7th October 1965 – Celtic v Go-Ahead Deventer: The Match

Nerves

What a long, stressful day the 7th October 1965 was turning out to be. I was not in a position to miss out on the morning lectures at the Dental Hospital – I had done that the day before – so I rose at my usual time of 7am, shaved and bathed, had breakfast, then got the bus from the top of the road into town and walked the rest of the way to the Hospital, which was in Renfrew Street, one road up to the north from Sauchiehall Street.

50 years on, I cannot remember precisely what the lectures were about but to be really honest, I barely took in a single word of what the lecturer was saying, as my mind was on the activities which lay ahead in the evening. I had lunch in the canteen, dealt with a couple of patients, then returned to the canteen, where I took out of my bag a substantial helping of corn flakes, pinched a bowl and some milk and sat in the corner to have my pre-match meal. Continue reading

7th October 1965 Celtic v Go Ahead Deventer Second leg – Preview

6th October 1965

Mob Beats Policemen to Death After Crash

At least 150 people were killed last night when a crowded train was derailed on the outskirts of Durban, South Africa.

The accident occurred when 3 coaches of a train taking labourers home from work left the rails.

Seconds after the crash, an incensed mob of Africans attacked two white railwaymen who had arrived at the scene, battering one of them to death. Continue reading

29th September 1965: Go Ahead Report

I can recall the night when Celtic played Go-Ahead Deventer in Holland quite clearly. There were no televised matches in those days – only radio commentaries – and the Scottish, or, more properly British broadcasting authorities probably did the hordes of Celtic fans tuning in a disservice that evening.

They decided that the main game of the evening for listening fans was in the European Cup, where Kilmarnock were facing Nandori Tirana from Albania in a preliminary round second leg tie. So, that game was the one chosen for a second-half commentary and the Celtic fans had to do with occasional reports from Deventer, especially when a goal was scored….and there were plenty of them! Continue reading

29th September 1965 -Go Ahead Deventer (A) Preview

Not Enough Hours In the Day!

This was a particularly difficult spell for me in my football life. I knew that I was playing well in the reserve team and showing that I could not only defend and organize a defence – as the big guy, I had always been put to the centre-half role in school and amateur sides – but also had the touch to come forward and set up the attacks from the back.

Unfortunately, though, at the start of season 1965-66, I was also a final year student in dentistry at Glasgow Dental Hospital, struggling to fit in lectures, treating patients, studying and training into what sometimes seemed to be astonishingly short day. And, as yet, I had not made enough money to buy a car, so I had to go everywhere by public transport.

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25th September 1965 Celtic v Aberdeen

A 4-0 win against Raith Rovers in the League Cup quarter-final second leg tie was a fairly positive response by the players to the defeat the week before against Rangers in the league, although most reports pointed out that the guys had only started playing in the second half of the contest.

 

Still, a 12-1 aggregate over the two legs put Celtic into the semi-finals of that particular competition and now it was important to maintain momentum, so the forthcoming league match against Aberdeen at Celtic Park was another important fixture. Continue reading

22nd September 1965 League Cup QF 2nd Leg Report

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Brits in Action….but Another Sport

Brian London, of Blackpool, the former British and Empire Heavyweight champion, sensationally blasted the American Roger Rischer of California into defeat in 50 seconds, including two counts, in a scheduled 10-round fight at Liverpool Stadium last night.

ABA Featherweight champion Ken Buchanan made an impressive professional debut when beating Brian Tonks of Swindon in the 2nd round at the National Sporting Club, London, last night.

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22nd September 1965 Celtic v Raith Rovers League Cup QF 2nd Leg – Preview

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Worries!

After a defeat – and particularly a loss to one of the major rivals, like Rangers – players are always a bit apprehensive and concerned when reporting for training the first day after the match. The same thoughts are going through everyone’s mind. The younger ones are worrying that the manager will point the finger of blame at them? The ones who have been there for a time wonder if they could lose their place in the side? While the older ones are thinking – have I got a future at the club? And, of course, all three age bands contain reluctant trainers who are sick at the thought of the really hard session managers sometimes insist on at a time like that. Continue reading