Celts eased grief after son's death

Sep 28 2008 By Gavin Berry In Villarreal

CELTIC'S visit to Villarreal will prove an emotional event for one of the Spanish club's biggest fans.

Ernesto Boixader is a familiar name to the Parkhead side after setting up a Celtic Supporters Club in Villarreal.

It was his way of thanking the Hoops fans who helped him fall in love with football again.

A former player for the Yellow Submarine, the tragic death of his seven-year-old son Ernest from cancer left him feeling like life had little meaning.

But shortly after Ernest's death Celtic travelled to Villarreal for the second leg of their UEFA Cup quarter-final in 2004.

And after partying before and after the Spanish side's 2-0 win in El Madrigal, Boixader formed the Celtic Submari CSC which has 600 members and a base which is a shrine to the SPL champions.

Speaking in the bar where the members meet up every Friday, Ernesto said: "I was jumping around my living room when the draw was made.

"I knew it would mean a repeat of the great experience in 2004.

"Back then, I hadn't been to a match since Ernest died.

"Seeing so many Celtic fans on the streets prompted me to go - and I'm glad I did.

"There were maybe 7000 visiting supporters. With that amount of fans you fear danger and confrontation - yet it was the total opposite with Celtic. In the bars they insisted on paying for our drinks - even though they were in our town as our guests.

"After that I set up the Celtic Submari CSC and we now have a waiting list for membership.

"We've made so many friends from Glasgow it's incredible.

"I've been to Parkhead twice and went on the pitch before matches against Motherwell and Hearts - it's Paradise.

"Tuesday night will be hard. I believe Villarreal will win but after that we can all be friends."

Ernesto has helped the town organise a "Celtic Party" with live music, free food and a big screen plus events to raise cash for a cancer charity.

The 44-year-old still can't believe Villarreal are playing in such big European games after his days as a player when only small crowds turned up.

He made 70 appearances when the side were in the Third Division and said: "We are living in a dream. When I played our opponents were Denia - now it's Celtic."