Brother Walfrid And Willie Maley Poem by Daniel McDonagh

Glasgow Celtic has been blessed,
with men who had a vision & a dream,
as they created a team in the city's east end
who proudly wore the emerald green.

Brother Walfrid's faith and devotion
was to bring charity & hope to the Catholic poor
as his Parish saw the Irish grow hungry
while children walked the streets with no shoes.

Football was being played in the city of Glasgow
with Rangers, Third Lanark and Queens Park
As Brother Walfrid and John Glass, set to assemble a team
they came upon two brothers who lived in Cathcart.

Willie Maley and his brother Tom
were invited to Parkhead where a team was to be born,
Along with James Kelly, in Celtic's first game,
a 5-2 win, put the Rangers to shame.

How Scotland awoke to the name of Celtic
as the Irish team played with skill and flare,
And Brother Walfrid thanked God in heaven
that the poverty tables would never starve again.

Willie Maley moved from player to team secretary
while picking up winners medals throughout his career,
He became Celtic first legendary manager,
a legacy that lasted 43 years.

The famous Glasgow Celtic have been blessed
from players who have worn the green & white jersey,
But the club was born and has proudly grown
to the memories of Brother Walfrid & Willie Maley.

2005