Most houses had their own Wireless,as it was called back then ,now it's known as a radio.We were lucky enough to have a T.V. in our house but all we had back then by the way of stations was R.T.E. 1.
Now and then they would show a few cartoons and that was the highlight.
Kids played all kinds of games on the streets.
Kids woke up ,went to school,came home ,done homework asap and then out to play.
But Soccer was the most popular on the streets of Dublin for all the young lads.
Manchester United and Glasgow Celtic were the most popular teams.
The 2 most popular players were Georgie Best of Man. Utd and Jimmy (jinky)Johnstone of Celtic.United had always got a steady supply of Irish players .
Celtic were founded by Irish priests.
Shamrock rovers were one of the most popular Irish teams.
Celtic and Rovers wore similar football strips,Green and white strips on their jerseys and white shorts.
Back then no one could afford a jersey.
Celtic had won the Scottish league the year before and they had a great run in the
European Cup(Champions league now).
Only the League Champions of each Country qualified for the European Cup.
It was a knockout competition and each round was played over two legs.
The final that year was being played in Lisbon.
Inter Milan and Celtic had made it to the final so there was great excitement on the streets of Dublin.
Everyone in Ireland treated Celtic like an Irish team as they were founded by Irish Catholic priests.
The Da had just bought a new Wireless and we all gathered around it while the match was on.
Back then the reception was'nt so good so there was a lot of buzzing noises coming from the Wireless.
Milan score first,everyone is downbeat as they had a great defence and were difficult to score against.
They had won the European cup twice already(This was Celtic's first final).
Celtic were playing some great football according to the commentator on the radio.
Next Celtic equalise from a shot by their fullback ,Tommy Gemmell.
Everyone is in raptures.
Bem,Rick and little Ger are jumping around with excitement.
"Ssssh",says the Da who kept trying to tune in the Wireless.The Ma is sitting at the Kitchen table doing a bit of knitting,She looks as cool as a Cucumber.
Next a roar comes over the Wireless,"Chalmers has Scored for Celtic".
We all ran out on the streets screaming with joy.
The Da called us back in,"Lads they have'n t won yet there's still 6 minutes left.
Those 6 minutes felt like 6 hours.
Finally it was over,Celtic were European Champions.Everyone were on the streets dancing with joy,even the Ma left down her knitting to join us.
Everyone went to school the next day with a spring in their step.
After school we all replayed the final with our own matches.
Everyone wanted Celtic as their team.
"The Lisbon Lions"....... European Champions.
About a week later the Ma called the boys into the Parlor one
day after school. "I have a surprise for you boys",she said.
"Close your eyes",she says to the 3 boys,Rick,Bem,and Ger.
"Here you's are",she says as she hands over 3 jumpers to the boys.
The boys try on their jumpers with great excitement as these were no ordinary jumpers,
They were in the green and white colours of Celtic.
"Ah ,thanks Ma",they say.The Ma had worked hard all week knitting them for the boys when they were either in school or bed or out playing.
"You's can thank Rita when you see her as she helped me to finish them for you",she says.
The boys grab a ball and go out to show off their new" football jersey's".
They were the envy of the road for awhile after that all thanks to the Ma.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX1968........THE RED DEVILS
It was Man Utd 's turn in 68 as they beat Benefica 4-1 at Wembley
after extra time,with goals from Brian Kidd ,Bobby Charlton(2) and the great George Best.
Benefica had the great player Eusebio on their side.
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