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Former Celtic stars Jackie McNamara, Joe Miller and Tommy Johnson will be in Newry this weekend. The Hoops heroes are in town Saturday 15 April for the grand unveiling of a statue commemorating the first Celtic Manager, Willie Maley.
Willie Maley was born in Newry Barracks in Linenhall Square in 1868 and went on to become one of the Glasgow club's most successful managers. Saturdays events bring to a close a huge three-year campaign by local Celtic fans to raise over £60,000 for the statue in Maley's hometown.
Proceedings on Saturday start at Maley's birthplace at the former barracks site in Mourneview Park on Saturday at 3pm.
A memorial plaque will be unveiled followed by speeches from former councillors Davy Hyland and Pat McGinn. A parade will then proceed from Mourneview towards Trevor Hill and on to Monaghan Street before reaching the statue site at the foot of the Camlough Road. Guest speaker Tommy Sheridan will say a few words, followed by a minute's applause for recently deceased Celtic striker Frank McGarvey.
Designed and sculpted by Tyrone sculptor Barry O'Neil the seven foot statue will be unveiled by Willie Maley Memorial Group chairman Pat McLoughlin. The group was formed in 2020 to raise the necessary costs for the statue, groundworks and associated fees.
McLoughlin spoke of his relief that the huge campaign is nearing its finish and thanked everyone for their support over the last three years. He said: "There were ups and downs the whole way along, but it's absolutely fantastic to see the finished product and makes it all worthwhile at the end of it.
"Every single person is welcome to the parade on Saturday. It will be a fantastic day out and it will be an honour to see the tribute that we are giving to Willie Maley.
"It's long overdue and well deserved for Celtic's first ever manager who put his life into the club and now we're dedicating a statue to him in his hometown.
"It will be seen throughout the world. It's been an honour to be involved in this campaign, and on behalf of the committee and memorial group, I would like to thank everyone that has supported the campaign. Celtic fans have made this happen."
The celebrations will continue afterwards at a sold-out Green and White night in the Canal Court Hotel from 6.30pm. Hundreds of Celtic fans will gather at the event - many from overseas - to mark the permanent tribute to Maley.
Willie Maley
Willie Maley was born in Newry Barracks in Linenhall Square on April 25, 1858. Aged just one, he and his family moved to Glasgow after his father took honourable discharge from the army.
In 1888, the 19-year-old signed for the newly-formed Celtic Football Club. He was appointed manager in 1897 and went on to become one of the most successful managers in Scottish football history leading the Hoops to 30 trophies during his 43-year reign as manager.
