Saint Paul's Celtic Football Club was formed in the spring of 2009 as a means of bringing together London-based supporters of Celtic Football Club; and to spread the good word of all things Celtic. Drawing our playing squad and our support predominantly from the huge Scot and Irish communities in London, our club is built on the same principles as that of the football club we love; inclusive and open to people from all walks of life.
Kick-off
Our first bounce-game resulted in a game of 5-a-side football on an 11-a-side pitch, but subsequent trial matches unearthed some fantastic talents from across Greater London and the globe. The real challenge however, was to gain entry into a league competition where Saint Paul's Celtic could take their first steps as a football club.
On the 3rd of July 2009, St Paul's Celtic were formally invited to take part in the 2009/10 Islington Midweek League; widely regarded as one of the leading senior midweek leagues in the UK, and affiliated with the London Football Association and the wider English Football Association. For the 2009/10 season St Paul's Celtic would take their place in Division 3, alongside 8 other debutant clubs, all of whom would be vying for silverwear come the season's end in May.
Pride of the Hoops
Capital Spreads, a financial markets spread betting company, would become the first shirt sponsor of the club, supplying the famous green and white hooped shirts. A fund-raiser hosted by another club sponsor, the White Bear in Kennington, turned out to be a fantastic success for St Paul's.
Off-field, St Paul's were in excellent shape, but the team had yet to be properly tested against organised opposition. The club's first official fixture saw them take on Mayfield Athletic of the Amateur Football Alliance in the lush surroundings of the National Institute of Medical Research. In an entertaining match St Paul's ran out 7-3 winners against a very well-organised side, playing some breathtaking football and scoring some wonderful goals on a glorious sunny day.
A 2-1 win against Alexandra Park and a 1-1 draw with NVA FC meant that St Paul's Celtic entered into the league campaign unbeaten, however the league would see the bar raised once more.
