Michael Brooks
The Celtic Football Club, commonly known as Celtic, is a professional football club in Glasgow, Scotland. The club was founded in 1887 by Brother Walfrid, with the purpose of alleviating poverty in the East End of Glasgow by raising money for the Poor Children's Dinner Table, a Catholic charity. Celtic has a fierce long-standing rivalry with Rangers, another Glasgow-based football club. The rivalry carries the religious overtones of Catholic versus Protestant, with Celtic and its supporters seen as the Catholic team. While Celtic was founded to promote Catholic support, over time, the club moved away from its religious foundations and did not practice any form of religious exclusion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Foundation | 1887 |
| Purpose | To alleviate poverty in the East End of Glasgow by raising money for the Poor Children's Dinner Table |
| Founder | Brother Walfrid |
| Rivalry | Rangers |
| Religious Affiliation | Catholic |
| Fanbase | 9 million worldwide |
| Colours | Green and white |
| Nickname | The Bhoys |
| Location | Glasgow, Scotland |
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What You'll Learn
- Celtic was founded in 1887 to raise money for a Catholic charity
- The club's fanbase was estimated to be around 9 million worldwide in 2003
- Celtic has moved away from its Catholic roots and is open to all faiths
- The rivalry between Celtic and Rangers supporters has often erupted into violence
- Sectarian incidents reported to police in Scotland increased by 50% between 2004 and 2005
Celtic was founded in 1887 to raise money for a Catholic charity
The origins of Glasgow's football clubs Celtic and Rangers are rooted in the religious division between Catholicism and Protestantism. The rivalry between the two clubs and their supporters runs deeper than the sport and has often erupted into violence.
Celtic Football Club was founded in 1887 by Brother Walfrid, a Marist Irish Catholic, at St. Mary's Church Hall in Calton, Glasgow. The club was established to raise money for a Catholic charity, the Poor Children's Dinner Table, and to alleviate poverty in the East End of Glasgow, where many Irish Catholics lived in poor conditions. The charity aimed to provide meals for the city's poor children, and the football club was intended to maintain interest and devotion to the Catholic faith among Glasgow's Irish Catholic community.
At the time, Glasgow's Irish Catholic community faced oppression, abuse, and religious discrimination from Protestants. The establishment of Celtic Football Club was an attempt by Catholic community leaders to help their people settle into their new home. The club's first game was against Rangers, which they won 5-2.
Despite its Catholic roots, Celtic did not practice religious exclusion and was open to people from all faiths. By 1895, the club rejected a resolution to limit the number of Protestants on the team. This inclusive approach contributed to Celtic's success, making them one of the most successful football teams in Scotland.
The rivalry between Celtic and Rangers has been intense, with both clubs dominating Scottish football for many years. The rivalry has often been fuelled by religious overtones, with Celtic associated with Catholicism and Rangers with Protestantism. However, it is important to note that the clubs' identities are not solely defined by religion, and both have had players and supporters from various faiths.
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The club's fanbase was estimated to be around 9 million worldwide in 2003
Celtic Football Club was founded in 1887 and officially established in 1888 to raise money for a Catholic charity, the Poor Children's Dinner Table. The club was formed to help Glasgow's struggling Irish Catholic community, and its fan base originated from that same pocket of society.
Over time, however, Celtic moved away from its religious roots. In 1895, the team rejected a resolution to introduce a limit on the number of Protestant players allowed, and the club has since remained open to all faiths. By not practicing any form of religious exclusion, Celtic quickly became one of the most successful football teams in Scotland.
In 2003, Celtic's fanbase was estimated to be around 9 million worldwide, with a significant number of supporters in Ireland and among members of the Irish diaspora. There are over 160 Celtic supporters' clubs in over 20 countries, and an estimated 80,000 fans travelled to Seville for the 2003 UEFA Cup Final. The club's large travelling support has made it a popular choice for testimonial matches.
Celtic's popularity has also spread to other parts of the world. In 2005, the club's fanbase extended to Japan when Japanese international Shunsuke Nakamura joined, although the Tokyo Celtic Supporters' Club had already been established in 2001. In 2003, it was estimated that Celtic had a fanbase of one million in the United States and Canada, with former Rangers director Hugh Adam claiming that Celtic was "the best-supported football club in North America" due to its ""Irish connection."
The intense rivalry between Celtic and Rangers, known as "The Old Firm," has been a significant aspect of the clubs' histories. Their matches are considered some of the world's biggest football derbies, and the rivalry has often erupted into violence and riots. While the tension between the two clubs has religious roots, with Rangers embracing a Protestant identity, the conflict also has ethnic and political dimensions.
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Celtic has moved away from its Catholic roots and is open to all faiths
Celtic Football Club was founded in 1887 by Brother Walfrid, a Marist Brother, to raise money for a Catholic charity, the Poor Children's Dinner Table, and to alleviate poverty in Glasgow's East End, particularly among the Irish-Scots population. The club's first game was a friendly match against Rangers, which Celtic won 5-2.
Despite its beginnings as a vehicle to promote Catholic support, over time, Celtic moved away from its Catholic roots. In 1895, a resolution was proposed to introduce a limit on the number of Protestants allowed on the team, but this was rejected, and the club has since remained open to all faiths. By not practicing any form of religious exclusion, Celtic quickly became one of the most successful football teams in Scotland.
The rivalry between Celtic and Rangers has often been portrayed as a religious conflict, with Celtic seen as the Catholic team and Rangers as the Protestant side. However, this rivalry is more nuanced than a simple religious divide. While Celtic's origins are rooted in the Irish Catholic community, the club has never been closed to people from other backgrounds. In fact, many of Celtic's most loved players over the years have been non-Catholics.
On the other hand, Rangers have had a more complicated relationship with religion. While they were not founded as a religious club, they became associated with Protestantism and unionism, particularly under the leadership of John Ure Primrose in the 1890s. Rangers also had an unofficial "no Catholics" policy for much of their history, which only changed in recent decades.
Today, both clubs are still viewed by many as representative of specific communities within Scotland, with Celtic associated with Irish and Catholic origins and Rangers with the Protestant community. However, this perception is an oversimplification, as both clubs have moved away from their religious roots and actively work to reduce sectarianism. For example, Celtic's "Bhoys Against Bigotry" and Rangers' "Follow With Pride" campaigns aim to promote social inclusion and reduce the connection between the clubs and sectarianism.
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The rivalry between Celtic and Rangers supporters has often erupted into violence
Celtic Football Club was founded in 1887 to raise money for a Catholic charity, the Poor Children's Dinner Table. Leaders of Glasgow's Catholic community hoped that the team would also help maintain interest and devotion to the Catholic faith. From the beginning, Celtic was identified with working-class, Irish Catholic immigrants.
Rangers Football Club, on the other hand, was formed in 1872 and had no religious or political links. However, in the 1960s, sectarianism forced itself into the public spotlight when a former Rangers player publicly announced the club's "Protestant-only" policy, angering Catholics. Rangers soon came to represent a contrasting vision of a Scottish identity that was conservative, middle-class, and Protestant.
In recent years, there have been continued reports of violence and abuse surrounding the rivalry. In 2011, Celtic staff and fans, including then-manager Neil Lennon, were sent suspected explosive devices and bullets. In the same year, a match between the two clubs resulted in 34 fan arrests and three Rangers players being given red cards. Statistics compiled by Scottish law enforcement suggest that rates of violent crime and domestic abuse more than double whenever Rangers and Celtic play each other.
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Sectarian incidents reported to police in Scotland increased by 50% between 2004 and 2005
Sectarianism in Glasgow has been described as a long-standing religious and political rivalry between Catholics and Protestants. In 2004 and 2005, sectarian incidents reported to the police in Scotland increased by 50% to 440 over 18 months. Scottish government statistics revealed that 64% of the 726 cases during this period were motivated by anti-Catholic hatred, with most of the remaining cases (31%) driven by anti-Protestant hatred. This indicates that religious intolerance was over five times more likely to be experienced by Catholics compared to Protestants, despite the latter constituting 42% of the population identifying as Church of Scotland, versus 16% identifying as Catholic.
The rivalry between Glasgow's two main football clubs, Celtic and Rangers, also known as the Old Firm, has been a visible manifestation of sectarianism in the city. Celtic was founded in 1887-1888 to raise funds for a Catholic charity, the Poor Children's Dinner Table, and its fan base originated from Glasgow's Irish Catholic community. While Celtic moved away from its Catholic roots over time, embracing all faiths, its supporters are still predominantly Catholic. Rangers, on the other hand, have been historically associated with Protestantism, and their supporters have embraced this identity. The rivalry between the two clubs has occasionally erupted into violence, with games between them resulting in some of the worst riots and tragedies in sports history.
It is important to note that football is not considered the primary source of sectarianism in Glasgow. An audit by the Crown Office found that only 33% of religiously aggravated crimes in Scotland between January 2004 and June 2005 were related to football. Furthermore, research suggests that the increase in reported incidents may be due to changes in reporting and recording practices. Nonetheless, the rivalry between Celtic and Rangers fans has contributed to the perception of sectarianism in Scottish football.
To address this issue, both clubs have launched initiatives to reduce the connection between their teams and sectarianism. Celtic's "Bhoys Against Bigotry" and Rangers' "Follow With Pride" (previously "Pride Over Prejudice") campaigns aim to promote social inclusion and discourage offensive behaviour. While these efforts are commendable, the persistence of sectarian incidents in Scotland underscores the need for continued vigilance and inclusive initiatives to foster social cohesion.
Sectarianism in Glasgow is also evident beyond the realm of football. Orange parades in the city, associated with the Protestant Orange Institution, have been linked to increased assaults, weapons possession, vandalism, and street drinking. Additionally, there have been reports of direct employment discrimination against Catholics in various sectors. These incidents highlight the pervasive nature of sectarianism in Glasgow and the need for comprehensive solutions to address this complex social issue.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Celtic Football Club was founded in 1887/1888 to raise money for a Catholic charity, the Poor Childrens Dinner Table. However, despite its beginnings as a vehicle to promote Catholic support, over time the club moved away from its religious foundations and has since remained open to all faiths.
Celtic and Rangers are Glasgow's two main football clubs and are together known as the Old Firm. Their rivalry is often of a sectarian nature, with Celtic and its supporters seen as the Catholic team and Rangers as the Protestant side.
The tension between Celtic and Rangers supporters runs much deeper than what takes place on the football field. The conflict between the fans has erupted into violence on many occasions, with games between the two clubs ending in some of the worst riots and greatest tragedies in sporting history. The origin of the hatred between the clubs and fans is rooted in the religious division between Catholicism and Protestantism.
Sectarianism in Glasgow has been visible in the rivalry between Celtic and Rangers supporters. In 2004 and 2005, sectarian incidents reported to the police in Scotland increased by 50% to 440 over 18 months. Scottish Government statistics showed that 64% of the 726 cases in this period were motivated by hatred against Catholics. Deaths and serious assaults have been directly linked to sectarian tensions within the city, some of which have occurred before or after Old Firm football matches.
