Tony Mowbray Letter to Celtic Supporter from years ago.

By: Matt | June 7th, 2009

Recently, some West Brom supporters have found their way to my blog to express their distaste for their seemingly former manager, Tony Mowbray’s choice to leave West Brom for Celtic. Ignoring the fact that Celtic will have a shot at Champions League football and have world class talent in goal and on the wings that Mowbray can work with, these fans seem to think the Mowbray owes them something and is committing some treasonous act. First of all, these Baggies fans have seem to have had their heads in the sand when it comes to the nature of modern European football these days. These naive optimists seem to be under the impression that this is the first instance of a coach or player leaving one club to go to a more prestigious, higher paying club. Secondly, these supporters are apparently unaware of Mowbray’s affection and connection to Celtic. Of course, Mowbray spent time playing for Celtic and is often credited with starting the infamous Huddle. But more than that, Mowbray has a deep affection for the club, no more evident than in a letter Mowbray wrote to a Celtic supporter shortly after his time playing with Celtic. So, I present this letter as Exhibit A for these West Brom fans (and for Celtic fans who had question of how “Celtic Minded”, whatever that means, the last Celtic Manger was) this letter.

Glasgow Celtic was a Club that I did not know a lot about when I was told that Liam Brady had been in touch with Middlesbrough about acquiring my services in 1991. I knew that they were a big Club with an illustrious history; the first British team to win the
European Cup, and to achieve the amazing feat of winning nine championships in a row.

When I was an apprentice professional footballer at Middlesbrough in the 1980, my youth team coach
would eulogise about Celtic and the great players who had played for the Club. The coach in question was indeed one of the very best ex -Celts; his name Bobby Murdoch.

By the time I left Celtic on 1995, the Club and more importantly the supporters, had left an indelible mark in my heart, which will never leave me.

I feel honoured to have played in “the hoops” and to have given my all for the Club at very difficult period in the Clubs history. It was a volatile time in the East end of Glasgow what with the “sack the board” campaign and the domination of the field of the team from across the city. It was a time of change at Celtic, but what stood firm throughout all of my time at the Club was the belief the supporters had that good times were just around the corner and that the Celts would be “singing in the sun” before too long. Their support of the team on the field was total and the players strived to reward the fans with performances that made you feel as if you were part of a huge family unit – and that feeling of being as one with the supporters could not of been highlighted more than when I was to lose my wife to cancer on new years day 1995. At a time when my life was decimated, and I was as low as any human being can get, the love and warmth I will never forget. Words of support poured in from Celtic folk, from all over the world and at a time when my life was empty, they helped fill that void with their compassion.

So as I said earlier, Celtic will always be ‘my club’ and I feel very humble that I played alongside such great Celts as McStay, Nicholas. Collins, Grant, Bonner and many more, but most importantly that I know whenever I pulled on the Jersey, I gave my all because I knew what it meant to the supporter on the terraces, to be proud to be a Celt.

Take care and God Bless,

Tony Mowbray Hail, Hail FIRST TEAM COACH [Ipswich Town]