Paradise Lost & Found: The Story of Belfast Celtic (Mainstream Sport)

In an age of extreme bigotry, sectarianism, poverty, and social deprivation, Belfast Celtic offered a beacon of fair play and sportsmanship to the city's beleaguered working-class Catholics. As one former supporter recalls, “When we had nothing, we had Belfast Celtic. Then we had everything.” From its formation in 1891, the club had set out to model itself on Glasgow Celtic through its attractive style of play, its work for charity, and its non-sectarian signing policy. Under an astute board of management, it operated as a highly profitable financial institution, searching out the best players available and signing them for what was in those days big money. Among its supporters, Belfast Celtic's home ground was known as “Paradise,” a nickname for which no explanation was required.