Pubs, Paradise, Potter: Das müsst Ihr über Euren Trip nach Glasgow wissen | OneFootball

Champions League fan stories, presented by GetYourGuide:

There isn’t just huge excitement among fans in Germany as Bayern face Celtic in Wednesday’s Champions League play-off first leg, but also around Scotland. The country has been home to the FC Bayern Scotland fan club since 2015, establishing itself as permanent point of contact for Bayern fans whenever in the UK.

So if you're travelling to Glasgow to cheer on Bayern at Celtic Park, you should definitely take the opportunity to meet the passionate members of the Scottish fan club. We spoke to Craig Mason, the current chairman, and Drew Strachan, the founder, to find out more about the fan club's history and activities in Glasgow.

A story full of passion - from Elgin to Munich

Drew Strachan, the founder of the FC Bayern Scotland fan club, organises a popular barbecue for Bayern fans in his native Scotland once a year.

It all began in 2015, when Drew founded the first official Bayern fan club in Scotland. Based in Elgin, Moray, in the far north of Scotland, Drew not only became a fan of Franz Beckenbauer in the summer of 1977, but also of Bayern as a team. During his time in the military in Bavaria, he fell in love with the region and the club. As chairman of the fan club, he’s organised a now legendary barbecue at his home in Elgin once a year for many years to bring all British Bayern fans together.

The first fan club trips to Munich soon followed. Visits to the spring festival, Bavarian beer and hearty pork knuckles were just as much a part of the programme as cheering on the record champions at the Allianz Arena.

A new chapter begins

Craig Mason (r.) next to his wife Jane and fellow fan club member Mike McPhillips at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

In 2024, Drew handed over the reins of the fan club to Craig Mason, who has since brought a breath of fresh air to the club together with Mike McPhillips. “Drew did a great job, but it became increasingly difficult for him to travel to the games regularly. We are very grateful to him for all the work he has put in over the last 10 years,” says Craig.

Since then, Craig and Mike have expanded the fan club's digital presence, including a new Facebook and WhatsApp group (FC Bayern Scotland Fan Club) to better connect members. The aim is to bring together as many Bayern fans as possible in Scotland and throughout the UK.

The upcoming Champions League clash against Celtic in particular has reignited the enthusiasm. “We've gained a lot of new members in the last few weeks,” says Craig happily. “We hope that our fan club will continue to grow and that we can get even more people excited about Bayern.” On Wednesday, Craig and Mike will be at Celtic Park with at least 14 other fan club members.

Maier, Beckenbauer & Co. – Bayern legends pave the way

Drew Strachan (r.) next to Paul Yates (2nd r.), chairman of the Bayern Munich UK fan club.

Craig, 55, has been an ardent Bayern fan for over 50 years. As early as 1974, he admired goalkeeping legend Sepp Maier after Germany’s World Cup victory and later became a fan of players such as Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Lothar Matthäus, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Müller and Joshua Kimmich. He saw his first match in 1995 in the UEFA Cup tie between Raith Rovers and Bayern, in which Jürgen Klinsmann scored two goals. One of Craig's brothers is a Rovers fan, another roots for Rangers. But Craig's heart beats for Bayern. Since his first visit to the Allianz Arena in 2009, he has travelled to Munich at least twice a year. “As soon as I arrive in Munich, I feel at home. I usually only get that feeling in Glasgow,” says the Brit.

His wife, who is also a Bayern member, has long since caught the Bayern bug. “My favourite moment as a Bayern fan was the 2013 Champions League win at Wembley. We watched the final during a holiday on the Isle of Skye - unforgettable,” says Craig, who was born near Glasgow and now lives in the golfing paradise of Carnoustie by the sea, where he works in the Citizens Advice Bureau.

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How to get to Celtic Park

Celtic Park (go on a stadium tour with GetYourGuide) is located on Janefield Street in Glasgow's East End, about 2.5 miles from the city centre. There are several ways to reach the stadium. The most convenient option is to take the Motherwell train from the main station. After about seven minutes you get off at Dalmarnock Station and reach the stadium after a 10-minute walk. After the game, however, it can take a little longer for the next train to return.

Alternatively, you can also walk if you have a little more time. The route from Glasgow Cross via London Road is around two miles and takes between 40 and 60 minutes, depending on your pace. For a more leisurely journey, you can take the bus. Various services will take you to the vicinity of the stadium in 35 to 40 minutes, from where you still have to walk a short distance.

A quick and flexible option is a taxi. The journey from the city centre costs between £12 and £17, depending on traffic. Please note, however, that taxis cannot travel directly to the stadium on matchdays, so you will still have to walk a short distance. The Glasgow Taxis app makes it easy to book and pay for your journey.

Pubs and food in Glasgow

“Glasgow is probably home to some of the best pubs in the world,” says Craig. The city offers a wide range of options, from traditional Scottish pubs to first-class restaurants and impressive sights. For Bayern fans, the Bavaria Brauhaus on Bothwell Street is a good meeting place. On matchday, members of the FC Bayern Scotland fan club gather in this Bavarian oasis from 2pm. Club colours are also welcome here, which is not the case for all venues. Due to the Celtic/Rangers rivalry, football fans are not allowed in all bars.

Another favourite is the Horseshoe Bar on Drury Lane, which has been around since 1846 and is one of the longest in the UK with its 104-foot-long bar. It offers a great selection of Scottish beers, 11 screens showing live sport and regular karaoke nights. For a more musical and cultural experience, head to Òran Mór on Byres Road in the West End. This venue combines a bar, restaurant and event location. The West Brewery on Glasgow Green is a Scottish brewery with a German influence. Founded by Petra Wetzel from Bavaria, it combines a Scottish heart with a German mind.

For lovers of innovative Scottish cuisine, the Ubiquitous Chip on Ashton Lane is the perfect place. The University Café on Byres Road has a more traditional feel. This institution has been around for over 100 years and offers Scottish-Italian classics (immerse yourself in the world of Scotch whisky and enjoy a guided tour of the Clydeside Distillery followed by a tasting of the finest whiskies with GetYourGuide).

Discover Glasgow's creative side on a guided walk through the city and admire impressive street art by local artists with GetYourGuide: https://fc.bayern/Walking-Tour-Glasgow)

A hint of Harry Potter

If you want to see something of the city, you should explore the West End. Kelvingrove Park and the Botanic Gardens are perfect for a leisurely stroll, while Glasgow University's impressive architecture is reminiscent of Hogwarts Castle from the Harry Potter films. Art lovers will get their money's worth at the Hunterian Art Gallery and the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery. Of particular note is Dalí's famous painting ‘Christ of St John of the Cross’, which is on display in the Kelvingrove Museum.

After the Champions League clash at Celtic Park, Bayern fans can make the pilgrimage back to George Square, the heart of the city. Surrounded by impressive buildings such as the magnificent Town Hall, the numerous bars between Argyll Street and George Square invite you to end the evening in a convivial atmosphere – hopefully with a Bayern win in your bags and (fan club) friends in your arms.

Craig, Drew, it’s great that you have become Bayern fans, and many thanks for all the insider tips. See you in Glasgow!

You can find out more about the stadium and Celtic as a club here:

‘That force isn’t normal’ – what can Bayern expect away at Celtic?

Click here for the official fan info channel of FC Bayern' fan and fan club support! 🔴⚪

You can find more information about your away trip here (in German):

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FC Bayern and its fans travel a lot. In Germany, in Europe, in the world. Matches in Hamburg, Berlin or Leipzig. European matches in Birmingham, Barcelona or Rotterdam. This blog page provides useful and interesting information about FC Bayern's destinations.

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