The Best Celtic Football Shirts of All-Time

Kerry Pollock sat down with the author of The Celtic Jersey, Paul John Dykes to discuss the history of the Hoops' shirt and what is the best Celtic FC football shirt of all time.

Paul John Dykes Interview Chapters:

00:00 Intro
01:10 Writing The Celtic Jersey
02:03 Iconic Celtic football shirt
02:44 Umbro Henrik Larrson Celtic shirt
03:26 Oldest football shirt worn by Celtic
04:28 Celtic Centenary 1988
05:17 Celtic UEFA Cup Final shirt
06:51 Umbro logo
08:08 Football shirt fabrics
08:38 Worst football shirts of all time
09:57 Selling 3 football shirts per season
11:33 Writing a football book
12:22 Designing football shirts

About Author Paul John Dykes:

Paul John Dykes is a Scottish podcaster, author, scriptwriter and documentary producer.

His first book, The Quality Street Gang, focusing on the group of footballers known by that term, was released by Celtic F.C. in 2013. This debut was named in The Scotsman's 'Top 20 Sports Books of the Year' list.

The follow-up to The Quality Street Gang - Celtic's Smiler - was the authorised biography of former Celtic player Neil Mochan. Dykes also worked as the executive producer on the documentary adaptation of his second book.

In 2016, Dykes co-wrote the autobiography of former Celtic captain, Andy Lynch. The book (entitled Hoops, Stars & Stripes) was again named in the 'Top Football Books of the Year' list by The Scotsman.

About The Quality Street Gang:

The Quality Street Gang was a group of young footballers who played for Celtic Football Club, a professional football team in Glasgow, Scotland, during the 1960s and early 1970s. The name "Quality Street Gang" was inspired by the popular British confectionery brand, Quality Street, as it implied a mixture of talent and flair within the group.

This group of players was managed by the legendary Jock Stein, who guided the team to great success during his tenure. The Quality Street Gang featured talented players like Kenny Dalglish, Danny McGrain, Lou Macari, and David Hay, among others.

These players went on to achieve great success with Celtic and other clubs, as well as representing the Scottish national team. The Quality Street Gang was known for their skill, teamwork, and attacking style of play, which helped the club win numerous domestic and international titles.

Some of the achievements of the Quality Street Gang and the wider Celtic team during this period include:

Winning the European Cup in 1967 (becoming the first British club to do so)
Winning nine consecutive Scottish league titles between 1966 and 1974
Securing several Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup titles
The Quality Street Gang left a lasting legacy at Celtic, and their impact on the club's history and success is still fondly remembered by fans today.


About Celtic's Smiler (2015):

"Celtic's Smiler: The Neilly Mochan Story" (2015) is a documentary film that tells the story of Neilly Mochan, a former Celtic Football Club player and coach. Directed by Luke Massey, the documentary provides a detailed look at the life and career of Mochan, who was an essential figure in Celtic's history and played a significant role in the club's success during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.

Neilly Mochan, nicknamed "Smiler," was a versatile player who could play as a forward or a winger. He joined Celtic in 1950 and spent a decade with the club, scoring 112 goals in 252 appearances.

After retiring as a player, Mochan remained with Celtic as a coach, and he became an indispensable part of Jock Stein's backroom staff.

The documentary "Celtic's Smiler" features interviews with Mochan's former teammates, family members, and other prominent figures in the world of football. It highlights Mochan's immense contribution to Celtic Football Club and offers an insight into his personality, work ethic, and dedication to the team.

About Hoops, Stars & Stripes (2016):

Hoops, Stars & Stripes: The Andy Lynch Story" (2016) is an autobiography written by former Celtic Football Club player Andy Lynch, with the help of journalist Paul John Dykes. The book offers a candid and insightful account of Lynch's life and career, detailing his experiences as a professional footballer in Scotland and the United States.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Andy Lynch played as a defender and is best remembered for his time with Celtic between 1973 and 1980. During his tenure at the club, Lynch made over 150 appearances, scored 12 goals, and was part of the team that won the Scottish Premier Division in the 1976-77 season, as well as the Scottish Cup in 1975 and 1977.

In his autobiography, Lynch shares stories from his time at Celtic and his experiences playing under the legendary Jock Stein. He also writes about his move to the United States, where he played for the Cleveland Force in the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) before retiring from professional football.


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