 Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Celtic plc AGM Preview
With the Celtic plc Annual General Meeting coming up on Thursday, so many of the issues raised in recent times have expired in a year of great achievement by the club.
At each AGM, questions are asked as to why a prodigiously successful youth system has not produced first team players, but that is no longer a topic of concern.
To my continual frustration, a “give the manager more money” sentiment has dominated, despite seven consecutive years of overspend. Times have moved on, and now, it seems, we all want a balanced budget.
The training centre has also become a perennial, but even that is sprouting from the Lennoxtown soil.
The Bank of Scotland Premier League Championship trophy will be on display, and an eight point lead over the most bizarre Eastern European football club in Edinburgh will ensure it is retained (I know, I know, don’t count…. Can’t help it).
It is Europe, though, that has set the pace of the Celtic heartbeat. Concerns (legitimate ones too) about the succession to currently the only unbeaten manager in the FA Premier League, have been blown away by three credible-to-excellent performances in the Champions League.
Shareholders, including the big one, can be congratulated for putting their hands in their pockets to find £15m, ensuring the Balance Sheet picked up at just the right time in December.
So what are the issues we should be discussing with our board?
The one area where no perceivable progress has been made is the task of moving Celtic into a league that will allow the club to fulfil its enormous potential. I believe we are the biggest club in the world waiting for the right deal to happen.
I know our board dearly want to move into a new environment, but I fear that recent failures have pushed this objective as far away as ever.
There is, of course, the small matter of our future financial objectives.
The anticipated profit from this year will allow Celtic to strengthen in January and again next summer, but I fear that if we cannot reduce our debt during such times of plenty, we will forever be burdened by pernicious interest repayments.
Living forever in debt only consumes future resources. The board, and supporters, need to learn this lesson.
What we shareholders decide to do with future profits is of paramount importance.
I hope that the overwhelming proportion of Celtic shareholders (again, including the big one) would rather profits were retained to strengthen the company, or maybe put to work on a strategy to bring the club into a different playing environment, than distributed as dividends.
Short-term Dividends would be small change compared to the potential financial bounty shareholders would receive if the club developed to achieve its potential.
305 Comments:
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hello anyone there
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I thought not
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and i will take a hat trick
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Biggest club in the world? 2 right.
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miketw10
Couple of days late but just wanted to set the record straight.
I did NOT post in support of others, who advocated the re-signing of Shaun Maloney on inflated wages, as a means of selling him on to a suitable bidder at a latter date.
I can appreciate such a strategy as ‘Asset Management’ being practiced by a company in pursuit of profit and shareholder dividend satisfaction. As a strategy, I have no doubt it is an effective means of massaging profit and would be seen by many, to be sound, commercial, common sense.
Without the shareholders’ that invest in Celtic, Celtic, as we know it would be no more than a provincial club. I know of quite a few Celtic supporters who, although not wealthy, have bought substantial amounts of shares in Celtic as supporters and as an investment. They must, must have their confidence returned in kind.
Not to do so would be abject failure all round. Without the investment we would have no success. Without the success we would have limited investment. Hand in glove. Glove in hand.
However, with the best interests of the investors and supporters in mind, I would rather we raised the share value through success and profile enhancement by other means, before I personally would push out the ‘Asset Management’, boat.
I think if you revisit my earlier posts you will agree, I, at no time, advocated the employment of such a strategy. The exact diametrical was in fact the whole point of my posts.
I finished one with……………………………………….…………(vis-à-vis Maloney/McGeady )
Just can’t see the logic bearing in mind they are both, Dyed in the Wool Celtic Supporters’.
What price a big heart, skill and the love of the jersey.
I really do hope that Peter Lawwell can produce a solution that keeps all parties happy.
I for one, would not condone selling them for the sake of the bigger picture.
To my soft mind, they, and their like, are the bigger picture.
another included ‘what price their replacements’.
Hardly the stuff of Meat Market, Marketing.
Over the years I have taken immense satisfaction in watching some of the players that have pulled on the hoops who were not born within Scotland’s borders.
I may be wrong, but I will offer up, that when their time was up, the vast majority moved on, maybe with no regrets, but the vast majority will have done so under a cloud of sadness and a heavy heart..
They knew as they left, for what-ever their reasons, they would never, ever, again experience that heart swelling moment as they ran out the Parkhead tunnel to greet the roar of adulation and expectation that storms down from the jungle and the adjacent stands.
More often than not they leave with the phenomenal, massed best wishes of the Celtic Family.
However, it doesn’t take long to realise those best wishes are poor condolence for the absence of, the sense of belonging, the solidarity and we are one, that is the ethos that is Celtic Football Club.
To see a home grown talent leave is doubly disheartening to a supporter like me.
Now as a club, we can attract internationals of renown, from nations that one could hardly describe as third world (in a football sense). This last transfer window gives that statement credence.
Good players, from, Good clubs want to come and play for us. Great I say but in doing so it does not give me the same feeling of pride that nurturing one of our own does and seeing him take up a first team slot. The fact that he was made in Scotland, By Celtic and is coveted by Good clubs in Good leagues makes me think…………………..take a good look, he’s good, he’s better than good, they’re good, they’re better than good.
You want them in your team?
Tough titty laddies cause they are going nowhere not for your five million, not for your ten million. No, they’re going nowhere simply because, they don’t want to leave Celtic.
Xenophobic? Yes, but that is the way I feel. I have nothing against importing players but still proudly and fondly boast that the team I support is only one of two that has won the ultimate prize with 11 nationals.
If a player were to leave us and have ambitions of achievements to surpass those that could be achieved at Parkhead, then there are probably only ten to fifteen clubs throughout Europe that could match their ambitions in any given season. Are those teams in the market and are our players better than what those teams already have?
I believe Messer’s Maloney, McGeady and all the others to be reasonably intelligent and articulate individuals.
They are more than aware, that their agents, who are generally commission paid, have a vested interest in their clients swapping employers.
I am a contractor myself and when an agent says ‘Show me the Money’, he is thinking of his cut first and foremost. That is how he earns a living after all. Me and mine? We’re just a means to an end for the agent.
Maloney is just one of many perceived assets of any given agent. An agent makes his money from a percentage generated by all of his clients. There are many types of agents and many permutations of methods employed to achieve their aims. Their personal character traits aside there is one thing they all have in common………………….........................................
The agent is in it for himself. The Money. Everybody, and everything else are secondary.
There are real and inherent risks associated with every change.
Maloney, his family and his sincere advisers are well aware of this.
I agree with Paul. I have every faith that he will sign to extend.
I believe that Henrick Larsson was a massive influence on the, ‘young Maloney’.
I think that the ghost of Larsson still haunts the corridors of Parkhead and the minds of the younger players are still influenced by the impeccable morals and ethics that Henrick not only gave to Celtic F.C., but to football in general.
Will we ever see his like again? (Larsson)
I think yes.
When and Who.
Maybe his replacement already wears the hoops.
Maybe we just haven’t realised it yet.
Should he choose not sign, then I believe we have lost one of the potentially greatest talents to be made in Scotland for some time past.
He is a young man full of self belief trying to maximise his potential. Does he leave to realise this?
I really don’t want that to happen, but what I think, doesn’t carry much weight; what he thinks, most certainly does.
Now Mike, I defy you, now brand me an Asset Manager in the making.
PS
Paul
Just an aside.
I am a season ticket holder at Parkhead. As a matter of fact, I pay for two season tickets at Parkhead. I have only just got them back. At the birth of my second son three years ago I gave them up. Just couldn’t justify the cost at the time. Bearing in mind that I would be lucky to see one maybe two games a year.
I regret ever having done so.
Now, I pass the tickets to my nieces and nephews but they are students and can’t always afford to make the game.
Not every empty seat is due to ‘lazy Celtic supporters’.
pibroch94
The more you post the more in accord I feel with your sentiments. Without meaning to appear rude maybe, just maybe, your approach is to honest, ad hoc, and direct. Some people just want to have an opinion without being burdened with the knowledge and the graft required in it’s acquirement. Just a thought. Don’t want to appear in censor.
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georgiebhoy @ 9:37
Mike - Owen Paul!!?!?!
What's up with Owen??? 8o)
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Greenlion
.. stonking hattrick!
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After a fraternal debate the other day, I'd be interested to know what other shareholders do with their dividends.
We hold shares jointly (my brothers and I) and I have always advocated buying good wine and cracking it open when there's a Celtic triumph to celebrate.
Life is short, and it's for living and enjoying.
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Sometimes in balance sheet management, it is good to have some debt on the books - esp. if you use the capital effectively - makes you less attractive to potential purchasers. Zero debt shouldn't be the goal.
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Mike,
it just seems, so, wrong. (that said, he will forever live in my memory when on "Pebble Mill at one", the track started and he didnae!)
I remember a big thing at the time being made about him coming thru the ranks with Charlie Nick, but choosing music instead.
He lived both my dreams! :-)
G
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Kitalba, maybe I should have made my thoughts clear. “Lazy Celtic supporters” was not my thought (or words) when considering the regular empty seats.
Everyone who pays for a seat is doing their bit. It could be argued they are going the extra mile if they pay and are unable to attend.
Jocky bhoy, I was careful not to advocate zero debt, and certainly did not advocate hoarding attractive quantities of cash.
A company which never gets out of debt should re-examine its plans.
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It should be the most uneventful AGM in a while. I expect questions put to the board regarding a lack of pies and toilet paper, and the permanent puddle in Janefield St.
Looking forward to it already.
I always know when things are going well at Celtic Park. We don't use the tactic of having the AGM days before an old firm game in case we get humped, something the other lot did this time around.
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Who was on yesterday asking for translations about what to do to pick up tickets in Lisbon?
Can't remember, and I didn't respond because I only got to read late at night.
The arrangement is that you have to go in the two hours leading up to kick-off, not before.
There is a specific area in the stadium to go to. It's called the Posto Multimédia (roughly pronounced poshtoo mooltimeja if you need to ask anybody).
I've not been, but it says in the instructions I read that the Posto Multimédia is located at gate 25 at the Coca Cola stand, behind one of the goals.
If you're arriving at the stadium by metro, get off at Colégio Militar.
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kitalba...
I don't think I could spot an asset manager if one fell out of the sky and poked me with a sharp stick! Not my field, and I can't see me using those words because of it. I may have used terms which to the enlightened (Ie yourself) are reminiscent of asset management.
Anyway, I digress. Thinking back, I seem to remember lumping you in with others of a certain opinion, mainly because you were the people talking about the subject at the time. I was honestly not trying to put any of you in any particular camps. If I did, that was lazy of me and I apologise for it.
I come from an interest in the management side of things. I.E. No player is bigger than the club.
My concern is the signals it sends out to other players on the team. If management are seen to be less than on top of it, then they will create all sorts of problems for themselves in future negotiations with other stars of the future.
For what it's worth, and at the risk of repeating myself, I'd like to see Shaun staying. We have much more cutting edge in the team when he's playing. For sure, give him a good deal, but not something that's outwith the wage structure. That's how the massively overinflated market began in the first place. Eg... Rio Ferdinand earning £100,000 plus PER WEEK???? Give me a break.
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Would it benefit Celtics argument if Cardiff win the championship and go on to win a place in europe next season?
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georgiebhoy...
Re: That Pebble Mill At One experience.
Let me fill you in. Owen's reasoning is thus... He actually heard the playback coming from INSIDE the studio, while he was outside. He had only recently witnessed Feargal Sharkey doing the same thing live on a plane and was making an idiot of himself. He was determined it wouldn't happen to him. When it did, he just kept sshtoom and tried as best he could to make it look like a technician's fault, which of course it was.
There is an interesting footnote to this story. His drummer's dad had already appeared on Pebble Mill At One and it was his ambition to do the same. Unfortunately, Owen's appearance was the last ever episode of Pebble Mill at One.
Don't be hard on Owen for choosing music over football. The pull of rock music, once it gets to you, is very very difficult to let go.
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Bottom line
Shaun loves Celtic, Celtic loves Shaun. The club recognises the wee man deserves a decent deal and can afford to offer him one. He's earned it.
His agent sees things differently: a move to England will bring untold wealth. Money, money, money.
It's not all about money.
We tend to paint agents as the hawks and the club as the dove, but I honestly believe Celtic as a club, the manager, the board all want to do the right thing by Shaun Maloney and all other key players.
Agents don't need to be so divisive and so hawkish any more. Not with our club. Mel Stein doesn't seem to have grasped that and still appears to believe that money is everything.
Maybe he has taken Shaun Maloney to the top of a high mountain and offered to make him master of all they surveyed, but if he has he has done the young man a disservice.
If Maloney goes to Arsenal, Man Utd, Liverpool or, much as it pains me to say it (because I believe it's just a giant, flash, London wide-boy puppet-show) Chelsea, I'll withdraw this assessment, as a move to one of these clubs will help the wee man develop as a footballer, win medals, play in Europe each year etc.
Otherwise, it's only about money.
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With the usual topics out of the way, and not really up for discussion at the AGM, what topics/questions will be discussed/asked?? Any thoughts on this Paul????
Hail Hail
Damian1888
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Mike,
I am merely jealous that he seems to be decent at both football and music, whilst I am rubbish at both!!!
Does he still gig? And whom was his dad with on Pebble Mill?
(Sorry to all who are not interested in this stuff)
G.
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Paul
I wrote my recent post in reply to the last thread. As always, just as I am about to post, the thread changes. By accident, rather than design, I find myself, maybe not singing the same hymn, but at least looking at the same book.
One point I would like to take you to task on…………………………………..
The one area where no perceivable progress has been made is the task of moving Celtic into a league that will allow the club to fulfil its enormous potential. I believe we are the biggest club in the world waiting for the right deal to happen.
I can’t agree we are the biggest club in the world at this moment. To my mind there are still maybe three or four in front of us.
What I will say is that we most certainly do have the potential to become the worlds biggest club and I do agree it is the confines of our league, (no disrespect to any other team in that league but I am a Celtic supporter and concerned only with the betterment of Celtic) that is the mill stone round our neck.
I say that unequivocally from experience. I have been fortunate, through my job to visit some isolated parts.
I’ll give you an example Tai Po on the Honk Kong/Chinese border. The Harp Bar. As far from Parkhead as you can get.
The owner’s brother has a Chinese restaurant in Belfast. He is a Celtic supporter. Through his influence this little bar in the absolute back of the beyond is a Celtic Supporters Bar. Not Man. U., not Real, not Juventus. Celtic.
I count myself extremely fortunate to have experienced such amazing discoveries in several countries and locations you’d least expect to hear the name Celtic far less see their existence celebrated.
To my mind, there is a very professional back room staff at Parkhead who although relatively new to the world of ‘Profile Enhancement’, and probably staffed by no more than one or two, are doing a great job of making Celtic a Global Household name.
More power to them and soon, I will agree, We are the unconditional, biggest club in the world.
Why, if anybody cares to look back and read my earlier posts that I highlight the need for responsible behaviour at all times by all supporters.
We must get out of the SPL. It is an absolute necessity.
It is our route to our right.
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Bhoy Molloy, I don’t think a successful Cardiff would help Celtic. Uefa would not stop them joining England if they got an invite.
Damian1888, not really sure what will be asked that is relevant for the occasion, but I bet someone will ask, “When are you going to get Shaun Maloney signed up?”
The answer will come back, “Hopeful of a deal… talks are ongoing.. Shaun wants to stay, we want him to stay..”
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Lisboa
6 Days 23 Hours till I get there
CHAMPION
Who's counting.............
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Miketw10
I was not looking to take issue with you just pointing out that I was not in the asset management camp.
Kids were running about and being demanding and maybe I was lazy in posting without reading back.
I agree Give Maloney a good and fair wage without being silly.
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Here's a question for the AGM -
The stadium - any plans to complete it ?
I've got my 500 shares and I demand...er...that eh...you guys continue doing what you're doing !
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Paul67 wrote: A company which never gets out of debt should re-examine its plans.
I have to disagree here, debt per se isn't a problem as long as it is manageable and used properly (ie borrow to invest in the ground, for example)
A company with no debt is inevitably going to be a takeover target (see Man Utd for a prime example)
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Possible topics-
1/Supporter representation.Given the current state of unmalcontentment this may not be raised but is still important.
2/the Artur Boruc affair.The Board must reinforce the view that there must not be a recurrence of the clumsy way this was handled by the legal authorities.Again unlikely to get an airing but still important.
3/the poor quality of merchandising support that accompanies the team when they play abroad-especially the USA and Japan.There seems little point in sending the team halfway across the globe to raise the Club's profile if we don't follow through with the merchandising.
4/does the Club have a plan on how it will make best use of the'new 'media and technologies,eg the Internet,thus bypassing traditional outlets who have,to be fair,done very little for the Club in recent years?
5/How concerned are the Board regarding recent UEFA pronouncements on the content of some of the songs which may be heard in the ground?
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Baz67
McGrain 6 and 23.5
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Bhoy molloy and Paul67
Re cardiff qualifying for europe, i think this is a grey area, as i understand it they cannot.
Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham can't qualify for Europe through the English Leagues as they are members of the Welsh FA. English clubs have been past winners of the Welsh Cup and couldn't qualify to represent Wales and the same is true of Welsh clubs who play in the Premiership/Football League - they can't represent England. Swansea were once good enough to finish in a UEFA Cup place in the old First Division but were not eligible to take that place.
So where would that leave us?
VB
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kitalba
Some excellent posts there, very interesting reading, well done.
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georgiebhoy...
Not really, although he toured with Mike & The Mechanics a couple of years ago. He occasionally helps me out too with one-offs. His thing at the moment is advising young entertainment prospects how to better themselves in their respective field. Masterpaul
I played in goals for his celeb XI team in the 80's once or twice.
I honestly don't know the outfit that drummer's (Greg, I think his name was)dad was with. It might turn out to be the house orchestra or something similar. Must find out.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/6079422.stm
any one know anything about this
Celtic are preparing a second bid for New England Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph (Daily Express).
Interesting given the discussion about global support and markets
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I know this is off topic but I found it interesting.
My company has an office close Ibrox and as such receive brochures for Christmas lunches etc.
This year a two course lunch at one of the suites can be purchased for £12.95, an additional course costs an extra £3.95. The total cost is therefore £16.... oh you do the maths!!!
Pride over Prejudice indeed.
London Calling - The Clash
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Paolo, at the risk of having to be too narrow in my comment. I did not say that debt was bad, or a problem, or that using debt to fund structural projects was ill advised.
Or (one more time) that Celtic should have “no debt”.
Celtic have been in debt every single day of their existence for many years, much of this debt has been used to fund player purchases and wages. While this has its place every now and then, it is not how we should operate ‘every single day of our existence’.
The company should periodically come out of debt, preferable each year.
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A football club with no debt would be a business 1st and a football club 2nd. A football club with too much debt would be neither.
Hang on i sound sensible there.
Scratch that.
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I cannot attend the agm even by proxy. I post this in the hope that it might inspire someone to try and go in the general direction at the AGM. There will be the usual questions with regards singing, facilities, player acquistion etc. I am more interested in COMMUNICATION and the lack of it and too find out whether its deliberate or policy.
Dear Brian,
As custodians of our beloved football club I appreciate that it is a very tough job and a delicately fine balancing act to do what you and the board believe to be in the best interests of Celtic plc. I do believe that it is a daunting responsibility and may I congratulate you in stating that I feel that the club is now being run well on and off the park.
Hence, can you please elucidate in detail on how the board arrives and decides upon official Celtic plc policy?
What factors are taken into account which bodies are involved and please describe the due process concerned ?
Are you personally of the belief that this process should not immediately anyway be in the public domain or would this be perceived as a hindrance in doing normal day to day buisness and may well affect how we do "sensitive" buisness?
I am particularly interested in how conflicts of interest which may arise are handled between different parties within the Celtic family (i.e board, shareholders, supporters, customers, employees etc.) While it is obvious to state that "everything is done in the best interests of Celtic plc" I believe that its crucial that what is done in the best interests of Celtic plc is communicated to the Celtic family in an open and honest way and at the appropriate time which should not affect how we do buisness? No disrespect but it is also presumptious that the board always knows better.
Failure to do so and I am sure you will agree will only allow room for suspicion and division amongst the family. Something that we should all wish to avoid.
Is the official policy making process something that is rigid and adhered too strenuously by our management? and is it possible for this official policy to be conveyed to all interested parties ? when these policies change temporarily or permanently or are ad hoc not adhered too is this change in the decision making process documented ?
Where there are conflicts of interest between different sections of our family I think that its important that the factors involved in making those well intentioned policy decisions are publicised beforehand in the hope of stimulating reasoned debate and not just presented as a hollow take it or leave it bare balance sheet. I feel that it´s important that the Celtic family know in which way we are heading and where we want to go to. One financial report a year I feel is not sufficient.
It is more than imperative that the Celtic family is able to see why the board has or hasn´t made a decision. It is just as important as Celtic winning on the park that the Celtic family can see and appreciate the good work that the board has been doing and that there is very little room for transparency and that the present board incumbents believe and honour that to be the case also.
Ultimatley with regards policies made and decisions taken by the board of our club do you believe that we have as much a right to be privvy to this information as the board, after all we are all Celtic supporters.
For much of the decision making process within Celtic plc to be disguised from the support under the "sensitive information" umbrella I feel does a disservice to the family and a massive disservice to the board itself.
Do you feel that this is something that we can address and improve upon ?
Yours in Celtic
Awe Naw
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NI : 1.52pm
i once had the misfortune of getting a bill for lunch with the missus, the cost was £16.90
i refused to pay.... and after much argueing, the missus got another fresh ORANGE !!!!!!!
we havent been back there..... and things were quiet in the house for a bit......
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According to this report we have a number of American targets.
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Ni @ 1:52,
Surely that is a wind up!
If that really is true, (I find it hard to believe) someone should get a copy of the promotion and post it for all to see. If rangers, or agents actng for them are promoting meals costing £16.90, they should be ashamed.
BAZ67,
6 days and 22 hours.
Tickets arrived today !
(Cheers BB)
CHAMPION
Lubo.
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The advantages of debt are as follows:
- You can invest in the future (plant and equipment, acquisitions, R&D, etc) without using up spare cash
- You can invest in opportunities without using up spare cash
- You can do all of this without diluting the value for shareholders, which would be the case if you issue new shares
Properly controlled, ie ensuring that interest and repayments can be met, debt is a good thing. It is a foolish business (or football club) that has no debt at all. In fact a quoted company without debt is either a company with no future prospects or else a takeover target for the asset strippers.
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Bad news for this socially responsible employer.....
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/24102006/344/645-jobs-aerospace-company.html
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Lubo
100% true. They get around actually advertising the full price by showing a two course as £12.95 and a further course as £3.95 but do not actually show the full price as £16.90!!
Message in a Bottle - The Police
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Paul...just having a late lunch and browse through today's Evening Times supplement "Times Past - Celtic's Greatest Ever Games".
There is a collection of photographs, most of which we have seen before, which represent 24 games throughout Celtic's history, 7-1 , Lisbon, Porto, Leeds Utd etc.
However on Page 5 there is a photograph under which is a caption "Celtic fans rush on to the Hampden pitch to acclaim their team's 2-1 League Cup Final win over Rangers in October 1965."
This is indeed "lazy journalism".
The picture actually shows hundreds of Rangers fans who invaded the pitch whilst the Celtic players were showing the trophy to the Celtic support!
It was very much a potentially explosive moment and it is to the Celtic support's eternal credit that they did not "retaliate" and to a man - and woman thay stayed on the terracings.
The Celtic players had to make a quick exit that day, cutting short the trophy parade. There is an enduring image caught on camera of Ian Young on alll fours with Tommy Gemmell grabbing a Rangers supporter by the collar. (that photo isn't in the Times)
The cup was thrown to Big Yogi for safekeeoping!
The outcome of the pitch invasion was that laps of honour were banned for several years with of course our club suffering more than any other given the successes that followed on from that day.
Newspaper articles of the time questioned the wisdom of allowing Celtic to parade the trophy after such a controversial game - we were of course awarded two penalties by Mr Hugh Phillips (Wishaw)!
Just wanted to set the record straight as the decision afterwards really summed up to me how Rangers were very much seen as the establishment team in those days.
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Re the AGM,
Point 1
Plans to develop the stadium? replicating the North Stand on the South stand would raise capacity to 80,000.
This would allow a vast amount of rellocations throughtout the ground - which should lead to a better atmosphere.
Having one of the biggest stadia in Europe would mean we would be an attractive venue for European Finals etc.
Before you ask and how do we pay for this? how about a 5 year zero inflation season ticket for say £2k
What would a new stand cost?
I played a game at Celtic Park in May and on the tour before the game the guide told us that there is a room full of momentos from visiting teams and previous victories etc. They dont have the space currently to display these things properly. for instance the 9 Flags in a row.
How about building a museum to bring our history to life.
Point 2 - Customer service. Improve the customer service side of the club. I get emails and leaflets about the Celtic Credit card ... I have had one for over a year!. The CRM system (which I think got a mention in the previous accounts) needs improved.
I recently tried to book Sunday lunch at the No7 following the press 1 ... press 3 etc ... it just thanked me for my patience and then cut me off.
Point 3
I would agree with earlier posters - the public relations at the club needs to be improved re the Artur Boruc situation.
Point 4
Dont bother asking for a fan on the board. The board are acting with the best interests of the club.
If we do make a profit in the next coming year(s) will we be able to offset that against previous losses? Did we not write something off in the last couple of years as it was not deemed likely that we would be in a position to actually make a profit.
Point 5
Congrats to the board, manager and the team for a very good job done.
Keep up the good work.
Hail Hail
Pob
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Dick Byrne 3.05 - thanks for that. I see New England are managed by Gordon's old Scotland cohort Steve Nicol - gotta be pals. There was a good piece on the beeb's fitba' site yesterday on Nicol's success in the US.
McGrain 6 and 21
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Pob,
With regard to building a new stand and increasing capacity, I am of the opinion that if we were to do it now while we are still in the SPL it would see a huge downturn in the buying of season tickets due to the fact that tickets would be freely available for the games against all the SPL clubs and this would automatically hurt our income pre season and lead to a reduced budget.
I don't think the need is there at present for a bigger stadium. If however we were to join the EPL or European league then I think attendances and therefore season ticket sales would be in huge demand.
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Gordon, what do you mean "in those days".
In October 2004, that font of all wisdom, David Murray, insisted that Rangers constituted “the most important institution in Scotland, after the Church (of Scotland)”.
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Gordon, thanks for that note on the 1965 League Cup Final. Two penalties for Celtic, can’t be bad.
You will remember getting two penalties at Ibrox in the 4-2 game in 1983. They had become so dispirited in those days that there were massive gaps among the Rangers supporters. Official attendance was only 39,000 if I remember correctly, and there was no stadium work going on at the time.
Cosmic man, you have passed the proficiency level, welcome to the club.
Phob, the South Stand will only be redeveloped if we gain entry to another league.
Poor customer service is a matter I have suffered from in the past, and I get plenty of email on the subject.
I do think things are getting better, though I also think that staffing levels at CP could do with an uplift in a few departments. A few years ago staff levels fell (to make more cash available to the football side) and I suspect that we are carrying a human stress subsidy.
Public relations. This was my pet subject when I started CQN and I have to say the message is getting out there a lot better than it used to.
I still see/hear things and know they have a few lessons to learn, but Roma was not builta in a daya.
The tax ‘asset’ will be used to offset tax on profits, even though it was removed from the accounts.
Still smiling at Hanif Uno’s excellent challenge to the board from earlier.
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On the attached link you can find some photos from Celtic v Benfica last week (and I have included the Man Utd v Celtic and UEFA Cup Final galleries aswell).
I would add the following, however:
But for the suspected interference of a certain Mr Stewart I would have had many more photos from the actual (Benfica) game, but I believe that the said personage took umbridge at me photographing him, and complained to the stewards. Less than 4 minutes after taking the photo of Mr Stewart I was told to desist from taking further photos or face ejection from the ground. And, having paid around 2 days' net wages to get up to Glasgow and attend the match (unlike Mr Petrov, who spent less than 2 hours' wages to travel in somewhat more style!), I wasn't about to get myself thrown out!
Why I couldn't have just been instructed to delete the offending photos, and been allowed to take photos of the game, I don't know. I mean thare were another 58,000 people in the stadium merrily snapping away to their hearts' content.
Nice one Celtic - YNWA indeed!
http://tinyurl.com/ymdome
n.b. If you click on the link below the main picture (just below the thumbnail images) you can navigate easily to and within any of the three included galleries.
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Pob,
RE: your point 4. While I am not drawing comparisons. The previous board were all Celtic fans as well. In fact Sean Connery was also a Celtic fan. He was at CP many a time. Now If Rangers were to hit Skid Row I reckon James Bond himself could invest in Celtic heavily. Mind you nothing to worry about. Any Celtic fan who blindly accepts without asking for transparency from the board that everything is ok hasn´t learned from The Kelly and White era.
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Pob,
I might be way off(!) but I believe the club are looking at creating a club museum (possibly the old primary school) although that may be converted to club offices.
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Bigchips I cant access them do I need to register with Kodak.
Dixie brilliant earlier
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Nice to see the recent Peace talks at St Andrews went well...
CaltonTongues
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Bambi,
fair point about demand etc for the tickets.
if we did sell it all ... think of the players we could bring in ... that would then raise demand for the tickets.
Awe Naw.
Sorry, I wasn't suggesting we take everything for granted or convert to the Murray style of Corporate Management.
The board will always be accountable and should make public they're intentions (where it doesn't harm/hinder the busineess), the accounts and provide a forum for the fans to question them.
I think thats what they are doing. The accounts are detailed and the agm is open ... It could be on a Saturday which would be more accessible I'd guess.
My point was that there is no point asking for the annual fan on the board. It gets voted down every year.
Or at least look for other ways to achieve the desired result. I believe the CSA and other groups meet with PL and others on a regular basis etc.
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Greenlion2, yes you will need to register. There is no charge, and you shouldn't receive pestering emails from them as a result... I never do.
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Pob,
Or at least look for other ways to achieve the desired result. I believe the CSA and other groups meet with PL and others on a regular basis etc.
Couldn´t agree more. I think the board are doing a fine job. I reckon that they need to communcate why certain informations especially those that are currently on the agenda cannot jsut easily be made available there and then. I do think that they should be made avialable later ... via a quartely report.
I am also interested when there are issues that a certain group have a vested interest in how they collectively arrive at their decisions. I.e a decision that they make may be great for the fan(customer) but poor for a shareholder etc ?
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Big Chips some cracking photo's. The ones leading up to Naka's goal at manchester I could feel myslef saying hit it....
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Bigchipuk - Some cracking snaps there - bet you have one of them big fancy cameras. Great seats you had too. Well Done.
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Greenlion2 - Great minds ...................
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http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1929825,00.html
moving story of Irish legend, Paul McGrath
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Baz67, I do now but didn't in Seville. Hence the difference in quality. But it's nowhere near as big or as fancy as those papparazzi guys, who have lenses that cost more than my car did when it was brand new!
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AweNaw,
They have a legal responsibility to the shareholders, however income is based primarily on supporter expenditure and sponsorship....which is (in the long run) to a large extent based on volume of those attending and watching games, therefore dependent on fanbase.
Anyway, any utilitarians on the board will do what's right to promote the greater good....the worldwide support!!
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Paul McGrath
first attempt at link!
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Ha!
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Well done McGrain - I hear is a negitive from Puskas.........6 & 18
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Can't make the AGM on Thursday and haven't had the time to log on much recently but feel free, anyone, to ask the following question as your own:
"Is it the board's intention to have ownership of the Club diversified among its support as much as possible and if so how is this to be achieved?
If not, why not. Why was Fergus McCann wrong and doesn't this laissez faire attitude leave us vulnerable on a number of levels? Are long term plans in place to secure Celtic Football Club's identity post Dermot Desmond, whenever that may be?"
If there's time you could also ask who amortised all the Seville money, what is the capital of Peru and why is it when you drop a piece and jam it always lands on the jammy side.
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Zbyszek, my email reply to you bounced back from your spam filter.
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Kev.
1. Yes
2. Brian Quinn
3. Lima
4. Sod's law
Hope that helps ;-)
TLW
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I thought as much Baz. Tricky one for the Hungarian.
Noel, Pablo et al watch out bhoys, McGrain's now a linkster!
I suppose now I should link sumthin - umm...
McGrain 6 and 20
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Leftwinger,
I believe that within the inner sanctum of the board that they operate in a very positive manner for Celtic as far as the plc is concerned. That is after all their area of expertise. It is also natural to look after your own interests especially financially your own interests. We may belive that in some circumstances that we are being hoodwinked but few of us are hoodwinked unknowingly. or are we ? :-) So there are conflicts of interest within the decision making process at Celtic all the time.
I would just like to see more openness with regards to how Celtic is ran.
Take the Boruc and singing affair recently. Poor Paul67 suffered a lot from that information excercise and then there was the Boruc affair. I think that in both counts there are still lots of unanswered questions. If we can get a conscensus on such things then similar future episodes would be much easier managed. Everyone woul dknow at least our starting off point. Instead we have to start from the beginning every time.
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McGrain,
Excellent link to the Paul McGrath article. One of my facourite players as a kid, I always hoped he would sign for Celtic but I can see now why we were always rumoured but never did get him. Hope he stays sober for his own and his kids sake.
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Can you try again Paul?
I don't know why did it happen? I changed the settings of my Outlook Express.
Or; this is caused by the settings of the server? There was no problem with your email one week ago.
I could understand if it happened to some other people, but to you Paul. Stupid filter. Stupid.Very stupid.
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http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/sport/6029272.html
Telfer looks a lot like Lenny here
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Aw naw - surely you mean...
Telfer/Lenny lookalikeys
McGrain 6 and 19
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Bounced back again Zbyszek. I am sending to your post.pl account, is there another I can try?
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MgGraininSpain,
6 and 20
Lubo.
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