Celtic sent the club’s B team to take part in a special fundraising match against Highland League side Fraserburgh FC today, 53 years after Jock Stein’s Bhoys helped the local community from a tragic lifeboat disaster.
Celtic took time out of their schedule and visited Fraserburgh in April 1970 with a star-studded team that included Billy McNeill and Jimmy Johnstone, despite preparing to play in a European Cup final. It helped raise money for families impacted by the Duchess of Kent lifeboat disaster which sadly claimed the lives of five crew.
This latest fixture between the two clubs had originally been arranged for 2020, on the 50th anniversary of the first event, but that was sidelined by the global pandemic.
Fraserburgh vice-chairman George Thom told The Press & Journal earlier this week: “The Celtic game in 1970 was my very first game. It’s quite fitting that this weekend’s game is my first as vice-chairman and our first game as main shirt sponsor.
“My grandfather was a fisherman and both sides of my wife’s family are fishing families in Portknockie and Hopeman and we’ve had family members that have been lost at sea.
“The occasion is quite poignant for us. The RNLI play a huge part in coastal communities, the town has got amazing links with the harbour and the sea.”
Charity match was decided by penalties
Today, a sold-out crowd attended the charity game, with the two sides competing for the ‘VT Wealth Cup’ – silverware donated by a local company.
All proceeds of the fixture are being donated to the Fraserburgh Lifeboat Station. The game was also available for purchase on a club pay-per-view service, raising even more money for the fine cause.
Just before kick-off, there was a guard of honour for the RNLI, with a minute’s silence taking place for those who didn’t come home from sea.
In typical early pre-season fare, neither side managed to make a breakthrough and the match ended 0-0 after 90 minutes. Penalties then decided the outcome with Celtic coming out on top by a 5-3 margin.
The Celtic side, coached by Darren O’Dea and Stephen McManus, are busy preparing for their third season in the Scottish Lowland Football League, which kicks off in just a few weeks’ time.
The team will also be competing in the UEFA Youth League and Challenge Cup, alongside the Glasgow Cup, in another very busy campaign.
In other news, The reality of where Celtic sit right now as rumours and reports swirl.
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