LATEST ACSOM PODCAST: St Roch’s – The St Pauli of junior football

St Roch’s have been described as, “The St Pauli of junior football,” so their appreciation among those of a Celtic persuasion should come as no surprise to most. But the St Roch’s connection goes far deeper than that.

“For they gave us James McGrory…” as the old song goes, and we should be eternally grateful for that. The club were also promised by Celtic Chairman, Sir Robert Kelly, many years later that, “As long as there is a Celtic, there will be a St Roch’s.”

As well as British football’s most prolific goal scorer, many other ex-Celts have turned out for The Candy over the years – Dom Sullivan, Frank and Jim Brogan, Tony McBride and Shanty Ferry to name a few – and Lisbon Lion Willie O’Neill also managed the side for a spell, but the appeal of St Roch’s goes wider than the football.

With the club’s centenary celebrations on hold until it is safe to gather in large groups, one thing that will continue during these times of high anxiety and fear of the unknown, is ‘Roch Talk’. This pivotal community initiative helps those suffering from mental health issues and it takes place every Sunday at James McGrory Park.

St Roch’s President, Stephen Mullen, and Candy veteran (many would say ‘legend’) Shuggie Farrell, joined A Celtic State of Mind to discuss the importance of this club – now more than ever – to the communities they have represented for a hundred years.

One (more light-hearted) feature of this episode was the selection of the greatest Celtic XI of the guests’ lifetimes, with just one stipulation – no Lisbon Lions!

Here is how the teams lined up:

SHUGGIE FARRELL

Manager: Neil Lennon

Artur Boruc
Danny McGrain
Kieran Tierney
George Connelly
Paul Elliott
Neil Lennon
Henrik Larsson
Paul McStay
Lubomir Moravcik
Scott Brown
Tommy Burns

STEVIE MULLEN

Manager: Martin O’Neill

Artur Boruc
Danny McGrain
Davie Hay
Pat Stanton
Bobo Balde
George Connelly
Henrik Larsson
Paul McStay
Kenny Dalglish
Paul Lambert
Tommy Burns

JAMES SIMONETTE

Manager: Neil Lennon

Pat Bonner
Danny McGrain
Tommy Burns
Roy Aitken
George Connelly
Davie Hay
Henrik Larsson
Paul McStay
Frank McAvennie
Brian McClair
Johnny Doyle

PAUL JOHN DYKES

Manager: Tommy Burns

Fraser Forster
Jackie McNamara
Tom Boyd
Virgil van Dijk
Paul Elliott
Victor Wanyama
Henrik Larsson
Paul McStay
Odsonne Edouard
Moussa Dembele
Stan Petrov

Do you think your side would be a match for the three line-ups above? Get in touch on social media and let us know your thoughts.

Paul John Dykes