 Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Two Match Day Hospitality Prizes to be won by Celtic Quick News readers
Our old friend NeilR, who corresponded daily before emigrating to Chile, was back ‘home’ earlier in the month and treated me to a bit of pre-match hospitality at No. 7 before the Aberdeen game - all free gratis with his Celtic MasterCard points.
A five course lunch before the game (main course of fillet streak with bacon, black pudding and haggis), was followed by a comfy seat to watch Big John stick the ball away.
Oh yes, there was also a free bar - got a lift home that day.
Anyway, why am I boring you with all this? Neil, always one to look for ways of helping Celtic improve its commercial earnings, was digging me up a bit about not having a Celtic MasterCard.
You see I keep on talking about how Celtic should be doing this, or renaming that, to earn a bit of extra cash without reverting to our collective pockets, but I do not have a Celtic MasterCard.
Pre-match lunch at No. 7 is an excellent once a season jolly, and if it brings in more money to the club, then I suppose I should be doing it. With the amount I stick on plastic I will soon get there.
Anyway, I am getting to the point, Neil, sticking to the point of this web site - helping our beloved club - has offered two Celtic Quick News readers Hospitality Pre-match Lunch at No. 7 before a game. To enter this competition all you need to do is one of the following:
1. Renew your season book and apply for a Celtic MasterCard. Or
2. Apply for a season book (or join the waiting list) and a Celtic MasterCard.
This package has been selling for £175 per game, which is just about enough to cover the bar bill of a quite North Stand resident let loose in the sweetie shop for a day.
As we all know, we are being held back by our low non-match-day income. There is no point waiting on Celtic to fix this, after all, it is our club, no-one else’s.
The competition will close on the 31st May, though if you have a season book you only have until this Friday to renew. You can renew on the Celtic web site, or by calling 0870 060 1888.
You should have a MasterCard application form with your season book renewal, if not you can apply on the Celtic MasterCard web site or by calling 0800 028 2440.
To enter, send an email to 1967@lisbonlions.com with the subject 'Hospitality Competition' and stating your name. Verification of your applications will be required before the prize will be confirmed.
I know, I know, shamelessly trying to bring commercial income into the club, where will we end-up if this kind of nonsense takes off, England? (Ed. shhh, that is the next article).
153 Comments:
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Paul,
I have only read the first 2 paras so far and need to ask the question.
Are you David Murray?
;-)kidding.
No, I read the first 2 chapters and thought straight away ""He's ripping the "Ewan Cameron"(rhyming slang) out of "Jabba The Hut"(lookalikey) here."
The other person I feel who is mainly getting the "Ewan" ripped out of them, is the dark nemesis - David Mordor.
DD's latest comments have attracted unbelievable spin from the scribes...
"DD forced into financing Celtic to the tune of £15M, as banks close in on the club in debt", or words to that effect. I can't recall who printed this story, but it is an absolute "Ewen" take from DD to DM(ordor).{remember last summer.......}
Now this is where I start to struggle?
Are these well paid journalists really so thick to write this stuff, or are THEY taking the "Ewen", and therefore presenting us with the double whammy?
Or,
Do they know a more believeable version of what is happening, and so believe that keeping it real close to their chest {and all knowledge of this blog, ;-)}, they will GET THAT SCOOP (as soon as they have the balls to print it!).
Or I ask again. Are they really that thick?
I'm away back to read the rest of your article now.
duc
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What a shameless attempt @ capitalism? It saddens me to see such an erudite media such as CQN sleek to such depths!
It was pushing commercialism enough to promote early renewal of season tickets, given the backdrop of such a difficult footballing season, married to the lack of player investment of recent years, but to transfer the in your face matchday experience at Celtic Park of those smiley wee souls punting Celtic MasterCard with their clipboards to hand from the stadium concourse to CQN is just not on!!
Pauk67, methinks you have outed yourself once & forall in the light of recent comments.
What was & can still be a really positive vehicle for Celtic "Supporters" seems to have sold out!!!!!!!!!!
Shame on you
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Finished.
First thoughts are that,
1. you will get a lot of backing from this article through inevitable postings and participation in the competition, from regular contributors and occasional visitors.
2. some posters will inevitably get on your case and the accusations that you are a puppet of the board will commence again.
I know from reading your posts for the best part of a year, that you can handle any criticism that comes your way.
I hope such criticism is in the minority, and that the readers realise what you are trying to do, is solely for the good of Celtic Football Club.
duc
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This is going to be a real interesting blog.
morethanjustaclub 1
apologists 0
ImAlanRoughsittingonthefencesomyvotedisnaecountCSC :sticks tongue out:
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that does it paul, i've got to say something.I strongly advise you to desist from posts of this nature if you want to preserve the the integrity of this site and keep some kind of balance inherent. Why?............well I dont want to go to deeply into the base tenets and structure of democracy in the modern world but the introduction of blatant commercialism into your "BLOGG" makes it entirley clear where your coming from and what you(or who)your bidding represents. I come to this site to get away from this, but i am forced to comment. Normally I only read, reading this site usually adds another prespective to my own thoughts on various issues concerning celtic and I'm sorry to say this may be my first and last post unless you can convince me unequivocably that you will restore the the "blogg" atmosphere to the site. In fact you might even lose me as a reader and I suspect a few others. Tread wearily mate.
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I truly believe that Martin O'Neil will be the Celtic Manager for another 5 years. If he was to leave Celtic, I believe he would walk away from the club and football, for a minimum 2 years.
I also do not foresee the board excusing Martin from his contract in the next 5 years, as I believe he will continue to deliver success to the fans in this period.
I look forward to the next stage of the modernisation of football as we know it, and I'm happy that Celtic Football Club are going to be a part of the imminent odyssey.
I'm backing the apologists!
And do you know why?
Because I believe in what the board are doing. Fergus started the revolution, and the current board are continuing to lead us on the correct path.
You doubters should trust the people in charge of our club. This is the most successful time we have had for years and I want them to continue.
I believe DD, C, BFox et al are ready to bury DM and his arrogant bigoted club, and at the same time distance ourselves from THEM in more ways than one.
Keep the faith,
duc
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morethanjustaclub's 2
apologist's 1
Alan Rough's scorecard.
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How would the morethanjustaclubs' feel about Sutton, Hartson, Thommo and Lennon leaving this summer?
>> 1. Would you welcome this news or blame Martin and the Board?
or
2. Would you find this the last straw for Martin and the Board?
or
3. None of the above - I have my own opinion of this scenario, which I will post forthwith.
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I would like to think that our scouting department are ready to prove their worth very shortly when Martin enters the transfer market. Five years has been a long time for Tom to come up with the goods, but let's believe that that has been his remit for the past few years, and his expertise is now going to be put to good use.
A few middle aged seasoned profesionals and a couple of highly priced well scouted young twenty somethings will do me this summer.
Bellamy will be the cherry on the cake.
duc
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Before I sign of to the land of nod...
Bobo Balde's contract?
Could it be possible that Martin took Bobo aside at the end of the transfer window in January and told him this;
"Bobo, if you sign this 4 year extension, I promise you that come the summer, there is no way you will want to leave this club.
If you do want to leave come July 1st, I will let you go for nothing and you can write that into your new contract.
If, come July 1st, you still think that Middlesboro is the place you want to play your football, I give you my word that I will not stand in your way, and your clause will kick in"
duc
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Paul,your true colours are starting to come out as clear as day.
I noticed in a recent post when asked about the share issue all you really had to say was I'm not allowed to say at the moment, so who is not allowing you to say anything?We will not be taken for fouls.If we wanted a Celtic credit card we would have stopped outside Parkhead and filled in a form,same with the season ticket renewals,will be done in our own good time,you seem to be pushing this season ticket renewal and the buying of shares mighty hard.You are a lot closer to the men in suits than you are letting on.
"Only a North stand punter" we get the message no need to repeat this continually.
No,I'm not a hun before anyone asks.
Orwell84
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morethanjustaclub's 3
apologist's 1
that's if Orwel84's post is a one of and not one of those made previous.
this is hard. think i will stop this poll now. anybody want to take up the scoring?
Alan Rough.
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The Mastercard arena?.
To the tune of the maley song.
To get into debt the glasgow celtic way - Ohh they gave us 18 percent and how to get into debt another way, they gave us celtic tv, setanta and a trip down bankrupt way - and soon the pay per view will put us on the brew and get into debt the glasgow celtic way
Ohh they gave us 18 percent and some mastercard points every day,
they gave us debt management but oor hooses were still taken away
- and as per its the punters who always pay -
Ohh they gave us 18 percent for the players and board to live a certain way ,they gave us more misery and now we have to pray
and most of the timaloy are now down the pawn shop
to pay their debts the celtic mstercard wayyyyyyyyyy.
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When they hassle you with the boards just say 2 words second ones aff and let them put the first word to it.
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I was at Henks last league game v Dundee utd courtesy of accumulating 5000 points on Celtic's mastercard.
Fantastic end of season treat and a genuine credit card incentive scheme.
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How much more money do they expect to suck us fans dry for?We are already above the average fan when it comes to paying money into the club compared to most other European teams.
Time the board got their thinking caps on and did a bit of raising capital on their own,how about an ice cream van run?A bingo hall?
When we the average fan puts a lot of money into shares(for the small salaries we get on average against DDs millions)what happened?The share price dropped like a lead balloon.When the real money men arrive on the scene and buy big along with DD & friends,there is only one way the shares will go and that is sky high.I'm with you all the way Negative Anon.
Now why didn't our Irish friends buy shares a few years back,(when needed most to continue the level of Seville era)'cos they new what way the prices were going at CP.
Usual,get all the money off the fans then tell them what they are going to do with it,that way they don't have to lie about building youth camps before hand.We don't have a first team training ground never mind a "youth camp" Can't use the training ground excuse,they have used that one too, a bit of spin and the money is for Youth,why have youth if you don't play any of them?
Never ever cross their minds to tell us a few weeks before renewals?
Sorry they have already done this too,running out of ideas of how to screw the fan.Get off your lazy arses and get some investment into Celtic on your own.
Anon 6.34
Very well put together but I think your version is a lot better,it strikes at the very heart of what is going on.
Why don't Celtic just put up three big balls up above the main stand as sponsors as the board is ripping US off anyway not Celtic(one in the same)
Time to keep the money at CP and not get flogged doon the Barras for a song.
passionate fan
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Terry,how much interest did you pay on your credit card over the space of a year?You could be one of the very lucky people that pays all your balance before the 30 days and have no interest.One of my interest payments alone would have bought a season ticket,free? nothings free in life,if your not paying it,I'm paying it,the board aren't paying it.
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Great reaction guys.
The opportunity to get something back for basically doing what you were planning to do, renew your season ticket and then look at a credit card (most of us will have one already) and consider the benefits compared to the one you currently have.
It's a free choice, you do not suddenly lose the right to your seat if you choose not to do it.
We want better players and a bigger stage to play on and yet some are not prepared to even consider options for bringing in extra finance.
Crack on Paul great job.
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Paul,
I wholeheartedly agree that the Mastercard (MBNA) Celtic card is a great way to both give something to, and get something from, the club. I've had my Celtic card for a year now and was able to treat myself and the wife to the No7 feast (I had the steak and black pudding as well, you're obviously a man of discerning taste). A free bar and the chance to chat to Tom Boyd, George McCluskey etc. Unfortunately, it was the 0-2 Hearts game, which took the shine off the occasion.
This card is a win-win. I even transferred all my direct debits to it, as this keeps the points rolling in. The club makes money and we get freebie days out, happiness all round.
One word of caution, though. IF (deliberate big IF) you are able to clear your balance each month, this is a great card to have, if you can't, there are better cards on the market in terms of interest charges.
(see moneysavingexpert.com).
Keep spreading the good word
Liam H
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There have been a lot of people on this site waiting to take a run at Celtic quick news in recent weeks. I wasn't one of them but this latest "offer" is absolutely disgusting.
It will also question just how objective Paul can be.
Paul - how much commission are you on?
Sadly Celtic Quick news looks like going the same way as previous fansites.
Matt Mcglone sold out, John Cole and bhoyzone sold out, Etims sold out....and now Celtic Quick.
Celtic Quick Buck.
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Anon 8.46
You posted 'It will also question just how objective Paul can be'
You need to explain that one to me.
Sorry mate, I don't see how suggesting ways to help our club is in some way 'selling out'.
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I'm a bit confused about all the hand-wringing going on here. If you want the card, get it. If you don't don't! Not difficult is it?
If you already own a (non-celtic) card and can afford to pay off your balance each month, why not change? It is not Celtic "sucking more money from the fans" it is an offer, no more, no less.
Honestly, from some of the comments on here you'd think people were frogmarched into the superstore to buy shirts, mugs etc. I wonder if these are the same supporters who demand that millions are spent every year and who are not going to renew their books because they've spat the dummy?
The Alan Rough Scorecard?
Morethanjustaclub's 0
Morethanjustaclub'sbutwantsomefinancialsense 500
C1888
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Hi Paul,
Stick to the blogging, most of us know about the Celtic Mastercard being season ticket holders, having visited the Celtic website or having visited various stores. There are many ways these are advertised and i'm sure there are specific people responsible for the sale of these particular products. Stick to what you are appreciated for - your non commercial CQN blogging website.
cheers
Freddiebhoy
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Astonishing Paul67 that you have gone down this road. There is a time and a place for things. Have you lost your marbles ?
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Mmmmm. Interesting. Having a credit card does not equal financial irresposibility.
You have your choice of credit cards with benefits for an organisation. Many 'charity' cards, many for sporting clubs etc. Is the point of earlier posters that we should not be doing this at all-when every other major club is doing it?Or....
is it that Paul shouldn't be 'encouraging' people to get into debt? Frankly, the notion that it is the latter is ridiculous. If you are going to be irresponsible with credit then that is your look out.Or don't we have free will any more? Yes, there are issues with banks giving cedit too easily. So for the sake of CQN readers who don't what happens with credit cards here is the health warning:-
YOU ARE CHARGED INTEREST IF YOU DON'T PAY THE BALANCE IN FULL EACH MONTH. IF YOU PAY ONLY THE MINIMUM PAYMENT EACH MONTH IT MIGHT TAKE A HELLUVA LONG TIME(I.E. FOREVER) TO PAY THE THING OFF. IF YOU DON'T FANCY THAT DON'T GET ONE AT ALL, NEVER MIND ONE THAT WILL BENEFIT THE TEAM YOU SUPPORT.
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The dominie,
I questioned his objectivity because as soon as Paul is privvy to information that ordinary supporters aren't then he is no longer one of us.
Sometimes this will be good as he'll be able to provide information he would be able to do otherwise.
However it's also possible that the board use him to their advantage. For example let's say their is not substantial investment in the team this summer. Paul might say but there are things you don't know about but it's the correct way to go....I see someone has alluded to this above.
The mastercard add and the line
"As we all know, we are being held back by our low non-match-day income. There is no point waiting on Celtic to fix this, after all, it is our club, no-one else’s. "
No point on waiting for the club to fix it?????
Anyway I'm just going to finish reading the Brother Walfrid booklet. I wonder what he'd make of it all.
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Paul - I think some of the boys like this site because it gets us all away from the corporate world we work in, that's maybe why there's a backlash to your post. Personally it doesn't appeal to me either & i don't think it's suitable for the site, but what's wrong with a polite 'no' rather than all the aggression from anonymous posters. I wouldn't take it to heart, but at the same time you don't want folk coming on & selling Golf Shoes , Sky Dishes, Ford Capri's etc - if you know what i mean.
Anyways - Lambert getting the Livingston job doesn't sit well with me at all. Basically in the final year of his Celtic Contract we paid him £30 grand a week to be trained as a Coach in Germany. Lambert has been a big player for Celtic & i wish him every success, but it really riles me especially as many punters make big financial sacrifices for Celtic.
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Really cannot see what the fuss is about! I am not a lover of credit cards and choose not to use them. If I did, then why not use one that would bring some benefit to the club at no extra cost to me? And if you are going to renew your season book...
Paul, you have been accused of showing your true colours. Well, the only colours I can see are green and white (hoops!) to the core. You have also been accused (recently and in the past) of being a mouthpiece for the Board. I don't believe it, but if it were to be true then at least somebody in a seat of power and influence at Celtic Park is talking some sense these days (unlike the dark, misguided days of the Kellys, Grants, Whites etc)!! Keep up the good work.
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Ah Paul
Rather disappointing. I wouldn't dare impugn your integrity. I'm fairly content that you're not a stooge of the board and the morals of credit cards are a mystery to me. But this stunt was a little crass. The negative reaction was predictable (why didn't you see it coming) and serves to divide at a time we should unite.
Don't undermine previous godd work.
The Doc
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I don't have a problem with the Lambert thing purely from the point of view that clearly he is not ready for a job the size of Celtic so why not let him take the reigns at a club where he can learn his trade? There have been calls recently for the likes of McGeady to be loaned out to a smaller club to get the week in week out match experience. Isn't this the same? I know the argument is still there that Lambert will no longer be contracted to Celtic but how do you know there isn't a gentleman's agreement that if ready he will be offerred a job at Celtic in a few years time. In fact I would be surprised if there isn't.
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Paul, I read your latest post with dismay. I thought that all the people who stated that you were a mouthpiece for the board were wrong.
I still think that they are wrong, but I think that your latest offering, albeit done with the best intentions is ill advised. Stick to the football please, advertising for credit cards hopefully aren’t the way forward. I understand that the club receive finance for this type of thing- we pay more than enough – end of story !!
Paul Lambert – you’re having a laugh surely. As posted previously – I was happy with Lambert doing the coaching and remaining on the wage bill as I believed that his experience would be used coaching the Celtic youths – how wrong could I be the first opportunity he is off, a slap in the face for the fans and he has gone done in my estimations considerably.
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why don't you just redirect your site to www.celticfc.net, and be done with it?
what's next, a free CQN keyring for anyone who signs up for Celtic Replay.
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Shock horror, why didn’t I see it coming GingerDoc?
Absolutely did see it coming, and this is the point:
As far as I am concerned Celtic is my club, not Dermot Desmond’s or Brian Quinn’s, mine. And it is in my interests to look after it.
If you have happy to leave the responsibility of pushing Celtic forward in the hands of the board go ahead. I am not.
As far as I see it, it is my job to develop the club as best I can, and I believe we all share the same responsibility.
“Ask not what Celtic can do for you…..”
We, as a support, need more creative thinking, not less, or we will become limited to the abilities of a small number of suited men.
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I would like to apply to get points to use for the benifit of myself. I am one of those lucky souls who pays off the full balance every month, with a monthly credit card spend of about £400. I cannot on the online application see how much I need to spend to collect points, i.e., is it 1 point for every £1 spent. The benifits are as follows:
Earn points towards Celtic Rewards** every time you make card purchases with your Celtic MasterCard!
Tier 1 - 750 Points
Celtic Merchandise 15% discount voucher
Celtic Replay - 1 month's free subscription
Tier 2 - 1500 points
Matchday programme - 1 month's free subscription
Celtic Visitor Centre - 2 for the price of 1
Signed photo
Tier 3 - 2500 Points
Celtic World Huddle - Select membership
Pre-season friendly tickets - 2 for the price of 1
Domestic Cup Tickets - 2 for the price of 1
Tier 4 - 3500 points
Signed Football
European Match Tickets - 2 for the price of 1
Tier 5 - 5000 Points
Signed Shirt
Reporter for the day
VIP Matchday Hospitality for Two
Closed Training Sessions
Official Club Photographer
Tier 6 - 6000 points
Lunch with The Manager/Celtic Icons
It says I will get details after I apply - well I want to know upfront what I would be signing on for !!
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I already have the card and have submitted my season book renewal. Do I get entered into the draw?
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Guys, i think that if the majority of people do not like this way of Paul trying to promote the club as "our Club", then instead of accusations of him selling out maybe you should think of better alternatives to getting more cash into the club.
We complain at watching poor performances from tired old legs, but if we as a Club do not earn more money then MON as no alternative to offer those who have done the business longer contracts.
It is after all our club, there was someone in the last post suggesting that we get all 9 million Celtic supporters to chip in 20 quid each for the purchase of players. In my mind i see no real difference, Paul is thinking how to help Celtic...our club!
I don't believe Paul is selling out, it's our friend Neil R who is putting the money up for the day out, we need some perspective here!
I think if we truly believe it is our club then lets think of how we can help.
I know that a lot of people spend a great deal of money on strips, season tickets and many other things that put cash into Celtic.
Many of us supporters who are not living and working in Scotland do not have that opportunity,but we would love to be able to help out more because we love the club.
I do not think we will be short of season ticket holders after the summer signings and the overseas supporters will not have contributed to that, it does not mean that we would be adverse to contributing in some way.
Anyone got any ideas how we could do this?
Regarding Lambert going to Livi, maybe it will prove good for us in the long run, if he is a success then he may well be the future manager of Celtic.
Regarding the EPL, would we rather see us competing with Barcelona for the likes of Van Bommel than competeing with Wigan or West Brom for an English first division player? We should go there if we get the opportunity, we may not win the league every year but we would still be a major force in Europe and a better team to watch, and instead of waiting to the 31st day of every transfer window we would be one of the first to be buying players of quality we can only dream about at the moment.
Time to ask ourselves better questions that ridiculing those who genuinely want to help and improve the present and future of "our Club"
Tony, Latvia
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Guys,
For all you celts backing up Paul, I ask you this question, What does he want us yo invest in season tickets and mastercards when the board refuses to tell us what our money will be spent on? Is this unreasonable?
Also why will no one tell us for certain if a share issue is being raised and of this money, what is going to buying players (not paying them)?
I bet DD denies there was ever a share issue, the day after the season book renewals and when he is well on his way to another 10% dividend!
I also ask these idiots who ask us to trust this board, to breach themselves for more disaapointment this summer.
By the way I see Jock Brown was showing his true colours at the weekend, an ex celtic whatever he was, another great apppointment by one of our recent boards!
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Aren't you obliged to mention interest rates here Paul67? Surely you should, at the very least, be telling people what the APR is because some people will be happy to buy anything with Celtic's name on it regardless of the consequences.
A polo shirt is 3 quid. A polo shirt with a Celtic badge is, what? 18 quid? Yes, we buy this because we want to wear the colours, but apart from a free lunch (and we all know there is no such thing) what benefits are there to getting into more debt than is necessary?
As for the ETims selling out comment by one of the posters, would you care to elaborate?
TC67
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CQN FINANCIAL SERVICES
Disgraceful, Shameless, nothing more than an exploitation of your ability to draw the attention of a section of the celtic support. Shame on you.
This is absolute confirmation to me that this board is full of big jocks who are better suited to the confides of your golf clubs and discussing your expense accounts and which local authority gravy train you are going to plunder next,what financial qualifications do you hold ? for you to encourage supporters to take up a credit card with a near interest rate of 16%, this is i think wholly irasponable.
Celtic Football Club would be better off rewarding there bread and butter season ticket holders for there faith to the club with rewards opposed to a select band of prawn sandwich eating big jocks who would not have been able to find celtic park 10 years ago.
Keepin it Real in the North Stand Lower- Section 101 CSC ( formally known as Guus Hiddink CSC)
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On a different note, we have successfully got Mcleish and Fudgeson to the top of the table on www.punchacelwb.com let`s al work on ricksen he`s currently 19th let`s get him in the top 3
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sorry that should be www.punchaceleb.com
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What a load of guff I've read here from sanctimonious pseudo-socialists who would rather our club was a withering, third-rate outfit strangled by unmanageable debts in a decaying stadium. Face it guys, Celtic is a public limited company with directors, shareholders and annual accounts. They're looking to make profits - the difference being that whatever surplus is made goes towards improving the football team we all love. Just consider how far we've come in the last 10 years in terms of stadium, turnover, annual football budget and trophies won. Just compare 1995 to 2005 with the previous decade.
So where do we go from here? We all want the team to compete at the very top in Europe, but to do that the manager needs more cash to fund transfers and pay ridiculous salaries to attract players of a sufficient calibre. To increase his budget, the manager needs the plc to be more successful. For that to happen, the company needs its customers (US!) to maintain or even increase their revenue streams. The club's corporate sponsorship has mushroomed in recent years and certain much-maligned figures have greatly increased their investments. But how do WE help?
Season tickets are an obvious first step. Do we not renew them as a protest about the amount of money MON is receiving? A tad self-defeating, no? Buying club products also helps. But no one is forcing us.
Almost all of us have a credit card. So why not have one that gives SOME help to our club? Again, no one is twisting our arms up our backs.
Paul67 simply chose to introduce a kind offer of hospitality by encouraging more fans to back the club in a practical way. If that's selling out, then I bet even MON wishes more of us would do the same. Our genial host simply introduces a topic and lets the rest of us ramble on about it for a while. Then he posts another, and we all gibber away again. As far as I can see, there is no censorship or visits from the thought police.
As George Galloway would say, it seems some people have taken this chance to kick Paul in the bona fides. Given the amount of time he puts into this site for no return (spot any advertising?) I feel that is grossly unfair.
Now let's all get back to waffling on about four titles in five years.
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Paul,
Where is the 'creative thinking' in plugging the Celtic Mastercard. I thought re-naming the stadium was an idea worth considering to boost income. Its the right commercial people you require at Celtic park not fleecing the the already fleeced. Oh and by the way who do you think they will want to buy shares in the new issue - you guessed it - the fleeced. I'm afraid i can only afford to give so much to Celtic (so my wife and kids have told me).
cheers
Freddiebhoy
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The least Lambert could do to repay celtic is take fernandez off our hands we might be able to use livvi to loan players out for a season those on the fringes.
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Hey guys we all seem a bit on edge this morning...must be the nerves!!
Paul67, It's your site and it is the success it is because of you. Go your own way and dont mind these downcasts.
And to the downcasts, it's simple either DONT enter the competition OR Dont read the site.
We all appreciate that we are paying a lot of money into the club but at the end of the day we have a choice. Dont we!!!???
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Before everyone lambasts Lambert remember he stated that he would stay fit and be ready to be recalled at any time, which he did.
Lambert in addition also played with the under 21s at playing fields and broadwood etc.
His experience and knowelege passed on to them will be invaluable in the future. Also consider he might be a manager of celtic in the future .
I for one wish him all the best.
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Anyone else think Paul Lambert`s timing is all wrong? He could have waited till after the cup final or at least wait till monday. I know he doesn`t get a game but he`s still the club captain and after all the club has done for him this season i think the least he could have done was wait till at least the Motherwell game was over and done with.
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well the moral majority certainly got out their beds early this morning.
Why does paul want us to invest in season books and mastercards (how do you invest in a mastercard?)
Answer= generate more cash = invest in players.
Getting into more debt than necessary? you would think that celtic have just invented this evil plastic known as the credit card.
Idiots who trust the board? would that be the same boards stewardship which has seen the most succesful celtic in 30 years.
Mud slinging is easy, come up with a credible alternative and maybe I will listen!
On DD and his 10%, of course I would rather he took nothing but mental millionares are thin on the ground.
Businessmen want and need a return. 10 % return on your money aint all that for £10 million investment with no capital guarantee.
To the we pay more than enough gang, keep your hand in your pocket but dont bitch and whine when there is no investment in the team.
Who do we expect to stump up the cash for what after all is our club.
If you want it to be the board/venture capatilist, then we really lose any control we have ever had.
If we go into major debt we are playing fast and loose with our future.
We bemoan the fact that the majority of our funding comes from the fans, this is our greatest strength, this makes it our club and gives us a say over its future.
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Long time reader- first time poster.
I cannot believe the criticism being directed at Paul67. Personally , I won't be getting a Celtic credit card, but I see nothing wrong with suggesting I go out and get one. As pro Paul67 posters have pointed out- everyone wins with the credit card (as long as you are able to pay the card off in full each and every month- if you can't- you shouldn't have a credit card in the first place), Celtic get a premium and you collect points get you some impressive sounding awards.
Keep up the great work Paul.
Hail Hail
GingerAvenger
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Nothing wrong with promoting such a scheme especially when you`re given a full explantion on how it benefits OUR club.
It is becoming more and more apparent that this site could be a great link between the supporters and the men at the top.
Keep up the good work, enjoying every article
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Well Paul you certainly let off a stinker with this one.
I for one was a bit annoyed by the post but rather than put my fingers to the keyboard and vent my anger straight away,I decided to have a cup of tea and watch breakfast tv for a while.
The way I see it is,if you still had no direct contact with the club in the last few weeks then I guess you might not have had as many "in with the board" theories but I'm sure you would have still had a few.
But now that some fans think you have a foot in the door all of a sudden words like Sell out,McGlone,Coyle,Bhoyzone come to easily to the lips of some people.
Give the guy a chance,if he is in with the board etc., then it won't take long to replace him,he's surely going in the right direction for now,if he goes astray,then let him know.
You must understand,Paul is no different to any of us,he is no polished journo (is there such a thing?)
He has some very good points to make,in fact he has a lot better points to make than most of the bloggers but yes he still makes the gaffs.
If YOU were in charge of this site would it have lasted as long before becoming a laughing stock,I know if it was me then it would all be finished by now and I'd not be able to show my face in public for a long time.
Yes Paul goes off in his tangents from time to time,but is usually good as he is willing to sit back and listen to what others have to say about these topics.Often he changes his views when a better reasoning comes a long or at least meets in the middle.
I certainly don't agree with a lot of Pauls thinking,just as I don't always agree with what NegAnon & others have to say.
Both,I would say are both correct to various degrees,as you have a good balance with the reporting on CQN.
The fact is,it's NOT Paul67 that makes this site what it is,it's ALL of us Celtic supporters collectively as fans,friends, enemies that bring the reasonable conclusions to the top of the agenda and the one line Anons with no arguement to be made that are quickly forgotten.
On the matter of the Credit card & renewals Paul,after the cup of tea I see where you are trying to go with this,
If you have a credit card already, then why not transfer to the Celtic card,we don't need to go into the politics of credit cards and what they can or cannot do to peoples lives.
Don't read into too much what Paul has said,it's simple(I might be wrong Paul)If you have a LloydsTSB card,Barclays,etc. why not have a Celtic one instead?
If your paying off the bill in full each month then,WHY NOT?
Free(I know some poor bugger is paying for it)lunch and drink at a game and some extra cash to Celtic.I know it's not as simple as that,but they are the basics.
I know it's a debating website but no need to over analyse things,I have trouble just deciding to have a Guinness or Lager.
Big arguements over Credit Cards,wait 'til the big story comes out Bhoys & Ghirls,get the boxing gloves on.
OK Paul,I can't type anymore,Can I have my Free CQN T-shirt now.
If your giving out prizes Paul67,then don't forget for the future that there are Celts around the world on this site and many of them,from Seattle to Paris,Vancouver to Latvia,Spain to Perth(Australia)Dublin to Warsaw.
So don't forget that us guys are the bread and butter of the club but the overseas family are jam in the middle,they can't buy season tickets or have access to the Celtic credit cards.throw them a biscuit now and again.
Positive thinking takes first prize every time.
Cabbage McFlabbergaster
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Paul67 I support you for trying to improve the club that we all support.
Obviously there is a risk with credit cards and they are not suitable for everyone. Yes that is probably in the small print but remember that Football support goes beyond the rational.
If it wasn't for emotional commitment who would invest in a football club (Glazer excepted).
However, if you currently have a credit card and you are comfortable with it and are aware of how much the charges are then take a minute to consider the Celtic Card. If you have a charity type card already then this appeal doesn't probably apply to you.
If you have a standard bank credit card then WITHOUT changing your spending habits you can benefit the CLUB and YOURSELF instead of a bank, who make profit.
I think this highlights one of the problems that the club faces.
Supporters spend huge amount of money supporting the team I don't think anyone can deny that.
The problem is how much of that money spent do Celtic actually see?
The Club need to address this with the supporters. Take the new strip, how much money will the sports shops JJB, Greaves etc make from selling this?
The cheapest place to buy the shirt should be through the club, this would ensure the majority of the sales went through the club. They could do a deal with all the CSC's to take orders and then send out batches etc to keep the postage costs down.
sorry fer the ramble.
Hail Hail
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Another first-timer. All Blogged up now.
Maybe some raw nerves out there. Even if there is a sinister motive here (raising cash for Celtic FC) no need to get bent out of shape.
This site has been consistently entertaining and informative, sometimes boring (what with all the co-efficients and amortiwotsit stuff) but never manipulative. We're all free agents, after all.
KUTGW Paul
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Evening Paul, fellow tims.
We all own one anyway,why not give the fees and percentages to Celtic instead of to some other entity?
Don't really see the issue here.
Paul, have a look at the "Reality lesson" article by Frank Kane in The Guardian.
Beats the hysteria nonsense we have seen elsewhere.
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Paul,
I currently use a Switch Card which I spend about £1000 per month on for my various day to day costs.
Are you aware if Celtic operate with Switch as well as Mastercard?
Tony Mallaghan
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Ah well, there goes my chance of a meal in the No 7. Count me out of the draw Paul.
When you have a missus like mine, believe me, you don't want credit cards floating about the house.
She'd put Richard Burton's ex-wife to shame. Not in the stunning looks department you understand. No, I'm talking of the financial aspect.
I think however, some of the attacks on the bould Paul are a wee shade OTT. He IS only making a suggestion after all. Albeit, one I won't be taking up.
By the way, anon 10.41am, as one who has yet to SEE a prawn sandwhich, never mind taste one, just what is the obsession everyone seems to have with this obvious gastronomic delight? I was always a piece 'n' slice man myself.
SB Paid In Full Today CSC.
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Anon 9.20 Sorry I was not meaning it as a personal attack on you, I just disagree with you. I think the articles on here are very clear open and interesting and if Paul knows something it is his right whether to share it with us or not.
Generally he seems to analyse publically available information that I am too lazy to look at or research (as most journalists seem to be)and put another angle not found in the press.
This idea of promoting the clubs products is his idea of trying to benefit the club, surely thats a good thing.
As for brother Walfrid I'm glad you brought it up, I suspect I'm with you on that one. It annoys me that there seems to be an eternity raising money for a statue to a great man. How much money is needed. Is the statue to be solid gold? And there are still millions starving. What would he want us to do?
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Credit Cards, I've had a few. But I'm like a floating voter I like to move around every so often. Unless I see the direct benefit to the bottom line, I won't be taking out a card that offers me points and prizes. I'd rather the credit was made cheaper, that way I get to choose how I want to spend the dosh I've saved.
I'm pretty cynical of all financial institutes, it is their business to get there hands on my money. I'd change my bank today, if I could find another one which I thought would treat me any better. I'd change my credit card again tomorrow if I could make a saving.
Gripe over? Not yet... I cleared all my credit cards about 6 months ago, since when I've been bombarded with junk mail and junk phone calls asking telling me teh benefits of transferring my credit to these cards with 0 balance. When I say I have no credit (besides the usual mortgage and car loans) they tell me to how to buy my summer holiday. The reason is not because they want to do you any kind of service, they just want to make sure that if your using a credit card your using theirs.
.. and another thing.. Isn't it Mastercard (might be Visa) who are sponsoring the next World Cup, and the only way to purchase match tickets will be with their credit card. I'm sorry nobody tells me how to spend my money (except mad jack, my old school bully).
That apart; it’s a commendable idea. Just my own neuroses and mistrust of all financial institutions that prevents me from taking on a credit card for some fringe benefit. I know that I’m paying for it somehow, and handsomely.
Anyway, is this the FT blog or what?
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thedominie
I had the pleasure of attending the unveiling and reception for the Brother Walfrid Statue in Ballymote Co. Sligo. I fully expect the Glasgow tribute to be just as good.
cheers
Freddiebhoy
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Hello Anonymous at 8.22 am. I've never paid any interest on any credit card.
Once you have used up the free interest period just switch the balance to another interest free provider.
The way i looked at it, i was spending that level of money anyway.
The day out at paradise
with the missus was a delicious drunken delight a truly fantastic reward scheme in my opinion.
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Paul, may be you could do a feasibility study on how many pish poor players MON could buy if we all re mortgaged our houses, those living in council houses could sell a kidney.
If we could also get people to have their wages or benefits paid directly to Dessie's plc, we may even get the bus park finished.
Keepin it real in the north stand lower 101 CSC
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funniest thread i've read so far without a shadow. Just because they sell fags in the shops doesn't mean you need to buy them. if you don't like animals falling of buildings and hurting themsleves on tv then don't watch it.
Mind you Mary Whitehouse made a carreer out of moaning about people showing their bits onn the tele so maybe theres something out there for these poor unfortunates that feel compelled to buy anything and everything. I mean what do you do when you pass an advertising hoarding? Avert your eyes?
Newsflash. This isn't 1888 anymore. Some of you might even earn money from a job and you might even pay taxes.
Bleet Bleeting on - 'I don't trust the government, the media, the NHS, advertising companies, the Celtic Board, the local shop, my granny' get a life.
while i'm at it, for those that don't trust the Celtic Board can you tell us all why? Can you back this up with actual facts and figures?
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Paul, time to post a new thread me thinks :-)
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Taggsybhoy
I do not understand the language of "sell out" etc. Sell out to whom exactly? Celtic Football Club? Since when is Celtic our enemy?
I'm a 70s nostalgist as much as the next guy. I loved those sidies, the hoops, the shorts with numbers, being able to buy any white socks without the ubiquitous branding, the terraces, the power strikes, Arthur Montford etc. But guys, those days have gone, and they are NOT, I'm dead sorry, NOT coming back! You are freee to vote for the SSP as much as youlike, but capitalism has won. Its how we use capitalism in a humane and useful way that's the debate now.
Football whether we like it or not is now about generating cash to buy the best players to win the best trophies. We will not find, let alone keep, 11 world class guys from Scotland to win a European trophy again. We can, if the financial Luddites have their way, be happy being a successful Scottish team with 5-6 feuds with TFOD a season, but I want more.
I want Seville again. I want every team in Europe to fear playing Celtic. I want the best Scottish talent. I want the best world talent. But guess what guys, the best talent doesn't say "I'm no' fussed about the money guys, all I want to do is wear the hoops". Me or you might say that, but Craig Bellamy won't. Neil Lennon won't either.
So, wise up guys. If you are eligible for one of these cards, you're over 18 and capable of saying No. You are also capable of choosing whether to support Celtic with your purchasing power or the Royal Bank of Scotland, M&S, Oxfam or whoever. The choice is yours. If the Celtic support puts its colossal purchasing power into the club, the money goes towards players and the club.
The club should be spelling out its spending plans to the supporters much more transparantly (apart from obvious transfer funds and appropriate behind the scenes wheeling and dealing. Trust is required here.)wherever possible. I, for one, hope Paul can be "used" for this purpose. Keep up the good work Paul.
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Before any says I'm jumping on a band wagon, I applied when the renewal forms came in. I would have applied last year, but the mrs was mentioning Stan Petrov a lot when she saw the rewards scheme....
That said, I haven't heard anything back from MBNA yet.
This blog did surprise me a little on first read, but after a wee think about it I wondered if this was perhaps the trade off Paul had to make to be accepted into the inner sanctum, as it were.
Anyhow, as was said earlier, you don't need to apply for a card if you don't want to....
Keep up the good work, Paul.
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Newcastle have just agreed fee with villa for bellamy.
I hope the potential euphoria of a double will help us fend off these approaches.
Lets hope we are at the races with the personal terms
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Credit Card. Question 1 is below.
Now forget all about the rights and wrongs of Paul67 getting involved for a minute.
However should we really be promoting a card that doesn't let the Irish sign up? After all Celtic are essentially an Irish club playing in Scotland.
So you can eat in the Walfrid restaurant under this deal - as long as you are not resident in Ireland. You couldn't make it up!
Q. Who can apply?
A. Anyone who is a UK resident aged 18 or over.
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Aye, it's just like buying fags. Do you pay interest on your fags, more than the fags in other shops? It's Paul's site, he can do whatever he wants with it, but all I think is there should have been an obligation to point out that Celtic Mastercard can give Celtic money, precisely because their interest rate is higher than other high street credit cards.
In other words robbing Peter to pay Paul. Nice that you can get a free meal, wow!
For the record, I pay my credit card off every month, so this is the kind of thing that I could make some "points" from. I just think that from his position, Paul could have pointed out some of the downsides to this. A bit like the Join the Army and learn a trade adverts in some ways.
TC67
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Paul gets my vote on this one, simply because what he is suggesting would benefit the Celtic, and we all want that right guys? - apart from the likes of 'Keepin it real in the north stand lower 101 CSC' what they wants is anybody's guess, a good moan I suppose, and really there's no harm in that providing you have the ability to blank out moanin faces when required. To repeat what Brendan has already stated 'Just because they sell fags in the shops doesn't mean you need to buy them', an observation that is absolutely spot on. Wee Tam.
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