Celtic Scarves

Misc Articles | Celtic lexicon

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Started: –
Ref: Football scarves, YNWA

Review

Since the earliest days, scarves have been used as an identifying item for any supporter. Across the footballing world, even in the warmest climes you’re going to find most self respecting supporters find it unthinkable not to go to a match without their scarf. Many hold a store of them with treasured memories of old matches they wore them too.

At Celtic, scarves are ubiquitous, and along with many other clubs, scenes of the support across the ground holding aloft their scarves is a magical sight. The scenes at the stadium as all stand holding their scarves aloft singing YNWA are simply magic, and commentators have honestly repeatedly stated that the Celtic fans experience is greater than all others.

At all great games, the colour and spectacle produced by the scarves is just incredible. The impact is incredible when you compare its cheapness compared to the outlay you need to make on tops and other items.

Back to the scarves, we’ve all bough numbers of them over the years. Plain hooped scarves are still the most common, but street traders know a market or two and there are multitude styles now with witticisms and designs, a selection of which can be seen below.

Probably one of the most memorable fan picture with scarves is that of one thick lensed spectacle wearing fan holding up a ‘No Huns in Hampden’ scarf at a cup final. We’ve all been there and it brings back memories.

One important part of scarves is that it can build up camaraderie. Swapping scarves with other fans (especially travelling away supporters) is quite a tribute and tradition, and many of us treasure the memories they can produce.

Another tribute is that on the passing of a player. Many fans leave scarves as part of a tribute at the steps of the club in memory of these players, and when they build up to form an altar of scarves it is quite a humbling and beautiful site, as occurred for example with the passing of Jinky and Tommy Burns.

On the whole they may seem a little thing, nothing spectacular, but in their own way have fashioned a dear place in the hearts of football supporters worldwide. Long may the tradition continue.