Bhoys of Ilford (Essex) CSC   -  February 2007 Newsletter

Bhoys and Ghirls "We're on the road again; we're on our way to Paradise". That’s how the song goes and let's hope it’s a successful road, to the Championship, Hampden (Scottish Cup) and dare I say it Athens (European Cup).

All clubs had a problem with reception for the Hibs game on Saturday I have been assured normal service will be resumed and members can see ALL   Celtic games live home & away in Maguires. Celtic supporters in Essex have come a long way since our nomadic existence when, if there was a choice between the Mancs, the Gooners or CELTIC on T.V. we the majority in any establishment would be over ruled. Organisation and numbers have allowed us to flourish, but we should never take things for granted.

Talking of Mancs - a wee joke for you....

Q/ How many Mancs does it take to chage a light bulb ?

A/ Three. One to change the lightbulb, one to make the commerative 'Changing The Light Bulb' DVD, and one to drive them back to Torquay.

Membership

We now have over 100 members which makes us one of the biggest Celtic Supporters Clubs in the London Area. I must make a special mention here of two Bhoys who travel from Colchester to Maguires for nearly every game - stand up Dennis O' Brien & Robert Fell.

As we have many new members I will go over some of the items covered in previous newsletters.

Season Ticket

The "CLUB" has one season ticket. All members have the use of this. For high profile games such as the huns a ballot is made. Misbehaviour while in possession of our ticket will not be tolerated. The club would not wish to lose our ticket because of an individual's indiscretions. Remember Celtic Football  Club are under the sectarian microscope from both the SFA and UEFA.

Although European Cup and Cup Finals are almost impossible, we can get tickets for most of Celtics games. We run club trips to Celtic Park , our next being on 3^rd March against Dunfermline . If you would like us to get you any tickets and help with travel and accommodation then contact Martin McGovern after 5:30 on week-days: Mobile 07976 740 604

Website

The club has its own website ~ www.bhoysofilford.com. It is administered by one of our committee members Steve Connelly. If you wish to post anything on the site such as photos of trips following Celtic then let any member of the committee know.

Beer Prices

The club has agreed reduced beer prices with Jim McGuire. This facility is only available on production of your membership card. For price details see notices in the bar or a member of Maguires staff.

Club Social

We have provisionally booked our next Club Social for a Saturday in April (Date /Venue & Band to be confirmed). Members are reminded that this will only be successful if you, your family and friends turn up. Initially we had many successful well attended functions. In recent times interest has waned. I am sure now, with so many new members our next function will be a great Celtic/Irish night. We hope by then to be celebrating our 41st championship.

Conventions

If any member intends going to the American Celtic Supporters Convention in Las Vegas 24^th June to 1^st July 2007 based in Riviera Hotel and Casino and would like information please see a committee member. Club member Steve Connelly is definitely going and can provide further details.

There will be no European Convention in 2007. There may be another in the future although not necessarily in Benidorm.

Memorabilia

Any member with Celtic items they would like to display in Maguires should pass them to Titch.

Polo Tops

Shirts are being ordered as I write. If all goes well we should have them for sale at £10 each by the 25^th February which is the day of our Scottish Cup tie against Inverness Caledonian Thistle. 12:30 K.O..

Bereavement

A few months ago our club assisted our friends at the London No1 CSC in arranging a very successful benefit for one of their long time members, Brenda O' Rouke. Sadly Brenda passed away last month. The Bhoys of Ilford sent a wreath and were represented by Martin McGovern and Danny Kerr. I am sure you will join me by including Brenda and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

Lisbon Lions

One of our fellow London Celtic Supporters Clubs had proposed a 40^th Anniversary celebration of Celtic's greatest achievement. Due to lack of support from other clubs this will now not be followed up.

Diary Dates

By 18^th Feb            

Members only to send text to Martin McGovern for inclusion in the ballot for the Rangers  game.                      

Tues 20^th Feb        AC Milan European Cup 19:45

                             Let's ensure we have a high turn out.

Sun 25th Feb         ICT Scottish Cup 12:30                       

                             Polo Shirts available (we hope)

Wed 07^th March    AC Milan European Cup 19:45           

                             Note: The only bar shown for Milan on Celtic Bars .com is : 

                             The Friends – V. Le Monte Santo 12 Milan

Sun 11^th March     Rangers SPL 12:30                 

                           * Midday members meeting.

Having sprinted to the top of the League, the last few SPL games have been a little mundane. HOWEVER, now we have coming up a number of  truly competitive fixtures. Let's get out our flags, scarves and colours, rehearse our Celtic songs and get behind the Bhoys. We can bring a little bit of Glasgow 's East End to London 's East End .  I anticipate large numbers for the AC Milan games.   

                                CELTIC – You'll never walk alone

Committee

John McKernan                   Chairman

Brian McCluskey                 Vice Chairman

Martin McGovern                Treasurer / Ticket convener: (M) 07976 740 604

Eddie O' Neill                        Secretary (M) 07420 1960 20

Steve Connelly                     Webmaster (www.bhoysofilford.com)

David Houston (Titch)        Committee Member

Danny Kerr                           Committee Member

Lindsay O' Neill                    Ghirls Representative

Maguire's Irish Bar              Phone: 0208 478 2161

Sean Lennon who has been a committee member and was instrumental in establishing the Bhoys of Ilford in 2003 is returning home to his native Ireland .  Sean will probably be best remembered as our Master of Ceremonies at Bhoys of Ilford functions. His input will be missed.  I expect we will still see Sean in the refreshment houses of the Gallowgate prior to Celtic matches.

Question Time

For you anoraks out there. Here are a few questions I hope you can help me with:

2)                   Why is our ground affectionately known as Paradise ?

3)                   Why do we have the four leaf clover as our club badge?

Finally

This is your Celtic Supporters Club. If there is anything you can bring to it or you feel we can do to improve it then let us know.