A Tribute To Celtic fan James McIntyre - You’ll Never Walk Alone

Madonna blares over the tannoy - it’s the latest noughties classic to be turned into a Celtic chant over the last few years. Wonder strikes from Camilo Durán and Benji Nygren put The Hoops on course for an incredible Champions League qualification (or so we thought). A crowd of 55,882 fans experienced another incredible European night under the lights in the East End of Glasgow, but sadly, not everyone in attendance made it home that night.

I wasn’t at the game. I’d only just moved house the day before. Despite having paid my money and being ready to go, I made a late decision to stay at home, order a takeaway, and watch the match with my wife and young son. For years I’d travelled with the Greenock CSC; now, I go to games with my friends in the car. It was during my time travelling with the Greenock CSC that I got to know the late James McIntyre, who sadly passed away last Wednesday.

James, along with his son David, were regulars in the Greenock CSC, travelling on the same bus and sharing the same company. They are both related to one of my uncle’s friends - a group that has taken me to games since I was a wee lad. James and David were later additions to the group, joining around 13 or 14 years ago, getting their season books, and never missing a home game if they could help it. James was teetotal, but he would sit with the boys as they told stories and shared jokes while everyone waited for the shout to head to the buses. He was always one of the first to arrive, if not the very first, travelling all the way from Port Glasgow to Greenock just to be part of the squad.

David was too young at first, only allowed to wait in the foyer while the rest sat inside watching the early kick-off on TV. But as soon as he turned 18, he took great pride in gaining membership to the club and joining his dad alongside the rest of 'The OXO Squad', as they proudly called themselves. Why OXO? Because apparently, you can’t fit Bisto in the football card square. No, I don’t get it either, and I gave up trying to work it out years ago, but it’s been that way since before I was born.

James and David would always go out early to chat with the bus driver, James having a quick smoke while David eagerly waited on board. My brother used to go to games with me when he was younger. I always bought his season ticket for his Christmas... until he turned 18, that was. He was earning by then and could pay his own way! My brother and I would head over to the bus and be met immediately by James and David. It was a welcoming sight, always greeted by, “Make sure you take care of your big brother there, Colin.” It was James’ running joke that Connor, ten years my junior, was my big brother because he’s taller than me.

Connor stopped going to games a few years back due to work commitments, and I started travelling with my friends, but the connection to the group remained strong. We’ve got a WhatsApp group where we share family updates, typical Celtic memes, and generally have a right good laugh at the misfortunes of the Ibrox side over the last few years. Sadly, it was on there, on Wednesday night, that we found out James had passed.

I went to bed straight after full-time on Wednesday and woke on Thursday morning to see the messages. I was numb. Only earlier that day had we all wished David a happy birthday, and then the worst possible news broke. It didn’t take long before it was all over social media. Messages from all sides of Scottish football passed on their condolences; it still didn’t feel real. Tributes poured in from people who sat around James and David, while others spoke of the great effort the medical staff made to try and save him, unfortunately to no avail.

A few months prior, I had lost my own father to cancer. James and David were among the first to message me, passing on their condolences and offering support. Now, I found myself in that exact situation, reaching out to David, unable to imagine what those last 24 hours must have felt like for him. It didn’t matter what I said. I knew that as I sent my condolences to David, he had not only lost his father but also a best friend, the person who took him to the games - his introduction to Celtic.

He won’t be on his own, though. In his own time, when he wants to, The OXO Bhoys, the Greenock CSC, and I’m sure the entire Celtic support will be there for David when he is ready to return to Celtic Park. We will help him make happier memories, without ever forgetting the incredible ones he shared with his dad before he was taken from us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhJSwslIilw

In James, we lost a kind, caring, and passionate Celtic fan - someone who wouldn’t let you walk past him in the street without asking how you were and adding, “What about the Celtic, eh?”. He leaves behind a wonderful family and a group of friends who will never forget the time we spent with him, and who will continue to be there for David and the rest of his family.

You’ll Never Walk Alone. It’s not just lyrics, and it’s not just a song. It’s a connection - a promise that as long as you believe, you’ll never walk this world alone. Every person we lose over the years remains with us in the memories we shared with them.

Thank you for the memories you helped create, James. Sleep tight.