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David Moyes: Celtic is where it started for me

CELTIC FC Foundation are delighted to announce the latest big name to lend his support to the Jock Stein Charity Match as former Celt and current Real Sociedad manager David Moyes pledges his involvement.

The match will take place at East End Park, Dunfermline on Sunday, September 6, (KO: 2.00pm) as a team of Celtic Legends face off against their Dunfermline Athletic counterparts to honour the 30th anniversary of the passing of a true footballing icon, Jock Stein.

Following the match, there will be a charity dinner at The Glen Pavilion in the centre of the town.

Proceeds from the match and dinner will see both clubs’ charities – Celtic FC Foundation and the Pars Foundation – as the beneficiaries.

David Moyes – who began his career at Celtic in the 1980s – spoke of how special it would be to honour Jock Stein and underlined his legendary status in football.

David said: “This game is very special because of who it is, because of Jock Stein. Arguably, one of the greatest British managers ever and more importantly, one of the greatest Scottish managers ever.

“If you look at the array of Scottish managers over the years, Jock Stein was among all the greats, Bill Shankly, Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson, he is certainly in that group of people.”

Speaking of his great respect and affection for Jock Stein, Moyes added: “He was someone who was really looked up to when I was a young player coming through at Celtic, especially by the Boys’ Club.

“Jock Stein was someone who had a great reputation – not just in this country but in most countries – for what he did in football management.”

The ex-Preston North End, Everton and Manchester United boss also talked about Jock Stein’s influence and impact from early on in his career at Celtic.

He said: “Billy McNeil was my manager at the time. I remember when I was at Celtic Boys’ Club, I’d have been 13 or 14 and I can still see it, I was playing at Barrowfield and I could see big Jock standing in the corner.

“I was told after the game that Jock had asked for me to be signed up with the S-forms – which was the way at that time – that was one of my first memories of Jock Stein.

“I met him a couple of times at games in England and he always asked how I was doing. Unfortunately, I was at the game in Wales when he died.

“There will be people who know a great deal more about him than me, but I admire him for what he did in football and what he did with Celtic.”

As well as excelling in management, David Moyes’ long and distinguished playing career began with Celtic and involved a successful spell with Dunfermline Athletic.

On his playing days and fond memories of Celtic and Dunfermline, David recalled: “At Celtic, I’ve got great memories, I played with a great team, great players. Celtic had a terrific team at that time and when I look back at some of the players, they were top internationalists, so I was really fortunate to play with them.

“I was never quite good enough to become a regular but I always look back and think that’s where it started for me. I was able to watch those players and see how they were doing and how they played.

 “Dunfermline was a different part of my career and I went a little bit later on but I had a great time there and enjoyed playing for them. We got to a cup final and I had some great friends there, none more so than Norrie McCathie, who sadly passed away.

“Overall, I had a great time with a great group of players, I really enjoyed my time at both clubs.”

Tickets for the match, priced at £12 for adults and £6 for concessions, are available ONLINE , by calling 0871 226 1888* or by visiting the Celtic Ticket Office.

Matchday Hospitality is available, on a first come, first served basis, in the Purvis Suite at a cost of £45 per person, or supporters can upgrade to a pitch-side box for an additional price of £100 per person. To make a booking please visit www.dafc.co.uk, contact DAFC on 01383 724295, or email[email protected]

Tickets for the dinner are priced at £500 for a table of 10 or £50pp. To make a booking call Celtic FC Foundation on 0141 551 4321 or email [email protected]

* Calls cost 13 pence per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge. For customer enquiries relating to existing purchases only, please call 0141 230 1967.  Calls charged at standard rate.