A very personal Celtic

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After I mentioned the Overseas Season Ticket holders last week, Auldheid (an overseas supporter) pulled some thoughts together on what his relationship with our club is all about.  Here it is, well worth kicking back for five minutes and reading:

“The phrase “BeCeltic” intrigued me somewhat as we all have different ideas of what that might mean. For me there is something about being a Celtic supporter that goes way beyond football. Every Celtic supporter everywhere feels it to some degree or other and every Celtic supporter demonstrates it to some degree or other according to their circumstances and their life experience.

You meet a stranger in a pub and if he is a fellow Tim he is no longer a stranger. If he is a fellow CQNer he was already your pal even though you had never met before. This feeling of belonging to something greater than self… it ranges from a distant almost spiritual connection to the club and what it stands for, to attendance with fellow supporters at every game the team plays, home and away.

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to BeCeltic (as I saw it) last season when I signed up for an Overseas Season Ticket.  You can read more about the genesis (and CQN’s part in it) here on Celtic Underground.

The concept on which the OST is based for me anyway reflects the Celtic ethos which manifests itself in the way we support not only the team but each other both in the official charitable work carried out by the Celtic Foundation and as everyday supporters doing mad stuff like a huddle on top of Ben Nevis for heavens sake!!! In support of our own deserving causes, like the Kano Foundation, which is but just one great example of the caring heart of the support.

The impact such work can have on people’s lives can never be fully appreciated until you meet someone, as I did whilst sitting outside a pub in Spain,  overwhelmed by the difference it made to their wellbeing.

Buying an Overseas Season Ticket was almost an act of faith in that I did not know if I had internet connectivity at my Spanish destination to watch Celtic TV. Initially I did not, but “God works” etc and a charitable neighbour gave me WiFi access that enabled me to watch ALL games home and away on TV, via connecting HDMI cable to the laptop, from the comfort of my flat overlooking the beach. (Hence the term life is a beach).

Even better, I had the option of watching games not televised by Sky or ESPN in local bars via WiFi on my mobile phone if the wife dragged me out for lunch in game time. (Bad stuff happens to good guys too you know).

Not all performances were great but both 4-3 victories over Aberdeen and Dundee Utd in the Scottish Cup were truly memorable. Luckily I returned home in time to attend the title winning game v ICT using one of my 4 OST match day tickets, which this season has become FIVE along with a £50 price reduction.

I was also very pleased to get a letter from the Celtic Foundation saying that my seat had been used in my absence by local organisations and as a Calton man I was delighted to see folk from organisations in my old stomping ground amongst the beneficiaries.

Personally I see last season’s OST initiative as simply another indication, along with the recent appointment of a Supporter Liaison and Service Officer, that progress is being made in an ongoing process of bringing the Celtic support even closer together using the wonderful communication tools we now have. I find that something to be excited about as a force for spreading good in a world where ethics (which is derived from ethos) seem to have been forgotten.

But lofty thoughts apart J : At  a very practical level the OST is a very good value for money way, especially at £250 for a Season Ticket with the ability to view all games on Celtic TV and attend up to five games when at home, given due notice, of not only being a Celtic supporter but of sharing the load of supporting Celtic across the full spectrum of the support wherever we are. From the Auldheids with grey or no hair to the younger gentlemen with too much and the Celtic ladies of all ages whom I find are even more passionate in their support (if you met my sister you would know what I mean).

So I have already renewed and if you are fortunate enough to be able to afford as well as able to make full or partial use of an OST, I would encourage you to do so via BeCeltic overseas season ticket.”

With fans like Auldheid, we’re in good hands. Trying hard to insist I’m not worried about preseason games……
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629 Comments

  1. Gary hopper has frustrated me during his stat at Celtic park. For one month he can be excellent , then next month awefull but I suppose that can be put down to PL never giving Gary any competition , if Gary was fit he played as we had no other option

     

    To say its a surprise he is leaving is an insult to the intelligence of most fans. We knew that. But also know our club were deeply search the world for a striker under 2m that scores goals . How much money have we wasted on that policy ?

     

    So looks like he is of ski and stokes and Sammi or Balde will be upfront.

     

    God help us

  2. FFM

     

    Propoganda? Spin?

     

     

    A wee two minute intro to a longer, fascinating documentary that explains just how and why we are so different from our great grandparents….

     

     

    But it has proven SO successful, it is one of the reasons old media are still believed and phone ins still exist.

     

     

    Roll on the Ego….

  3. PJBhoy,

     

     

    Sounds like my cup of tea. Going to watch the intro now, thanks.

     

     

    ST,

     

     

    Stokes is a great player, and “gets” us. But the boo boys and MSM are going to make sure he doesn’t reach his best. I’ve always rated Stokes over Hooper. But the moaning element of the support, which has multiplied 10 fold in recent years, and the Board, will ensure he doesn’t get a full opportunity to prove it. Unless Lenny sees this and is trying to manage the situation.

  4. Pj. Skippy way above hooper in goals

     

     

    Fortune I believe stokes is a far better football player and gives more effort and more option to the team than hooper.

     

    Unfortunately he had not been the regular goal scorer that hooper is and is less tactically aware than hooper ( hence in Europe he has been poor)

     

     

    So don’t care about MSM. Just want a striker who can score 25 goals in spl and score in Europe. Stokes will never be that player I am afraid to say

  5. Pj. What age is your wee Maddison now :)

     

    Is it warm and sticky in the big smoke now ?

  6. PJ,

     

     

    Where’s the link to the full docu?

     

     

    Hope I’m right; the ole internet will be the biggest mistake they made and see their whole empire crumble.

     

     

    In the last decade, I moaned to pals (who tolerated my mentalness) about how people were becoming more insular and self-serving. No concern for their neighbour. I prophesised like a broody male Cassandra on the forthcoming end of the human race.

     

     

    Now, when they are all coming round to the idea that I might have been right, I’m trying to explain how I see things changing for the better. I genuinely believe our survival extinct (or, for the religious, the good in us) is being tested and rising to the challenge. We’re fighting back. I won’t go in to detail in how I see these things, as I’ll sound radio rental. You’ll just need to trust me when I say I’m right :))

     

     

    For the sceptical, or those worried about the future for the reasons we all know, no corrupt empire has ever outlived the people. The current regime, even if you want to go back 500 years, 1000 years, will ALWAYS crumble. Such a life span will also inevitably shorten as evolution continues. Or will always shorten as humanity realises the importance of keeping in touch with its own spirituality as the populaltion increases dramatically. It doesn’t matter if you’re religious, or humanist, we all know that good will win in the end.

     

     

    I hope that the rozzers, the OO and some lost huns are reading this. Bring yerself back to humanity, for the sake of your own children and grandchildren.

  7. .

     

     

    We Need to get Hooper out the Door Asap..He is Not interested and will be Terrified of getting a Bad Injury so wont even Tackle if Picked..

     

     

    Hopefully we get Past Cliftonville so have 2-3 Weeks to Bring in Another Striker..

     

     

    Not seen anything of Balde so cant Comment but Trust Lenny..

     

     

    Summa

  8. Summa,

     

     

    Whoever the replacement goal scorer is, the pressure will be high. That’s not good for a new striker. We’ll get the goals from others over the next few important games.

     

     

    The key to the success of said replacement is patience from the Celtic Support.

     

     

    Bangura didn’t stand a chance due to this new found impatience amongst us.

     

     

    Given a bit of time, he might have proved to be another Henke (cue laughs of derision), buit I’m right. How can you prove something was impossible when your own cynicism didn’t give it a chance?

     

     

    (not implying those points are aimed at your good self of course! Just developing the point).

  9. Summi. Amazing watching the blog talk about the draw in CL.

     

    From good draw. No long trips , easy through

     

    To yesterday. Escape with 1:1 and you saying hopefully

     

    We say what is our mind and the mindset of the fan is changing cause if the shambolic pre season

     

    We have known these players are off ski.

     

    We made about 15m profit last year

     

    We have about 20m credit facilty with bank

     

    Get your finger our and get the players in

     

    Ps. Not even talking about vic money and hooper money yet ( thanks canamalar )

  10. .

     

     

    SydneyTim..

     

     

    So don’t care about MSM. Just want a striker who can score 25 goals in spl and score in Europe. Stokes will never be that player I am afraid to say

     

     

    Posters on Here.. You and Paul67 included were Always Bumping their Gums that Sammi Only had 2 Goals in the SPL in Nearly a Entire Season..a Couple of Years back..

     

     

    The Stat was True..But he was Injured for over 2 Months then was Getting the Last 15 Mins as a Sub with WGS..

     

     

    Who..could have Foreseen Sammi’s Goal scoring efforts in Europe last Season..?

     

     

    Look at Henrik’s Scoring stats at Feijenoord..Played in Midfield..Desperately Unhappy..

     

     

    I Think Stokes will Surprise a Few this Season..if He and Balde Click we could be Happy..

     

     

    Also when Lenny was Deciding who to Bring in He would have been looking for a Good partner for Stokes NOT Hooper..Trust in Lenny..

     

     

    Summa

  11. Summi. If you namesake every scores 20 spl goals in one season I will eat that smelly picked trout Swedish food and post it live on you tube

     

    Yes indeed away from home in Europe playing as lone striker, Sammi is invaluable. But playing in spl week in week out. Nope. You know that I know that

     

    Balde has never been a regular goalscorer. Yup neither was Henke. But I will sell my hoose and give you 650k if you can find another Henke from Rotterdam

  12. .

     

     

    SydneyTim..

     

     

    When l say Hopefully getting Past Cliftonville..I am Giving them the Respect that any team Celtic FC Play deserves..

     

     

    I Will let the MSM Call teams Pub-Teams..

     

     

    I Think the Russian Coach All but called Us a Pub Team last Year..Looks like his Players believed Him..

     

     

    Same as Hopefully..a New Striker will settle Quickly..and Not be Judged by what He Cost..Free or Millions..

     

     

     

     

    Summa

  13. Summi. I only judge a striker by the goals he scores Out of last ten strikers we have signed only skippy and hooper have made the grade

     

    Ps I include sammy in the failed list

     

    He was moved out of it as he is not a striker now

  14. Sorry Bhoys,

     

    I was collared in the local by an 80 year old ballet dancer who I am sure was a looker in her day.

     

     

    FFM

     

    You will find it here. IMO, Explains EVERYTHING that conditions us and our parents (To, albeit, a variable degree).

     

     

    ST

     

    Madison is now 4 going on 14. Time goes fast, and as many on here warned me when she was born, she has me wrapped around her finger. I am Still Game though… Just!

  15. Sorry FFM….

     

     

    Here!

     

     

    Whilst I do not believe in Democracy per se…. (Rule of the Mob)

     

    If we do have it…Every person that votes should be aware of this documentary, and the History that shaped them.

  16. Pj. Aye wee lassies keep u busy

     

    My wee one is 3 and a half and is full of energy

     

     

    Summi. Our policy of looking for bargain has indeed worked in middle of park. 1 in 2 signings have ended up as regular starters

     

    On defence maybe 1 in 3

     

    But up front 1 in 5 or 6

     

    We can’t wait around for 5 projects up front. For striker we have to throw our failed policy oot window

  17. Good news travels fast, apparently the Bristol City fans yesterday were singing

     

    “Your not rangers anymore”

     

     

    Oh dear hope the big screens never started playing up as well.

  18. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    CHE

     

     

    Nice big winner yesterday?

     

     

    Well done,sir!

  19. Bmcuw

     

    Thanks playing small stakes, off on holiday on weds so mrs windsors notes are staying even more tightly in the sporran.

     

    Good to hear the CQN6 made their mark against the bookies!

  20. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    CHE

     

     

    You shoooorly love yer trips abroad!

     

     

    Have the usual belter,and leave some beer for the locals.

     

     

    Remember to send yer bro in Kilwinning a postcard….

  21. .

     

     

    Rapper Snoop Dogg back in Scotland for T in the Park.. and still wanting to buy Celtic

     

     

    THE gangly music star first revealed his desire to buy the Hoops last year after discovering he liked the way the strip looked.

     

     

    Snoop Dogg with our John Dingwall at T in the ParkSnoop Dogg with our John Dingwall at T in the Park

     

    HIP HOP superstar Snoop Dogg last night revealed he is still determined to buy Celtic.

     

     

    Fresh off the stage at Balado, the Gin and Juice star told the Sunday Mail we were bang on when we revealed his plan to buy into Parkhead last November.

     

     

    He said: “It was true that I wanted to buy the club. I want to, still do.

     

     

    “When I started coming over to this beautiful country, I would go out to the shopping centres and I would see the Celtic shirt and have it on me and I would like the way it looked.

     

     

    “I would purchase it and I would wear it and perform with it and I would see the reaction I would get when I wore it.”

     

     

    The 6ft 4in rapper loved playing T, saying: “It’s exciting playing here. The crowd was off the hook. They projected a lot of energy. I projected the energy from them and I gave it right back to them.”

     

     

    Snoop Dogg in Celtic strip..

     

     

    Summa

  22. .

     

     

    Celtic icon Stiliyan Petrov tells how wife Paulina’s love has helped him through his cancer hell.

     

     

    THE former Celtic and Aston Villa player says she and his family has helped him to cope with the effects of his leukaemia.

     

     

    STILIYAN PETROV today opens his heart on his leukaemia battle – and hails his wife for pulling him through.

     

     

    The Celtic legend said Paulina’s unstinting love and support has helped him through the 17 months since his devastating diagnosis.

     

     

    Stiliyan admitted that after being told of his illness in March 2012, there were times when he struggled to cope and even wanted to stop his life-saving treatment – but Paulina gave him the strength to battle on.

     

     

    He told the Sunday Mail: “I feel very lucky and I feel very positive. Some people don’t come through this kind of illness and that leaves me sad and cold.

     

     

    “But I’m still here to speak about it and I’m on the way back to full health. With the support of my family, I have been able to get through the past year and a half.

     

     

    “Paulina has been beside me every minute of every day. Honestly, it’s been incredible to have had that from my wife. She has been so strong for me and our children, Stiliyan and Kristiyan. She made sure I never gave up. I owe her everything.”

     

     

    In an emotional interview yesterday, Stiliyan – nicknamed Stan by Celtic fans – told the Sunday Mail of the life-shattering moment when he was diagnosed with acute leukaemia.

     

     

    It was March last year and at just 33, he was at the height of his career as captain of Aston Villa and felt in great physical condition.

     

     

    Petrov has been touched by the support of fansPetrov has been touched by the support of fans

     

    Ian Kington/AFP/Getty Images

     

     

    But his life was turned upside-down when the killer disease was found in his system after a routine medical at the training ground.

     

     

    Stiliyan and Paulina were in a state of shock but immediately vowed to beat the illness. And now, 17 months on, the midfielder is on his way back to full health.

     

     

    Speaking for the first time about the devastating impact the diagnosis had on his family, Stiliyan said: “I can remember most of it very clearly.

     

     

    “It was March last year and Kristiyan had a wee cold. I felt a wee bit under the weather and thought it was down to Kristiyan being unwell.

     

     

    “But I was still doing my usual training to prepare for our game at Arsenal. I got up on the Saturday morning at the hotel and felt great.

     

     

    “Then in the game, I had to go on two long runs and I felt a bit strange. There was a lack of power in my legs.

     

     

    “A few minutes later, I was turned in the box and I didn’t react and Arsenal scored. My mind knew what to do but my legs refused to take me.

     

     

    “Alex McLeish told me at half time he thought I was second to every ball and that it was unusual for me. I told him I didn’t feel right and he asked if I wanted to come off. I said it was the best decision for the team.

     

     

    “But my team-mates asked me to play on. The adrenalin must have kicked in and I actually felt OK and finished the 90 minutes.

     

     

     

    “I felt down on the bus journey home. I spoke to the doctor, Ian McGuinness, and he took my temperature – it was 37.6C. He told me it was nothing to be concerned about but gave me antibiotics. Next morning I was fine.

     

     

    “On the Tuesday, we had heart-screening after the terrible Fabrice Muamba incident. They also took blood.

     

     

    “On the Wednesday, we were off and I was out for lunch with Paulina. Dr McGuinness phoned me to say he was concerned and asked me to give another blood sample the following day. I did.

     

     

    “I was advised not to train, but I trained. I wanted to play on the Saturday against Chelsea.

     

     

    “I left the training ground but Dr McGuinness phoned me to go to Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham. One of the physios accompanied me and when we walked through the doors, I was entering the doors for the cancer unit.

     

     

    “I was shocked. I immediately phoned Paulina and asked her to get to the hospital. The doctor sat me down and told me he thought I had leukaemia. I said, ‘What?’

     

     

    “They needed to take bone marrow. I tried to get my head around this. Paulina arrived and I told her.

     

     

    “The doctor then gave us some details and what may be involved but we were told to go home and come back the next day.

     

     

    “It still wasn’t 100 per cent confirmed. I told Paulina the diagnosis had to be wrong. We didn’t sleep a wink. At 11am on the Friday, the hospital asked me back. I was told I had leukaemia. Paulina burst into tears. We cuddled.

     

     

    “I told the doctor I wanted a second opinion. I was recommended a professor at the University College Hospital in London.

     

     

    “I went straight to London and he confirmed it. He put me on a really strong course of treatment to start the following week.

     

     

    “I’ve always been a fighter, but fighting for your life is completely different from any other battle. Diseases don’t ask – they just come.”

     

     

    Stiliyan Petrov: Being told my football career was over was as bad as cancer bombshell

     

     

    Stiliyan met the challenge head-on. He moved to London for intensive care and was there for long periods during the next nine months.

     

     

    In that time, he read the autobiographies of Lance Armstrong and Geoff Thomas. Their stories of recovery from similar illnesses were inspirational to Stiliyan.

     

     

    His sons remained at school in Birmingham but Paulina moved to London to be with him. The hospital staff allowed her a bed next to her husband in his tiny room.

     

     

    They were never apart. Paulina’s love and support made sure he got his treatment – but it was rarely straightforward.

     

     

    Stiliyan lost his hair and put on weight. He looked in the mirror and barely recognised himself. Sometimes he didn’t have the energy to eat or take himself to the toilet.

     

     

    Seeing her husband in constant pain ate Paulina up – but she never cried in front of Stiliyan. She wanted to show strength – but in private moments, she left the room to let the tears flow.

     

     

    Only those who have to live with people with life-threatening illness will fully appreciate what the Petrov family have been through in the past 17 months and, unfortunately, not everyone survives.

     

     

    But Stiliyan, 34, is still here to tell his story. He said: “Paulina has been so strong for me and our children. When I was in the hospital, she was there. She researched it all and was in constant dialogue with the medical staff.

     

     

    “She never switched off. I believe every person going through this needs someone with them 24 hours a day. As soon I was diagnosed, she said right

     

    away, ‘My life is on hold until we get you back to health’.

     

     

    “The first six months, I was so strong and was determined it wouldn’t get me.

     

     

    “The next six months involved really strong treatment. It was in four stages – the first two stages were fine and I then had a consolidation period.

     

     

    “But the next stage really got to me. It was during the Christmas period

     

    last year. I wanted to stop the treatment but Paulina drove me on. She did not allow me to quit.

     

     

    “Thankfully, I strolled though my last course of treatment in London.

     

     

    “Diet is also an important part of recovery. Paulina made sure I took the right things and avoided what I needed to avoid. I took plenty of vegetable juices and avoided red meat. I’m still sticking to it.”

     

     

    Stiliyan is upbeat. When we met at the family home on the outskirts of

     

    Birmingham, he was relaxed and looked the best he has for more than a year.

     

     

    Mentally and physically, he is the road to a full recovery.

     

     

    He said: “Sometimes my immune system was very low. The most painful thing was when the kids visited and I didn’t have the strength to cuddle them.

     

     

    “Now I am improving all the time. The medical attention and treatment I’ve had has been first class. I must thank Professor Linch and his staff. Professor Craddock and Dr Sandeep Nagra have also been incredible.

     

     

    “I’m still on chemo tablets and I take them every day. I take other tablets once a week. Every three months I need injections. This will continue for two years.

     

     

    “What has happened to me has made me appreciate everything I have as a husband and a father. It’s all that matters.”

     

     

    Summa

  23. South Of Tunis on

    Mondiale Under 20 Final

     

     

    France v Uruguay .

     

     

    0-0[ aet ]

     

     

    France won 4-1 on penalties .

     

     

    Standouts ——-.

     

     

    Paul Pogba —– Juventus [ it still surprises me that Man Utd let him go ] .

     

    Thauvin ——— Lille / attacking midfielder .

     

    Nico Lopez —- Uruguyan striker / winger [ Udinese ]

     

     

    Hot -way down south.

  24. Morning,

     

     

    Found this story hilarious. Imagine if the GB shouted this, I would either die laughing or die of shame.

     

     

    YSA!

     

     

    More eyes turned on tonight’s Red Bull game

     

    to see if their fans persisted in their

     

    controversial and profane “You suck A-hole”

     

    chant than to see if the team could actually

     

    knock off first-place Montreal. In an intense,

     

    electric atmosphere, the answer to both

     

    questions was a resounding hell yes.

     

    The Red Bulls had drawn attention for all the

     

    wrong reasons this week, the team chastised

     

    for their listless, lethargic loss in Colorado and

     

    their fans chastised for their language, with

     

    the three supporter groups – the Empire

     

    Supporters Club, Viking Army and Garden

     

    State Ultras – even offered $500 each per

     

    game to stop chanting “YSA” after the

     

    opposing keeper’s goalkicks.

     

    But the 17,235 on hand were as loud as ever,

     

    and two of the three supporter groups

     

    unleashed one YSA chant at Troy Perkins in

     

    the 53rd minute. And the Red Bulls

     

    themselves were just as energetic, dominating

     

    the Impact 4-0 to move into a tie for second

     

    in the East.

     

    “We had to respond after the game against

     

    Colorado and we did. It was very important we

     

    weaned to start very strong, which we did, and

     

    then we kept on going. That was the key,’’

     

    said Thierry Henry, who had a goal, two

     

    assists and opted not to take an 88th-minute

     

    penalty, demurring and giving it to struggling

     

    striker Peguy Luyindula for the latter’s first of

     

    the year.

     

    “I didn’t expect that. He used to kick them. I

     

    was thinking he was going to kick it and then

     

    he gave it to me. We’ve known each other and

     

    he knew (I hadn’t scored). It’s a high-class

     

    gift…After, he said first he was sure I was

     

    going to make it. If you didn’t…,’’ Luyindula

     

    said, letting the sentence trail off.

     

    They also got goals from an in-form Eric

     

    Alexander in the 10th minute – who also hit

     

    the post – and central midfielder Tim Cahill in

     

    the 63rd.

     

    “We were better than we were last week. It

     

    was a massive game for us; a lot was at stake

     

    division-wise,’’ said Cahill. “The mentality was

     

    to put right the last game we played, and we

     

    felt we did that.’’

     

    The South Ward support urged them on, but if

     

    they keep flouting orders to cease the YSA

     

    chant, there could be consequences and

     

    repercussions. Real Salt Lake may start

     

    banning fans that persist, and last night in the

     

    63rd minute the chant – albeit quieter than

     

    normal – was audible from the GSU and

     

    Viking Army.

     

    “I understand the severity if it, I really do,’’

     

    coach Mike Petke told the Post. “Its hard for

     

    somebody who played all those years and is a

     

    fan at heart to pick a side because I see both

     

    sides. The business office might be mad at me

     

    for saying this and the fans might be mad at

     

    me. But that’s who I am: I’m a contradiction

     

    in terms.’’

     

    Two members of the GSU – who had profanely

     

    rejected the club’s cash offer and vowed not

     

    to be bought or censored – got taken away

     

    early in the first half for setting off smoke

     

    bombs. And there was the persistent YSA

     

    chant itself.

     

    Oddly, it’s far from their worst. After

     

    Alexander’s goal they sang a popular song

     

    that includes the lyrics “Take them all. Put

     

    them up against the wall and shoot ’em.’

     

    Others deal with drugs and hookers, albeit in

     

    Spanish. But MLS fears YSA will hurt

     

    sponsorship and drive away families.

     

    “Absolutely. I’m in favor of whatever it takes

     

    (to end YSA). And it would deter us from

     

    coming back,’’ said first-time visitor Ken

     

    Walleshauser, who drove down from Buffalo

     

    with wife Dawn and kids Ben and Jillian, 12

     

    and 8.

     

    “It’s not like they’ve offered the money and

     

    now we’re trying to stop YSA. We’ve been

     

    trying to stop YSA for awhile,’’ said Viking

     

    Army spokesman Jason Corliss.

     

    “To censor fans in any sport…it’s pretty tame

     

    compared to what’s said in the EPL. Trying to

     

    take that language away from fans, if that

     

    precedent is set, who knows what happens

     

    down road?’’ asks Manville’s Dave Knapp,

     

    who held a sign that said You Suck while his

     

    sister Heather Cooperstein held one that said

     

    “A-hole.

     

    “I think YSA is played out. It’s time to let it

     

    go” said Cooperstein, adding “I have 2-year-

     

    old twins: This is the only time I get to curse!”

     

    Knapp’s point about the EPL is well-made.

     

    Keith Brown, an ESC member since the club’s

     

    inception in 1996, spent a dozen years as a

     

    police officer in England. His job on Saturdays

     

    was to shepherd some of soccer’s rowdiest

     

    visiting fans from Victoria Station to the

     

    stadium and back.

     

    “We had darts thrown at it, sharp stars, they

     

    put marbles down so the horses used to fall

     

    over and throw darts at the horses. It was

     

    awful, and I dealt with that. That’s a different

     

    era, I never want to see that here,’’ said

     

    Brown. “But MLS has more things to be

     

    concerned about than “you suck a-hole.’’

     

    The irony of the whole furor? The chant itself

     

    is silly according to Nicole DiCrecchio, who

     

    has briefly served as capo, standing on the

     

    perch leading the ESC in song.

     

    “We say it after (the keeper) already kicked

     

    the ball, so it actually makes no sense. How

     

    are you messing him up? He’s already kicked

     

    the ball,’’ said DiCrecchio, whose mother

     

    Doreen added “You suck a-hole is a stupid

     

    chant in the first place. Can we be a little

     

    more intelligent? It should be on a corner

     

    kick, a goalscoring opportunity. I just don’t

     

    understand why you’d do it on a goalkick.’’

  25. Stairheedrammy on

    BBC news this morning has a Professor from Liverpool University blaming Catholic schools for the current bigot riots-he also says most OO marches are not contentious- I suppose they aren’t contentious if you are an antic catholic bigot

  26. Morning all. Fine but not too hot down here, so far.

     

     

    Has the MSM given us any insight into the shenanigans down Govan way this week? Nah; business as usual, I’m sure. Everything down there must be wonderful in the best of all possible worlds.

     

     

    Heidsinthesand,thankGhodCSC.

  27. From BBC News:

     

    As the bonfire builders were putting the finishing touches to their creation, one man in his twenties, Andrew, explained why the fire building is so important to him.

     

     

    “It is part of our tradition and our culture. It started off in the days of King William and it has continued on down the centuries since then. It is part of who we are. It is about keeping the tradition alive.

     

     

    “It brings people together. We collect the material together, build the bonfire together and it keeps the community together. The kids love it.”

     

     

    On the issue of why flags, mostly associated with the nationalist community, are burnt, the bonfire builders said it was their right to burn whatever symbol they wished.

     

     

    “They are all foreign flags, and burning them is part of our tradition as well,” said Andrew.

     

     

    Asked if he felt that others living in the mainly nationalist area nearby might see this as a provocative act, one of the bonfire builders replied: “They can find it provocative all they want. It is something that has always been done. You are never going to please everybody. ”

     

    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………

     

     

    All due to the divisiveness caused by Catholic schools!

  28. garygillespieshamstring on

    I don’t suppose the billionaire with off the radar wealth who is buying Fulham was born in Motherwell by any chance?