Celtic fans’ banner from 1892 up for auction
![Owner Thomas Carberry (left) and former owner Jim Mullin (right) with the St Mary's League Brake Banner. Picture: PA](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/legacy_elm_31062719.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65&enable=upscale)
![Owner Thomas Carberry (left) and former owner Jim Mullin (right) with the St Mary's League Brake Banner. Picture: PA](/img/placeholder.png)
The St Mary’s League Brake banner dates to 1892 and is said to be one of the rarest pieces of Celtic memorabilia.
It is believed to be the first of its kind and was carried by supporters travelling from St Mary’s Church in the Calton area of Glasgow to games.
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Hide AdIn the early days of the club, supporters groups were known as brake clubs due to the large horse-drawn wagons they travelled in.
![Picture: PA](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/legacy_elm_31062739.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Picture: PA](/img/placeholder.png)
The wagons could hold 25 people and would travel to matches from areas across Glasgow as well as from Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire, according to historians.
‘Loads of interest’
The centre of the banner has a picture of Tom Maley who played for Celtic for three years from the club’s formation in 1888.
The banner belongs to Thomas Carberry. He had it on display while he owned Bairds Bar in Glasgow and he has now decided to sell it.
“The banner took pride of place in the bar and attracted loads of interest and quite a few bids over the years,” he said.
It is being sold at McTear’s Auctioneers next Tuesday where it is expected to go for between £10,000 and £15,000. The auction house, on the southside of Glasgow, has already had interest from overseas.
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Hide AdBrian Clements from McTear’s said: “Anyone with an interest in rare football memorabilia will be fascinated with the brake banner.
“It is a unique piece of memorabilia that dates back to the earliest days of Celtic Football Club.
“The piece is extremely rare and, as a result, we have already had interest from collectors from across the UK and overseas.”