 Thursday, May 26, 2005
Risky appointment as Strachan get the keys of the kingdom
I have kept my counsel on Gordon Strachan as his name has littered Celtic Quick News in the past few days. His appointment is an enormous risk, though it could be argued that the same would be true of any candidate.
There is a wee secret in business: when recruiting for a really important position, move mountains to make sure you get the best possible person for the job.
Get someone who would be sought after by all of your competitors. Find out what it will take to get them and do it.
Check their history; speak to lots of people who have worked with them. If they have failed, find out why; though look for many more successes than failures.
There is only one football manager in the world who earns more than £4million per annum, most of the worlds great managers earn significantly less than this. Apart from four managers in England, three in Italy and two in Spain, almost every other manager in the world would be available for the right amount of money.
The right manager makes you money. The right manager might cost you £3million more than an alternative, but he will earn you more and will cut out expensive players sitting in the stand.
When you have identified the right man, make sure you are the last thing he thinks about before he closes his eyes at night and the first thing he things off when he wakes in the morning until he agrees to join you.
Sell yourself to them, let them know your vision and why joining you will be the best move they could make irrespective of the massive pay increase they will get.
I love the way Chelsea go about their business at board level. Last April Peter Kenyon took a lot of flack from Chelsea fans who did not want Claudio Ranieri sacked. He had done well and was in the Champions League semi-final.
This was immaterial to Chelsea. They wanted the best manager available. ‘Got a good guy in place? Don’t care, get the best’.
As it happens I believe their current manager will soon reach his limits and founder, but Chelsea will recognise this and move heaven and earth to get the next ‘best manager in the world’.
The Celtic manager should be an indisputable, irresistible winner.
Martin O’Neill is one of the world’s great football managers. There should be no doubt that O’Neill has had a significant influence in the decision to recruit Gordon Strachan.
He worked with Strachan for the BBC and will be familiar with his football philosophy, which, I am led to believe, is not too far away from his own.
Celtic have offered Strachan only a one-year rolling contract, lessons have been learned from buying out John Barnes contract. They have taken O’Neill’s counsel and tempered it with a short term commitment.
Following O’Neill’s comments about wanting to return to football and his proclaimed total commitment to Celtic, some have already assumed he will be back one day.
What Martin has ahead of him right now cannot be seen past. There will be no private agreements between him and his good friend Dermot Desmond. Gordon Strachan will be given all the resources available at the club to build a team for the next few years.
I spend a lot of time here backing the financial position of the board. We can expect losses for the last six years to reach £40million, a result of expenditure reaching unsustainable heights.
They are clearly not scared of financial speculation, anyone who tells you different does not know what he is talking about – several years of ‘Where does all the money go” in the media seems to have convinced many not to bother looking in the accounts.
This appointment has nothing to do with money, it is simply the case that Dermot Desmond, Peter Lawwell and Martin O’Neill believe Strachan is the best man for the job.
As O’Neill himself said, Desmond got his appointment right and, frankly, what do I know about football management compared to Martin O’Neill.
It pains me when I hear people complain that the Celtic board do not spend enough money, especially when the financial health of our club has been so precarious over the last few years – and all the information is available on the Internet for anyone to read for themselves.
The support I give to the board, however, is nothing compared to the support I will give here to Gordon Strachan, despite my concerns that we should have gone another way.
One thing I know for sure; from this day on he is ‘a Celtic man’.
He will be baited in the same manner every Celtic figure is. His first game, his first defeat, his first Rangers game, the first time he goes a goal down, in fact, the first time a pass goes astray during a preseason friendly, the old ‘Celtic in crises’ clichés will be dusted down.
Be in no doubt, if you have any feeling for Celtic at all you will support Gordon Strachan thought the thin times which will inevitably appear at some point. To do anything less, is to do the work of our opponents.
The best of Celtic luck to you Gordon, I hope Chelsea are pestering the life out of you next May.
214 Comments:
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Think you've succinctly stated the situation. There is absolutely no point now in debating the suitability of Strachan, that MON had a hand in his appointment is certainly a good omen. To expend energy arguing over who might have been the better candidate is pointless. This has been the season of rumours and half truths which some of us seem to have taken gleeful pleasure in spreading. I would rather concentrate on the reality of the situation and deal with any problems if and when they arise.
Mr McCue
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Paul, as you rightly head this up, no matter who we appointed its a risk. Using your business analogy, the financial press is littered with pay off's to the "right man for the job"
The "special one" himself was Bobby Robsons interpreter not so long ago.
Lets give GS the courtesy we would all expect in a new job, a chance.
Taking the positive from previous posters:
a quick appointment by the board,the whole summer to plan and bolster the squad,
a manager who has had the time to look around at players,
a manager who has something to emulate,
a manager with a reputation to build rather than laurels to rest on,
a fanbase that expects success rather than hopes for respectability,
a manager who will expect no less than he gave as a player; 100%
a board that surely knows it will be crucified if they dont back THEIR selection.
When you put these together, the cloud and rain that was appropriate for yesterday may well pass, the sun may shine on paradise sooner than we think.
PS
I know its wrong but some times you can take consolation in those less fortunate, no not the huns( well ok the huns, I mean would you want to look like one)
I am talking about milan, if that was us my head would be in the oven!
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Paul I believe that all Tic fans will get behind him if we get the results. But can you imagine the amount of stick he'll get if we have a bad start to the season and do not qualify for the CL?
The one thing that gets my goat is that GS must have informed his best mate AM who then knew MON was going before we did. Would you put it past AM to leak the story to the NOTW on Sunday which could ultimately only help Rangers win the league?
Sound far fetched? No it does not. Our new manager could possibly unwittingly or not have helped to lose us the league. there you go, conspiricy abounds already.
I grieve for MON and probably will keep doing so until I see the results with hopefully top class signings
NAAS
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Paul,
Apologies for the repetition, but I think this thread is more appropriate for the comments I made earlier:
"GS seems to be starting with a supportive but, at best, lukewarm reception due to his perceived failings as a manager. I must admit that I think he'll do well for us. 2 Coventry season book holders who are colleagues of mine have nothing but good things to say about him, despite getting relegated under his management.
They pointed out that when GS took over at Coventry, their debt was £75M!! When he left, that debt was down to £30M. I know we haven't employed him as an accountant, but it speaks volumes for the constarints under which he was operating due to the profligacy of the previous manger (Ron Atkinson). He was forced to sell all his best players to keep the club solvent. Trying circumstances for anyone to cut their managerial teeth. The fact that he managed to keep them in the EPL for so long is worthy of plaudits.
Strachan has a good eye for players and knows how to spin them for a profit (see Keane, R and Bellamy, C). He is also a very keen and astute observer of the European scene and seems to be one of the few TV pundits who actually talks sense. I can't help but think that GS was approached with MoN's blessing.
One sour note. There is no way that CB will stay with Celtic now that GS is manager. CB was scathing in his critcism of Strachan when he left Coventry (complaining he was constantly played in the wrong position - sound familiar?).
I think wee GS shares many of MoN's traits.
1. He is the master of the media, not their puppet.
2. He is enthusiastic in extremis.
3. He is coming to Celtic with no Euro experience.
4. For the 1st time he is coming to a club with a genuine chance of Championships and Euro football.
He may not be a Celtic man (yet) but given real support and encouragement, maybe he'll become one.
He's got a very large set of boots to fill. I hope the support are patient enough to give him a real chance to do so."
My thanks as always, Paul for your insight and efforts.
Kind Regards
Liam H
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The Gordon Strachan appointment was first rumoured in the close season last year. At that time the story was along the lines that MON was taking some time out and Strachan was taking the helm on a temporary basis. When MON joined the Celtic party on tour in USA, although later, and began the season this story rightly dissolved.
MON now sadly and very reluctantly has to depart at the precise time when planned changes are about to be deployed in view of both the financial and the European qualifying prospect are at a crucial stage…..but wait a minute, if the rumour above was actually an option should MON have taken time off last season and the wee guy who was going to stand in a year ago was still interested and available…see where I’m going
Now reading interviews and articles about Strachan that are around various sites today I noted that among his well quoted quips was a rebuke of one interviewer at Southampton, “….I’m not a manager, I’m a coach….”
Now it’s clear MON is a manager and carries his own coaches, so if MON were to return who would be doing the coaching?
Looking at the coaches and comparing the deficiencies of the team over the last season makes interesting reading.
Terry Genoe Goalkeeper coach, hardly set the fire alight there.
Steve Walford Defensive coach, need I say anything.
John Robertson a wing wizard who’s strength was his crossing ability, another department we need some help.
“will ye no come back again”
The Grassy Knowle
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As a republican (note the small "r") all I can say is the "King is dead, Long Live the King".
I'll be behind Strachan and I hope he will build on the platform that MON has left. Sure we need to rebuild but I'm hoping that Strachan has done his homework and that we will soon be back to playing football the "Glasgow Celtic way".
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Good Morning!
I was going to say that being a Celtic Supporter is a lot of things to a lot of people.Though when back home after a shift at work the FIRST thing i do is to log on to the PC and check out CQN.
Well something is seriously wrong Isn't it ?
Anyway BankieBhoy i wont ask you how your doing Ithink were all in the same boat! THOUGH
"If he is truly a Celtic supporter and understands us how can he believe that we would welcome this appointment and give the board his blessing to appoint him?"
Bit harsh (i think) but Martin has been quoted talking to GS so MON & the board must have been in discussion for a while???
I know i may be castigated here BUT watching the game in the final minutes the players were waved back to defend. If the Defense had moved 20 yards up field i dont think we would be talking about waht happend. When Stan P was injured why was he not moved in field.Why was Beattie not played on the right as he was against the Dons.
" I'll finish off with this - How many of you are confident in our ability to make the Champions League with a guy possessing next to no European experience at the helm?"
How much did MON have before he joined us?
I know were still hurting after Sunday. The hunz in work talk that we bit louder and laugh that we bit louder when the bhoys are near by. You talk about losing the title as the dominant force in Scotland, but they flatter to deceive. Maybe I'm clutching at straws but we gave them the title.
I don't konw what will happen with GS as manager, suffice to say that if we restore normal service WHO will give a toss!
Paul why so dismissive of the Davy Hay? Even if the players turn out to be like the trio we can get shot of them for £££s.
Ps Jackie has to stay !
Seriously need to go to bed the last few days have been hell.
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NAAS, what a post, probably not a grain of truth in it, but you will get a few tongue's wagging.
nice to see the conspiracy theorist's are alive and well.
Have you got any more?
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alright Paul, long time reader,first time poster. The Khing is dead, long live the Khing. Even if we offered wages enough to attract the best managers, would Le Geun and his contempararies accept our 2 million and scrape around for bargain transfers? anyway, the french league have just signed the biggest television deal in the world so, although I'm sure you're correct about us having some cash to splash, he'd have considerably more at Lyon. As you say, the most important thing now is for our support to get behind the wee ginger mentalist. My only reservation is that we have possibly one of the best youth squads in britain, if not europe, and i think its often underestimated in football just how important for a manager to know his players, particularly the youth. by this i mean we really need a member of Wee Gordon's staff to be familiar with the young bhoys, to know for example, that Beattie needs encouragement and a wee arm round the shoulder, whilst McGeady needs a boot up the arse sometimes. the rumours of Mcghee and Steve Wrigley joining us make me wonder if this has been overlooked - there needs to be a member of the first team coaching staff who knows the players inside out.
And having read the highly unlikely rumour on one thread that the great man himself not only reads, but posts on this site, I'd just like to say thanks Martin, for giving us our pride back. I hope the matters that REALLY count resolve themselves. Hopefully, situation permitting, you'll be on call just in case WGS has teething trouble, and needs a hand kicking Jim Traynors fat arse (forget the football, THAT was the ghilight of the past 5 years!).
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Just wanted to add that if I hadn't have rambled on in the post above, I'd have been first on this page. And that MikeW9 beat me to the 'king is dead...' comment while I was typing. If yer no fast yer last, eh?
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Hi Paul,
Long time since my last post. New articles on the site every time I go on, and lots more contributions than in the past, so struggling to find the time to read through everything.
Well a lot has happened in the last few weeks, so apologies for the lengthy post, and also if I’m repeating anything anyone else has said in other posts (will try to catch up!). Unfortunately my scepticism about our title chances turned out to be true (too many defeats and goals conceded). After 1980 counting chickens before they’ve hatched has been avoided by me! Mind you, the way it happened still came as a real shock.
When I first read the rumours about MON leaving I thought maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing (and this was BEFORE Sunday’s game) – maybe a good time to get a new start, clear out some of the players who have done good service (and the ones that have not!), and start afresh. That’s not to say I would ever have asked for him to be sacked though.
Then, after reading your article about all his achievements, and the good times we’ve seen with him at the helm, I thought maybe I’d have liked him to have stayed on, and rebuilt with the money which he has basically earned. I certainly felt bad about him having to leave, and in particular the circumstances around it. I hope things work out well for him and his wife.
Strachan? Well he wouldn’t have been my first choice, but I don’t think Wenger, Mourinho or Capello were knocking on the door. Out of the candidates that we could have (realistically) got he’s probably not that far off the top.
No, he hasn’t won anything yet. But in twelve months time he WILL have. A league championship and at least one cup. Anyway, what had McLeish won three and a half years ago?
Yes, he got Coventry relegated. But I think the key word here is "Coventry". Had he got Man Utd or Arsenal relegated then we might have reason to be worried! Coventry had been fighting relegation every year for as long as I can remember, more often than not only avoiding it on the last day of the season.
He did a decent job at Southampton – and look where they are now. Okay, he doesn’t have any European experience to speak of, and that’s the only real concern for me. But reading that Guardian article that Marzepans posted the link for on the previous topic, he’s obviously a guy that is looking to learn, and not afraid to look at new ideas. Not only looking at methods abroad, but even going outside football and looking at other sports. That can’t be a bad thing. And nobody can doubt his passion.
Let’s give him a chance, eh? Like it or not, he is the manager of our club and deserves our support.
Not too sure if the strawberry picking will be of much use mind you.....
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Hi Paul love the site,going to miss martin big time,He brought pride back to the supporters,never thought id see 25,000 celtic fans here for the manu game,it was as surreal as seville,Martin raised our profile here in North America......Will Peter Lawwell,be playing a larger role in the future?,,will you take some of our questions to the press conferences,all the best keep up the great site.
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As with any new manager, it will take time for him to adapt the team to how he wants it. Im not going to jump on his back too early, because Strachan must have thought long and hard about this decision, as being the manager of CFC is one of the most high pressure jobs in football.
Looking past the Cup final, i wonder if Celtic have got the pre-season tour to America scheduled yet or if thats impossible due to the qualifying for CL? I know Leicester has been lined up, but anyone else at this stage.
These pre-season friendlies should give Strachan a bit of time at least to experiment with the way he wants to play. Also we will be able to see how any new signings , if any ( and no its not Neg Anon here), respond to Strachans managerial style.
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I believe the North American tour will be a non starter, given the 2 qualifiers.
In picking really good people you often see something in an individual that is not obvious or apparent.
I am going to believe that Martin sees something in GS that he believes will make him a winner at Celtic.
Martin is as big a fan of the club as you and me. Surely he would only want the best for the club.
Let's all get 110% behind the new wee man.
One thing is for sure, it will be a new chapter, new players, hopefully a new style and I'm going to be optimistic.
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Greetings, Paul et al,
Wonderful summation of the developing situation, also several pungent points, being made in the process.
The intrinsic effulgence of your immortal soul, radiates grandly and shines through your mortal coil
("Now who was it that said that, boss?") asked Vito.
I just did.
"Seems familiar."
"No more interruptions from you."
Paul, my friend,you are indeed,"a man to ride the
River with..."
Being a fully fledged member of "Let's run it up the Flagpole,guys and see if it Flies",
contingent...... I shall reserve, judgment of the Case In Point.
This is not the time or place, for hasty conjectures or strident speculations.
As Dom would say........
"Waita til' the End!"
No, mon ami,I am more inclined to emulate the action of the Antagonist in the following Parable.
Ready?
"Ready when you are C.B.!" Called Vito,
A New York denizen of the Jewish Faith was visiting Jerusalem.
"Say pal, how long will it take me to get to 'The Wailing Wall' from here?
he asked a passing Israelite.
The man stopped,said not a word, and proceeded to stare at the New Yorker intently.
"Well, how long do you think it would take me get there?" The American insisted, becoming increasing agitated by the Israeli's dilatory demeanor.
The Israeli, did not move a muscle and still proceeded to stare in askance, at the by now enraged American.
Suddenly, the New Yorker, his patience exhausted, could not contain his temper any longer. He brusquely strode past his silent tormentor and hurried swiftly away.
"About 10 minutes!". Yelled, the now smiling Israelite.
On hearing this piece of information,the New Yorker halted in amazement.
He retraced his steps,and once more confronted the now friendly and helpful Israeli.
"Why did you not give me the answer to my question, much sooner?" thundered the puzzled and aggravated American.
"Had to see how fast you walked!"
was the, oh so logical, reply.
En passant,mon ami......... Dear Diane,got it right after all...... ("Hmmmmm.... Very interesting.....!") murmured Vito knowingly.
Fargo.
And Yes, I will be at the Cup-Final.
I gotta get out more often,Getting Cabin Fever.
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Fargo,
Didn't "Diane" say that MON was headed down to the London area for money - an offer he couldn't refuse?
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As someone who has memories of Strachan in my Buckfast fuelled youth , I probably have no nice memories of the then wee nyaff !
However he is now part of the Celtic family and my days on the Bionic Tonic in the past they shall remain .
Still would like to know if he had any competition in his selection process . Always have the feeling that our history of cheap solutions has been found to be a major contributor to our times of crisis .
Agree with the poster on PR . Maybe in this new beginning we could get some flow of information to the fans . As this excellent site shows the word can be spread easier to the faithful here than in the gutter press .
Let the ex nyaff have a chance . Show us the deadwood stage departing with the passengers in residence at CP presently . Show us the new arrivals ready to die fur the jersey . Show me the money ! ( Copyright . J . Maguire . )
We still have dreams and plenty songs to sing . The big cup is still the aim . Never mind anything else , that is the Benchmark . It is our destiny .
Coatbrig Bhoy
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Of course, having spent the last 5 years pestering MON bout when he's leaving Celtic, it's only a matter of time (35 days?) before the stories about him coming back begin.
The appointment of GS (we've got to find better initials that that, they've got a bad association)will make that more likely. He fits the profile of an interim manager more than a top European manager would.
He isn't one of the world's great managers, but neither was MON when he joined us.
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Of course, having spent the last 5 years pestering MON bout when he's leaving Celtic, it's only a matter of time (35 days?) before the stories about him coming back begin.
The appointment of GS (we've got to find better initials that that, they've got a bad association)will make that more likely. He fits the profile of an interim manager more than a top European manager would.
He isn't one of the world's great managers, but neither was MON when he joined us.
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Could someone please hide NAAS keybaord and give him/ her medicine back!
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I am feeling slightly better this morning after reading MON's comments in the Scotsman regarding GS.
WE have to give the man a chance.
For him it is an opportunity that he has to make the most of or his managerial career could be over.
I don't accept that he is similar to MON was before coming to Celic.
MON started making a name for himself at Wycombe, getting them into the English league and promotion the following season too, then leicester winning two cups and another cup final as well as leading them into Europe.
No comparisons there for me, MON had proved himself at different levels and i was delighted when he came to Celtic.
I am sure that GS has a lot to offer, he has been studying the game and the fitness things as mentioned earlier, he has his own ideas and if he can persuade Bellamy to stay then that would be the best possible start.
Given money i am sure he will do well, no particular reasoning for that other than what is stated above, i was one of the first to express my horror on here when i heard the name Strachan.
I have a good feeling about it now and willing to give him my backing as any Celtic manager should get.
Our expectations are very high thanks to MON.
Strachan is a brave man for taking the challenge.
He has enthusiasm and has had a break, he will be coming into it with fresh ideas and wanting to take this chance and try to keep a job he may think himself very fortunate to have, as well as the chance to use his education in the past 15 months to get the best out of the players.
I for one wish him well.
Let's hope for some real excitement in the transfer market before the last day of business and maybe just maybe we will get our very first bosman:)
Tony, Sunny Latvia
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I think it is very unhelpful to our new manager, any future manager and our club in general to speculate about MON returning to Celtic at some point in the future, an extremely unlikely event despite his comments about looking to return to football in the future. The constant speculation about him leaving since he took up post has been unsettling enough. Please can we put a stop to it on this site for starters.
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What I want to know is who did he support as a laddie a boy a wean a youth a young man etc etc etc.
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As far as I kow, Strachan was a hibby, but the matters very little now.
He's the new Gaffer and I will give him my full backing, I'll be the first to admit, he was never my first choice and go as far as saying I didn't want him as the gaffer but I will support him fully as he's now one of us.
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As much as I would have wanted Le Geun, Murinho, Co or even now a Benitez I think even though our profile has been raised in Europe these guys are maybe still out of reach.
Any manager that would be attracted to the job would be taking a step up from his current employment and that always attracts a risk.
The board could have waited and advertised the post then sifted the applications to see who would have applied. That might have thrown up some interesting names or just the usual suspects.
Im going to give the board credit they have picked the only Scottish manager with a high enough profile to do the Celtic job also more importantly they have picked a man who knows what he is letting himself in for.
Nothing will come as a surprise to him.
And they have acted swiftly so the man can hit the ground running.
Anyone with doubts read the Guardian article that is doing the rounds, that’s giving me hope for the future and also im sure next Wednesday when Gordon is paraded at CP his comments will echo for an exciting time ahead.
As Dylan said the times they are a changing
Welcome to the Celtic Family Gordon you have our full support and good luck.
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Of course Strachan gets my support - its a done deal (whatever I may think). I just hope he's ready for the bile from the sectarian media.
As for your post Paul - well you can keep saying how wonderful the board is all you want. Maybe you think if you say it enough it will simply become perceived wisdom.
The board are guilty of gross negligence - simple as that. They have MANUFACTURED accounting losses through the use of odd reserves, they have lied to supporters (see the last share issue), they have damaged MON's legacy with parsimony more extreme than anything I have ever seen.
Even recently - the early season ticket renewals because they knew what was going to happen. I might want us to keep buying the season tickets but once again they treat the support with nothing but contempt.
They have no ambition apart from their own personal gain - as I have outlined in previous posts. They (like Fergus before them) are protecting their investment at cost to all of the support.
Paul you say in your post "They are clearly not scared of financial speculation" - yet Quinn states "we will not speculate to accumulate" - which one is it then?
They have lost my faith completely and unless they get the finger out and show some ambition they will soon feel the wrath of the support - and with Celtic supporters being the cash cow they are - thats something I would take very seriously indeed!
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Agree totally with Bellshill Tim. We have to give GS a chance. My mate is hopeful of a return to some Celtic old style footie with the prizes thrown in. Come on the Bhoys on Saturday. KTF
Ian Old Kilpatrick
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Paul in your post you quoted:
As Martin O'Neill himself said
"Desmond got his appointment right"
"Martin O'Neil believes Strachan is the best man for the job"
However if you read a quote from MON himself in the Scotsman he says also.
I was involved in the process of picking my successor,"
"And a number of names came up. But we thought Gordon was the right choice."
I DON'T KNOW HIM PARTICULARLY WELL, BUT HE WAS AT COVENTRY WHEN I WAS MANAGER AT LEICESTER"
so I know his work as a manager well enough.
That type of comment doesn't instill confidence in the manner he was chosen for the job.
Not saying he isn't the man for the job,as I do.but you must report the facts from both angles.
FARGO,
You up to your old tricks again with "I told you so" via one of your mutiple blogger names(how many is that now,must be close to a dozen)Diane was found out a long time ago(YOU)along with the others, get your act together and show a little respect towards the "Celtic Family" everyone talks about on here.If you have something to say,then say it.
Go on spit it out.
Not enough attention coming your way?
Bobs yer Uncle
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show a bit of respect and you in turn will be given some.
Bobs yer Uncle
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I agree with neg Anon about the early season ticket scheme knowing full well that MON was leaving.
Sure we should support the club and only if we spend money can the club prosper. But the manner in which they are working sometimes leaves a lot to be desired. Not telling the truth comes very close to telling lies in my opinion.
As i said before, it's a thin line between backing the board and getting on their case, a lot will depend on what funds Strachan is given and whether we can keep Bellamy.
Tony, Latvia
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Regarding Bellamy leaving now that GS has taken over, I hear that he would not have been offered a contract, regardless of who was the boss. He was described as an accident waiting to happen and has already wound up a number of senior players (including one who will enjoy a testimonial on Sunday) with his comments on the amount of money that he's making.
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anon 1256am - you are a joke mate. big eck leaked the story to the press about o'neill leaving?
get a grip. dignity is eck's middle name.
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Anon 9.55 - What's his first name? 'No'?
I hope Strachan has players identified already so that by next weekend, we have some solid player news to go on. Maybe he can tempt Niemi up here?
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Paul (and Negative Anon), I'm wondering your take on this. At the end of last season Martin didn't want to continue and had made no preparations for this season. At this time last year I heard the same stories; that MON was for the off and that Strachan would be his succesor (although I choose not to believe).
This leads me to surmise that the board did not sanction a spend last season as the changes at the last minute meant Martin had to work with what he had and he accepted that.
As a result of the above the subsequent signings of Junhino and Camara were hasty and knee jerk. They didn't work and Martin moved quickly to remedy them.
I don't think this is necessarily parsimony but the club was obviously in a state of flux. If this is the case I'm interested to know what both of you would have done differently to prevent this?
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Neg anon - here here, were not all convinced about the performance of this board not by a long shot. They might try to shout you down but this is a democracy we live in well of sorts keep up the good work.
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Paul
I agree with just about everything in your article.
Suppose we've just go to grin and bear it and hope Strachan does the trick.
You are also spot on with regards to the "why don't we spend money" nonsense.
I would point anyone in the direction of our wage bill which at present (although I suspect it may change radically this summer)is not sustainable
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Anon 10.12AM, this is a web board not a democracy and what you have just done is 'shout down' the board without giving a reason.
Tell us your gripe with them and let us know how you would fund your plans. This is what CQN manages to achieve without resorting to non-specific abuse.
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Morning people
Have camed down immensely since news of the departure and appointment.
Liam H, as a Coventry born and based Celt, when was the City debt ever £75m? Yes it temporarily reached over £50m but not that high.Plus, wasn't GS was hounded out by the Sky Blues fans, and remembered by many here as a failure, who lost the support of the players.
BUT enough of my negativity. Today I am going to give the man my support to do the job but it won't be unconditional, like i have with every other signing that Celtic have ever done, including players like Berkovic, when I would argue blind with my old man that he could do a job for us. I pray he brings me the success I hope all Celtic fans want in Europe. The SPL is to me now just a given. I expect us to win it! Arrogant i know as we have no right to but after growing up in the Rangers 9-in-a-row then having MON I demand success. All successful teams demand this, if you don't then simply you will just have to settle on hopefully winning the odd trophy every so often as the team did until my mid 20's and MONs arrival. If we do not see ourselves on the European stage then what is the point?
Watching liverpool last night just made me even more jealous. Yes they were lucky but congratulations to them. That is where i want this club to be and if they can do it with that squad well we have to at least be aiming again for 2nd round of the CL as a minimum of success.
So thanks to the CQN Samaritan Line, I haven't done anything silly except get told off for my face tripping me by the Missis yesterday.
Here's to the Cup on saturday which i will be watching in a pub in Denmark and good luck to GS for next season.
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To every one who is complaining about the board keeping the O’Neil situation quiet until after the season ticket deadline – did you not stop to think that it may have been MON’s choice to wait until after the season was finished before any announcement was made ?
But due to the story breaking in the press they had no option but to end the speculation.
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On early season tickets, I believe what keeps the majority renewing is simply the fear that if you give up your book you wont get it back.
The danger in this is that the moment the majority believe they can pick and choose their games and seasons, a rapid fall off in season books might ensue.
It wont take a mass rebellion, just a small dip in demand.
Ive said before that I feel the fact that the fanbase provides the lions share of the income is our greatest strength.
We are at a crossroads and if the board, as neg anon claims, are filling their pockets at our expense. They could see season books fall off far faster than they imagine.
They must do and be seen to be doing all they can. The first step is better communication.
They have acted quickly in putting GS in place, lets hope a sizeable budget is in place. If not the attraction will go and the fear factor along with it.
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Celtic-Mas-que-un-club it's a good point but either way the paying customers deserve to know what they are paying for.
It's the boards decision to renew the tickets early, all i am saying is that it should have been done with the people spending money knowing what the situation, or if they cannot do that because of the delicacy of the situation then do not bring the renewal dates forward.
I just think it could have been done differently and not leave themselves open to the suggestion that Neg Anon has stated.
Tony, Latvia
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Tony, I take your point on board, but we buy our season tickets year after year not knowing who will be signed, sold or whatever and its fans of all clubs who are in the same boat. It’s an emotional attachment irrespective who the custodian’s are at that point in time. Also if as paul stated in a previous article if the earlier renewal's ensure that their an increase in the budget then i am all for it.
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Maybe we're old fashioned, but my mates, my family and I renew our season tickets because we support Celtic through thick and thin. It's automatic. Some might think we are being gullible but not supporting the team on match days seems to be the worst form of protest.
There has been some talk about the core 16000 or so who were proud to stand by the team in the lean years. Reading some of the comments on here we must have been fools. It's easy to follow a successful club. It also seems easy for some to walk away in the name of protest. However starving the club of funds only justifys a boards lack of investmet. And has been pointed out by Paul and others, this board has invested.
So if waiting for the latest signing or who the manager will be is how you define yourself as a Celtic supporter do us all a favour and find some other bandwagon to jump on.
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DD has given Strachan a complete vote of confidence by say that nobody is looking over his shoulder. (Except for 53,000 season ticket holders.)
Ian Old Kilpatrick
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After watching Liverpool's 2nd half performance last night it reminded me of the type of gutsy attacking football we witnessed from the hoops in the Amsterdam Arena, 6-2 game, on the road to Seville etc. While I'm sad at MON's departure & will never forget him, i feel it's time we strived towards putting a team on the park that will make us feel as good about watching Celtic as it was in MON's early years.
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Big Joe, Says…………
MON was the man, the messiah, a Celtic legend.
He took us from finishing 21 points astern of, TFOD to a European final.
My point is, I cant remember every 1 jumping through hoops, sorry, the first few days after his appointment.
I think GS will be fine, he is a proven manager in the Premiership, lets just see how it all pans out.
Paul you must be on overtime with all the posts, keep up the good work.
Is it true, that MON posts here???
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The die is cast.
I now have great hopes that a new broom/hoe will sweep through the senior team and do the weeding (that's what the hoe is for) that MON was feart to do.
I have always loved GS media skills (anyone that gives the fourth estate a good kicking is okay in my book). I have been negative about him becoming manager but that is changing. Reading a number of his articles shows me he has a 'football brain'. However, the final test is a year from now (treble first year anyone?).
I'll hold judgement just now but give the man my support....afterall he is manager of the world's greatest football club.
CB going after the Final..shame, but the world turns and life goes on.
Celtic Football Club will endure.
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Anon 10-22
Web boards and democracy, what are you saying people have to toe the party line?, to post on here?.
Regarding your snide remarks, re the board, you are happy with their performance over the last five years?.
You are happy with the financial commitment made after the seville run?. You are happy at the state of the facilities outside of the ground?. You are happy with the distribution of funds raised by share issues?. Season ticket renewals?.
It is not my job to put forward plans for funding as you so put it. It is the job of the board. See above for gripes.
Non specific abuse?. Did you just make that up on the spur of the moment, probably.
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Paul,
My thanks to you and, in particular to giggsy14 and Rob71, for reminding me of why I'm a Celtic supporter. (Apropos of us legendary 16,000 remnant, my mate always reckoned it was about 25,000 but that the board issued the lower figure for tax purposes.)
Here's hoping Gordon Strachan comes up trumps. If Liverpool can do it, so can we; not satisfied with YNWA, they're now copying the Huddle!!
Parkheadcumsalford
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Didn't MoN talk about a list of summer signings he had in mind at the last press conference. Will the names have been given to DD with Strachan's consent, i wonder?
It's just that we really need to have our first signing(s) in place within a week of GS' appointment.
on another note: Celtic-Mas-que-un-club, do you mean Celtic-MAIS-que-un-club? (unless i'm wrong and my french is failing me)
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A few wee titbits of information.
Gordon Strachan was approached by Celtic 9 months ago to be on standby to take over from Martin O'Neill, due to personal circumstances. (Those personal circumstances had no right to be aired in the public domain by the Scottish Press).
Make no mistake, Gordon was a Hibee when he was younger, but as many of you will know, his father in law runs a Celtic Supporters bus in the North East, and into a bigger Celtic family he could not have joined.
As many of you will have read Strachan's fantastic articles in the Observer, you will know that over the past year or so he has travelled the world viewing all sorts of coaching methods, not just in Soccer, but also other sports. This mission work has meant that he has been casting his eye for potential targets for when he became a manager again.
He will bring in many of his own players, but sadly as well as it being the end of an era for Martin O'Neill, it will also be the end of an era for many of the players.
Lambert is obviously away, and it now seems that Lennon, Hartson and Thompson will follow suit. Thompson has indeed asked for a move back to the Premiership, where his old club Bolton are keen to resign him. Bellamy will also be heading back down south, and it looks, surprisingly, like Arsenal could pick him up.
So if our squad is breaking up then who will replace them. Apart from the names that I have already mentioned in my articles, that have been watched by the clubs scouting staff on a regular basis add the ones of Robbie Keane, Darren Huckerby and Davie Weir.
I know that the Robbie Keane rumour has circulated since about 1985, but he is set to be Wee Gordon's first signing to show that he means business and get the Celtic fans on his side.
Strachan is keen to bring as many players into the club as possible before pre season training starts in around 5 weeks time. After all, our first competitive match will be in around 7 weeks. Loan signings may also feature, Wayne Bridge is one that is a strong possibility, and he has also dealt with him in his time in England.
Finally, the club were in touch with Mohammed Camara of Burnley, who is holding out for a move to CP, but it is unclear as to whether Strachan wants to follow that one up.
All the best for the Final lads, and hopefully the players can give Martin the send off he deserves.
The Mole
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Annon 12.06 – its not French – so its not failing you J
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I have it on good authority that it was a board member who leaked it to the notw what he had to gain from it I will never know.
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Wee Gord must be helluva brave stepping in to the shoes of MON.
And a one year rolling contract is not short term, it means that either party has to give a notice period of one year. He could be here for many years to come.
I wish him all the best.
Annonimoose
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Baldymeister,
As I said in my post, this is what I was told by the two Coventry season book holders. You may be right regarding the level of debt,I honestly don't know. The following is a link to the 'official' club history, which has the debt figure at £60M but who knows if that's right?
http://www.ccfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ClubHistory/0,,10269,00.html
This also goes on to explain how the club was asset-stripped to reduce the debt while Strachan was in charge.
As you are based in Cov, perhaps you're better placed to judge the mood of the support wrt Strachan. I could only pass on what I was told by two guys who travel to every game. Granted, its not a stastically valid sample size!
Any way round, as manager of Celtic, wee Gordon will get my full support and, if I can manage it, a bit of patience as well, until such time as he demonstrates he deserves neither.
Liam H
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I know that there are people on here who use a nom de plume as a disguise, but does anyone actually know if any of the bloggers are anyone from inside the club?
Certainly, there are two that have posted here in this post that I have serious suspicions to be a former chairman and a senior member of the backroom staff. Both feed a lot of red herrings, but the other information that they give is spot on, from the source that I have at Celtic Park.
Frank McCallum
Stonehaven
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Hi Paul,
GS would not have been my first choice either,agree with your sentiments entirely.
That said he is now GS-Celtic manager,that gains my respect.
I always found his newspaper column very interesting.He proved himself insightful,knowledgeable and a keen student of the game.
He is a man who is deeply interested in systems and how various teams operate.
Probably he could'nt implement or test this knowledge at previous clubs as relegation battles or strict financial inhibited him.
DD has given him full authority to run the club HIS way.
So all his experience could be hugely beneficial to us.
We are giving him the ideal platform in which to realise all his hopes and ambitions.
At Celtic i think you will see the real GS.He is a winner and will be a breath of fresh air to us.
I'm confident he will respect the traditional playing style of the club and give us back exiting,skillful football.
Roll on next season,i can't wait!!!
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Those seemingly transfixed by Gordon Strachan's past should perhaps ask which team Jock Stein supported as a boy. Enough of this nonsense - he's now part of OUR family.
The situation is perhaps similar to that endured by children when their parents split up. Off goes much-loved Daddy - and then mum introduces her new boyfriend to her grieving brood. He could look like Brad Pitt and have the charm of a saint... but those weans would still HATE him, and he'd have a heck of a job convincing them he wasn't a time-waster. And how often would the kids ask mum: "When is Daddy coming back?"
Wee Gord's on a hiding to nothing for the first few months from the press and the cynics within our support. It is up to all of us who truly want to see our club prosper to get behind him from Day 1.
The Mole, you make several interesting points. Bellamy for Arsenal makes sense if Thierry Henry is off. Weir for Celtic may cast dread into some hearts but we certainly need a LEADER at the heart of our defence. Personally, I'm looking forward to young Scott Cuthbert getting his chance.
My apologies to the lads scrounging, er, sorry, looking for tickets but I'll be in Glenties, Donegal, on Saturday, no doubt crying my eyes out and hopefully celebrating at the same time.
The future can wait. Let's give Martin (and Jackie) the mother and father of all send-offs.
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I’m a reader of this site….. a peruser if you will.
I like the tag line ‘Celtic news, not lazy journalism’
But oh dear God, if this guy Paul67 thinks that simply investing copious amounts of time pouring over balance sheets then spinning out any old tosh to fit his latest rant makes him anything but a typical lazy journalist (or in his case a wannabe journalist) he is having a laugh.
For anybody who has a spare 40 minutes, read back on the pronouncements of this Paul67.
Given the track record of pish spewed forth he’s clearly Hugh Keevins in disguise.
Give up the pretence of this site being anything more than just another site for Celtic fans to vent their opinions – not a bad thing I agree – but the pretentious ‘high-brow, hand on chin deep in thought type musings’ Paul67 likes to think he utters is just tosh.
I give you a few examples:
Paul 67 ‘high-brow, hand on chin deep in thought type musings’: Friday, May 20, 2005 ‘I have never heard Martin confirm his plans for next season in such unequivocal terms’
Reality - O’Neill leaves.
Paul 67 ‘high-brow, hand on chin deep in thought type musings’: ‘Renew your season book and apply for a Celtic MasterCard or Apply for a season book (or join the waiting list) and a Celtic MasterCard and win a meal.’
Reality – get yer money in before we tell you MoNs off. You got stitched up there eh Paul67?
Paul 67 ‘high-brow, hand on chin deep in thought type musings’: Wednesday, February 09, 2005 ‘How Celtic can buy their way into England - Our editorial position here is that this will happen, and that Celtic are currently in a position to make it happen by 2007’
Reality – wait and see. But I’d put my mortgage on this being more Paul67 pish.
Paul 67 ‘high-brow, hand on chin deep in thought type musings’: Tuesday, January 25, 2005 ‘So here goes, a wee risk from Celtic Quick News. With only six days to go, Celtic will not only sign players, they will strengthen their team as well, a rarer achievement.’
Reality – Well done Paul67. You have now attained complete pish level!
Paul 67 ‘high-brow, hand on chin deep in thought type musings’: Sunday, October 24, 2004 ‘I know the hard of thinking will accuse me of being Henri Camara's brother for this, but the bhoy is something special.’
Reality – Stick to talking pish about balance sheets as you know F all about football
I’m getting bored of this now – but I leave you to compare, contrast and make sense of the following dribblings from Pau67 – CQNs very own Hugh Keevins:
Thursday, December 23, 2004 This paper exercise might just wipe out our loss this season. In doing so it would reduce our gearing (the ratio of debt to assets) and might just increase our borrowing ability………… which means we can spend more.
Friday, October 08, 2004 I would also like some confirmation/dispute on my belief that we will have a significant transfer budget next summer.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005 Now in our sixth consecutive year of returning a loss, I believe that simply spending more and running up ever higher losses has not been an option.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005 If you have not done so already, get your renewal in. You, me and Martin O’Neill have been waiting on this spend for four years, this is no time to procrastinate.
Monday, April 04, 2005I would like to see them do the same again – present Martin with more than just with one year’s budget in the summer.
Friday, April 01, 2005 It is now clear that Celtic have scope to strengthen the team in the summer
Wednesday, March 16, 2005 The figures clearly show that we will have more money to spend than we have had since 2000. This may turn out to be less than £20million, however, it will be in this magnitude.
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Terrific quality of posters these last few days. Estadio, your poetry is brilliant!!
Following your logic Paul, why didn´t MON move on from Celtic after a couple of seasons? Did he not get better offers? (sounds a bit like Graham Taylor there)
Fortunately economics is not a science and the human factor has to be taken into account. If we measure ourselves against the Abramoviches et al then the game is a bogey.
MON was special because he showed us that you can say NO, that is why he outguessed the media , they have weaned us on the idea that money rules the roost. Football success is not measured in power and money!! Don´t believe the hype!! Denmark in the European championships in 1992 was the big one in my generation. But the 1950 World Cup Final is the most incredible example of all. Celtic´s only chance to make it higher in world soccer is to be different off the park as well as on the park. Of course we cannot be luddite in our approach to the modern economy we live in, but let´s box clever. Let´s start by getting our own sponsor instead of sharing it with a team that makes our lives a misery, when they can get away with it!!
Yes, why not change the name of the stadium as long as it´s a sporting name like the Reebok stadium at Bolton. We WILL still use the names Celtic Park, Parkhead and Paradise. I agree with poster KiwiMick when he says that The Celtic fans in Seville were responsible for a rallying point against "a corporate conglomerate enjoyed only by the rich and the free loaders" The Celtic support can reclaim the game for the people, if we WANT to do it. But maybe the rest of the world is not ready so let´s limit ourselves to building the best team in the world to match our support. Liverpool are a credit to football. It is a club that respects us. The first ever Liverpool team in 1892 consisted of eleven scots..... We know the history...
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Good luck Gordan
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NAAS, I do not expect Strachan will have leaked the story to anyone. Far too shrewd.
Lets hop you are right Liam H
Good on you Mick. I have a pavlovian reaction to the ex-Dunfermline manager that got me into a lot of trouble here last time I discussed it. Promised then to give the guy a break.
Good to hear from you brummiebhoy, maybe you’re right, but I would have had a really good go at it.
Thanks SeattleCelt, not sure Peter Lawwell will become more of a public figure, as far as I can gather he is more the operational head.
Good advice by parable Fargo. Need to go find out what effulgence means now.
Your cousin has been good enough to keep us right on a couple of matters, please pass on my thanks.
Looking forward to the Cup Final myself (sorry, no spares).
As GlassTwoThirdsFull correctly said, might be worth re-visiting one of your earlier tales.
I have my ‘Celtic moving to England’ story all ready for after the Cup Final business is taken care off.
Yes, Gordon was a Hibs fan, and probably still is, so he will hate Rangers almost as much as an Aberdeen player would have back in the 1980’s.
Blowing against the tide, I know Neg Anon, all I can hope to achieve is to make people read the accounts for themselves and come up with their own answers. Much better than taking my word for it, or the word of the press.
Oh, and Quinn has speculated to accumulate – read the accounts, the evidence is all there. Where on earth did you pull the ‘reference’ from?
VargasShampoo, totally disagree, we are in need to the best manager in the world, than anyone and should aim for someone who is in great demand (just as MON was).
MartyBhoy, the board did not have the money to spend last summer. Also, Martin had chased five players who were supposed to come into the first team as Bosmans/loans. The who plan fell apart.
Thanks ghg67
Sing it from the hills Rob71. A great example to all.
Big Joe, who knows for sur |
