Martin Kane
1967 - 2015
A tribute to Martin.
Martin was born in Springburn on December 15, 1967. The second youngest of six kids to Matt and Anne. He trailed behind Carol, Paul, Donna and Mandy and was followed by Roslyn the baby. Growing up he attended St Aloyius primary and All Saints secondary in Barmulloch.
He decided to immigrate to Australia in March 1989. On his arrival Martin worked some crazy jobs including prospecting for gold in the middle of the Gold Fields (Kalgoorlie). Which saw him sleeping in a tent for weeks on end! A few construction sites later he decided the Bush was not his cup of tea and decided to settle back in Perth. He met Carolyn his wife the following year in “Fenians Pub” on St Paddy’s Day and fell in love. They were married within months.
Martin was instrumental in setting up the first Celtic supporters club in Perth. In the early days before mobile phones and internet it was impossible to see any game in Australia. All games had to shipped over on a VHS cassette and were shown a week after the event but even that always drew a fair crowd.
“It’s one of the the most important charities within any football club today.”
– Paul Kane, Martin’s older brother
Martin’s life changed when Sean, his son, was born and a few years later Alanna his daughter. The kids were always his number one priority. He worked hard, raising a family and paying his mortgage like most expats that end up in Perth.
His passion was following Celtic FC and getting involved in the many online message boards, blogs and forums across the internet. Discussing everything and anything about the Bhoys. He was well known in these circles as “KANO”.
His sudden disappearance due to his illness was a mystery to the many people he spoken with all over the world. The support given by the Celtic family globally (which you can read more about here) and The Kano Foundation that followed is testament to people behind it and is one of the the most important charities within any football club today.
Paul Kane, Martin’s older brother.