It was certainly the biggest tie in the Cardiff club's short history, dwarfing their previous foray into Europe, in 1993/94, when they lost 8-0 on aggregate to GKS Katowice of Poland. Qualifying as runners-up to Barry , it is certain that last year's experience taught Inter a great deal, both on the field, where indiscipline led to penalties which saw them concede the opening goals at both Ninian Park and in Glasgow, and off the field, where they have experienced the trauma of organising a large match, including dealing with another club to hire their ground and police restrictions.
Due to an awareness of when, and from whom, tickets would be on sale for the home game, it seemed that a substantial proportion of the Grandstand's Section B was made up of Barry supporters, and upon entering the ground, the newly discovered result from Kyiv (2-0) was being bandied around, and there was a wave of cautious enthusiasm and optimism regarding both our return leg and the game in front of us. Of course, this was to no avail, as just five minutes in, Inter conceeded a penalty, and the rest is history. The hooped masses on the Bob Bank and the Grange End burst into song, flanked by their massive flags, and as a result of some sloppy defending, Inter were three goals down without reply, and any chance of progress was effectively lost.
However, there was still the second leg to play, at Celtic's Parkhead ground, and six Barry supporters ultimately made the trip to Glasgow to watch Inter play. A coach was organised for those interested in traveling, and there were about thirty-five people assembled at Cardiff West services at eight o'clock on the Tuesday morning, the day of the match. A cursory glance at those on the bus revealed the regular Inter supporters, those of us from Barry as well as a motley crew of interested 'others' , many of whom were familiar having traveled on our own supporters' coaches around Wales and Europe.
The atmosphere on the bus was surprisingly relaxed, and the reasonably long journey passed quicker than expected. There seemed a concensus acceptance that Inter were playing for pride and experience rather than any real hope of victory either on the night or in the tie as a whole. While this acceptance of defeat was in many respects depressing, it added to a fairly convivial atmosphere, designed for enjoymeny. Perhaps I had got on the wrong bus, as there was one at the service station which had been heading for 'Shakespeare Country', and now I think of it, it was a bit odd having 'Mercutio' in the programme. Perhaps he was just Celtic's new Italian striker?!
The coach arrived in Glasgow's East End at just before four o'clck, and some fans elected to sit in the Celtic Supporters' Association's own club, on the London Road. Others went off on the two mile walk into the city centre, while others still went to visit the ground, although there was still four hours until kick-off. Those who had elected to stay at the club enjoyed themselves with a combination of the locals' hospitality, the Welsh music being programmed into the jukebox and the television remote control being commandeered to keep an update on the cricket score in that day's Natwest Trophy match in Cardiff.
As time ticked by, we decided to go towards Parkhead, reassured by the news that it was only a "five minute walk" from the club. Arriving at the ground, there was still an hour until kick-off, and so, afterr buying a programme and fanzine from the many salespeople, we chatted to Celtic supporters, fascinated by the appearance of away supporters, and reminiscing about their holidays on Barry Island.
Eventually, though, we went into Parkhead, finding ourselves on the right hand side of the lower tier of the Main Stand and looking out onto a sea of green and white around the ground, more than 41,000 people! With Inter Cabletel's officials sitting in the directors box, there were only a hundred in the Inter section of the ground. Attempting to outsing the home support was difficult, but attempts were made!
The game itself was not that much of a contest, despite valiant efforts from the Cabletel players. Architects of their own downfall, Inter again gave away a cheap penalty early in the match, and a further two goals before half-time which left the Inter contingent fearing the worst. Nevertheless, Marty Ellacott in the Inter goal had a good game, and possibly 'man of the match'. Celtic, however, failed to impress or press home their advantage, scoring twice more in the second half to take the score to 8-0. Although the expected outcome, it was still a disappointment to see Inter beaten by that amount.
Despite the scoreline, both the players and supporters received a standing ovation from Celtic's followers, and were mobbed by Celtic fans on the way out, as they tried to swap scarves and shirts for Inter souvenirs.
Unfortunately, as with Barry at Aberdeen, police regulations meant that the bus was requested to leave immediately after the game, and so the Inter support filed onto the bus as the sun set on Glasgow, as well as upon Inter's European ambitions for 1997. Traveling through the night, we arrived back in Cardiff at just before six o'clock on the Wednesday morning, giving us all day to return home and freshen up before Barry's own European Champions' League qualifying tie with Dynamo Kyiv. Of course, we too were knocked out, but I'm sure that both sides hope that they'll be in the draw again next July.
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This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1998.
This article first published in the Barry Town matchday magazine, v Inter Cabletel, 26.12.1998.
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