DURING his playing days, Jonathan Gould was renowned for being a safe pair of hands between the sticks.
This September, the ex-Celtic stopper will be donning the gloves once again as he becomes the latest name to sign up for the Jock Stein 30th Anniversary Charity Match, sponsored by Direct Slating Supplies.
Jonathan Gould, a mainstay of the 1998 squad that ‘stopped the 10’, spoke to the official match programme at his delight at being asked to participate in the match.
He said: “I’m really looking forward to it. At our age we all have to work a bit harder to be match-ready, but my coaching role at West Bromwich Albion keeps me fit and I’ll be making a concerted effort to be in shape.
“Going to these grounds brings back happy memories and bumping into former team-mates will be something to look forward to.”
Gould also reflected on the tense encounter between Celtic and Dunfermline on the penultimate week of the 1997/1998 season. The match in May, 1998, presented Celtic with the chance to clinch the title with a game to spare and prevent Rangers from clinching 10-in-a-row.
However, the fraught clash ended in a 1-1 draw courtesy of goals from Simon Donnelly and Dunfermline’s Craig Faulconbridge.
Recalling the mood at the time, the former Celtic stopper said: “I can still see Craig Faulconbridge and that looping header! We had plenty of chances to put it away that day and I can still remember the tension on the coach and from the stands.
“The fans were disappointed as they had come for a party that day but fortunately, we got the job done the next week and the rest is history.”
Turning his attention to Jock Stein, Gould shared a warm anecdote about a treasured piece of memorabilia from the legendary manager, as well as underlining his respect for Stein’s legacy.
He said: “On the night Jock Stein passed away, I was in Bristol and my dad was at the game. My father actually met Jock Stein before the game that night and Jock asked him if he’d swap a £20 note for two tenners. To this day, I still have those two tenners, framed and in my house.
“Jock Stein was so revered and highly thought of at Dunfermline, Celtic and Leeds as well as Scottish national side and he was so looked up to, he is an icon.”
Celtic Legends’ Squat to date:
Tom Boyd, Stiliyan Petrov, Tosh McKinlay, Alan Stubbs, Martin Compston, Simon Donnelly, Jackie McNamara, Jonathan Gould
The Jock Stein 30th Anniversary Charity Match takes place on Sunday, September 6 at East End Park (KO 2pm).
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]
Proceeds from the day will be shared between Celtic FC Foundation and the Pars Foundation, the respective charitable arms of both clubs
*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.
