When Celtic saved lives in Europe
EUROPEAN football has changed beyond all recognition since Celtic made their debut against the Continent’s finest exactly 55 years ago.
As the Scottish champions prepare for their 52nd season of pitting their wits against Europe’s elite against PSG on Tuesday, it’s incredible to look back and reflect.
Celtic made that first appearance against Valencia in the now long-defunct Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.
Valencia were the holders, but such was the laxity of UEFA in these days they had only claimed the previous season’s trophy two weeks earlier against fellow Spaniards, Barcelona.
That two-legged final had actually been used as a curtain-raiser for the new Spanish season, so Celtic had the opportunity to curtail Valencia’s celebrations almost immediately.
In the end they lost 6-4 on aggregate, but not before an incredible incident on the eve of the first game in Spain.
Back in those days, it was the norm for clubs to travel on a Monday for a Wednesday tie and return on the Thursday.
“Plenty time to acclimatise” was the mantra back then. Now teams travel as late as possible the day before, and fly back immediately afterwards in the middle of the night.
If Celtic hadn’t followed the 1960s tradition, two young boys from Switzerland would probably have drowned in the Mediterranean off the coast of Valencia the day before the game.
The Celtic party was relaxing at their hotel’s swimming pool, which backed on to the Med, when they were alerted that the two kids were drifting further and further out to sea in an inflatable dinghy.
Although they were 300 yards offshore, Celtic assistant-manager Sean Fallon didn’t hesitate.
He immediately swam out to rescue them and saved their lives.
The unassuming Fallon tried to play down his heroics, claiming he had always been a better swimmer than a footballer!
Before he joined Celtic in 1950, Sean was a lifeguard at his local swimming pool in his native Sligo near the border with Northern Ireland. He had more medals for swimming than football. Nowadays it is unheard of for players to relax at a hotel swimming pool the day before a game. Even if they had the time, they wouldn’t be allowed.
The tradition of the home club hosting a pre-match lunch or dinner for their visitors has long descended into the mists of time.
Today team-mates hardly get a chance to know each other, never mind socialise with the opposition.