Charities to benefit as Athletic Club honour James Forrest in fantastic testimonial match | OneFootball

The James Forrest Testimonial Committee is delighted to officially announce a fantastic match between Celtic FC and Athletic Club from Bilbao, in honour of a player who has been associated with Celtic for more than 20 years, with the game also forming part of Athletic Club's 125th Anniversary celebrations.

James joined Celtic’s Youth Academy in 2002 and then in 2009 joined the club’s first-team squad. During his time with Celtic he has played a huge role in delivering phenomenal success to the club, lifting 11 league titles, five Scottish cups and five League cups.

He was named the Scottish PFA and Scottish Writers’ Player of the Year in 2019, also receiving both prestigious awards in 2012 as a young player. He was also named the country’s top international young player in 2012 by the Scottish Football Writers’ Association.

James has scored over 100 goals for Celtic, scoring in 14 successive seasons, and only Billy McNeill, Bobby Lennox and Scott Brown have won more medals than James for Celtic Football Club.

CELTIC V ATHLETIC CLUB | TUE, AUG 1 2023

The testimonial match will take place on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, with a 7:30pm kick-off, with James deciding that a significant proportion of funds raised will go two charities, Kilbryde Hospice and Celtic FC Foundation, the charitable arm of Celtic Football Club.

Based in East Kilbride, the Kilbryde Hospice provides palliative care and support to patients and families of patients with life limiting illnesses and Celtic FC Foundation carries out a range of work supporting those in need across society, both domestically and globally.

Celtic has a wonderful connection with Athletic Club, who are currently sitting in seventh position in Spain’s La Liga. Celtic met with the club in a friendly in the Basque city of Bilbao in 2011, and in 2019 Athletic Club kindly awarded their One Club Man Award to Celtic Great Billy McNeill - the award being established with the aim of honouring players whose career with one team represents the values of commitment, loyalty, responsibility, sportsmanship and respect, which embody their identity as a club.

In an emotional ceremony, Lisbon Lion and Celtic great, John Clark travelled to Bilbao to accept the award on behalf of Billy’s family.

Now this great relationship will continue as we recognise the contribution to Celtic by another man who has served his only club with such distinction, and the match is also part of Athletic Club's 125th Anniversary which they are proudly celebrating this year.

Stevie Kilcoyne, Chairman of James’ Testimonial Committee said: “We are delighted to announce this match in tribute to someone who has given so much to Celtic.

“James has been connected to the club for more than 20 years as a young and senior player and has contributed massively to the success of the Celtic first team.

“It is great too that charity will be benefiting from this match, with Kilbryde Hospice and Celtic FC Foundation being supported to carry on their great work.

“We would sincerely like to thank Celtic Football Club for granting James this testimonial match and, of course, we are very grateful to Athletic Club for agreeing to travel to Glasgow to take part in this celebration of one of the club’s most successful players and greatest servants.”

Celtic manager, Ange Postecoglou said: “James has been a hugely important figure to Celtic across so many years, contributing massively to such a sustained period of success for the club and he is really deserving of this great honour.

“Although he has achieved so much he is someone who remains so humble and unassuming, continuing to quietly get on with his job and striving every day to do all he can to bring more and more success to our supporters.

“I am sure this match will be a great occasion for James and the club. It will be our first match back at Celtic Park after the summer break and we hope as many supporters as possible will be able to attend.

“We look forward to welcoming Athletic Club to Glasgow and we are sure they will provide a great test for us, but above all we look forward to a special night, honouring someone who has given us all so much.”

Celtic Chief Executive, Michael Nicholson said: “We were really pleased to grant James this testimonial match, and we wish him and the Committee all the very best for the game, which we are sure will be a wonderful occasion.

“James has committed himself to Celtic and has delivered success after success to our supporters and our club, for which we are all grateful. James could not be more deserving of this honour and I am sure the match will be a great celebration of his Celtic career.”

TICKETS ON SALE TO STH FROM 2PM FRIDAY

The James Forrest Testimonial Committee today announced that tickets will go on sale from 2pm on Friday, May 26, initially to Season Ticket holders looking to secure their own seat for the match.

Tickets will be available to buy online only, priced:

Booking fees apply.

GENERAL SALE FROM 2PM, MONDAY JUNE 12

All remaining tickets for the match will go on general sale from 2pm on Monday, June 12.

MATCHDAY HOSPITALITY

A number of matchday hospitality packages will be available for the fixture and supporters can contact matchdayhospitality@celticfc.co.uk with any enquiries.