It was a time of great excitement for the city, and as a young primary school kid, I got a commemorative cup (that I still have now!) celebrating everything that was great and good about Glasgow in its 800th year.
Now, 50 years on, and having spent my whole life in the Dear Green Place, I am proud to have been born and raised in this city and to have brought my own children up here as well.
And it has been some adventure, both for myself and for the city.
As a youngster growing up, the city was thriving, but the decline of the industries in the 1970s and 1980s saw real social problems grow and issues that a city like Glasgow, which had basked in the glory of the shipbuilding boom, had to face for the first time.
But we did and in 1990 we were awarded the city of culture and saw real development and investment in our city.
And then came the pinnacle, in my opinion, for the city, when we hosted the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
A huge amount of planning was involved and massive investment, which saw the development of the Athletes Village and over 700 new homes for Glasgow, the world-class swimming facilities at Tollcross installed, and the fantastic Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome at the Emirates Arena built.
It was wonderful to see such innovation, excitement, and development.
And it was wonderful to see such civic pride and immense pleasure in those wonderful three weeks in Glasgow as it basked in sunshine and showed the world what it was made of.
Sadly, that was the beginning of the end for Glasgow.
Record decline in investment means that our city has struggled since then.
In the last decade, Glasgow City Council’s budget has been cut by almost half a billion, and boy, does it show.
Now, I will say this once.
I am not talking down Glasgow, I love it.
It’s my home and my city.
And when others drag it down, I will stand up to them.
Our city has never been dirtier – it’s full of rats, and bins are overflowing.
Our education standards are in freefall, our parks are a shambles, and our potholes are even starting to show up on Google Maps.
It’s not on.
The decline is real and it’s a fact.
I will never let the truth be denied by politicians.
Politicians that have failed to get the legacy of the 2014 Commonwealth Games fulfilled are now denying that our city needs a hand.
Politicians that think a ‘spruce up’ is enough for our beautiful, historic city and that it’s OK to dig up half of Sauchiehall Street for two years.
Well, I don’t.
I never have and from that wee boy getting his 800th cup to the man I am now, Glasgow has been in my heart and soul.
I listen to the people, I stand up for the people, and I stand up for my city.
This year and every year.
