It was Thursday afternoon around 11:30am when we hit the road for one of the greatest weekends of our lives.  There was me, and my pals Rudy and Marcus (later to be dubbed with a nickname by almost every celtic supporter he met).  Both of whom are American born but Tims thanks to yours truly.

Marcus's first Celtic experience was watching the 6-2 match at the Tampa Bay C.S.C. with me and the Bhoys, but this was going to be Rudy's first Celtic experience besides watching numerous tapes with me at the house.  Marcus was a little prepared due to the antics after the Demolition Derby but I knew nothing I said to Rudy would prepare him.

About 2 hours into the 4 hour journey I decided to call Friday's to see what time doors were opening and if we had the entire place rented out.  Well the manager on duty tells me, "There's already Celtic supporters here drinking, your a bit behind buddy."  As I told Marcus to step on it I thought that it was time to tune up with a sing song.

They knew a couple of tunes but I went through them all to make sure they wouldn't be out of place later at the reception. So there we where belting down I-75 in full voice.

Finally we get to the hotel. Everyone showers up, get's a quick bite and it's off to Friday's to start the swally fest.  As we walked inside there was already 50 to 60 Tims fully into the drink and I did all I could to catch up.  We got a booth in the middle of things and got comfy. With a Lisbon Lion's tape on all 108 t.v.'s you could just tell it was going to be a night to remember.  By 7:30pm the place was jumping.  The singer booked for the night (name escapes me) was already set up and starting the sing song.  Now there had to be over 200 Tims there and the atmosphere was getting brilliant.

With the 6-2 game on and the songs flowing like the Carlsberg in my cup I was right at home.  After the Tampa Bay Bhoys arrived me and Marcus decided to trek around the pub and see who we could see. That's when he was dubbed Pele' by almost every single supporter in the joint.   "Awright big man," and "I want a picshure we Pele'!"  One of the funniest things I've ever seen.  I wouldn't be surprised if his coupon found it's way to half the C.S.C.'s web site's.  After meeting tons of Tims a few really stood out.  Stephen Rodgers, who is a pure class Tim btw, Alec Stevenson Sr. and Alec Jr.  Alec Jr. who was blootered comes up to the table and he's only wearing a Moodiesburn Supporters Club Polo shirt and a Toronto C.S.C. hat.

Being from Moodiesburn I couldnae believe someone had that shirt on.  So of course I go right intae.  "How much tae buy that shirt aff ye pal."  As it was a gift from his cousin he couldn't give it up but gave the hat without a blink of an eye.  After a few rounds or 10 with the Stevenson Bhoys we went to the front to meet some women that were coming to see us.  

About 10 min later in comes big Lennon , or "Lenni" as the rest of the players call him, surrounded by two police and he was immediately rushed like Michael Jackson on tour.  And contrary to Steve Rodgers account of Wee Raffles draped on Lennon trying to get a picture.  It was just too hard to get close enough for one.  After settling back to the booth it was time for a sing song with all the Tampa Bay Bhoys and numerous others spilling beers and dancing all around.

Big John McCarron and Craigie had me jumping up and down like we just won the league.  Even Jackie Mcnamara got on the mic for a minute.  Johnny Gould and Tom Boyd were there as well but the one who truly showed his arse was Thompson.  He was up singing, drinking, smoking and just having a genuinely good time.  Outside waiting for a taxi next to Johnny 'ol Alan was looking like the English Rab C. Nesbit for a minute.  After saying our goodbye's and see youse in the morning we realized our old pal Alec, sitting on the curb, had been left by the bus going back to Tampa.  So Pele' said let's get him a room at our hotel and we'll get him to Tampa on the bus with us tomorrow.  Nuff said.

We picked him up and did just that.

8:15am Fri morning Pele' got me up to head out for the training session at the Wide World Of Sports Complex.  I can't lie my head felt like I'd got a kicking the night before but to see the Celts and a chance to meet them I'd fight fire and flood.  We arrived to rounds of "Awright Big Pele'."  Everyone seemed to look like I was feeling and rightfully so. After a few chats with some of the Bhoys from the night before the team came out just a little before 10:00am.  As my pal Ronnie saw Henke' coming he handed me the camera to take a pic of him and his wife with Ghod.  Well I took the opportunity to pass it to Pele' and squeeze into the shot.  I think "Fucking Brilliant" were my exact words.  And the smile wouldn't leave my face all day.

Last out was Thompson and he looked not much better than when he left the pub the night before.  A few lads had a laugh saying "Awright Alan son", "Feeling a bit rough this morning."  To which he replied with a look that explained it all.  But with boots in hand he went out and had a good training session.  They started with some stretching and running drills.  It really was great to see big Greenock out there jogging around and kicking the ball a bit.  He got a great round of applause that I think he really appreciated.  After the running they broke into two squads on a sort of half field.  The offense had two touches a piece to move the ball around.  There were a few good goals by Lennon, and Agathe but it was just wonderful to see the Bhoys train in person.

One of the funniest moments came when Petrov completely miskicked a shot and one of the Bhoys from the Yonkers C.S.C. in New York yelled "Taxi for Petrov!" Stan seemed to get a chuckle out of it.  Of course  my one chance probably in my life to kick a ball to a Celtic player comes when I'm on the Cell phone.  I'm on the celli talking to my Dad and gloating about where I am when the ball comes over the gate and I got to kick it back to big Mahe.

After the training was done it was time to try and get some pics with the players.  Everyone was mobbing the field so I decided to stand all the way at the back and not to try and fight my way in.  It definitely worked cause I got pics with Agathe, Petta, Weighorst, Petrov, Moravcik, Mjallby, Lambert, Tebilly, Joos, O'Neill and of course Larsson.  All pure class too. Especially Mjallby, and O'Neill.

So it was back to the hotel with a smile like I just won the lottery and who's standing on the balcony but Alec.  Was he glad to see us.  He kept saying "Marcus you saved my life son."  Then all day he kept telling people, "I've seen God and he's black."  So we make sure Alec's ok and it seems he is cause he's half into a 12 pack already.  We all stood on the balcony singing songs, drinking the nectar, and telling stories about the night before and times past.  Then about 20 min before we had to leave to catch the bus we saw a terrible head on collision right in front of the hotel.  Absolutely bizarre.

Anyway onto Friday's with a quick stop at the liquor store for a bottle of Brandy for the trip to Tampa.  Met up with Steve again and waited for the next bus to get there as they were coming in shifts.  About 20 min of sitting on the bus without movement and someone says the bus drivers inside saying he's not sure how to get there.  With half of the bus already on the drink this brought about a lot of "Come on tae fuck driver just follow the signs" and "Gies us the keys pal, I'll get us tae Tampa no bother."  Eventually we got moving and it was a sing song form the get go.  Every song you can think of.  In front of me and Pele' were two Bhoys who started telling jokes.  One's name I cannae remember and the other's name was Pat something. Can't remember his last name but he was wearing the old Lisbon Lion's top at the match.  If anyone knows him let me know.  Anyway it was joke after joke and never have I heard so many brilliant jokes at one time in all my life.

Finally we arrived and got off the bus to a sea of green.  I mean all over the street and all over the pub. By then I was half pissed and blessed a priest outside before walking in. He seemed to have a good laugh at that.  As soon as I get in the door I start The Celtic Song and see my Dad in the corner.  Introduced him to the new Tims I met and got right into the swally and some more singing.  There was about 2 hours till kick off so we had a fair bit of time to stay at the pub.  We all gathered outside and were standing on the tables singing for the entire 2 hours.  Mike Boyd the Pres of the Chicago C.S.C. asked me if I would end up under the pool table like my brother at the convention and I had to say you never can tell.  The people who passed on the street looked absolutely amazed at the sight they saw and I was as well.  The atmosphere was phenomenal there. For the next 4 hours I could've shut my eyes and been told I was at Parkhead. It was that vibrant.  

Then it was off to the match.  An army of hooped soldiers marching through the streets and the University Of Tampa campus singing and drinking.  The match wasn't the best I've seen but the crowd was amazing. Especially after we got scored on.  Each time was greeted with a song at full voice.  Even though it wasn't the best result it was great to see the Bhoys in person and to be able to share it with my Dad all the supporters from around the world.  After the match it was back to the pub for a few then on the bus back to Orlando.  I was absolutely shattered to say the least after Saturday's activities but I'd do it again in a flash.

All in all the entire experience was a great testament to why we are the greatest fans in the world...

Hail Hail

Wee Raffles