Celtic Cine Club

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Details

Name: Celtic Cine Club, Celtic Films Club
Formed: 1968/69
Tenure: 1960s-late 1970s

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Background

Nowadays we are really spoiled with all manner of resources for us to watch old footage, be it on satellite TV, YouTube, DVDs, streaming or the like and can access this when and wherever we like.

In the old days, even before mass ownership of video players in the 1980s, there were few ways to rewatch old favourite moments. The best you’d get was maybe replays of cup final goals on certain sports shows. For the ex-pat supporters, there was next to no way to watch the Hoops, and that could be heartbreaking for many.

Into this gap stepped in John McFadyen in 1968/1969, along with colleagues Harry Woolfries and Andy Crawford. They formed the Celtic Cine Club as a way to help the general support relive or watch for the first time old footage of the team in matches from days gone by.

Filming in 8mm cinefilm, they toured around venues for Celtic fans at Celtic nights to help relive the matches. They used to record the games where possible, which taking in the equipment they had was never of high quality but it created a record of the moment for all to savour. Incredibly, they captured the famous 4-2 win over Rangers in 1979 that won the league title for Celtic, which is the only record of the game as STV staff had gone on strike that night (typical 1970s Britain). Luckily their film record of this great victory is a record of the night, however it is not perfect but something better than nothing. There was not even radio commentary from the day of the game! Shambles back then.

The great part for the group was that they even got to tour as far as Canada and New York with their film shows, attracting large audiences. For the ex-pat unable to see their beloved Hoops, these films will have been invaluable in what they provided.

Incredibly, the officials at the club were very much in support. Chairman Sir Robert Kelly was actually very much antagonistic towards TV & filming of matches in general, yet he donated £100 which helped buy a projector to get the Cine Club started. Later on, Chairman Desmond White was to become the honorary chairman of the club.

Not all were appreciative, and the Cine Club did get knocked back from some grounds, such as from Hibs ground in April 1977.

The 1980s changed everything. Videos became mass owned and video sales by the club meant that people could buy the videos for keeps to watch in the comfort of their own homes. Also, increasing TV & match film contract rights were limiting the rights of amateur filming. So combined this caused the decline of the group as well as its need.

It’s a great aspect that fans would go to these efforts to help each other. To the men behind these endeavours, our full respect, and next time you watch the goal highlights on YouTube on your PC, phone or tablet give these guys a little thought. They deserve our respect.

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