Celebrity fans | Legends & Supporters
A selection of Sporting stars who are Celtic supporters, but also some Sporting Greats who we have had the good fortune to have had visits and meetings with.
Frank “The Chief” Banham – Professional Ice Hockey player
{Biog to follow}
Dario Franchitti
(Racing Car Driver, winner of the Indy 500 in May 2007, the first Scotsman to win it for 42 years!) (story)
“He also confessed yesterday to another source of inspiration: the Celtic side that won the 1967 European Cup. Franchitti has become obsessed by the story of the team, who all came from within 30 miles of Glasgow, to such an extent that he is a Celtic season ticket-holder, even though he lives most of the time thousand of miles away. Before the Indy 500 race, he watched film of that night when the famous Lisbon Lions won their cup and told his Andretti Green Racing team: “If that can’t inspire me, nothing will.” It clearly did. ”
Barry “The Bizness” Morrison
British Light Welterweight Champion From Motherwell
John Higgins
After winning the World Snooker Champs (twice) he took the trophy to Parkhead to parade it to the fans to a very very warm welcome… The wizard fae Wishaw!
He’s a very big Celtic fan, and has been interviewed on the LostBhoys podcasts wrt his love and support for the club.
Eddie Jordan (Racing) & Paul McGinley (Golf)
Lawrence Tynes (American Football player in NFL)
The Times
See: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/us_sport/football/article3177383.ece
As he slips on his Celtic shirt inside an empty Giants stadium and stares into the distance, Lawrence Tynes is imagining how his life might have played out differently. He was 10 years old when his father Larry, then a United States Navy Seal based at RAF Machrihanish on the Mull of Kintyre, moved his family to Florida, his home state, but Scotland was all young Lawrence had known. The 29-year-old New York Giants kicker dreamt not about the Super Bowl appearance that may be only two games away but of wearing the famous hoops of Celtic, his team, his passion for whom has never ebbed.
Paradise remained a place in the East End of Glasgow as the years passed in the Sunshine State, and Tynes yearned to be back amid the tumult of the Old Firm. “I went to a small Catholic primary school, St Kieran’s in Campbeltown, and I was a mad Celtic fan,” he reveals, not a hint of his Scottish roots perceptible in his accent. “Me and my brothers, Mark and Jason, walked to school every day and always had a football. We lived for it and I couldn’t wait to pull on my Celtic jersey before we played. I was nine or 10 years old when I saw my only game at Celtic Park against Hearts. We won and it was brilliant. My brother Jason, an army reservist who works for the government in Charlotte [North Carolina], has seen them play about 10 times over the years but I’ve not been to Parkhead since that day. It’s strange how your life can change.”
For years the Tynes brothers resisted change, becoming known as the “Lucky Charm Boys” in their new neighbourhood of Milton, near Pensacola. “Because of our accents, the other kids thought we were Irish,” he recalls. At Milton High School, Tynes set a record that still stands, scoring seven goals in one game and soccer, as it was called, continued to provide the brothers with a spiritual compass, a sense of home.
Then Mike McMillon, a PE teacher, spotted potential in Lawrence and invited him to play a different game, suggesting he had talent as a kicker and in the defensive free safety position. “But I was better at kicking, so I stuck with that,” Tynes says.
At Troy State University he completed a degree in criminal justice and planned to become a lawyer before joining the FBI. But Troy State won the Southland Conference Championships in three out of four years and Tynes was signed by Kansas City Chiefs in 2001 before being released at the end of training camp.
After playing for Scottish Claymores for a year he joined Ottawa Renegades in the Canadian Football League in 2003 before Kansas City resigned him in 2004. He remained at Arrowhead stadium until the end of 2006 and joined the Giants at the start of this season on a one-year deal worth $428,850. In the National Football League (NFL) kickers are not among the most glamorous or highly paid positions.
“Kickers have long been bullied,” Matthew Waxman explains in Sports Illustrated. “While the beef slug it out in the trenches, games are often won or lost on the swung leg of a guy in a pristine uniform who looks like Eric from [American television show] Entourage in ballet shoes. And kicking is viewed as having a low degree of difficulty, largely because Tom Dempsey, who has the record for the longest field goal, kicked a 63-yarder with half a foot [he was born without toes on his right, kicking foot].”
But this is the part of the season when kickers are worth every cent, often determining the result with a last-minute field goal attempt. The fifth-seeded Giants came through the regular season with a 10-6 win-loss record and finished strongly, securing their playoff position with a 38-21 win at Buffalo on December 23 before producing an inspired performance against the all-conquer-ing New England Patriots, losing 38-35 but gaining widespread respect for their effort to prevent the Patriots posting a perfect 16-0 regular season. In their 24-14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last weekend, quarterback Eli Manning completed 20 of 27 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns and an efficient defensive display secured for the Giants their first postseason victory since 2000.
Dallas Cowboys will be formidable opposition at Texas stadium, however, despite having failed to exceed their scoring average since November 29 while falling short of 250 total yards in two of their past three games. Quarterback Tony Romo has thrown just one touchdown pass and five interceptions in his previous three games. Terrell Owens will play but it remains to be seen if his sprained left ankle will carry the weight of expectation and allow the wide receiver to make a telling impact.
“If the game comes down to a field goal in the dying seconds, I’ll be ready,” declares Tynes, who has converted 24 of 28 kicks this season, a success rate that represents the best return of his career. “Kicking is a fickle business and you’re remembered only for the big ones you score or the ones you miss. The expectation is that you will kick between the posts every time. I take deep breaths and tell myself, ‘Go out and be a hero’. The best part of the game is to see grown men jumping up and down because of something that came off your foot. When you miss there’s nothing worse. It’s like when your parents say they’re disappointed in you.”
Tynes would love to play an important role for the Giants in the playoffs. His wife, Amanda, gave birth to twin boys Calab and Jaden six months ago, having gone into labour two months premature.
Mother and sons are doing well now, a source of incredible joy, but the pain of his brother Mark’s imprisonment in 2003 for dealing in marijuana is never far away. “I talk to my brother three times a week and I always know where he’s at and how he’s feeling,” says Tynes. “It’s difficult for my parents and the rest of my family, but we’re trying to get through it.”
Tynes and the Giants will be trying to find a way through the Cowboys today. He has accepted an invitation to be New York City’s Tartan Day Parade Grand Marshall in April and nothing would fill him with greater pride than to march down Sixth Avenue a Super Bowl winner – with the Celtic hoops no doubt on display.
Celtic fan Lawrence kicks Giants to the Super Bowl
By: Paul Cuddihy on 23 Jan, 2012 10:00 THE New York Giants might play in red, white and blue but there was a definite green and white hint to their weekend triumph which saw them reach the Super Bowl – the showpiece final for American Football.
Because the man who kicked the winning field goal for the Giants was Greenock Bhoy, Lawrence Tynes, a self-confessed Celtic fan.
His goal in overtime gave his side a 20-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers to set up a showdown with the New England Patriots on February 5.
And Tynes is already a Super Bowl winner, having helped his team beat the Patriots in 2008.
Now 33, Tynes was born in Greenock and spent the first 10 years of his life in Campbeltown before his family moved to the United States when his father, who worked with the US Navy, was transferred home.
His mum is Scottish, and a Celtic fan, and it was she who passed on a love of the Hoops to Lawrence and his two brothers, Jason and Mark.
And a visit to Celtic Park in 1989 cemented the bond with the Hoops that remains to this day. It was a game against Hearts on October 21, 1989 when Celtic won 2-1 thanks to goals from Roy Aitken and Tommy Coyne.
“It was awesome,” Tynes told the Celtic View in a previous interview. “We wore our scarves and had our tricolour flag. We weren’t in The Jungle, though. We were behind the goal at the Celtic End.
“My Celtic heroes at that time were players like Paul McStay, Pat Bonner, Mick McCarthy and Andy Walker. They were great players. I also had the Panini sticker books – I’ve still got some of those.”
That first game in 1989 also stands as the only Celtic match he’s so far attended because, a year later, the Tynes family moved to the United States, which has been home ever since, settling in Florida.
“When we first moved over it was hard to keep up with Celtic because of the time changes,” he said. “But the Internet has probably been the biggest change.
“My oldest brother, Jason, is probably more involved in it now. He’s the one who keeps me up-to-date with the scores, and keeps up with it more now.
“I have a lot of family over in Scotland, aunts, uncles a lot of cousins, mainly based in Port Glasgow.”
The New York Giants will play the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, to be held in Indianapolis on February 5.
Pat Clinton (Boxer)
In 1992, in an emotional evening in Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall, Croy and Scotland’s pride, Pat Clinton, made Dad Billy Clinton’s dream come true for 12 months between 1992-93 when Pat outpointed defending WBO champion Isadore Perez from Mexico over 12 torrid rounds. A wonderful career in the Ring, and Pat Clinton can look back with pride on his achievements to win World, British, European and Scottish flyweight crowns as well as being the first Scot to win a European flyweight title in Italy…as well as fulfilling Billy Clinton’s dream.
(Link)
see also: Boxing at Celtic Park
Muhammed Ali
(visiting Glasgow and made his way to meet a few of the players)
Front row (L/R): Brian Goodwin, Lennox, Ayrton Inacio, Marco Di Sousa, McBride.
Middle Row: Clark, Chalmers, J Divers, Kennedy, Hughes.
Back row: Young, McNeill
(Ayrton Inacio and Marco Di Sousa – two Brazilians trialists)
“Think this is the time that Cassius Clay came to do an exhibition in Paisley of all places. Peter Keenan organised it.”
Michael Jamieson
Michael Jamieson is a big Celtic fan who is a swimmer and won silver for Great Britain in the 200m breaststroke. It was a great achievement coming out the blue, and we were all in awe of him. His races came just 15mins before the start of a 1st leg qualifier v HJK Helskinki of Finland in the Champions League. The club showed the race on the big screen much to the delight of the support and the cheers went through the roof…
Class touch as his family/friends at the event wore t-shirts with on the back: “Can’t take Glasgow out the Bhoy!”… Much respect to him.
From 1 Aug 2012
From match date: http://www.thecelticwiki.com/page/2012-08-01%3A+Celtic+2-1+HJK+Helskinki%2C+Champions+League
see: m
Danny O’Connor
The Boston born and raised boxer is a big Celtic fan. Got into it when older, he wears the hoops at the end of each bout and very much keeps up with news of the Celts. He spoke of his genuine love and following of the Celts on a wonderful Homebhoys podcast which I’d recommend to all, see: link
Sam Torrance (Golf & Ryder Cup great)
(at Juve game 2012 (LHS below)
From: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2003/oct/09/smalltalk.sportinterviews
Who do you support? (2003)
Celtic. My father was a Celtic supporter and I watched them win the European Cup in ’67, so it was always going to be Celtic. I very rarely go to see them these days but I watch them on telly most of the time.
Phil Bennett (Rugby legend 1970s)
This tells the story of the how the legendary Welsh rugby star Phil Bennett was invited to a trial with Celtic as a teenager.
Phil Bennett in the hoops (an absolute honour), one of the greatest sportsmen of his genre.
On this day Celtic drew 2-2 at Ibrox (Roy Aitken 2) with Wales beating Scotland at Murrayfield with Bennett scoring one of the greatest tries of all time.
Tongan Boxing Team at Commonwealth Game (2014)
Barry McGuigan
Boxing great from N Ireland
Tyson Fury
World heavyweight champion of the world 2015
Cricket – Shane Warne
see: https://thecelticstar.com/video-shane-warnes-celtic-couture-earns-him-a-place-on-the-banned-list/
MMA – Chris Bungard
Celtic bhoy and Holytown man @CowaBungard on his mma victory.
Podcast:https://www.spreaker.com/episode/mma-fighter-chris-bungard-with-a-celtic-state-of-mind–39527076
MMA / UFC – Stevie ‘Braveheart’ Ray
‘Diehard’ Celtic fan once jailed for fighting who became UFC star set for Hydro comeback
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/diehard-celtic-fan-once-jailed-for-fighting-who-became-ufc-star-set-for-hydro-comeback-4797681By Matthew Elder
Deputy Sports Editor
Published 25th Sep 2024, 17:03 BST
Scottish MMA star ready for Glasgow showdown
Stevie ‘Braveheart’ Ray followed in the footsteps of his Celtic heroes when he stepped onto the pitch during half-time of the 5-2 win over Falkirk at Parkhead on Sunday.
This weekend, the former UFC fighter will be at the Ovo Hydro performing in front of another big crowd when he makes his long-awaited return to MMA as the main headline at PFL Glasgow.
Ray, from Kirkcaldy, steps out of retirement for a second time to take on Welsh submission specialist Lewis Long in front of a home Scottish crowd at the same venue where he claimed a memorable UFC win over Leonardo Mafra in 2015.
The 34-year-old father-of-four has supported Celtic all his life and was invited along to the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final match as a special hospitality guest of the club.
Speaking to the Celtic Podcast, he recalled his favourite team and player growing up.
“I don’t know if it’s because I get punched in the head for a living but I can’t remember too young,” he said. “Between eight and 12 was probably when I was a diehard Celtic fan. It was when Henrik Larsson, my favourite player, Chris Sutton, John Hartson, Bobo Balde – that team was the highlight of my football career.”
Ray’s story is a remarkable one. He spent time in prison in his youth – “I was fighting for all the wrong reasons and getting into trouble” – before turning to mixed martial arts at the age of 19.
Stevie Ray during the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final match between Celtic and Falkirk. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)
Stevie Ray during the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final match between Celtic and Falkirk. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) | SNS Group
It proved a life-changing decision as he quickly rose through the amateur ranks before turning professional with Cage Warriors and BAMMA, becoming lightweight champion in both. He then earned his big break in the Ultimate Fighting Championship under promoter Dana White, becoming just the second Scot to make the step after Robert Whiteford.
His UFC debut came when he accepted an offer to fight Marcin Bandel in Krakow, Poland at lightweight with just two weeks notice, despite being 16 kilos overweight.
“I basically had 15 days to go from 86kg to 70kg, which is two-and-a-half stone,” Ray recalled. “I didn’t think I could make that weight, but they offered me a four-fight contract so I decided to take it and try to get as close to the weight as I could. I starved myself for two weeks and ended up making it. I won the fight in the second round via TKO so it was worth it.”
Ray went on to fight 11 times in the UFC, taking on big names in big events across the world including the USA, Brazil, Singapore and Sweden. He racked up seven wins and four losses before quitting the sport in 2020 due to knee injuries, only to return a year later to sign for the Professional Fighters League, where back-to-back victories over former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Petis were a career highlight.
Ray retired for a second time last year but is returning for a farewell bout against Long at the Ovo Hydro this Saturday. Tickets for the event are still available via ticketmaster.co.uk.
Anthony Cacace
