REMEMBERING STEVIE CHALMERS: CELTIC LEGEND AND THE MAN WHO MADE ME A FAN
- BY LIAM CARRIGAN
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
Time passes so quickly these days, and yet even then I was still shocked when someone reminded me during today’s ACSOM Bulletin that it has been 6 years since the passing of Stevie Chalmers
Most Celtic fans will remember him as the man who scored the goal that clinched the European Cup for Celtic. In doing so, he attained footballing immortality.
My memory of the man however, is much more personal. In his honor, I would like to share that memory with you all today.
I still have the certificate at home to remind me of the date: August 6th 1989. I was 5 years old, coming up for 6, and my dad decided it was time I visit Celtic Park for the first time.
Stevie Chalmers: My Guide on my First Celtic Adventure
My dad had been about the same age when his father, my grandfather, who passed away the previous summer, just after watching Celtic clinch a centenary double, had taken him to Celtic Park for the first time.
This wasn’t a matchday though. Instead, my dad thought I should learn a bit more about the Celtic and in doing so, about my own heritage and family history.
Both my parents worked in the catering trade, and as such they had to travel to wherever there was the best chance of finding work.
So, from the time I was about 18 months old, we had lived in Torquay, in the south west of England.
A beautiful little part of the World, but about as far removed from my birthplace in the East End of Glasgow as one could possible be.
Anyway, on that August afternoon, we went on a tour of Celtic Park. As luck would have it, our tour guide that day turned out to be Stevie Chalmers.
My dad couldn’t believe how lucky we were, to be shown around Celtic Park, with one of the clubs most famous players as our guide. I had no idea what was going on, in all honesty, but that would soon change.
During our tour, Stevie spoke with such knowledge, passion and love for Celtic. I would challenge even the most ardent Celtic hater to walk into Paradise that day, and after a couple of hours in Stevie’s company, not emerge as a Celtic fan for life.
Despite his legendary status, he was unbelievably humble, friendly, and also extremely patient.
He was a gentleman, I was this outspoken little boy, with a bizarre half-English accent, who at that time was completely ignorant of what Celtic was, and who I was talking to.
Perhaps the biggest highlight that day was getting to see the Scottish Cup, which Celtic had won just a matter of weeks previously. Joe Miller’s strike, sealed a 1-0 victory and denied Rangers a treble.
In my brazen youthful audacity, I asked if I could hold the cup. Stevie said he probably shouldn’t do this, but since it was my first time at Celtic Park, he’d make a special case.
My dad still had that photo somewhere of 5-year-old me holding the Scottish Cup.
Thankfully, we don’t have any photos of the looks of sheer horror and panic on both my dad and Stevie Chalmers' faces just a few seconds later when I proceeded to drop the century old, priceless silverware on the floor!
The good humor with which he handled that situation, which on reflection, could easily have cost him his job, spoke volumes for the man.
We all have vague recollections of the time we started following our favorite football team.
However, thanks to Stevie Chalmers, I can pinpoint the exact day, the exact moment, I became a Celtic fan for life.
Stevie, I have no doubt you are in a far better place now. Wherever that may be, I hope, somehow, you’ll see these words, and know that I am eternally grateful to you, for taking that child, who wasn’t even into football, and making him a lifelong Celtic fan.
Thank you.
