At the end of the storm, Flags and Coronations – Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr. Over two volumes, the brilliantly written and extensively researched history of Celtic FC in the 1950s will be published by Celtic Star Books on Friday 4th September 2026…
Celtic author and historian Matt Corr at a book launch. Photo Celtic Star Books.
The 1950s, a decade that the Celtic support sing about to this day but the full history has never been properly told until now. Matt Corr set the bar very high indeed with his brilliant Celtic in the Thirties books that have been so well received and deservedly so by Celtic supporters who want to know their history.
Now after two years work, it’s time to tell the incredible story of Celtic in the Fifties. It’s a decade where many of us will have heard stories from our own dads or grandads and there are so many iconic Celtic names who played for the club in that era, Charlie Tully, Bobby Collins, Bertie Peacock, Willie Fernie, Jock Stein, Sean Fallon and so many others too. Their stories are all told in Celtic in the Fifties.
Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
You can now pre-order both books from our bookstore over at Celtic Star Books and these will be posted out on Friday 4th September. You will only be charged for postage on one book when you purchase both together.
Thank you to everyone who has already ordered after we mailed existing customers during the week. Here are more details on both volumes of Celtic in the Fifties…
AT THE END OF THE STORM – Celtic in the Fifties, Volume One
At the end of the storm, Celtic in the Fifties Volume One by Matt Corr. Published by Celtic Star Books. Click on cover to order.
They say night is darkest, just before the dawn. At the turn of the 1950s, Celtic Football Club was trading on memories of a glorious past. Struggling badly on the pitch and under attack off it.
But the introduction of a batch of talented youngsters from both sides of the Irish Sea brought renewed hope and optimism amongst the vast but disillusioned Celtic support that the good times would soon return after more than a decade in the doldrums, including a dreadful flirt with an unspeakable relegation in the immediate post-war years.
Charlie Tully, Bobby Collins, Bertie Peacock, Willie Fernie and Sean Fallon were amongst the latest hopefuls to wear those famous Hoops and live the dreams of thousands across the globe, joining established stars such as Bobby Evans and John McPhail.
In At the end of the storm, the first volume of Celtic in the Fifties, author and historian Matt Corr takes you step-by-step through that period from a Celtic perspective. From the controversial treatment of Tully, which threatened to end the Celtic career of the Irish genius, to the relief of a first major trophy lift in 13 years.
From McPhail’s hat-trick against Rangers in the ‘Danny Kaye final’ to the infamous saga of the ‘second-hand’ St Mungo Cup. This is another remarkable chapter in our incredible story, and it is one for the ages.
Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
FLAGS AND CORONATIONS – Celtic in the Fifties, Volume Two
Flags and Coronations, Celtic in the Fifties Volume Two by Matt Corr. Published by Celtic Star Books. Click on cover to order.
It is the ultimate Celtic ’sliding door’ moment. When a journeyman defender was plucked from the obscurity of non-league football in South Wales to help the struggling Celtic cause in the winter of 1951, no-one in their wildest dreams could have imagined what would follow.
But that man was the incomparable Jock Stein, and under his inspirational leadership the Celts would emerge from the shadow of relegation to secure the iconic Coronation Cup then a first League and Scottish Cup Double in four decades. Stein’s list of teammates reads like a ‘Who’s Who?’ of Celtic greats, evoking memories of a quite wonderful era.
The genius of Charlie Tully, Willie Fernie and Bertie Peacock. The sheer will to win of Bobby Evans and Sean Fallon. The explosive firepower of Bobby Collins, John McPhail and Neil Mochan. It is a cast for the ages.
Of course, being Celtic, jeopardy, heartbreak and tragedy are never far away. From the deaths of young players and old legends to the controversial Eire Flag Crisis which threatened to end the club’s involvement in Scottish football permanently,
In terms of heroes and events which align perfectly with the history of the grand old team, the years following Jock Stein’s arrival at Celtic Park are right up there with the very best of them.
In Flags and Coronations, the second volume of Celtic in the Fifties, author and historian Matt Corr takes you step-by-step through that journey. It is unmissable.
You can pre-order both books now at Celticstarbooks.com – Celtic in the Fifties will be published on Friday 4th September 2026…
NEW BOOK LAUNCH FROM CELTIC STAR BOOKS…Celtic in the Fifties in two volumes, available to pre-order now…
Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr, in two volumes, both published on 4th September 2026 by Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order.