Football Aid - Every dog has it's day

For those who don't know, Football Aid was a charity event set up to raise
money for Diabetic Research. Each club in the English Premiership and First
Division, and the Scottish Premier League and First Division agreed to
allow two sets of fans to play in their stadium. An internet auction was
set up and fans bid for a place in the home or away team.

When the big day at Parkhead arrived AC Celtic had no less than nine
players involved; namely Paul Kevener, Gerry "The Cat" Cassidy, John
"Dunga" Doogan, Patrick "Lazeroonie" Tochel, Gerry McCarte, Brian
Gallagher, Eoin "Ghandi" Walsh, Padraig MacSaimhrain and Niall Cunningham.

I went along to watch and designated myself 'official' AC photographer !
As You'll Never Walk Alone sounded round the stadium, a crowd of around
200 rose to applaud the teams onto the park. The home team was managed by
Billy McNeil and the away team by Billy Stark and guest players for the
day were Danny McGrain for the home team and Tommy Burns for the away
team.

Once the game had kicked off I chanced my luck and asked a steward if I
could go down to the trackside to take some photos, explaining that I knew
nine of the players. He told me that a few other people had already asked
and had been refused but kindly agreed to let me on the condition that if
anyone complained I would have to return to my seat. So before I knew it I
was walking down the tunnel and out onto the park. I stood between the
dugouts with Billy McNeil on one side and Billy Stark on the other and
gazed around the stadium. Amazing !

I spent about half an hour taking photos and listening to Billy McNeil
telling all the substitutes stories about Jimmy Johnstone before a steward
came along and asked me to return to my seat - someone else had asked to
come down to take photos. I was obviously disappointed to have to leave
but also glad that someone else was going to experience this.

I returned to my seat and had only just sat down when I noticed Padraig
speaking with one of the stewards and pointing towards me. After a quick
discussion the steward climbed the stairs and called me down. "Somebody
hasn't turned up for the home team. Would you like a game in the second
half?" I thought he was taking the piss !! ("No, I've just washed my hair"
@:>) I told him I'd love a f*ckin' game and he shouts up to an official
"Billy McNeil says this guy has to get his boots and get stripped - he's
playing in the second half" !!

In total disbelief I'm taken down to the home dressing room and walk in
and sit down. I still don't believe I'm getting a game. Half-time arrives
and the players troop in. Danny McGrain sits down beside me. Billy McNeil
asks my name and what position I play! I'm getting a game !! Playing in
defence beside McGrain !! I've just won the Lottery @:>)

I walked down the tunnel for a second time but this time I ran onto the
pitch and into the middle of the stadium. I gazed around and looked up to
my seat in the Jock Stein stand. The feeling was indescribable ! I'll
never ever forget it...

The game itself was a bit of a blur; and partying 'til 5am the night
before wasn't helping !! But the experience of playing at Parkhead, and
alongside Danny McGrain is, again, something I'll never forget.

The game finished 2-1 to the home team. Brian Gallagher scored an
excellent goal for the away team, set up by Gerry McCarte and Paul Kevener
grabbed all the glory by netting the winner for the home team. There were
also good performances from all the other AC players involved.

After the game both teams joined together for a group photo and then did a
"Hail Hail" huddle in the centre circle. "Championees" may also have been
sung @:>) Football Aid video'd the game and The Celtic View took some
photos for their next? issue.

The total money raised for charity to-date is in the region of GBP250,000,
with Celtic raising the most money of any individual club.

Cheers

Paolo