Allez Les Invincibles

On the eve of Celtic’s trip across the channel to take on Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League, we take a look at the story of the French CSC.

THE French Celtic Supporters’ Club was founded in 1998 as a means to unite several smaller groups based around the country. Much of the early work was done by the late Bill Ford, a uniting figure who brought France’s Celtic supporting community together and ultimately to the club’s home and meeting place at The Harp Bar on the capital’s Boulevard de Clichy.

Closing in on its 20th anniversary, the French CSC’s objective is to unite Celtic supporters in France, whether native or ex-pat, to provide locations where supporters can gather to watch Celtic games and to promote the football club and its values within the country and beyond.

While The Harp Bar in Paris is the HQ of the French CSC, several other smaller branches exist around the nation – most notably at O’Brady’s Bar in Marseille.

The club’s main location at The Harp Bar is now a universally-known destination for Celtic fans passing through France, with hundreds of visitors from all corners of the world having called in over the years to watch the Bhoys alongside the regulars.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s visits to Paris for the 2010 World Cup qualifying play-off against France and the EURO 2016 group match against Sweden brought international press recognition to the bar and the French CSC.

Both owners of the bar over the years have poured themselves into the culture of the club and its supporters, firstly Nils, the Irish-accented Swede, and now Philippe – a young Frenchman with a pint of Guinness and a Harp tattooed on either arm.