Celtic Football Club and Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are delighted to announce a double header of charity events in honour of the late great Jock Stein, to mark the 30th anniversary of his passing, with both clubs’ foundations being the beneficiaries.
A Legends’ charity match will take place at East End Park, Dunfermline on Sunday, September 6, (KO: 2.00pm), and this will be followed by a charity dinner at The Glen Pavilion, a unique Art Deco style venue located in Pittencrieff Park in the centre of the town.
The unique match will see a of host of former Pars and Hoops stars, plus a few celebrity fans, battle it out on the pitch to raise funds for charity, in tribute to one of world football’s greatest ever managers.
Jock Stein started his managerial career in 1960 with Dunfermline. When he took over the reigns, Dunfermline were battling relegation but he had an instant impact, with the club winning their first six games following a period of four months without a victory.
Dunfermline became a powerful force under his stewardship and Jock guided them to their first Scottish Cup triumph in 1961, winning 2-0 in a final replay against Celtic.
The following season, Dunfermline progressed to the quarter-final of the European Cup-Winners’ Cup and finished in fourth place in the league. In his first managerial role it had already become clear that Jock Stein was a force to be reckoned with.
Having captained Celtic as a player and leading them to a League and Scottish Cup double in 1953/54, Jock retired from playing in 1957 due to an ankle injury, took over as Celtic reserve team coach until 1960, and returned as manager in 1965.
In 13 historic years at Celtic, Stein’s achievements were momentous, none more so than guiding his ‘Lisbon Lions’ to a 2-1 victory over Inter Milan in the final of the 1967 European Cup. Celtic became the first British club to win this greatest of titles and took their place in the history books. Jock also won 10 Scottish league championships (including nine in a row), eight Scottish Cups and six Scottish League Cups.
After a brief stint with Leeds United, Jock managed the Scottish national side for seven years between 1978 and 1985. He led Scotland to the 1982 FIFA World Cup, where they were eliminated in the group stage on goal difference by the Soviet Union.
On September 10, 1985, Scotland played Wales at Ninian Park in a 1986 World Cup qualification match. The 1-1 draw secured Scotland a qualification play-off against Australia. Tragically, Jock Stein suffered a heart attack at the end of the game and passed away at the age of 62. His loss reverberated across the football world and far beyond.
George Stein, Jock’s son, said: “I am delighted that Celtic and Dunfermline Athletic have come together in this way to mark the 30th anniversary of my father’s death, with the proceeds going to the respective clubs’ charities.”
Match Ambassador, Jim Leishman, said: “Jock Stein is an iconic figure within Scottish football, but is truly legendary at Celtic and here at Dunfermline Athletic. He laid the foundation for the halcyon years we had at East End Park in the 1960’s which included so many fantastic adventures in Europe.
“Celtic will rightly always remember their great triumph in Lisbon, but Pars fans will never forget the scenes in the High Street in 1961, which went well into the night when the open top bus returned from Hampden with the Scottish Cup. Mr Stein had taken our club to its first national trophy and we then went on to notable wins against Everton and Valencia in European ties.
“He was sadly taken away from us guiding the national team to the World Cup in 1985, but it is a fitting tribute to Mr Stein that we will be able to commemorate his death some 30 years later, with a charity match between our two great clubs. Celtic and Dunfermline have always had a very close relationship, and much of that is due to the great man”.
Celtic Chief Executive, Peter Lawwell, added: “Jock Stein will always be regarded as one of the greatest figures in Celtic’s illustrious history, indeed one of the great football managers of all-time. He is someone who served Celtic and Scotland with distinction.
“It is difficult to believe it is 30 years since his passing in such tragic circumstances but it is right that we commemorate this anniversary and mark Jock Stein’s contribution to football.
“Already Jock’s great name graces the famous ‘Celtic End’ at Celtic Park and his statue sits at Celtic Park. We are sure both charitable events will be further great tributes to a great man and also highly successfully in making a positive difference to the lives of others.”
Net proceeds of the match and the dinner will be split equally between the Pars Foundation* and Celtic FC Foundation**.
The Pars Foundation aims to grow and develop programmes to benefit the community of Dunfermline, focusing on Children’s Health and Wellbeing, the Elderly, Disability, Community Deprivation and other causes in the West Fife area.
Celtic FC Foundation’s priority is to focus on the four key themes of improving health, promoting equality, encouraging learning and tackling poverty and we have a strong track record of delivering successful community-based projects.
In honour of Jock Stein, the Foundation is looking to design and deliver a new initiative around heart health in our local communities as well as our continuing work with children and young people.
Pars Foundation Trustee, Richard Dixon said: “The idea to play a match between DAFC Legends and Celtic Legends to honour a man of the stature of Jock Stein is fantastic, and I am sure he would be delighted to know that the match and dinner proceeds would be split between the two charities to help and support our local community and charitable objectives.”
Celtic FC Foundation CEO, Tony Hamilton, commented: “I am very grateful to the Stein family for backing our charity initiative. Jock Stein links these two great Scottish football clubs and it’s fitting that we mark such a significant anniversary in this way. Many people across the west of Scotland and through Fife will benefit from these events.”
Tickets for the match will go on sale on a first come first served basis from 10.00am on Monday, June 22, 2015, priced at £12 for adults and £6 for concessions. Tickets will be available to purchase at www.celticfc.net by calling 0871 226 1888*** or by visiting the Celtic Ticket Office.
Hospitality
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 protected]
Charity Dinner
Tickets for the dinner are priced at £500 for a table of 10 or £50pp and will also be available from 10.00am on Monday, June 22, 2015. To make a booking call Celtic FC Foundation on 0141 551 4321 or email [email protected]
* The Pars Foundation is a registered Scottish charity, number SCO43970.
** Celtic FC Foundation is a registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, number SC024648.
*** 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.
