Celtic in the 1980s

The book will look at Celtic in the 1980s, the triumphs and disasters both on and off the pitch, and contextualise the changing world around Parkhead from politics to fashion, from music to television. Each season will be taken in turn and every major issue and event will be covered in suitable detail. Ultimately, it will be a journey to one of the most controversial and action packed eras of the club’s history.

This work is a wistful and nostalgic look at this period. Any supporter who underwent their ‘formative’ years in this period will normally re-count it in reasonably glowing terms. However, this work is also a lament. The club refused to join the football ‘new order’ at this time and the legacy that this left was an embittered and cynical one which could be argued has never left the club’s support. 

Supporters, like myself, who grew up listening to other supporters who had their formative experiences in the 1960s and 1970s listened to tales about the club climbing its way to the top of European football’s gentry and establishing Celtic as a recognisable member of the continentsí footballing elite. Indeed, a fear was taking hold that the club was slipping towards mediocrity.

This is not an exploration of a ‘dark time’ for Celtic. Rather, the 1980s has the feel of a ‘lost decade’, a lost time where Celtic could have, and should have, been at the top table of domestic and European football. Instead, for every wonderful (and they were wonderful) success that Celtic experienced, two steps back were the next moves taken.

The Author

Sean Huddleston, 33, was born and raised in Belfast before spending the majority of his adult life in Glasgow after initially attending the University of Strathclyde to study Modern British History. 

Sean is a history teacher of eight years, historian and writer having written for The Times website, CQN Magazine as well as being an established writer for the Celtic website The Celtic Underground for the last two years. Sean has also been a season ticket holder at Celtic Park for the last five years as well as a shareholder for the last three. Sean also worked in the Celtic museum and visitor centre for six years gaining a valuable insight into club history, memorabilia and records.

Sean has recently successfully completed an Mres in Modern British History specialising in the history of identity in Scotland and Ireland.

Sean’s first ever Celtic game was the infamous ‘Cliftonville friendly’ that was held in Belfast, August 1984 (and subsequently abandoned due to rioting!). His first home game at Celtic Park was a narrow 1–0 win over Morton in February 1988.