Katie

It was late 1984 at Central Station in Glasgow. Celtic was playing away against St Mirren. My friend and I walked onto the concourse, and it was still early, so fellow Celtic fans were acknowledging each other. We noticed a strawberry blonde girl wearing a Celtic flat cap and a green and white scarf adorned with a patch of the Pope. She was also dressed in jeans and white trainers. She nodded at us and initiated a conversation. Accompanied by her young nephew, she began sharing stories about rival fans giving her a hard time.

It had become clear that our Kate did not suffer fools gladly. She had a big heart but you don’t disrespect her or cross her. She had these blue eyes that showed no fear and would back you to the hilt.

She suggests to us: “Let’s go to the Chippie below Central Station” So we go down. We get our food and go back up the escalator but we notice two lads sitting with tracksuit tops on and bleached jeans. We know these to be casuals. One shouts up ‘UVF’ giving us a semi stiff arm. Our new pal Katie turns round and gives the m ‘IRA ya twat’ the two casuals do not respond.

I would see her at a few matches after this and she would always acknowledge you. It was over a year later that Celtic had organised themselves into a a crew of casuals. Firstly Roman Catholic Casuals (RCC) onto Celtic Soccer Trendies (CST). It was settled on Celtic Soccer Crew (CSC).

As we were gathering in town one afternoon at the Country Corner pub around 1985, I recognise a face. She’s wearing a leather patch work top and carrying a black umbrella, it’s Katie. I thought ‘oh no’ but then my thoughts go to how I remember her and why she’s there.

Fearless still she would always stand her ground. Katie became like a big sister to us as our accents were slightly off centre we were initially treated with a bit of suspicion.

I recall Celtic were playing Man United in a testimonial around 1985. About 10 of us were standing in the jungle whist the rest of the crew were standing at the top of the Celtic end. The Celtic support in the jungle decided to turn into their usual song of “Casuals get to fuck” we stayed quiet due to being outnumbered by thousands. However, Kate was not having it and decided to let the fans know! A few liberty takers within the support took a swipe at her. She doesn’t back down and we ended up in a scrap. She doesn’t back down and to this day has the same minerals.

Her strength and spirit continued into later life despite many adversities. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone stronger. The fear and anxiety she did have she managed to suppress it and used it to her advantage.

Katie was Celtic to the core on and off the pitch.

Whenever Kate was unwell, she would let you know, but her concern always extended to others—family and friends alike. Until the very end, she was reaching out through messages and calls to see how others were doing.

Last night, we mourn the loss of a true Celtic legend.