unparalleled success on the field over the last decade has helped mask a old problem experienced by Celtic managers and fans for years when the club was under the guidance of the Kelly family during the 1980s and 90s.

The current dynastic success on the pitch at Celtic park can only be matched by the stranglehold our regime and board of directors have over our club.  Plagued by nepotism and cronyism, the current regime have sailed a steady ship in terms of profit, divided and balance sheet.  That success has been driven by an aggressive marketing scheme pulling at the heart strings of supporters willing to pile as much cash as they earn on merchandise, season tickets and 3 to 4 new kits every season.

As fans, we cannot complain, right?   Lennon, Deila, Rodgers, Lennon (again), Big Ange and then Rodgers (again) have delivered an avalanche of silverware that is unmatched at any point in our history.  The reality is though, while we have held trophy after trophy aloft at the end of the season, the club have not progressed in terms of building a squad to look beyond domestic dominance or even compliment the talent we are allowed to enjoy for a season or two.   Our much heralded business model of buying players  and selling them for significant profit looks wonderful on the balance sheet, but provides no continuity or allows us to build on successes on the field of play.

The revolving door at the top of The Celtic Way has become a Merry-Go-Round for the same stale board members, executives and managers.   Peter Lawwell left the club, only to return shortly afterwards, this time bringing his son as head of recruitment.   Dermot Desmond, the business financer behind the club is shaping his own son as heir to the throne in Paradise.  All of this with no input from fans, not meaningful vote on succession.   It’s like the Kelly’s and Whites never left.

Celtic are a club heading in the wrong direction and the people in charge of the operation are too blind to see it.   The annual AGM passes off without any whiff of discontent , as those voices are muted and laughed at.   Any challenge to the regime is deemed insignificant and pointless and our executives laugh and lap it up  - they win every time  and pat each other on the back.

The Celts For Change group picked through the rubble of a broken football team 30 years ago and helped secure a future for our club.  The Sack the Board chants we heard in the defeat to Hearts serve as a timely reminder to our current custodians that the club always has been and always will be the fans – the longer this is ignored by the suits in the directors box, the more irreparable damage will be done.

NCAA Bowl Season, Dublin Calling & The NFL

 This weekend marks the beginning of the NCAA College Bowl season across the United States.   The next 3 and half weeks will see thousands of players, coaches, fans and students zig-zag their way across America in the hope of securing some end of season silverware for their college campus.

The NCAA Bowl season is the reward for a select few teams after a gruelling 15 or 16 week football schedule.  The festival of football kicks off today in the Myrtle Beach Bowl, North Carolina and finishes at the NRG Stadium Houston, when one of Alabama, Michigan, Texas or Washington will be crowned as National Champions.

The regular college football season came to a close last weekend in Foxborough, Massachusetts as Army secured a dramatic 17 – 11 win over Navy at the home of the New England Patriots.  The Navy Midshipmen were also involved in the season opener in a truly memorable weekend in Dublin at the end of August when the Irish came home under the banner of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Dublin and Ireland opened its doors to welcome the biggest migration of sports fans from the USA ever recorded.  From South Bend, California, New York, Belfast, Glasgow and many, many more the spectacle of a home match for Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Aviva stadium in Dublin was an event not to be missed.

Almost a week long book of events including an open air mass celebrated at Dublin Castle and a tailgate party on Notre Dame street, culminated in the Fighting Irish romping to victory and winning the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.  This was more than a game, this was an opportunity for Ireland to firmly pitch itself as a home from home for College Football.

Next August Dublin will once again roll out the red carpet for the college football elite as Georgia Tech take on the Florida State Seminoles.   This time the added spectacle of ESPNs flagship show College Game Day will be broadcast from the Irish capital.

As the appetite for Americas Game continues to grow on this side of the pond, the NFL announced another expansion to their International series matchup recently.  This announcement coupled with Pittsburgh Steelers marketing rights award in Ireland will only whet the appetite even further.

The success of the Notre Dame trip to Ireland, both in terms of income and interest generated will be a significant bargaining tool for the Irish government, tourist board and business partners to raise the question about another game, or dare I say it, an end of season bowl match up.   Maybe wishful thinking on my part, but hopefully not out of the question.

Either way, the Georgia and Florida match is another 9 months away.   In the meantime we can all enjoy the pride and passion of the college bowl season as well as the climax of yet another absorbing NFL regular season.

Shane - I hardly knew ya

Shane MacGowan was the outward symbol of what millions of people globally saw as Irishness.  He was & will forever remain at the forefront of Irish music, culture and storytelling.  From his punk days in London in the 1970s and the rise of The Pogues, to his long illness and subsequent withdrawal from public life, Shane took the torch that was passed to him from generations of Irish troubadours and used his rare abilities to reach new heights for Irish folk music.

 

It is almost 40 years since The Pogues debut album was released.  Red Roses for Me would be the initiation for many to the new wave Irish/Punk/Folk fusion that would allow the band to remain at the pinnacle of the music scene for over a decade & beyond.

For me, as an 8 year old growing up the youngest of 9 children in the east end of Glasgow, I can be thankful to my older siblings for introducing this music to me.  How we consume music has certainly changed in the last 40 years, but the lasting legacy of the unique style Shane had, means he along with The Pogues still list in my top 5 artists when it comes to Spotify Wrapped at the end of every year.

 

Shane was more than a front man.   He was a teacher, a poet, a director and a star.  He had the ability to not only paint a beautiful picture with his words, but build a set, furnish the surroundings and then make you feel like you were living and breathing every word he sang.   A one-off and a legend in his time.

 

His tour stories are legendary, all of his gigs memorable to anyone fortunate enough to be there.  I was too young to see The Pogues live first time around, but was lucky to see him play in and around Glasgow, including the reunion tour in 2002.   However to see to him play at the Barrowlands along with the full arrangement of musicians is a memory that will stay with me forever.

 

From The Pogues to The Popes, the master lyricist always produced a story that had you mesmerised from the opening chords and words.   Collaborations with Sinead O’Connor, Christy Moore, The Dubliners & Johnny Depp all broadened the appeal of the lovable rogue.

A genuine sadness hit me when I heard the sad news of Shanes passing.  So many happy memories of family gatherings and gigs, or introducing his music to my own children now.   Shane has been a staple of my music tastes for 4 decades and his gift to us will be that his music and poetic storytelling has already become part of the great Irish songbook, shared and cherished by those who knew him well, and folk like me who just connected with his music.

Christy Moore probably put it best "Fair play to you Shane MacGowan.......but you sure know how to write them boy"

I’ve been loving you a long time,

Down all the years, down all the days

And I’ve cried for all your troubles

Smiled at your funny little ways

Jamie Webster - Live O2 Academy Glasgow

 Sometimes, just sometimes, the stars align and for a minute or two and you feel like the luckiest guy on the planet.  Well, that was me, that was how I felt walking out of The Glasgow O2 Academy at about half ten on Friday the 10th November.  A blistering night of music and stories from Liverpool songwriter Jamie Webster lit the fire to help  take the chill out of a cold night in Glasgow's south side.

Now, my only knowledge of the latest scouse troubadour to take Glasgow by storm, was that he led the chants of the Anfield faithful as Liverpool conquered Europe in Madrid 2019, and sealed their first English premiership title in 2020.   Cover versions, football chants and a healthy loathing of the current Tory government and their policies, in fact probably Tories in general.  

My 15 year old son has become a huge fan of Webster’s music since I first introduced him to his sounds when then European champions Liverpool played Napoli at Murrayfield in 2019.   Since then he has been an avid fan and listener.  So when I picked up 2 tickets for the O2 in the day of the gig - you can imagine, he was buzzing.

From the lights being dimmed to the strains of Fatboy  Slims “Praise You", the raucous Glasgow crowd needed no invitation to launch into a chorus of “Here we, Here We, Here We Fuckin’ Go".  As Jamie and the band strolled on stage, he was given the welcome akin to a champion returning to his home town.  The stage was set and  the O2 was crackling just waiting for that switch to be flicked.

The opening chords to Voice of the Voiceless sent another charge across the Glasgow crowd.

I cant speak 

I cant dream

I cant change it so you see the world like me

But there’s a pulse

So still I try.............

The O2 just erupted.

From in front of the stage, to the balconies and behind the bar – the euphoria exploded.  There were no voiceless there, it was a united chorus, movement and cause.   Make no mistake, there was Something in the Air, a synergy that flowed the entire night.

Jamie gave a breath-taking performance along with his band.   A brilliant set list ranging from his early song writing days and cover versions, to his collaboration with Billy Bragg and his most recent album kept everyone lucky enough to be there in the palm of his hands.

The gig passed way too quickly, 18 songs including the encores were perfect.

I walked into the venue not knowing any of the songs or what to expect, the playlist my son made for the drive over was my only gauge.   I walked back to my car after the gig with a spring in my step and a wish to relive the entire night again.

It looks like I’ve got some catching up to do with Jamie Webster songs and I honestly cant wait.  If like me you’re new to his music I promise you wont be disappointed.

Catheter Ablation - My Story

No matter how many visits I’ve made to the hospital, and my specialist heart care team over the years, there is always a feeling of dread and uncertainty attached to it. Friday, 4th August 2023 was no different.  The wait for my catheter ablation operation was over, and I was being admitted to the CDU at the Golden Jubilee hospital in Clydebank for the procedure. As someone who worries constantly, any visit to a hospital; especially one that requires a trip to theatre, will play on my mind for some time.

I have built a really strong relationship with the experts who help manage my condition. The team have been invaluable to me and my family throughout my journey.  The Scottish Congenital Adult Congenital Cardiac Services (SACCS) team at the Golden Jubilee are an incredible group of specialised practitioners who help guide me through my appointments, niggles, physical and mental struggles.   

The ablation procedure was required as treatment following my diagnosis of Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter last year.   Back then, I was admitted to hospital during my routine check up with the SACCS team.  I underwent a cardioversion procedure in March 2022 to help reset my heart rhythm.   The Ablation referral and subsequent procedure is part of the specialists plan to help provide the best quality of life for me to enjoy with family, and in every day activities.   That includes working, exercising and enjoying gigs, watching football and socialising.

Link to British Heart Foundation - Ablation Info

On arrival at the CDU ward, I was met by a nurse who showed me to my room.  I then had to don the hospital issue gown, but thankfully I managed to avoid the paper pants combo.  I chatted through my medication with the nurse and had an ECG taken as part of the admissions process.  After that, it was a waiting game for my wife and I, until it was my turn to go to the Cath Lab.

My wife Linda and I scrolled through social media, news stories, set up our fantasy football teams and spoke about anything other than my visit to the hospital.   When the doctor carrying out the procedure came in to speak to us, I could feel my anxiety building and see the impact it had on Linda, as the worry and anxiety started to show on her too.

Just after noon I was taken to the Cath Lab and prepped for the operation.   Cold gel pads and sensors were applied to my back, chest and sides.  An oxygen monitor was clipped on to my finger, blood pressure cuff wrapped around my leg and a mask over my mouth and nose.  Some bits had to be shaved before they could start the procedure, but I was relaxed, sedated and fast asleep long before the catheter tubes were inserted into my leg vein.

The expectation that I would be awake during this procedure was a significant worry, but thankfully I was sedated almost entirely through the ablation.   I recall some instances of interaction with the specialists and a few times my heart rate was increased as part of the arrhythmia mapping, but overall my three hours in the lab, very much passed me by.

On my return to the ward, I had to lie flat for around an hour to help my leg wound heal.  Gradually the nurses were able to sit me up in bed and allowed me to eat something.    Honestly, a wholemeal sandwich with ham, never tasted so good.  That, along with 2 cups of tea, was just perfect.

After around 3 hours in recovery, I was able to sit in a fully upright position. My nurse took me on a short walk around the ward to make sure I was steady on my feet.  By 8pm I was on my way home to recover with family.

How am I now?

I’m not as stiff as I was on Friday or Saturday, but still quite sore, tender and swollen around the operation site in my groin.   The bruising makes for some quite incredible artistic design and I still feel a bit vulnerable.  Every movement is calculated, just to make sure I don't bump or aggravate my wound.  I am taking short walks locally to try to rebuild my confidence and work towards reaping the benefits of the work, dedication and care offered by the NHS team at the Golden Jubilee.

AM Frequency Playlist - Intro

The AM Frequency Playlist.  Introducing a new series of blogs, capturing the completely random, eclectic and varied songbook that keeps me captivated on my commute to work.  The plan is to build out a collection of spotify playlists, sharing some background on the songs, maybe adding why I like them, and any tenuous link with anything, anywhere in time.

As someone who suffers from anxiety and OCD, I regularly overthink every situation, moment and interaction.  The blog will act as a wee insight into my music tastes, but more importantly for me, I hope it will help keep me writing, and being more in the moment on my journey.

The way in which many of us go about our day to day commute has probably changed significantly since the Covid pandemic struck across the world.  Hybrid working was previously reserved for certain types of roles in specific industry sectors, but the globally enforced lockdown changed the perception of how many roles could still be fulfilled.  For me, at the moment I have a cosy 40/60 office vs home work pattern with my employer.  2 days in the office and 3 from home.  So, you’re unlikely to hear me complaining.

The reduction in time spent on public transport means I’ve lost some connection to that long established ritual that many commuters have; The Morning Playlist. Whether it started with a Sony Walkman on the way to school, portable CD player, mini disc or any number of the MP3 devices and more recently streaming services, i feel the chance to comfort yourself with a chorus of songs to prepare you for the day ahead has always been important.  My journey from the local train station to Glasgow city centre and subsequent walk to my desk only takes about 35 minutes, just enough time for 8 – 10 songs to serenade me through the streets, sights and smells of Glasgow as it welcomes natives and visitors for another day.

So, what can you expect?

Hopefully there is enough to keep us interested.  Jazz, Punk, Dance, Rap, Country, Crooners Pop and Indie music.   No doubt some tangents too if I spot something on my commute or if a song triggers a memory.   Pictures, I'll post pictures, mainly of in and around Glasgow,  but no doubt other places and people will filter in too.  I definitely want it to be a 2 way street too, if there’s something you’re listening to at the gym or on the bus, share it and I can get it added to my list.

Hope you enjoy & I hope you get as much out of it as I do.

AM Frequency Spotify Playlist

James Forrest - The Lennoxtown Academy Alumnus

 With the opening fixture of our league campaign under a week away, the match against Wolves at the Aviva stadium served as a good exercise in building momentum towards our challenge of retaining the Scottish title.  There was more than enough action in defence and in attack for us to over analyse, yeah we could be more clinical with the opportunities we carve out, or more switched on in defence, but the match in Dublin has to be seen as more minutes in the players legs and a day out for Celtic fans.

Before Brendan Rodgers and the squad turn their full attention to competitive football, Celtic have one more match to negotiate before the championship flag is unfurled against Ross County.    Athletic Club Bilbao will make the journey from the Basque Country to Glasgow's east end to formally close our pre-season activities as well as help our long serving winger James Forrest celebrate his testimonial.

It is fitting that the club who established “The One Club Award", which recognises  loyalty, commitment, responsibility, sportsmanship and respect.  All values the Basque giants hold dear, were chosen for this occasion.   Athletic themselves celebrated our greatest ever captain back in 2019 when Billy McNeill was added to their list of One Club Award winners at a ceremony held at half-time in front of a sell out San Mamés stadium.   For this gesture alone the team and fans making the journey to Glasgow are sure to receive a warm welcome on Tuesday night from the Celtic support.

Since making his debut for the first team on the 1st May 2010, James Forrest has become one of the most decorated players in our clubs history.  With over 460 appearances, over 100 goals and many, many more assists, Forrest has embraced the challenge of what is expected as a winger in the green & white hoops.  Signed from our youth team in 2009, Forrest is another fine example of our player development from young talent, to first team and international recognition.

Forrest's greatest run of form coincided with Celtics stranglehold of Scottish football between 2016-17 and 2019-20, when we secured an unprecedented Quadruple Treble.   James was pivotal in the explosive forward play under the direction of Brendan Rodgers and then from 2019 with the transition to Neil Lennon.

In an excerpt used from the official Celtic Treble Treble book, I wrote;

An Academy Graduate comes of age.

When Celtic made the trip to Perth to play St Johnstone in October 2018, the team & one player in particular put on a show for the faithful followers in the stands.   An incredible performance had Celtic 5 goals ahead before half time. Odsonne Edouard, & Callum McGregor both hit the net as we ran out 6-0 winners, but it was Academy Graduate James Forrest who stole the show, with 4 goals in a devastating 30 minute spell in the first half.

James Forrest's performance that day & his ability to be in the right place, at the right time, in big matches throughout the season, helped him secure Player of the year awards from fellow players & writers. A magnificent way to celebrate the continued youth development from the Celtic academy during our Treble Treble victory.

Whether it was that performance, his last Minute winner against Shakhtar Karagandy, the countless important goals at Hampden or his strike in the 5-0 drubbing of our city rivals to clinch the title, Forrest has been a mainstay of a dominant Celtic team, building for further success.

The match will be a great opportunity to welcome back our champions, but it will also be special to celebrate a man who has helped deliver so much success at Celtic Park.

The Artist, The Emancipator and the Exhibition City

When street artist Banksy announced his Cut and Run exposition being held at the Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow, I am not going to lie I was absolutely thrilled.   So intrigued, in fact, I think I WhatsApped my entire family (in-laws and all) to let them know about it.  The opportunity to understand the mindset of the world famous and illusive Banksy as well as witness some of the tools of his trade was not only fascinating for me, it was a major coup for my home city of Glasgow.  Me?   I had to buy tickets for the first Saturday of the expo.

Glasgow is no stranger when it comes to exhibitions.  Our historic status as second city of the Empire means Glasgow was often at the forefront of the pomp and pageantry that goes with putting on a lavish show.  From the 1888 International Exhibition of Industry, Science and Art, which helped fund our world renowned Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, to the Empire Exhibition at Bellahouston Park in 1938, Glasgow was the staging place for countless showcase events.

After the managed decline in the city and the loss of many of its heavy industrial output, Glasgow was left in the shadow and had to rebuild as well as rebrand our global credentials.  A century on from hosting our first great exhibition, Glasgow was centre stage for the Garden Festival in 1988, attracting over 4 million visitors to the city.   This success was followed when our dear green place was christened the European City of Culture in 1990.  Over 30 years on and Glasgow continues to flourish and is recognised globally as centre of excellence for development, innovation and of course a very warm welcome.

The tough economic downturn in Glasgow after the 2nd world war as well as our long history of protest, reform and deep desire for social justice perhaps played a small part in Banksy choosing Glasgow to host his exhibition.  As I walked through the display at GOMA it was striking absorbing the commentary provided with each stencil and exhibit.   That need to question everything is easily translated from the social commentary that Banksy puts so eloquently into his artwork.  We can all interpret differently, for some it will be grafitti, for others it will be art.   For me it is a platform of protest and desire for change. 

Banksy makes sure to point out that in his mind you will only see one masterpiece as part of the exhibition.  That wonder can be witnessed every day in Glasgow and is stationed outside the host venue.   The statue dedicated to Arthur Wellesley, The Duke of Wellington has been the centre point of Glasgows ability to never take itself too seriously over the decades.   A traffic cone placed on the Duke's head has been a mainstay of Glasgow life for almost 50 years.

The Iron Duke, famous for his victory over Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo and leading 19th century Britain as Prime Minister on 2 occasions, provides another beautiful contradiction in Glasgow.  For a Tory politician to have a statue in the centre of our city is one thing, but for the same man to be one of the leading voices for the Catholic Emancipation Act perhaps sheds some light on the power of driving much needed change.

Whether you see the cone on Wellingtons head as art or vandalism is your choice, similar to the global impact of Banksy and his works.  One thing I will say is do your best to go along & take in the exhibition - it is a real eye opener into the mystique behind the murals Banksy delivers.

Celtic Park Stadium Tour. The History and Emotion

The close season gives fans a chance to recharge batteries and reflect on the season just ended.  For Celtic fans we have a few more news stories to digest over the summer, with Brendan Rodgers returning  as manager and the club cashing in on one of our most dynamic players, selling Jota to the ever expanding Saudi Pro League.

Even with all that going on, the need to get a fix of Celtic in any way whatsoever is still foremost in many fans minds.   If you’re one of the fortunate ones to be travelling to Japan or Dublin for the pre-season friendlies I am sure the occasions will be etched in your memory forever.   For those staying a lot closer to Paradise, that fix might be taking in the tour at Celtic Park.   For me, the tour has become an annual summer event ever since I started going to the matches with my children in 2011.  This summer is no different.

A lot has changed on the Celtic Stadium tour recently, and to be honest it's for the better.   The new sports lounge nestled in the south west corner provides a welcome that is fitting with a club our size, and one that continues to entertain visitors from around the world.  The lounge gives visitors an opportunity to shelter from the summer rain in Glasgow, enjoy snacks and refreshments before and after the tour, as well as taking in the memorabilia from matches through pictures and pennants from our global travels over the years.

The tour itself is a just a magnificent and at times emotional walk through the historic achievements of one of the worlds most decorated football teams.  The collection of silverware and medals each with their own story is enough to give you goose bumps.   From humble beginnings in small parish hall less than ten minutes walk from the stadium, to European champions and our most recent world record 8th domestic treble, our guide Stephen provided the commentary as we followed in the footsteps of the giants of our club.  From Walfrid, Maley and McGrory to Stein, McNeill, McStay Larsson and Kyogo  - it really is something special.

From the trophies of the boardroom, to the Lisbon lions and then the home dressing room, Stephen not only gave the historical context of our achievements, he added in his own personal experiences of following Celtic from a young age; for me the very fabric of what makes Celtic fans, those stories behind the matches and the memories.

The walk down the famous Celtic Park tunnel opens up to the wide expanse of our impressive 60,000+ seated stadium.  The modern theatre is testimony to the fans who invested heavily when Fergus McCann arrived in 1994 and steered the team and club into the 21st century and our modern day dominance of Scottish football.

From the dugouts you get a pitch side view of one of the most lauded stadiums in world football, but can only imagine the crescendo that would spur the players on every matchday.  The tour then wraps up in the directors box before heading back through the main stand to the sports lounge where you have the opportunity to relax and reflect on the tour.

No matter how many times I do the tour, it will always pull on my heartstrings having the opportunity to listen and see the story of Celtic.

NCAA Dublin 2023 - Irish Calling

Late August will see The Aviva stadium in Dublin become the epicentre of the college football world, as a sell out crowd welcomes the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in their opening match of the NCAA football season against the Navy Midshipmen.  The 2023 season opener will be the eighth instalment of the college football classic in Dublin and the third match up of these two football heavyweights in Ireland.

The Aer Lingus College Football Classic has become an integral part of the global expansion of American Football outside the USA.  The match on 26th August will see over 40,000 International fans making their way to the Irish capital.  Such was the demand to attend the showpiece event tickets had to be balloted through a lottery, leaving thousands of fans disappointed.

The desire for live, competitive American football fixtures in Europe has saw the popularity of the sport expand considerably over the last 15 years.  Dublin has joined London and Munich in opening its doors to receive the bright lights of Americas Game this side of the Atlantic ocean.

Notre Dame v Navy represents one of the classic rivalries at college football level, the annual contest dates back to 1927 with the long standing tradition that was only briefly interrupted during the Covid season in 2020. The rivalry is built more on a competitive mutual respect, rather than the fierce hostility associated with the likes of Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes.  Although The Fighting Irish have held the upper hand in terms of results with a 43 year winning streak which stretched back to 1963.   The Midshipmen have enjoyed more success recently since their dramatic win in 2007, adding back to back wins in 2009-2010, followed by another victory in 2016.

Both teams have a strong tradition in preparing college athletes for the transition to graduate life, pro-football and the NFL.  Hall of fame Quarterback Roger Staubach won 2 Superbowls with Dallas after being drafted from Navy, while the San Francisco 49rs were led to a Superbowl winning dynasty courtesy of former fighting Irish QB Joe Montana.  The success stories are not consigned to history, more recently David Givens, Justin Tuck and Joe Cardona have all secured Superbowl rings this century after being drafted from their respective alma mater.

So, what can fans lucky enough to be in Dublin expect?   Well, pretty much everything and anything from Pep Rallies to tailgating and marching bands, although free Alcohol and food at the match again this year might be a dream too far.   For the fans making the pilgrimage from the US to the fair city of Dublin there is obviously the opportunity to connect with their ancestral roots, as well as taking in the world renowned Guinness storehouse or the Teeling Whiskey distillery tour.

Dublin also offers an up close tour of the 1916 Rebellion and subsequent war for independence from the GPO in O’Connell street to the emotional tours of Glasnevin cemetery or Kilmainham Gaol. After the match and many tours you will also have the incredible pubs and traditional Irish music to sign off the day in style.

Living with Atrial Fibrillation and the term Heart Failure

 It has been 12 months since I was diagnosed with Atrial fibrillation.   In March 2022, my annual heart check with the Scottish Adult Congenital Cardiac Services (SACCS) team at the Golden Jubilee hospital had been pulled forward a few weeks after I had noticed a significant drop in my exercise tolerance.  My appointment was the same as any other visit to my heart clinic, unfortunately the outcome of the tests would result in a notable alteration in my cardiac treatment and condition.

I was born in 1978 with tetralogy of fallots, which is a combination of four congenital heart defects. The condition causes a reduction in oxygen in the blood, and left untreated can be fatal. I’ve had a number of life changing and life saving operations over the last 40 odd years, and the specialists guiding me through my care have always provided remarkable support for  my family and I.

After the Covid restrictions started to lift in early 2022, I found if difficult to get back to any kind of routine. I had gained weight, but the prospect of returning to normal activities again pushed me to try to increase my exercise output.  I started cycling on my exercise bike and lost a few pounds, only to regain the weight a few days later – this became a frustrating pattern.   On a day out with my wife, we walked along Buchanan Street in Glasgow city centre.   The stroll turned into a bit of a marathon for me.    I had to stop repeatedly in order to get my breath back and cope with exhaustion. When we returned home my ankles and legs were remarkably swollen and puffy.

The next day I made the trip to the Tony Macaroni stadium in Livingston with my children as part of our obsession with following Celtic wherever we can. The day stands out for two reasons, firstly we got to see Celtic defeat Livingston at “ the spaghettihad" for the first time together,,and secondly I started to feel very strong arrhythmias throughout the match.   The sensations were frightening and left me feeling ill.  That evening, my sleep pattern was a mess, waking up every hour or so gasping for breath – something definitely wasn't right.

At my hospital appointment, I was given an MOT of my heart functions through an ECG and Echocardiography scan, and when I spoke with my heart specialist and explained my recent struggles she was able to confirm that my heart was in Atrial fibrillation.   I was admitted to the hospital directly after my appointment and given a strong dose of diuretics intravenously to help flush the excess fluids from my body.  I was added to the schedule for a cardioversion procedure the next day so that the specialists could get my heart back to a regular less dangerous rhythm.  

I was discharged from the hospital the day after my cardioversion, as my heart had thankfully returned to a more stable rate.  After discussing the details of my hospital admission with the SACCS team I was still afraid of the term Heart Failure and what it would mean for me and my family going forward.   I tried to adopt a more Mediterranean diet, but it is not always easy to maintain focus – even when you know it’s for the best.

A year later the specialists in charge if my care continue to support me and provide guidance on so  many different factors affecting my condition. In late 2022 I started to experience further arrhythmias and once again reached out to my clinical support team, this prompted a whole raft of changes to my medication which I try to understand as best as I can, sharing the background of these with my family.   I am currently on a waiting list for an ablation procedure, which again should improve the symptoms I experience as part of my Atrial Fibrillation condition.

I am more active thanks to the care of the SACCS team, doctors, nurses and specialists.   I am able to enjoy going for a walk again, albeit not as brisk or as long as I did previously , but with the continued support from the hospital, family and friends I know that each step is a step in the right direction in living with Atrial fibrillation and heart failure.

Our Fathers Fought Franco - Book Launch

Saturday 4th February 2023

Townhead Village Hall, Glasgow.

Saturday saw the Glasgow book launch of a new addition to the growing library of publications written about the Spanish Civil War. Published by Luath Press Ltd and edited by Willy Maley  “Our Fathers Fought Franco"  is a collection of stories of 4 volunteers (James Maley, Donald Renton, Geordie Watters and Archiebald Campbell  McAskill Williams) who travelled to Spain to join the International Brigades and defend the newly elected Spanish government.

By the time Delores Ibárruri addressed the International Brigades in her famous farewell speech in Barcelona 1938, the 50-60 thousand strong brigaders who had arrived in Spain over the previous 2 years full of hope and a sense of freedom had been reduced to around 13000 volunteers.  The Inter-Continental band of comrades had been on the front line of the fierce and brutal battles for control of Spain, many volunteers paid the ultimate price and remain entwined in the roots of that fledgling democracy.  Others were captured, tortured and paraded as trophies by the military dictatorship that would continue to cast a shadow over Spain long after the final bullets of the war had been fired.

Almost nine decades have passed since the global call to arms that saw socialists, communists, anarchists and Anti-Fascists unite behind the Popular Front government in Spain when a military coup threatened the democratic changing of the guard at the Spanish seat of power and undermining any possible reforms promised by the new rainbow coalition.

With democracy in jeopardy , the eyes of the political world looked on.  Meanwhile, in Britain a strong working class movement was mobilising in opposition to the ruling class that had sat at the head of the table of British society for generations.  For the activists who had helped organise and unite workforces, rent strikes and hunger marches, the growing tensions in Spain was an opportunity to take direct action and support their fellow workers.

“They went because their open eyes could see no other way" is one of the inscriptions on the International Brigades memorial in London.  Many thousands of those volunteers of the International Brigades were men and women who left everything behind in their homeland to support the newly elected Popular Front government.   For those who did return home, the scrutiny and suspicion from intelligence agencies made it impossible for some to re-join society.

As part of the launch the authors offered  an insight into their inspiration in creating this book as well as sharing stories of their parents and grandparents involvement in political movements before and after the Civil war in Spain, including confrontations with Oswald Mosley and Lord Haw-Haw.  To hear these accounts retold with such passion provided a poignant, emotional but equally uplifting experience for those fortunate to be in the hall.

Paul and Chris of Glasgow social folk-rockers The Wakes delivered the soundtrack to the session with rousing renditions of Christy Moores Viva la Quinta Brigada,  These Hands (written by the Wakes for Glasgow brigader James Maley) and wrapped up the event with socialist anthem The Internationale.

Delores Ibárruri, or La Passionara has a permanent link to Glasgow with her statue standing triumphantly on the banks of the river Clyde.  So, its probably best to wrap this up with her closing words to the crowds who turned out to bid farewell to the volunteers

“Long live the heroes of the International Brigades!”

Royalties from the book are being donated to the IBMT, who help keep the memories and spirit of those who fought Fascism in Spain.

The book is written by Lisa Croft, Willy Maley, Jennie Renton and Tam Watters.  More information on the International brigades memorial trust can be found at IBMT  and the book can be ordered Here

Skylights

What You Are - Debut Album

with a UK tour coming up, I though I'd share this again, with some updated live dates.

Very few things unite fans of different football teams, even more so when those teams are city rivals or the adversaries are both challenging for honours.   That's just part of football and why it  will always make it very special.  On the occasions when some common ground can be found, it will normally be part of the culture and trends that have illuminated the terraces for generations.   From the football fans of the 1960s singing songs from the steps of the vast sweeping terraces, to the modern day Ultras, updating lyrics from chart songs for fan favourites while lighting up the stands with pyro’, noise and colour.   The link between football and music has always been, and that will never change.

As the football season comes to an end, there is a seamless migration from the stadiums to festival fields and concert venues across the country.  The rivalry is paused while the musicians weave their magic on stage and unite a fanatical culture under the strobe lights.  This is where bands like Skylights come in, the diehard Leeds United fans have all the swagger that goes with the casual football culture, and they have the songs to back it up with a heady mix of indie rock anthems bound together with guitar riffs and air punching choruses.

Skylights inaugural album What You Are,  landed on all the usual platforms in May this year through Manchester based 42’s Records and has been climbing up the charts, riding high in the UK top 40 as well as sitting at number 11 in the Vinyl charts.  One listen and it’s easy to see why there is so much love out there for this ten track work of art. The four lads hailing from York have launched an absolutely storming debut release filled with a raw and crisp sound that simply consumes you from the opening chords.

The boisterous intensity delivered through Outlaw, Nothing Left to Say and What You Are combines  seamlessly with stripped back acoustic tracks on the album.  Julia Violinista  adds a touch of magic on violin through her unique Indie/Classical sound for Darkness Falls and Driving Me Away, showing the bands range and maturity.

YRA is the longest song on the album and is an instant classic, you just know this track will take the roof off any venue, it has all the strut and swagger of the very best of Indie music, I'd go as far to say Columbia-esque from Oasis Debut album Definitely Maybe.

Take Me Somewhere produces that unmistakable bass led punk melody, again displaying the versatility of the sound the band produce.

The record is laced with influential sounds throughout, with a nod to bands like Shed Seven, The Cult, Jesus Jones and Primal Scream, but the band stamp their own mark all over the album and keep the sound fresh all the way through.  With Rob Scarisbrick on vocals, Turnbull Smith on guitar, Jonny Scarisbrick on bass and Myles Soley on Drums, the group are ready to expand on their passionate support in the Yorkshire heartlands and introduce themselves to a wider audience.

With the hard work done in the studio it promises to be a busy 2023 for the quartet as they hit the road over with live shows up and down the UK, culminating in a supporting spot for Cast & Shed7 in Leeds in the summer

Upcoming gigs

Thursday 2nd Feb - King Tuts, Glasgow 

Friday 3rd Feb - Lemon Tree, Aberdeen 

Friday 3rd March - Empire, Middlesbrough 

Saturday 15th July - Millennium Square, Leeds along with Cast & Shed 7 (Sounds of the City)

Saturday 30th September - Beckett S.U, Leeds

Twitter - @SkylightsYRA