BLACKPOOL SHAMROCK CSC: A HISTORY FROM 1995 TO DATE!!

The Blarney Stone Pub, North Promenade Blackpool, July 1995: A meeting was convened to discuss forming a new Celtic supporters club in Blackpool . The get together had been organised by three guys, each of whom had run occasional buses from Blackpool to games over the years and who represented the three main drinking haunts for Celtic fans in the town:

Peter McLaughlin from the Catholic Club in the town;

Joe Martin from the Trades and H&A Club in Central Blackpool ; and

Dunky Campbell from St Cuthbert's Catholic Club in South Shore

The meeting was attended by approximately 60 guys, all interested in forming one Club representing the town. There had already been a Club formed back in 1988 by Dunky Campbell – the Blackpool Centenary CSC – which ran occasional trips but that fell away relatively quickly.

The overwhelming consensus of the meeting was that a single club should be formed and that many of those in attendance were genuinely keen to travel to matches on a regular basis, maybe even to every home game, something that had never been done before.

A committee was formed at this inaugural meeting and naturally the three key guys were installed as the first representatives of the club. The name Blackpool Shamrock was a suggestion from Dunky Campbell, who was a former member of the Greenock Shamrock CSC, and was a popular choice amongst those in attendance – the Club was born. Initially, the Blarney Stone was going to be the Club's Headquarters; however we quickly moved from there and found a home at the Brunswick Club, just off Central Drive in the Central area of the town. The father of one of our members (Paul McTear), was the secretary there and it would become our home for the next 6 years.

During the Club's first season of 1995-96, Celtic were returning to Paradise after a year at Hampden, the ground only held 36,000 and there were only 5 season book holders in the Blackpool Shamrock CSC. In order to try and facilitate the demand for tickets from the members of the new club, we joined the Celtic Supporters Association, based at the London Road Social Club. This was a good move as tickets were supplied from the CSA to satisfy most demands for that initial season – even some for games against the Huns.

The first season saw a mixture of coaches and mini-buses (for games with either few tickets available or a low demand) and on a couple of occasions, just a car-load! We even used to run mini-buses to a pub in Lockerbie – The Townhead Hotel - owned by John Aitken, (who still travels up on our bus to this day) just to watch away games on the telly that were only televised on Scottish TV – no Sky/Setanta in those days! I will give a mention here to former club member (he has moved from the area now), Mick Diamond. Mick took on the unenviable task of mini-bus driver for all games where we travelled that way. Looking back he had to put up with a lot of sh*t; from people not wanting to leave the pub after the game, to telling him how to drive and where to park all whilst they were getting pissed in the back of the mini-bus. In those early days, whether travelling by coach or mini-bus, we used to stop at John's pub in Lockerbie for breakfast of a “roll and square sausage” and a pint on the way to Glasgow . On one mid-week occasion (I think it was the night we beat Aberdeen 5-0 and Jorge Cadete broke the BBC radio gear), the mini-bus stopped on the way back home for a “quick” pint. Anyway, as was usual, Mick couldn't get half of the bhoys out of the pub (including our President – Peter McLaughlin), so at the end of his tether, he issued an ultimatum – out in 2 minutes or I am leaving without you – they never, so he did!! He left half a dozen of them there stranded in Lockerbie on a Wednesday night at midnight !! However, Ghod works in mysterious ways and Mick wasn't 20 miles down the M74 when the mini-bus broke down!! They ended up having to call out the AA and get towed back to Blackpool, arriving home about 5am – although that was still earlier than the bhoys who had to stay the night in John's pub and get the train home the next day! To this day, I'm sure Peter “allocated” some club funds to his “all night” bar bill for that night. It later became known as St Peter's Day!!

That initial season also saw the Club start to put on “Green nights” in the Brunswick Club. From memory, I think Athenrye and Celtic Connection both played that year and these events proved hugely popular. So much so that since then we have had the Wolfetones play twice at our Club functions in the Brunswick Club. These were all great nights and helped put a few quid in the Club's coffers into the bargain.

That first season also saw the Club run its first European away trip – to Paris as we faced Paris St Germain in the Cup Winners Cup. We ran a 15 seat mini-bus to the game (we hired a bus and driver so Mick Diamond didn't have to drive!!) and had a 3 day round trip. The way to Paris saw David “Cecil” McCoid break the world record for continuous talking – Blackpool to Paris without stopping – and also saw him earn the title of the man every other person on the mini-bus wanted to murder! However, whatever he was drinking/smoking etc in Paris must have been powerful as he slept all the way home and saved his jaw from being broken – either from too much talking or a right hook from “President” Peter!!

The following season saw a new member on the committee – Steve Brogi who had been the Bus Convener during the initial season, became the Club Secretary. This season, with Paradise opening another stand, saw the number of season book holders in the Club rise to about 20. This factor, coupled with the tickets we were still getting from the CSA meant that most games were now travelled to on a coach and that mini-buses were now very in-frequent (much to Mick's delight!).

Unfortunately during this season, Club President Peter McLaughlin had become very ill and by the summer was unable to continue with his duties and regrettably had to stand down from the committee. His place was taken by Hugh (Shug) McWilliams, who had recently moved to the area from Glasgow . As part of a re-shuffle Joe Martin became President, Shug became Treasurer, Steve Brogi remained as Secretary and Dunky Campbell stood down from the committee and was replaced as Vice President by Joe McCrory .

The Club was going from strength to strength with more members, including a number from St Annes, or the Fylde Fenians, as they like to be known!! Season book holders were up to around 30 and coach loads of about 35-40 for every home game was the norm. That was the season we stopped the “Ten” with some bloke called Larsson now in the team!!

From the euphoria of winning the league on that last day in May '98 came some dreadful news for the Club a couple of months later. Peter McLaughlin's health had steadily deteriorated and he sadly passed away in the Autumn of 1998. Peter had been one of the main driving forces behind the formation of the Club and was instrumental in ensuring that our fledgling Club survived in the early days. He was a real character from the “old school” and is sadly missed. He is still talked about fondly by all who knew him, even those who had “occasional” disagreements with him!! It is safe to say that without him we would not have the Club we have today and you would not be reading this. Thanks Peter and RIP………..

The next couple of seasons were a complete nightmare on the park but the Club kept steadily growing and by the start of MON's reign we were up to about 35 season book holders. That season also saw  Joe McCrory and Shug McWilliams stand down  from the Committee after 3 years sterling service.  Shug's place was taken John McCartney, one of our Preston-based members, who obviously preferred our bus to the one run from his home-town – it must be the charm of our members that drew him and his wife Marie to our bus!

2002 saw the sad death of another founder member and season book holder – Matt McIntyre. Matt died suddenly and unexpectedly at a terribly young age. RIP Matt.

The summer of 2002 saw the Club move headquarters, after 7 years at the Brunswick Club, to Little Fat Jack's in the “town” area of Blackpool . The move came after a couple of disagreements with the Brunswick Club and the offer of some decent financial support from Fat Jack's.

Obviously, the next few seasons were terrific for Celtic and her supporters, culminating in the UEFA Cup final in Seville . The Club got 18 tickets for the final – a 50% allocation. This was a nightmare for the Committee in terms of distribution as obviously we were a good few tickets short for all those who wanted to go. The fact that the Club rule was those who went on the bus to most games that season got first dibs on the tickets was, although fair, still not easy on those who missed out, and not easy for the Committee to tell them either. In the end, most of the bhoys got tickets, although some had to pay well over the odds, and so the biggest match in a lot of the bhoys Celtic watching history, was attended by about 30 members of the Blackpool Shamrock CSC.

In recent seasons, the Club has welcomed a good few new members from the Morecambe area. These bhoys get picked up at the Holiday Inn, just off the motorway at the Lancaster turn-off. It is fair to say that without these bhoys – probably about 10 for most games – then the Club's finances would be in a pretty unhealthy state. They are all good guys (although Joe Donnelly's singing is dreadful) and are valued members of the Club. We also pick up a great bunch of lads (and lassies) from Annan, including the afore-mentioned John Aitken (who is always last off the bus!!) and they all add to the great atmosphere on the bus as it heads both north and south.

July 2005 saw the Club reach its 10th anniversary. To celebrate we held a dinner dance at the Sheraton Hotel in the town. Special guest that evening was Norma McLaughlin, wife of the late President Peter, who attended with members of her family, including her daughter Colleen and son Danny who now lives in Dublin (and still phones me for tickets and t shirts from time to time!!). The evening began with a minute's silence in remembrance of all the deceased members of the Club:

Peter McLaughlin

Matt McIntyre

Phil Sandford

John Ahern

Chick Garsyth

However, it was a night for celebration and the whole event was terrific, with guest speakers Joe McBride and Pat McCluskey really holding court with some great stories. Especially Pat's one about when he played for Airdrie at CP, shortly after leaving Celtic. Allegedly, the Airdrie manager's pre-match team talk consisted of 7 words – “Get stuck right intae these fenian bastards”!! Always knew they were a nice family club. The night also included a Celtic quiz, organised by Frank Hannaway (thanks Frank), a raffle of items donated from various Club members (many thanks to you, you know who you are) and an auction of a signed Celtic shirt. Unbelievably, we raised the sum of £500 that night, which was donated to a local charity –* Sure start* - it was a great night and befitting of celebrating our 10th birthday.

The Club moved headquarters again in October 2005, to our current home at the Trades Club in Central Blackpool . This move came after Fat Jack's reneged on a promise to fund half of a large banner that the Club had commissioned. I think they must now regret this decision as every Celtic away game, screened live on Setanta, saw Fat Jack's full to bursting and reaping the benefits behind their bar. Now the Club has moved to the Trades, this business has completely vanished – a very short-sighted decision based on not a great deal of money. The Trades Club now screens all live Celtic matches upstairs in their function room to a Celtic only audience and, after a year in partnership, both parties are pleased with the arrangement.

Another untimely death occurred last season (February 2006) when Club member Jack McCaffrey sadly passed away. Jack was nothing if not a character and is another who is sadly missed. RIP Jack.

At the end of last season (2005/6), John McCartney stood down as Treasurer after 5 years of fantastic service, leaving the Club on a sound financial footing. Many thanks John. John was replaced by another John – Johnston , at the start of this season and so far he hasn't written any dodgy cheques – keep it going John.

That just about brings us up to date – the Club has around 35 season book holders and holds 5 “Club” books. We run a coach to every home game (no mini-buses for this Club), regardless of the amount of members travelling and are on a sound financial footing. We always welcome new members and are good bunch of bhoys and ghirls, so if you fancy taking in a game or two then get in touch with one of the committee (see contacts page).

Finally, thanks to everyone, especially members of the Committee (past and present), and in particular Joe Martin who has been on the committee since day one, who have helped make our Club the success it has been over the last 11 years.

Here's to the next 11 years!!!