Jay Beatty is a supporter and unofficial mascot of Celtic Football Club. He received worldwide attention thanks to the former Celtic player Giorgios Samaras and became an ambassador for the Celtic F. C. Foundation charity. He has become known as a 'superfan' and receives support and recognition from other football clubs and their fans. On 11 May 2014, he was picked up by Samaras and carried around the pitch in front of 52,400 supporters at Celtic Park. Beatty stayed with Samaras while Samaras gave his interviews, and Beatty lovingly rubbed Samaras' beard. Celtic manager Neil Lennon gave Beatty his League Winners medal. Beatty was born with Down syndrome.
Celtic involvement
In July 2013, before a Champions League qualifier match in Belfast against Cliftonville, Beatty was invited to join Celtic on the team bus after training with them that day. He sang "Hail Hail the Celts are here" with the first team players. In January 2015 Beatty also received a Christmas present from Celtic's opponents Hamilton AcademicalFootball Club, and was invited to watch the two teams play. At half time, he was invited onto the pitch and was given the chance to take a penalty. Beatty scored and celebrated with both sets of fans. Beatty's goal at Hamilton was later included in the SPFL's "Goal of the Month" contest. He received 97% of all votes, beating all the professional players nominated for goals in the same month. He was advised that he had won by Georgios Samaras, via a video link from Saudi Arabia where Samaras currently plays for Al Hilal. On December 23, 2015, he CLreceived a video that included birthday wishes from past and present Celtic players and the Celtic management team of Ronny Deila, John Collins and John Kennedy.
Other recognition
He has had two songs written for and about him, as well as social media pages dedicated to him. "Wee Jay Celtic Bhoy" was written and performed by Jim Scanlon of the Celtic band Charlie and the Bhoys and went into the "Easy Listening Top 100" Charts on iTunes. "Little Jay" was written and performed by Patrick McDaid and reached Number 1 on the same iTunes "Easy Listening " Charts.
Awards
Humanity and Sensitivity Award In a letter to Martin Beatty, the Greek Sports Journalists' Association today said: "This year our association has decided to honour the friendship between your son Jay and George Samaras, for the message of humanity and sensitivity which they sent worldwide. The event was televised live to the Greek nation".
Spirit of Northern Ireland Award Won the 2015 Sunday Life Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards, in association with Specsavers. At a ceremony at the Culloden Hotel, the 11-year-old collected a £1,000 prize which had been donated by Peninsula Care Services. X Factor judge Louis Walsh, together with Specsavers’ Tony McGinn and Sunday Life’s editor presented Jay with the Award.
Crowned Sporting Hero at the Scottish Daily Record Our Heroes Awards. 2015. He was joint winner with Maria Lyle and they were crowned joint Sporting Heroes.
Attended the 67th Grand Gala of El Mundo Deportivo where he accepted the Sports human feat award on behalf of George Samaras.
Appointed an Ambassador for Celtic F.C.
Personal life
Beatty is involved with the Charity Down's & Proud which his parents set up to help educate parents of children with Downs Syndrome in 2013. He lives in County Armagh, Northern Ireland.
