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Details
Full name: Pasquale Domenico Ciarella
aka: Peter Cirarella
Born: 20 Sep 1921
Died: 7 Jan 2023
Birthplace: Picinisco, Italy
Summary
Peter Ciarella is an incredible man, and was a Celtic follower & season-ticket holder for many years, attending his first match as long back as 1932. Up to his passing away, he managed to see a Celtic game under every Celtic manager from Willie Maley upto Ange Postecoglu.
He incredibly was at both European Cup finals, Lisbon (1967) and Milan (1970), but waived the opportunity to be at the UEFA Cup final in Seville (2003) in favour of giving the ticket to family.
He sadly passed away in 2023, but will long be remembered & recalled.
Biog by Paul Loughran (grandson of Peter Ciarella)
My Grandad was called Pasqaule Domenico Ciarella and was born in Picinisco, Italy on September 20th, 1921. At 3 years old his mum brought my Papa and his two sisters to the town of Ardrishaig in Argyll where my Papa’s father was working. The first part of the journey they made on horse and cart – they got the ferry across the channel and a train from London to Glasgow. Their final part of the journey was a steamer ferry from around Gourock to Ardrishaig.
My Papa left school at 13 to become an apprentice electrician although he was a very able pupil. In 1936 he helped to wire the newly built St Margaret’s church. He worked as an electrician until he was 97 before retiring. He had his own shop called Burgh Electrics in Lochgilphead, Argyll.
He attended his first Celtic game in 1932 with his father who was born in 1888 and could talk clearly about the final of the Empire Exhibition Trophy where Celtic beat Everton 1-0 at Ibrox.
He was in Lisbon and he was 46 at the time. He also attended the final in Milan and was in Seville when he was 82 although did not have a ticket. He got a season ticket at 91 and had it until he was 97. He was at his final game in October 2022 where Celtic beat Hibs 6-1. That completed the set of attending games under every manager in the clubs history.
Anthony Ralston is my younger cousin so my Papa has a link to Anthony although Anthony is through my Dad’s side and my Papa is my mums side. When we researched his family tree we also found the name Cervi fairly often – on closer inspection we found a Dominic Cervi who had the same birth date and birth place as our ex 3rd choice goalkeeper from about 12 years ago.
My Grandad watched every game home and away on TV in his last few years – his favourite players were Jimmy McGrory and Henrik Larsson which he made reference to in the Celtic View interview.
He passed away in January 2023, and will be very fondly missed by all.
gave him a VIP day in the directors box for the Hibs game and couldn’t do enough for him. He had a day to remember & his family are so grateful for all involved. (Oct 2021)
101-year-old Celtic fan dies after watching team play under every manager
Tributes have been paid to lifelong Hoops supporter Peter Ciarella who was the club’s oldest season ticket holder and attended his first game under Willie Maley in 1932.
https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/101-year-old-celtic-fan-25939737
News
ByDavid Meikle
12:46, 10 JAN 2023
Celtic’s oldest season ticket holder has died aged 101.
Peter Ciarella was a lifelong Hoops supporter and watched the team play under every manager from Willie Maley to the current boss, Ange Postecoglou.
Mr Ciarella, of Lochgilphead, was a well known face at Celtic Park and attended his first game in 1932. He was recently treated to a VIP day to watch his team in action and was seated in the director’s box for the occasion.
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He was later shown the club’s trophy room and posed for photographs with senior officials including Peter Lawwell.
Tributes have been paid Mr Ciarella who passed away peacefully at home on January 5.
He witnessed Celtic play two European finals including their 1967 European Cup triumph in Lisbon.
He saw them lose a second final in 1970 in Milan, but watched them come runners-up against Porto in Seville in 2003 on TV after giving up a ticket to a family member.
He regularly made a 200-mile round trip from his home to Glasgow to watch his heroes.
The superfan witnessed dozens of historic football moments over the years including Celtic’s famous 7-1 win against Rangers at Hampden in 1957.
Mr Ciarella had told how his early idols included Hoops striker Jimmy McGrory.
He said: “He was a fantastic player. These guys used to go straight to the game from work, still in their work clothes then get changed into their kit and go out and play.
“They weren’t mollycoddled the way they are now.”
And he also revealed modern day icon Henrik Larsson was one of his favourite stars.
He told the Celtic View: “I’ve seen the likes of Jimmy McGrory and Jimmy Johnstone and the rest of the Lisbon Lions.
“But I think Henrik Larsson is right up there with anyone I’ve ever seen play for Celtic.”
A social media tribute to Mr Ciarella sparked dozens of messages from well wishers.
It said: “It is with great sadness that the Celtic family have lost Pasquale ‘Peter’ Ciarella at the age of 101.
“Peter achieved the incredible feat of attending games under every manager in the club’s history from Willie Maley to Ange Postecoglu.
“From his first game in 1932 to Lisbon, Peter proudly watched his last game that day.
“Celtic have lost their last link to an incredible story.
“RIP Peter, YNWA.”