Celtic Way

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Brother Walfrid formally constituted Celtic at St. Mary's church hall on 6 November 1887. Inspired by Hibernian in Edinburgh, he founded the club to support the immigrant Irish population. The nickname 'The Bhoys' (spelled with an extra 'h' to imitate Gaelic) first appeared on a postcard reading 'The Bould Bhoys'. The team played its first match against Rangers on 28 May 1888, winning 5–2. Celtic's greatest triumph came in 1967 under Jock Stein, when the 'Lisbon Lions'—all born within 30 miles of Glasgow—became the first British team to win the European Cup.

In Their Own Story

On 28 May 1888, Neil McCallum scored Celtic's first goal in a friendly against Rangers. The club moved to Celtic Park shortly after its first Scottish League Championship win in 1895. In 1967, Celtic won the league, Scottish Cup, League Cup, Glasgow Cup, and European Cup—the only club to achieve this Quadruple. Fans have remained fiercely loyal; an estimated 80,000 travelled to Seville for the 2003 UEFA Cup final, earning Fair Play awards from FIFA and UEFA despite the loss.

Reader's Guide

Celtic's identity is built on its founding mission: raising funds for the Poor Children's Dinner Table. The club has maintained this social purpose alongside sporting success, winning 122 major honours as of May 2026. From six consecutive league titles in the early 1900s to nine under Stein in the 1970s, Celtic has consistently balanced excellence on the pitch with its community roots.

Did You Know?

• Celtic was founded on 6 November 1887 by Brother Walfrid to raise money for the Poor Children's Dinner Table in Glasgow's East End.
• The 'Lisbon Lions' of 1967 were all born within 30 miles of Glasgow and became the first British team to win the European Cup.
• Celtic won nine consecutive league titles under Jock Stein, equalling a joint world record at the time.
• An estimated 80,000 Celtic fans travelled to Seville for the 2003 UEFA Cup final and received Fair Play awards from FIFA and UEFA despite losing.
• The unique spelling 'Bhoys' first appeared on an early 20th-century postcard reading 'The Bould Bhoys', imitating Gaelic lettering.