Pub honours Lisbon Lions
A Rutherglen pub played host to a very special visitor to mark the 50th anniversary of a Scottish football milestone - the European Cup.
Punters at Chapmans came out in force to honour Rutherglen Lisbon Lion Bobby Murdoch and celebrate 50 years since Celtic won the trophy in Portugal.
To mark the occasion, fans were able to get their hands on a replica of the trophy brought along by Rutherglen businessman Stevie Kilcoyne.
Scarves, flags and memorabilia of the road to Lisbon decked the pub’s walls and bar, paying tribute to the Celtic team that became the first British club to lift the European Cup.
Bertie Auld, one of Bobby’s team mates from that all-conquering side, came along to join the celebrations and spoke of that night in Lisbon when Celtic defeated Inter Milan 2-1 to lift the trophy.
He heaped praise on Burgh boy Bobby who became a European champion, saying: “His talents were much greater than many of the highest paid midfielders in the world just now.”
Money raised from the night went to Chapmans’ chosen charity, the Kilbryde Hospice,
Among those to get to grips with the trophy was Jim O’Connor from Fernhill, who had taken his grandson Conor Bell along.
He said: “To be here with my grandson celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Lisbon Lions proves that the memory and history of this team will live on for many years to come.”
John Crozier of Chapman’s Bar said: “We have been supporting Kilbryde Hospice since I have been at Chapman’s and to be able to raise over £2,000 whilst enjoying an anniversary such as this has just been heart-warming.
“It was great to have Bertie here along with Lord Willie Haughey and seeing faces I haven’t seen in such a long time back to celebrate with us.
“We also had commemorative t-shirts made and our thanks goes to Lord Willie Haughey for allowing us to use the new Lisbon Lion 50th anniversary logo he had commissioned only a few weeks ago.”
Kilbryde Hospice chief executive, Gordon McHugh, was represented on the evening by daughters Rayanne and Cara.
Rayanne said: “We are delighted to come along and represent Kilbryde Hospice at such a wonderful event. The singing of old and new songs, the pictures on the walls showing a period in history when we weren’t even born is testament to such a great historical event for Glasgow, Scotland and the UK, with Celtic being the first ever British Club to hold aloft this magnificent trophy.
“To also be in the company of an absolute legend that is Bertie Auld has made it even more special.
“Thank you to everyone who made this event a great success – they know who they are – and I know my dad is thankful to them for their support.”