Celtic, tonight, won the FIFA award for the best supporters is the game.
We have used this title for many years, but now we can wear the badge in an official sense. On the same day as many of our rivals and enemies in Scotland were furious at UEFA for fining us instead of shutting our stadium or perhaps simply liquidating our club, FIFA has given us their most prestigious supporter honour, created two years ago.
The award was given for the magnificent tifo display to honour the Lisbon Lions during last season’s final league home game. The entire stadium was turned into a display in honour of our greatest teams and it was reported across Europe and the world.
Last season’s award was won by Borussia Dortmund; they were nominated this year along with Copenhagen.
Ian Bankier, collecting it on behalf of the club, was effusive in his praise for our fans, who last week brought great credit to themselves with a friendly invasion of Munich which turned Marienplatz Square into a sea of green and white scarves and jerseys.
“I want to thank FIFA, I want to thank all the fans who voted for us but the display that won was for a team of players who all grew up within a few miles of Celtic FC in Glasgow and were coached by a man who was a legend,” Bankier said.
“He was born in the East of Scotland and started his working career going down mines, mining for coal and he said to us in these days ‘A club is nothing without its fans’ and that philosophy we take to heart and that drives everything we do so it is on behalf of our fans, and all the fans across the world that I accept this honour with the gratitude and humility.”
What a fantastic time this is for all our fans. The club is firing on all cylinders right now, but that could not be happening without the supporters. This is an acknowledgement, from the highest body in football, for the incredible role we continue to play.
Enjoy it. Enjoy these days.