Celtic Boys Club

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Celtic B.C
Founded 1966
Chairman Gerry King
Home colours

The Celtic Boys Club is a youth football club based in Glasgow, Scotland. The club operates teams in age groups from under-9 to under-17 and has helped develop many future professional footballers.

History

The Celtic Boys Club was founded in 1966.[2] First based in Maryhill, the club was initially independent from the professional Celtic Football Club, but links started to strengthen as the Boys Club was allowed to use the training facilities at Barrowfield training complex on London Road.[2] John Higgins, a Celtic scout, recognised the benefits of the club and a semi-formal agreement was made where the Under 16 side would act as a nursery for Celtic scouts to find players with potential to play for Celtic FC, although players from the Boys club are under no obligation to sign for Celtic FC.[2]

The various Boys Club teams have won numerous honours over the years.[2] Their most notable win to date is their win at under 16 level in the 1974 European Youth Cup, defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the final, courtesy of a goal by George McCluskey.[2]

Jim Torbett

In 1996, former Celtic Boys Club player Alan Brazil revealed that when he was 13 years old he had been sexually abused by the club manager, Jim Torbett.[3] The allegations were heard at the Glasgow Sheriff Court, where Torbett was found guilty of shameless and indecent conduct with three juvenile players between October 1967 and March 1974.[4] Torbett was given a prison sentence of 30 months.[5] Rangers fans have since alleged that Celtic manager Jock Stein attempted to cover up the scandal, by chanting "Big Jock Knew".[6] Alan Brazil stated unequivocally in 2009 that Stein was not involved, but claimed that the Kelly family knew of the abuse and defended Torbett.[6]

Professional players developed

Celtic Boys Club has helped develop many future professional players, some of whom have gone on to play for Celtic F.C..

References

  1. ↑ "Parts of an Umbrella", Carver Umbrellas, February 28, 2007
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "History of The Celtic Boys Club". The Celtic Boys Club. Retrieved 5 December 2013. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "This Evil Pervert Wrecked My Dream of Playing for Celtic". Daily Record. 4 September 2006. Retrieved 19 September 2010. 
  4. ↑ "Former Celtic manager guilty of abuse". BBC News. 12 November 1998. Retrieved 19 September 2010. 
  5. ↑ Bentham, Martin (18 September 2005). "Child abusers who shame British football". The Observer. Retrieved 19 September 2010. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Bendoris, Matt (7 March 2009). "Matt Meets Alan Brazil". The Sun. Retrieved 19 September 2010. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 7.18 7.19 7.20 7.21 7.22 7.23 7.24 7.25 7.26 7.27 7.28 7.29 7.30 7.31 7.32 7.33 "CELTIC : 1946/47 - 2009/10". Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Database. Retrieved 19 February 2011. 
  8. ↑ McGhee, Forde (17 April 2013). "Tom Boyd". Youth Football Scotland. Retrieved 6 December 2013. 
  9. ↑ "Stephen McManus makes £1.5m switch from Celtic to Boro". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 December 2013. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "On the Spot: David Moyes". The Telegraph. 23 November 2002. Retrieved 6 December 2013. 
  11. ↑ "If You Know The History – 17th August 1991 Gillespie and O’Neill debuts". Jim Craig Celtic Supporter's Club. Retrieved 6 December 2013. 

External links

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