Two score plus moons ago Martin the Founder looked to the skies (he was flat on his back in Dubliner’s at the time) and saw a star; a star which guided him into the Jebel Ali desert where he stayed for forty days & forty nights and returned with the tablet (and the Spearmint 'choongum' and the macaroon bars) which foretold of the birth of the Dubai Hoops Celtic Supporter's Club. Riding on Charlie the camel (the club mascot & strangely his only companion for those forty days and forty nights) he stood upon the mount (Mt. Florida, here the Celts have collected many trophies and consider this as our second home in the last week of May) and proclaimed to the assembled masses in Dubliner’s “Verily I doth profess that all ye who be Celtic Men & Women should meeteth for every televised game and drink quaffs of ale and occasionally meeteth for social gatherings and drink more quaffs of ale (at Dubliners Bar, Le Meridien Airport Hotel), also thou shalt not kill unless your victim is a wee Robin Hun (sic) and then that's ok, ah think!”

Martin gathered the other disciples (founder members) into a conclave – Paul the Scot, Franny the Greek, Derek the Dyslexic, Andy the Pole, Graham the Mac, Lawrie the Idealist and Pat the Piping Superintendent; he bade them go forth and spread the good word (I think his advice euphemistically referred to go forth and multiply and go and talk to somebody else!). Nonetheless, these word-spreaders talking in many foreign tongues, mostly made up by Derek the Dyslexic, gathered more than 100 members for the club (some of whom even paid their membership fees!) and so the Dubai Hoops CSC was born.............

 

 

 

The first Hoops event was a golf day in the company of Mr Tommy Gemmell where “The Hoops” thrashed “The Forces of Darkness” and celebrated into the wee small hours at Nad Al Sheba Racing & Golf Club. Mr & Mrs. Gemmell entertained the crowd with stories of a Celtic & Lisbon Lions nature and “The Sons Of Satan” left early with their tails between their legs (literally) as normal. Tommy donated a Lisbon Lions blazer to the club which will be on view at the Dubliners very soon.

The official opening of the club was held at Le Meridien Hotel in February 2004 and Cesar, Billy McNeill himself signed the supporters club charter at a lavish dinner dance where funds were raised for Jinky’s charity and everyone involved was absolutely enthralled by the magic that is McNeill.

Dubai Hoops members include season book holders, who apart from returning to Celtic Park, have travelled to many European nights including Seville, Barcelona, Stuttgart, Lyon and more where our Dubai Hoops shirts have been in great demand by other travelling Celtic fans. (These shirts are on sale behind the bar at Dubliners). In the course of our travels we have forged enduring friendships with many other CSC who have become regular and welcome visitors to Dubai, and reciprocate when our members are back in Glasgow.

We feel very fortunate that Celtic greats, both past and present, see Dubai as an ideal holiday destination and contact us whenever they are in town.

A warm welcome awaits at Dubliners for all 'Celtic minded' folk...........................