CELTIC FC Foundation’s Heroes of ’86 event – sponsored by Anderson Maguire – took place at Celtic Park on Sunday night, and the support received from the Celtic family was outstanding, as always, with a magnificent total of around £12,000 net raised.
This celebration of the Club’s famous league win at Love Street on May 3, 1986 was a wonderful trip down memory lane and every single part of the proceeds will support the work of Celtic FC Foundation.
The evening was hosted by Gerry McDade and kicked off with a standing ovation from the 350 guests as the Heroes of ’86 were welcomed in to the Kerrydale Suite. Our special guests on the night included: Davie Hay, Rosemary Burns, Danny McGrain, Paul McStay, Peter Latchford, Murdo MacLeod, Willie McStay, Pierce O’Leary, Lex Baillie and Dundee’s goalscoring hero from that day in May, Albert Kidd.
A two-course meal followed a video piece introducing the work of Celtic FC Foundation and guests were treated to a ‘mix tape’ of 80s classics during dinner.
Next up was a fiercely contested quiz centred around Celtic Football Club during season 1985/86 and also popular music across that period of time. The victorious table 32 – Celtic Underground – celebrated with a complimentary round of drinks.
Magical memories were shared and revisited as attention turned to the screens for highlights of the two key matches on that historic day on May 3, 1986 – St Mirren v Celtic and Dundee v Hearts. Cue the goosebumps……
Davie Hay and his squad then joined Gerry McDade on stage for a fantastic question and answer session, with Birthday Bhoy Danny McGrain being presented with a cake, amid a chorus of ‘Happy Birthday to You’.
Following a vote of thanks from Celtic FC Foundation Chief Executive, Tony Hamilton, Gerry hosted the auction complete with six fantastic lots. These included a unique item from the family of one of the greatest individuals to ever grace our Club, Tommy Burns. Rosemary and the family donated Tommy’s Scottish Premier League Winner’s Medal from season 2006/07.
Then taking to the stage for an interview with Gerry – to another standing ovation – was probably the most-loved player never to have actually worn the green and white Hoops … the one and only Albert Kidd. He certainly confirmed his heroic status in Celtic history.
Gerry then invited the Burns Family – Rosemary, Emma, Jenna, Jonathan and Michael – to host the prize draw and the audience reacted magnificently, illustrating the love of the Celtic support for a man who will be forever in our hearts.
The proceedings were rounded off with a fantastic live music set from Liam McGrandles and an opportunity for all guests to have a photo with the evening’s special guests.
Celtic FC Foundation’s CEO, Tony Hamilton, said: “Last Sunday evening was a magnificent event for us, thanks to our sponsor Anderson Maguire and those who bought places and gave up their time to re-live such an historic day in our history. Thanks to everyone who got involved with us, made a financial contribution on the night and helped us spread the message of what we’re doing at Celtic FC Foundation.
“Davie Hay, Albert Kidd and all the former players were just brilliant. Nothing was a problem for them and they demonstrated that by posing for photographs with hundreds of our guests for a long period after the main event had ended.”
