HARALD Brattbakk knows the history. He helped make it too. The Norwegian forward is coming back to Paradise for the sold out Henrik’s Heroes v Lubo’s Legends match in aid of Celtic FC Foundation on May 28.
The former Celt who scored 20 goals in 60 games said: “It is always good to be at Celtic Park but doing it for such a good cause is a further reason to be pleased.
Even before arriving at the club in 1997, he had an understanding of the club’s formation as a charity to feed the poor. He said: “When I knew I was joining the club, I studied its history to know what it was about.
“It is fundamental to care about other people and it was good to know the club has being doing that for more than 100 years. It is very good to be part of that.”
Harald, of course, is part of the history, scoring one of the goals in the 2-0 win over St Johnstone that won the league in 1998.
He said: “It is really amazing the effect that goal still has. I didn’t know enough about the pressure of stopping Rangers winning a 10th title in a row when I arrived. I soon learned. But to finish the season with that game and goal was wonderful.”
Henrik scored the other goal that day and Harald knows he played with special talents in the Swede and the mercurial Lubo.
He added: “They were marvellous talents. They were two of the best footballers I ever played with. It was a privilege to be part of their work. There were consummate professionals, and two good people.”
Of the Lisbon Lions, who will be saluted at the charity match, he said: “I look forward to meeting some of them again. When you know the history, it is so exciting to meet those great players and personalities of the past.”
At 46, and now working as a pilot, he remains fit but says: “I would hope I won’t be the worst on the park but I don’t play much football nowadays. I have a busy life with work and family. That takes up time. But I am alright for my age.”
Sponsored by Dafabet and Utilita, Henrik’s Heroes versus Lubo’s Legends will take place at Celtic Park on Sunday, May 28, 2017, with a 2pm KO.
The response has been phenomenal and the match is now sold out.
However, supporters who can’t get along on the day or who maybe live overseas, still have the chance to get behind the initiative, by making a donation of £5 to receive a virtual ticket. This is a great way for members of the Celtic Family throughout the world to play their part, should they be unable to make it to the match in person, and help us make a real difference in doing so.
Please donate £5 now to claim your virtual ticket – https://mydonate.bt.com/events/henrikvlubo
Net proceeds of the game will be devoted to Celtic FC Foundation, a charity aiming to uphold and promote the founding principles of our football club.
The four priorities are to improve health, promote equality, encourage learning and tackle poverty and the Foundation have a strong track record of delivering successful community-based projects.
Some of the funds will be used to extend existing projects such as the award-winning ‘Ability Counts’ – a project aimed at children and young people who live with Down’s Syndrome or Autism.
We will also assist with Community Care for Dementia through a series of initiatives. Finally, we have partnered with Mary’s Meals to create The 67 Kitchens campaign which will see Celtic fans support the building of 67 school kitchens for children in the developing world and send emergency food aid to South Sudan and Syria.
