Celtic
Founded in Glasgow in 1887, Celtic were established by Brother Walfrid with the aim of raising funds to help alleviate poverty in the city's East End. The club played their first match the following year and quickly developed into a major force in Scottish football. Celtic's history has combined remarkable domestic success with a strong cultural identity and memorable achievements in European competition. Their famous green-and-white hoops, Celtic Park home and four-leaf clover crest have become recognised around the world, while the club's origins and connections with Glasgow's Irish community remain an important part of its heritage.
5 facts you might not know
- Celtic were founded for a charitable purpose
Brother Walfrid established the club partly to raise money for the Poor Children's Dinner Table, which provided meals for impoverished children in Glasgow's East End. - The hoops weren't their original shirt
Celtic initially played in white shirts before later wearing green-and-white stripes. The famous horizontal hoops were not introduced until 1903. - Their first match was against Rangers
Celtic's first official game took place in May 1888 against Rangers, beginning what would become one of football's most famous rivalries. - The Lisbon Lions were all locally born
Every member of Celtic's team that won the 1967 European Cup was born within roughly 30 miles of Celtic Park. - They were Britain's first European champions
Celtic's 1967 European Cup victory over Inter Milan made them the first British club to win Europe's premier club competition.
