Safe standing comes to Scottish football. Standing was a part of our game for over a century (and still is in the semi-professional divisions), but the Taylor Report changed the game fundamentally, as grounds were made all-seater in the 1990s. This phenomenon was not restricted to the UK, Uefa (to some extent) enforced the trend on the rest of the Continent.
Then things changed in Germany. New stadiums had railed seating, which allowed spectators to stand during games. This allowed more people to fit into the same space. The grounds still had to be converted to conventional seating for Uefa games, but the phenomenon of safe standing proved, well, safe.
In fact, it is a lot safer than the de facto situation in many UK grounds, where away fans stand in areas which are clearly unsafe for standing crowds.
I understand why Celtic have situated the safe standing area where they have lower-tier corner of North and Lisbon Lions stands, but for me it should be North Stand upper. If you’re going to have a standing section, don’t just site it where one has emerged organically, put it where it best suits the stadium, can have most impact on atmosphere and has room to grow. Make no mistake, demand will outstrip supply for the standing area, and soon enough we’ll be wondering how we grow it.
The stadium can be further-portioned off. At the moment the family area is squashed between the new standing area and away fans – this section also has nowhere to grow. If you want more families, ensure each passing decade the stadium has more targeted family areas.
There should also be greater price differentiation for tickets. The pack-em-in reality of standing areas fits the profile of a cheaper ticket, which fits the reality of the North Stand upper’s isolation from amenities like lounges. Fill the North upper full of cheap, standing tickets, extend facilities like lounges – and charge accordingly, or family facilities, to lower tiers.
You want to stand in a busy area, move about and keep warm – pay less. You want to keep warm in a lounge – pay more. You want to take penalties against Ms Hoopy, go to the family area. Just bring a child, please.
30 years from now, few will want to watch football in a stadium like Celtic Park. This happened to football in the 70s and 80s. It became stuck in the infrastructure of what was then regarded by many as a decrepit bygone era. Many football fans just stopped going. I can see history repeating itself.
Cater for the future or your local shopping mall/multiplex will. In future, everyone will want access to a warm lounge before and after the game, and at halftime. Try planning a leisure activity in northern Europe for the 21st century and come up with any other conclusion.
Ticket machines should be at the perimeter of the stadium footprint. Once inside, you should have fan zones with bars, restaurants, cafes, play areas, shops – mostly undercover. You should never be more than 5 minutes away from being able to spend money. Or spend a penny – with paper towels available all afternoon.
I’m usually in the environs of Celtic Park close to 3 hours on a match day. The opportunities for engagement are enormous, but we’re miles away for thousands of us in the ‘reasonably priced’ seats.
None of this is meant as a criticism. We have a magnificent 20th century stadium, I was one of thousands who paid to build it. All of the above wish-list would cost millions we just don’t have – this is the reality. But we need to have a vision of what our future requirement looks like.
I still miss the old Celtic Park, the new stadium cannot touch if for atmosphere, but what we expect when we go to the football is different now, and will be different again in the future. The first thing I’d do if we broke free of Scottish football is call in the bulldozers and start again.
Season ticket prices remain same as last season, confounding conspiracy theorists four-year fantasy. This caused brief spates of cognitive dissonance before a fresh wave of conspiracies washed the pain away.
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KevJ
Great to hear the good news, back to Paradise for you as you confirmed now that the Jungle 2.0 is being built for ye ;)
HH
TBB
The work that the foundation do is stunning in ceratin respects.
I recently had a meeting with an autism practitioner – the meeting concerned had nothing whatsoever to do with Celtic and was a purely private matter. However, I asked him if he had heard of or had anything to do with the Autism initiatives which were being led by the Celtic Charity Foundation?
He immediately launched into a speech about just how good the Celtic initiative was and stated that what they had set up was truly groundbreaking and went on to say that even the foundation had no idea just how good their programme was and how much of a difference it makes and could make if it is rolled out.
He said that many organisations who look after those with Autism could do with looking at the Foundation model, practices and learning.
Paul B, Harry Brady, Mark Cameron, St Martin’s bhoy, myself and a few others sit on a fans committee for the foundation and do what we can to help raise funds and give support to Tony Hamilton, Jane Maguire and their hard working team.
Unfortunately for me, I can’t participate in many of the events due to the extremely duff knees, and due to other committments I am often not available for events like Sundays dinner for the heroes of 86.
However when we are available we do what we can.
For example I am helping to organise the Foundation’s annual golf day which will take place on 23rd June at Renfrew Golf Club. If anyone wants to enter a team of four then get in touch or if you have a prize or something to donate for the raffle or auction then again let me know.
Last year the event was held on World Autism day and all the funds raised — over £12,000 from memory — went towards the Autism project the guy I mentioned above was raving about.
Beyond the Foundation, let’s not forget that Celtic PLC provide a whole interactive learning suite within the stadium where groups of kids are brought in for various education projects.
The foundation has also funded various education, musical and technology school projects in Scotland and beyond not forgetting the work that has been done for those suffering from Neuroblastoma, the homeless and others.
My post which is in moderation also highlights the Celtic World Club Partnership where Celtic have partnered up with over 50 kids or young persons football teams from around the world with those kids all playing in shirts and gear associated with and provided by Celtic and with the clubs encouraged to come to Celtic Park and enhance their tie up to the club through training and education.
Outwith the partnership, Celtic also encourage other non affiliated clubs to come and visit Celtic to sample their training regimes, coaches and education model.
Very little of this gets the publicity it deserves ( the club’s fault in truth as they should be banging their own drum in this regard ) and when taken with the progress of the foundation you mention, we are far closer to the original roots and ethos of the club today than at any time since those first heady days of 1888/89.
Of course none of this takes into account the work done by various fans groups such as The Kano Foundation and others.
There is a huge amount to be immensely proud of in and around Celtic Football Club — an astonishing amount.
However, we could publicise and manage things better than we do. We have the people, we have the ground and we have the nous and can get the money.
Raw, unambiguous, naked ambition is this regard is no bad thing.
——
Macjay…
Dear O Dear…!
While We’re Busy Measuring Curtains For The Whitehoose…
We’re Becomin’ Increasingly Concerned About The Continuing Absence Of Ol’ Marxist Agitator,SFTB…
From The Hallowed Pages Of This Blog..
After His Cryptic An’ Emotional W/E Posts…
Aboot Some Personal “Life-Style” Decision….??
Has Leggoland2 Dropped By This Week…?
Perhaps Wee Bournesoupe Could Bounce O’er Tae Darkest Cambuslang Tae Enquire….
Suitably Disguised In Raybans, A False Tache…
An’ A Burkha ?
(Just Tae Check Any Stitches An’ Suchlike)
[ Remember The Grapes & Lucozade, UnderCoverBournesoupe..! Ed ]
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/89/0e/89/890e89d7e5cd4456bd5b9bda28af875e.jpg
Hope We’re No Hivin’ A Wee Case O’ “Buyer’s Remorse”, Here ?
Anyways….You Kin Always Find Me Doon The Brazen….
Plottin’ Oor Next Moves Wi’ TD’67…
If Ye Should Ever Want A Chat..?
PS..Dwayne Bobbit Has A Useful Blog..
https://for_those_of_us_who_hiv_tae_pee_sittin'_doon/html
An’ The BBC Radio Presenter,Jenny Murray…
Also Has A Blog..
wwww.livingwithacameltoe.com
———–
KevJ Ar La…
Lots Of Activity Ootside Chez Marco McGhee This Hoopy Mornin’….
Wee Granny Coyle Is Busy Organizing The Boys Puttin’ Up The Buntin’ An’ The Booncy Castle….
An’ Turnin’ Carfin Grotto Water Intae The Finest Sasparilla.
Decision Fae Oor Irish Raj IMMINENT ?
“There Are Poor Clares Invading The Pitch…
They Think It’s All Over….
It Is NOW..!”
NikeThursdayOanCQN.CSC
——-
BRTH I posted a question to you, Auldheid and Canamalar last night. We were debating whether season books should be renewed or not given the clubs disasterous boardroom and on field performances and the silence on res 12 etc. I have been asking why Celtic can’t give an explanation as to why they won’t take on res 12. Some posters were saying they were content to wait because the res 12 guys are. What’s your view?
BRT & H
” Very little of this gets the publicity it deserves ( the club’s fault in truth as they should be banging their own drum in this regard ) ”
Of course it does not get the publicity it deserves; that would mean the MSSM being positive about Celtic.
As regards the comment in parenthesis, PR is definitely not our Club`s strong suit!
I am hoping, during the close season, to do a wee bit to help change that.
JJ
Not from one of the Res 12 bhoys but from BarcaBhoy – lets hope he is in the know as was suggested:
Season Book prices frozen ✔️
Standing area ✔️
Champions again ✔️
Best ever sponsorship deal ✔️
New Manager – SOON
New Signings – SOON
Res 12 – SOON
LNS – ON!
SFTB
If ye know yer history!
Great posts this morning.
HH
—-
Starry Plough…
We Concur….
Bless..!
SolAlinski.CSC
~~~~
Look at the English Premier League sponsors
Bournemouth – Gambling
Arsenal – Airline
Aston Villa – Software
Chelsea – Tyres
Crystal Palace – Gambling
Everton – Booze
Leicester – Sponsored by Owner
Liverpool – Standard Chartered
Manchester City – Sponsored by Owner
Manchester United – Chevrolet
Newcastle – Wonga
Norwich – Insurance
Southampton – Electronics company
Stoke – Betting/Sponsored by owner
Sunderland – Betting
Swansea – Financial Services
Spurs – Insurance
Watford – Betting
West Ham – Betting
West Brom – Betting
So nine teams have sponsors that some would consider inappropriate for Celtic: West Brom, West Ham, Watford, Sunderland, Stoke, Newcastle, Everton, Palace, Bournemouth
The biggest clubs have global brands backing them. (Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal)
Then you have a few clubs sponsored by their own owner.
Norwich and Southampton are sponsored by successful companies local to the area.
Swansea’s sponsorship with an eastern financial services website really strikes me as unusual and creative.
So here’s the sponsorship choices:
A: An international brand looking for a prestige sponsorship? We won’t attract that as long as we play in Scotland. We’re not a global brand like Arsenal or Manchester United.
B: A local successful business wanting to support a local team? Forget it. The only way a Scottish business would sponsor Celtic would be a joint sponsorship with Sevco. Like the CR Smith days.
C: Sponsored by the owner? Desmond isn’t that type of owner
D: International sponsor like Swansea City? Not many international companies would sponsor Celtic as we don’t get international viewers.
It’s not a scientific survey. But looking at the sponsorship in a healthier league with millions more viewers, there are still plenty of betting sponsorship’s going on.
Feel the Bern Trumpet!
http://www.hailhailmedia.com/level-5-step-it-up/
Perfect description of what level5 are doing to the Celtic support and many among us have fallen for their shite
Neganaon,
There was a long meeting at Celtic Park yesterday re Res 12 and a statement will be forthcoming.
It is moving along I can promise you that, but at this moment in time the ball is not in Celtic’s court though it will be soon enough.
There was also another letter sent to the SFA legal team yesterday and Celtic were copied in.
Neganon
Seems to me the club’s position in Res 12 has been to assist in its progress without taking, or moreover be seen to have taken, responsibility for it.
Two and half years down the line, and with the response last week from the SFA, time is now for the club to frame the required letter to UEFA and get on with it. It’s really not such a difficult task, either practically or conceptually.
I think the club has misread supporter sentiment on the topic, but that the significance of the issue to the support is better recognised by the club now.
The emerging narrative appears to be that the SFA have complied with their own procedures and UEFA’s requirements in all respects, and have referred the matter to UEFA who issued the licence. The sense is that either:
– Rangers fully declared their position with HMRC and UEFA applied their discretion in awarding the licence;
– Or Rangers did not fully declare their position, and the licence was awarded without sight of the breaches of criteria.
To find out, all it takes is a letter, appropriately framed, frm an appropriate UEFA member, whether club or association, and there seems to be some positive movement on this in the last 4 weeks or so.
It will thereafter be up to UEFA to consider whether they were fully informed and applied their discretion to the circumstances, or were “duped” into issuing a licence that they otherwise would not have.
I suspect the balance of convenience will favour a statement of the former, although it would be interesting to watch what UEFA might do if they established the latter.
In all of this, valid questions have been asked which remain outstanding to be answered by the relevant authorities.
Getting the answers would be welcome. Whether the answers themselves are as welcomed is quite another thing altogether.
I’d caution against anyone thinking that the outcome to Res 12 will be the start of some crusade to reset the football landscape. The likelihood is that it will be dealt with by UEFA in their usual circumspect and self-interested manner, and that doesn’t presage a crusade generally.
As regards renwing the season tickets, provided the club now acts to expedite Res 12, and does so in good faith, I have no issue there. Over to Celtic now. They are in control of the question to be asked, but not the answer.
TBB
Kevj glad to have read your good news this morning , so happy for you & your family hail hail
Why can’t the doubters not just take BRTH and the rest of the res12 guys word that they are on it? Along with the club, how many times must they repeat this?
BRHT
As Masty said at 10.34 can you give us an update
;-)
Delighted to hear the news about KevJ
Hail Hail
BRTH
Had a look for your post from last night that you said wasn’t showing. Just found it and it looks like you had too many links in there which would have been regarded as a spam.
Anyway it is sorted now and appears on P9 at 9.28pm last night for those wishing to read.
On Res 12, will Neganon 2 come on and say that he’s now renewing his season ticket and encourage everyone else to do so, if things go to plan or will he simply move onto the next item in the Celtic bashing agenda?
The Affiliation, who lobbied the club on the season ticket freeze, are putting out a statement saying that it’s great news for families trying to afford the cost of watching Celtic. When the club announced the price freeze yesterday there was an article saying that it proves the club is in limbo!
Putting a roof on the stadium would be nice as well as summer football.
Absolutely agree the stadium should be a wider area with a match day experience.
The main gripe I have is the time it still takes to get in and out. It takes me 5 hours to attend with commuting factored in and I live within the Lisbon lions radius. I imagine driver less cars will help in about 10 years but more needs to be done to link the club with the City centre. Have Celtic got a bicycle stand to take the Council bikes? Surely the velodrome has? I would seriously consider cycling out from the city centre as I could get there in half the time it currently takes to walk or go by one of the train stations. Each train station is about a 15-20 min walk from the park and doubling that adds substantial time onto a hectic lifestyle. I want to get home or into the City for a pint quickly.
There is also a problem with Celtic decanting training to Lennox town. There was loads of spare ground going in the East End and Celtic could have five tailed with the Commonwealth games had times been more kind. Instead the fans no longer connect in the same way with players and staff. Perhaps it’s time to review the provenance of that decision and invest fully in the area with a training academy integrated in the community with a full size indoor pitch rather than the 1 currently at Lennox town that’s too wee and take us away from the gale force environs of Lennoxtown. I am sure the land is worth a few bob and the conditions can be reviewed for sale and redevelopment.
BRTH @ 09.58
So So True about our Wonderful Foundation.. Not nearly enough credit given to their work, either locally, Nationally or Overseas. I cant think of any Club, Anywhere in the UK, that commits so much time and effort, raises and distributes so much money, and offers so much help and support than our own Charity.
That’s why I am a Celtic Supporter.
God bless them.
From Masty`s link:
” they are relying on us eating ourselves. They want us all fighting each other, they want us all divided and they want a message of chaos out there.”
Cheerio for now,
JJ
PS Forecast is for 20C in Glasgow on Sunday. Too much drink on Saturday and bare legs on Sunday = Green and white without a Celtic top!
Good Morning CQN
Just back from St Andrews and read back
Great news kevJ stay strong and positive you are in my prayers
HT Congratulations on reading your good news
I wish and your good lady all the best and happiness
Res 12 guys a BIG well done for all your hard work
Keep the Green Flag flying high
Are the SB on sale at the ticket office?
I can never get it done on line
Will have to up root to new seat as
I am smack in the middle of the new standing area
Hail Hail
ANDYR53
I put a link in Cqn Facebook page yesterday for a cousin of mine who is running a charity 5’s tourney
Tried to link CRC into it also
KEVJUNGLE…..
Fantastic news!
Keep the faith!
The Affiliation, who lobbied the club on the season ticket freeze, are putting out a statement saying that it’s great news for families trying to afford the cost of watching Celtic. When the club announced the price freeze yesterday there was an article saying that it proves the club is in limbo!
======
I’m quite sure the same guy had scathing articles ready to go whether the ST price went up, down or as was the case, remained the same.
Literally, a no win situation for Celtic with some people.
Isn’t this why we loathe the MSM?
HH
BBC’s “Scottish Football Gossip” at a glance:
Rangers manager Mark Warburton has identified…
Fulham winger Ben Pringle, 26, has sounded out his former Rotherham United team-mate, Kirk Broadfoot, the former Rangers defender, about an approach…
27-year-old Scottish midfielder Kevin McDonald is a target for Rangers…
Sheffield United are weighing up a summer move for Rangers midfielder Nicky Law…
Rangers are moving in on Liverpool’s former Under-19s captain…
Manchester United have beaten Rangers and Liverpool to the signature of 17-year-old Wisla Krakow goalkeeper…
Rangers captain Lee Wallace believes that manager Mark Warburton…
Rangers manager Mark Warburton has urged Rangers supporters…
Rangers full-back Lee Wallace insists…
Former Rangers midfielder Alejandro Bedoya claims…
Matthew Knox, the 16-year-old Livingston midfielder who is in signing talks with Rangers…
Has someone paid their Level 5 invoice?
BRTH. … Thanks for that post! Uplifting.
KevJ .. Didn’t get the chance earlier to say how pleased I was to hear your news
HH
TBB…yes, first 10 articles are about huns although the tenth mentions Celtic, in that the Celtic fans trashed Alejandro Bedoya’s car in Glasgow. They hate us so much, must be painful!
KevJ….happy for you and your family.
Hamilton Tim…happy for you and your Minx.
BRTH…I worked alongside Foundation last year. Tony and his team do great things in the name of Celtic.
BRTH
Is there a link we can read more about the FT analyst you mentioned yesterday or his prediction that the Celtic share price will see a hike to ~110 within the next 12 months?
HH
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS on 5TH MAY 2016 11:22 AM
THE BATTERED BUNNET on 5TH MAY 2016 11:08 AM
It may also be the ‘good news’ to cover up the ‘bad news’ that usually appears in the same week
TBB
I think you touch on an important point and that is the expectations arising from Res12.
All Res12 did was ask the club to approach UEFA to investigate the UEFA licencing process in 2011.
Had the SFA been more candid or simply stated and demonstrated that no overdue payable existed under the rules then there was no need to prolong matters since last July.
The SFA have been able to dodge answering the questions put to them by shareholders because they are accountable only to the member club.
If there is an overdue payable under UEFA rules and an error was made in 2011 all that was needed was an admission by SFA and an apology to Celtic with some negotiated settlement. The figure would have been €300k which is what a club exiting in the first round of CL gets. ( Perhaps topped up by the sum paid for playing in first EL qualifier.
However Res12 never was about the money. It was and is about accountability. Accountability for bad decisions made, accountability for covering up or mitigating what did take place.
I think it is the failure to appreciate the feelings on this that has been badly misjudged by all those making a living from running football and I include the media.
If we get another LNS “circle the wagons to keep the Indians outside” approach as happened with LNS, ie only look at what suits by UEFA, then we each individually have to consider what kind of support we give to a sport where lack of accountability means the rules are not worth the paper they are written on.
The hope is UEFA value the integrity of their competition that their rules are designed to protect more than the Scottish football authorities do and will demonstrate that by answering the bloody questions put in a transparent way.
However it being football I wouldn’t bet on it but live in hope that the authorities realise that football without integrity is not a sport and engage with SFA to make sure something as has happened to Scottish football since SDM first engaged in ebts through to his attempts to wriggle clear and the consequences of that can never happen again.
KevJ
Glad to hear you have many more Aff Oots to look forward to.
AULDHEID on 5TH MAY 2016 11:47 AM
Any malfeasance or misfeasance the SFA are guilty of in relation to the issues involved with Res 12 are insignificant in comparison to allowing the same club myth to become a de facto reality.
Moreover the former is historic, the latter is current.
I can’t help thinking people are paying too much attention to one at the expense of the other.
Though I suspect there are those who are happy with the prioritisation.
The ole L5 website is a gallery of rogues and soup-takers. Almost every photo is orange and blue.
Mingin…
BRTH
Thank goodness …. Keep up the good work, Res12 ‘team’ …… Really important to all Celtic Supporters …..
Fholks,
Where exactly is the standing area ?……anyone who says, UNDER YOUR FEET will be summarily executed …. Hahahahahahaha
Blantyretim @ 11.04….
Brilliant !!!! Exactly what I’m lookin for!!.. (Gawd, ah really need to get this facebook thingy!!!) Can you get in touch please.. andyr53@btinternet.com
K T F.
67Heaven .. CHALLENGING THE LIE ..I am wee Oscar…… Ipox belongs to the creditors on 5th May 2016 12:00 pm
The section highlighted in yellow
http://seasontickets.celticfc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/D_ST1617-Stadium-Map.pdf