In this post, I'd like to champion the efforts of the Belfast Celtic Society. This is an organisation dedicated to preserving the memory of a great Irish football (soccer) club that folded in 1949.
Founded in 1891, Belfast Celtic FC provided a focal point for Catholics in the city of Belfast. Like its sister club in Glasgow, Belfast Celtic was not exclusively for Catholics. Non-Catholic players, managers and supporters were always more than welcome to join the club. The club became an icon in Ireland and was highly successful. Many of its players went on to glittering footballing careers in England and Scotland. But circumstances conspired against the club, and after violent encounters on and off the pitch, it was decided to pull the plug in 1949, after a very successful preseason tour of north America.
The Belfast Celtic Society formed in 2003 to raise awareness of a long-lost football club. The society has hosted seminars and public programmes on the club, and collected a vast range of archival material relating to Belfast Celtic. This includes the only two pieces of film footage of the team in action that are known to exist.
On 3 July 2010, a museum devoted to Belfast Celtic opened in the Park Centre, the shopping centre built on the site of the old Celtic Park. The opening was a huge success, and even Celtic's old rivals, Linfield, were there for the opening. Congratulations to all!
