| Supporters Homepage |
Details
Fullname: Margaret Geddes
aka: Betty Geddes, Wee Betty Geddes from the St Brendans CSC Linwood, Parkhead Betty from Cardonald (Penilee)
Born: [….]
Died: [….]
Birthplace: […]
Summary
Many may not immediately recognise this lady by name but she’s a legend to many from the old days of the terraces for her faithful following of Celtic.
Most supporters can usually fit into various camps, but Celtic has a large cross section of supporters from across society. Many prefer the bonhomie amongst the lads & boys down the pub etc, others though are of a different hue and often are overshadowed by the more gregarious amongst the support. Yet they are as important as anyone else within Celtic, and that is what Betty Geddes represents to many who have been going to Celtic over the years.
Betty Geddes was a mainstay at Celtic Park, who was easily recognisable when she went to all the matches as she always stood at the corner of the Celtic End at the main stand every week hail rain or shine. Always there with a Celtic decked teddy. Later we believe she moved to the North Stand after renovation of the stadium post-Celtic Takeover, sitting in section 107.
Some even referred to her as ‘Parkhead Betty‘.
Along with her husband, she travelled with supporters clubs including the St Brendan’s Linwood CSC, and many Celtic fans growing up used to remember her for being there through thick & thin. She also travelled on the supporters’ buses with fellow fans various European trips.
Unknown to her, seeing this lady became part of the Celtic match day tradition for many supporters.
You have to take in that she was there throughout all the days in the old Celtic Park including through the worst of the Sack the Board days and then the Celtic Takeover early days, which were a hardship to watch for many.
Sadly she has long passed away now, RIP, but many older supporters still remember her fondly, even those who never got a chance to speak to her.
She & her husband represent an often overlooked number of supporters who embody what is best about the community of Celtic supporters across the terraces, and we are fortunate to be able to number both Betty Geddes & her husband amongst our own.
Notes
(Harry 68 of KDS)
My mum used to work in Normans the Butchers in Paisley Road West and Betty would come in for her orders and stand and talk football with my mum and the rest of the staff for ages. Andy Lynch’s mum also worked in the shop.
Anyway, she was a member of the Cardonald Emerald at the time and I was in the Willowford CSC, and whenever a game at Ibrox was coming up or a Cup Final, she’d pop into Norman’s and say to my mum, ‘has your boy got a ticket for the game?’, if the answer was no, she’d pop back in a few days later and give my mum a ticket, giver her a wink and tell her to keep it under her hat.
She was and remains an absolute legend in my eyes. Her and her husband never missed a Celtic game anywhere and thanks to her, I have more than a few memories of old firm games and cup finals that i’d never have had if it wasn’t for her generosity.
(Ian @Glasgowbhoy on twitter)
I used to stand behind her sometimes in the mid to late 80s She had her own spot at the corner flag between the Celtic end and main stand. Used to remember her catchphrase was always “on the deck Celtic, on the deck” she hated the high balls! Great memories.
(@henkeschip62 on twitter)
I sat a couple of seats away from her in the North Stand (107) from its opening til around 2003.She was also the world”s biggest Peter Grant defender.While many around were given him stick(and often), she always shouted “Dont listen to them son”.
(@joehous on twitter)
Her husband Jim is behind Betty with grey jacket and wearing specs…they travelled on ST.BRENDANS SC SUPPORTERS BUS and stayed on Penilee Road…Betty was a massive Packy Bonner fan who’d approach her after many home games also loved the band VEGAS who played many a night
KDS Forum
Betty in this pic also with a different teddy. Same part of the old ground, Celtic End corner beside the Main Stand. Her husband Jim is behind Betty with grey jacket and wearing specs.
