| Match Pictures | Matches: 2011 – 2012 | 2011-2012 Pictures |
Trivia
- John Kennedy testimonial
- All money raised (after costs) to Oxfam drought appeal, a worthy cause; Oxfam East Africa Appeal.
- Loads of “celebrities”, most notably Hollywood heart-throb Gerard Butler (which meant loads more women at the ground than usual).
- Hat-trick plus an assist from the majestic Henrik Larsson!!!!! We still love him.
Review
A great fun night, where a lot money was raised for charity. Larsson stole the show for all (except all the women who came to Celtic just to see “Hollywood star” Gerard Butler in the hoops.
A lot to be proud of on the night, and rekindles the old memories of the legend that is Henrik Larsson.
Teams
Celtic legends Manager: Martin O’Neill
Man U legends Manager: Gordon Strachan
CELTIC
Manager – Martin O’Neill
Assistant Mgr – Martin Melville
Assistant Mgr – Alex Melville
Coach – Steve Walford
1 Packie Bonner, 2 Tom Boyd, 3 Momo Sylla, 4 John Kelly, 5 Stephen Craig, 6 Ricky Hatton, 7 Henrik Larsson, 8 Alan Thompson, 9 Chris Sutton, 10 John Hartson, 11 Owen Coyle, 12 Allen McKnight, 14 Nicky Byrne, 15 Bobby Petta, 16 Roy Keane, 17, Didier Agathe, 18 Neil Lennon, 20 Kyle Falconer, 21 Pete Reilly, 22 Steve Collins, 25 Lubo Moravcik, 29 Shaun Maloney, 35 Johan Mjallby, 41 John Kennedy & 99 Frank McAvennie
MANCHESTER UTD
Gordon Strachan (Player/Manager),
Roy Keane, Teddy Sheringham, Dwight Yorke, Dion Dublin, Brian McClair, Neil Webb, Quentin Fortune, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Paul Parker, Tinchy Stryder, Richard Ashcroft, Simon Webbe, Angus Deayton, Darren Campbell, Ricky Whittle, Nigel Benn, John Bailey, Patrick Kielty, Martin Offiah, Dane Bowers, Jeff Brazier Russell Watson & Ralf Little
The Hoops squad was packed full of Paradise heroes, including current manager, Neil Lennon, Chris Sutton, John Hartson, Lubo Moravcik, Alan Thompson, Johan Mjallby and Pat Bonner, who produced some superb saves in the first-half of the match.
There were also cameo roles for actor Gerard Butler and Westlife star, Nicky Byrne, along with a host of other celebrities, including from the band The View.
Former Celts Brian McClair and Roy Keane were among the stars of the Manchester United side managed by Gordon Strachan, although it was Royle Family star, Ralf Little, who was the most impressive player in a red jersey.
Referee:
Attendance: 55,000
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
Forum
Articles
Charity the winner as Paradise rocks to Larsson’s treble
Celtic FC.net
By: Mark Henderson on 09 Aug, 2011 21:51 IT was the friendliest of games, where the final outcome was never important, but, in many ways, the events at Celtic Park tonight will be remembered as one of the uplifting episodes in the club’s history.
The final score in the Legends Match between Celtic and Manchester United read 5-2 to the Hoops but the important end result was the difference being made to millions in a desperate situation.
This game raised much-needed funds for Oxfam’s East Africa Famine Appeal. And through the incredible show of support from the Celtic faithful, many lives will be saved.
Remarkably, a near-capacity crowd crammed into Paradise, creating a carnival atmosphere under the early-evening summer sunshine, and given the charitable ethos behind Celtic’s formation, it was a sight which would have madethe club’sfounding fathers very proud.
And while there was a serious side to the night, those in attendance certainly enjoyed themselves as well.
They heard the strains of the‘Magnificent Seven’ tune being aired three times, as Henrik Larsson demonstrated his legendary goalscoring prowess once again, they bowed in adulation as Lubo Moravcik performed his old tricks, and they roared in appreciation when current manager, Neil Lennon, showed there was no diminution in his insatiable will to win on the pitch.
The sight of former managers Martin O’Neill and Gordon Strachan inopposing dugouts also won a tremendous ovation. And the cheers rang out for former favourites including Chris Sutton, John Hartson, Alan Thompson, Johan Mjallby, Didier Agathe, Frank McAvennie, Packie Bonner and Roy Keane.
A host of celebrities including Gerard Butler, Steve Collins and Nicky Byrne had also lent their support for the event, whilst achieving a lifelong ambition of wearing the Hoops.
The match had been initially organised, in part, as a testimonial game for former Celtic defender John Kennedy. Beforehand, the former Celtic defender had won universal acclaim for the magnificent gesture of donating his share of the gate receipts to Oxfam Appeal. And he managed to play the opening 10 minutes, going off to a fitting and emotional farewell.
The eventbegan on a high note with singing star, Russell Watson, treating the crowd to a rousing rendition of the Puccini classic, Nessun Dorma. And it set the tone for the rest of the evening.
Played in a competitive yet friendly spirit, Larsson raised the roof by scoring a hat-trick, with Bobby Petta bagging a brace to seal the Hoops’ Legends victory.
And as ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ reverberated around the stadium at the end, with the Legends taking their final bows of the night,the famous songhad a special resonance.
Chief Executive: Celtic fans’ generosity is incredible
Celtic FC.net
By: Paul Cuddihy on 10 Aug, 2011 09:30 CELTIC supporters have a reputation second to none in football and on Tuesday night, they reminded the world again why that is. Because an incredible crowd of 55,000 gathered at Celtic Park for the Legends game, which raised money for Oxfam’s East Africa Famine Appeal.
Millions more watched all the action on television, ensuring that vital funds will go to help people affected by the worst drought to hit East Africa in 60 years.
And Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell praised the fans for making it such a special occasion.
“No other club could have 55,000 supporters turn up, putting their hands in their pocket for a fantastic cause,” he said. “This shows what the club is all about and I am very proud to be part of it.
“The club’s charitable roots are very important to us and we, as a club, and our supporters, continue to maintain that ethos and remain true to the principles of our founding fathers.
“And everyone who came along to Celtic Park on Tuesday night, or who watched the game on TV and donated to Oxfam’s Appeal, did so in keeping with the finest traditions of Celtic Football Club.
“In the current tough economic climate, it is incredible to see the generosity of our supporters, and I would like to pay tribute to them for that.
“Celtic is more than just a football club and our fans have once again shown the world why that is the case.”
The fans who packed out Celtic Park and the millions who watched the game on television were treated to a night of entertainment and nostalgia, with a Henrik Larsson hat-trick giving the Celtic Legends a 5-2 victory over Manchester United.
The Hoops squad was packed full of Paradise heroes, including current manager, Neil Lennon, Chris Sutton, John Hartson, Lubo Moravcik, Alan Thompson, Johan Mjallby and Pat Bonner, who produced some superb saves in the first-half of the match.
There were also cameo roles for actor Gerard Butler and Westlife star, Nicky Byrne, along with a host of other celebrities, while former Celts Brian McClair and Roy Keane were among the stars of the Manchester United side managed by Gordon Strachan, although it was Royle Family star, Ralf Little, who was the most impressive player in a red jersey.
And Peter Lawwell also had a word of praise for John Kennedy who donated his share of the gate receipts to the Oxfam Appeal.
John, who had to retire early from football through injury, led the Celtic team out at the start of the Legends game, and played the first 15 minutes in the centre of the Celtic defence alongside Tom Boyd.
“John’s gesture was a tremendous one,” said Peter Lawwell, “but for those of us who know John, it’s not a surprising one.
“He is a tremendous character and his attitude throughout the years he was battling back from injury was an inspiration to everyone.
“Donating his share of the gate receipts to the Oxfam Appeal was a wonderful thing to do, and while I know John is very proud to have played for the club, the Celtic Family is also very proud of John.”
Celtic Legends beat United
August 9, 2011
ESPN
Celtic legend Henrik Larsson turned back the clock at Parkhead to grab a hat-trick for a Hoops legends side in their win over their Manchester United counterparts.
Charity was the real winner though as a huge crowd of 50,000-plus turned up for match arranged as a tribute to former Celtic defender John Kennedy, who had to retire through injury. The proceeds will go to Oxfam’s East Africa charity appeal.
Legends, for the most part, was an acceptably loose term on a night which was a mixture of nostalgia and hero-worship.
Former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill was in charge of the home squad which had Larsson, Neil Lennon, John Hartson, Chris Sutton, Lubo Moravcik and Alan Thompson, as well various celebrities including actor Gerard Butler and former boxer Steve Collins.
Another former Celtic manager, Gordon Strachan, oversaw United, for whom he starred as a midfielder in the 1980s.
Roy Keane, Brian McClair and Dion Dublin – who all had spells at both clubs – were in the Red Devils’ squad along with Dwight Yorke and their own batch of celebrities including comedian Patrick Kielty, television presenter Angus Deayton and their own boxing great in Nigel Benn.
There was a carnival atmosphere inside the stadium as Kennedy led Celtic out but it was Larsson who previously had been given the biggest cheer of the night as his name was read out.
The game itself was almost irrelevant.
Kennedy, who was generously donating his percentage of the gate to the Appeal, was given a rapturous round of applause when he was replaced by current Hoops assistant manager Johan Mjallby in the 10th minute, by which time Yorke had opened the scoring for the visitors.
Former sprinter Darren Campbell added a second after 18 minutes before Keane fouled Sutton in the United box to allow Larsson, a true Celtic legend, the chance to score from the spot to the roars of the Parkhead support.
Inevitably, the pace of the game dropped and the use of substitutes increased.
Lennon was given a huge cheer when he came on at the start of the second half, before singer Russell Watson came on for United. It was that kind of game.
Larsson – who else? – equalised in the 53rd minute with a curling shot from just inside the box.
It was like old times as Larsson, Moravcik, Thompson and Lennon pressed for the winner and it was the former Sweden international who drive in number three with eight minutes remaining.
Larsson set up Bobby Petta for number four two minutes later and the Dutchman notched a second in the 87th minute to send the fans home happy.
THERE was an appearance by Lubo Moravcik, the sight of Neil Lennon running out again on the Celtic Park pitch and, typically, a hat trick by Henrik Larsson.
These were cameos for a capacity crowd to cherish in Celtic Legends’ 5-2 win over Manchester United Legends last night, but the poignancy of the game came in the opening moments.
The stadium rose to applaud John Kennedy as he was substituted after a short appearance on the field. The match was arranged to raise money for Oxfam’s East Africa Appeal but it was also an opportunity for the supporters to acclaim a player whose career was cut short through injury.
In a gesture deserving of the crowd’s unanimous praise, Kennedy donated his share of the gate receipts to charity.
Not long before Kennedy departed, John Hartson was also substituted. The Welsh striker — returning to full health after recovering from cancer — stayed on long enough to be involved in the kick-off before also leaving to a warm ovation.
With Pat Bonner hurling his old frame around in goals, Alan Thompson, Tom Boyd and John Mjallby in defence, Sutton and a still lithe Larsson up front, memories of past glories could be rekindled.
Martin O’Neill managed Celtic, while Gordon Strachan took charge of a Manchester United side that included Roy Keane, Dion Dublin, Dwight Yorke and Brian McClair. The celebrities taking part ranged from the sheer footballing ineptitude of the actor Gerard Butler, to the clever, energetic play of fellow thespian Ralf Little.
United scored the opening two goals, through Yorke and Darren Campbell, before Larsson converted a penalty. In the second half, the Swede scored with two crisp finishes before creating the fourth for Bobby Petta, who later ended the scoring with his second of the night. But the occasion was about the spirit of the fundraising, and the selflessness of Kennedy.