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Jeff Winter: Celtic v Rangers - We're having a party Monday, 10 May 2010 01:37 Written by Jeff Winter

First of all let’s start this article off with something far more important than football, click this link: Link

In memory of the five young boys who never returned home on 2nd Jan 1971: Peter Easton aged 13, Bryan Todd age 14, Mason Philip age 14, Ron Paton age 14 and Douglas Morrison aged 15.

AIMS

1. To restore the original stone. i.e. re-letter the memorial and also clean up not only the stone but the immediate area where the stone is located and to raise the stone and put it on a stone plinth of say three feet high and put the lads' names on the plinth, therefore making the stone stand out a bit more. The hope is to enhance what is originally there and not detract from the original memorial.

2. To locate a park bench in the local church grounds where three of the lads' funerals were held. The bench will also have a memorial plaque placed on it.

3. The planting of five trees with each of the lads' names on each tree.

4. Present the school they went to with either five trophies - each bearing their names, i.e. the Peter Easton memorial trophy, and also a plaque in memory of the lads to be placed in the school reception area.

Alongside the Markinch project it is also hoped to do something to preserve the memory of the disaster's youngest victim, Nigel Patrick Pickup, aged eight from Liverpool.

For Nigel Pickup in Liverpool

A trophy for his school bearing the name The Nigel Pickup Memorial trophy and perhaps a memorial plaque for his school too or a flower holder engraved to sit by Nigel’s graveside. Family will decide which option they prefer.

All of the above are obviously subject to funding and also gaining the relevant permissions. If there is any surplus money raised then the surplus is being donated to Rachel House in Kinross (C.H.A.S).

RACE NIGHT

A race night is being held in the Station Hotel Leslie on Saturday 5th June 7.30pm. £2 per ticket.

All monies raised will go towards the Markinch Boys memorial fund although some of the raffle money will be split to help the Nigel Pickup project who also died in The Ibrox Disaster aged eight and from Liverpool.

Anyone wanting to make a donation can do so by clicking here. Thanks in advance.

So before you read this article click on the link above. If everyone who reads it donates the £2 that it would have cost for the ticket, I am sure that the target will easily be attained.

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I have seen a couple of Old Firm games at Hampden and several at Ibrox, but until Tuesday evening I had never been to one at Parkhead. The day did not start well, computer problems wasted an hour, and then my travelling companion Geoff thought I had said a 1.30pm meet and not 1.00pm as agreed.

Anyway the tosser turned up at 1.40pm. The day could only get better. We shot up and were checked into the hotel by 4.15. Thinking that we were probably not going to eat until after the game, Geoff had eaten for most of the journey. It was then decided we were going for a meal pre match and obviously a couple of beers to wash it down.


Ready for battle

On the way to meet Scott and Stan for a very good Italian, we popped into Buchannan Galleries. There is an excellent stand in there that does 'Legends' tee shirts. He got the 'Davie Cooper' one and I plumped for the 'Simply the Best' Baxter, Laudrop and Cooper one.

As is usual when with the boys everything seems to be last minute. Having travelled a couple of hundred miles, the game is the be all and end all for me, but at 6.45 we are still polishing off sweet in central Glasgow. A very swift walk to the car park at St.Enoch’s followed and then some 'Lewis Hamilton' type driving got us near to the ground. Well when I say near, we parked in some estate about a mile or so away from the stadium.


When two tribes go to war. An end of season meaningless game? Don’t make me laugh!!!

I have never been to any league game and seen so many coaches for the away side, made all the more incredible by the fact that the game was in the same city as the home team. It was obvious that for security reasons the fans approach the ground from their own sides.

But even on a night game it was amazing to see where the coaches had come from. One was from Devon, a journey that I have been complaining that I have to make this Sunday. These guys probably make it every game. For once we got to the ground before the Leven boys. Good to keep them waiting, mind you they would not have been stuck with out tickets, as Rangers fans were walking round without the priceless piece of paper. Bucket gave me stick for having a go at him in the article 'Champions Again'. Once again Scott had done the business and for £38 I had the ticket for the 'party'.


Kick off and party time commences

During my many years I have seen hundreds, indeed probably thousands, of games and I have refereed virtually every big derby game in England. As I said earlier I have experienced the OF atmosphere, but never have I witnessed anything like this night as 7,000 Bears had the party to end all parties.

The result in Celtic’s Cup Final could have been better, but nothing was going to spoil the occasion. The fans conducted non-stop singing from before the game until long after the final whistle. Song after song was sang with gusto and the terracing literally did bounce.

The early in jury to 'Shagger' I am sure affected the outcome of the game. Alexander appeared nervous and both goals could have been avoided. Mind you after the Alamo, had Rangers got off at half-time level it would have been a result. The second half was much better and Rangers were very unfortunate not to get a point.

In fairness the ref did not do too badly, keeping the lid on a game that teetered on the edge throughout. Tackles were flying in and the inevitable sending off came much later than I had earlier anticipated. Lee McCulloch was unwise to launch himself into a challenge having already been booked, but McGeady did not help matters by deliberately going to ground without any contact having been made. I hope that he is proud of himself!



Empty seats, paying respect to the Champions was too much to bear for some of the Celtic faithful!!!

Boruc, having incurred the usual stick from the travelling fans, bit big time. He appeared to spit on the ground at the Rangers fans as he was substituted and then perhaps lived up to his description as he fondled himself after the match. Pity he went off actually as he would probably not have got to the deflected shot that the sub keeper made an excellent save from.

So Lennon got his victory and I, like most Rangers fans, would be happy to see him get the job. He provides an excellent 'hate' figure and also it would mean that he does not join 'Chesney' as a coach at Boro.


Thank you for your magnificent support. The Champions applaud their champion supporters.

I don’t think I have ever left a ground having watched my side get beaten in such a relaxed manner. Okay the result was important from a pride point of view, but I had witnessed a party, celebrating number 53 and two in a row. Next season I am sure that there will be more at stake on the outcome of the games and I am sure that Rangers fans will help create a similar atmosphere.

Well that’s it for this season. I won't be at the lunchtime kick off at Ibrox as I can’t drive the 476 miles from Bideford Football club in time for the match.


The covers are coming off, prepare for battle!!!

Perth races in a few weeks time promises to be a good weekend especially as a night out with the Leven boys is included in the trip. No doubt this article will provoke the usual responses from cowardly, fictitious emails from 'IRA', 'Gerry Adams' and 'Billy King', but FUCK them all. Freedom of speech, that’s what our brave soldiers gave their lives for.

Sincere thanks to Scott and the boys from Buckhaven and Methil Rangers Supporters Club, not only for getting me tickets but for their friendship and loyalty. I have enjoyed speaking at numerous dinners and events and look forward to many more in the future.


7,000 travelling fans who sang throughout the game.

I am off to Bahrain in a few weeks to speak at their Rangers Dinner, no doubt meeting many more people who I will see in the future at games next season.

Enjoy the World Cup - Come on England!!!

We are the people!!!

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