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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13:03 on 13 July, 2013
Great article – has really lifted my mood today. I recently moved to Woking (do I qualify for an OST???) and have felt a little out of touch with all things Celtic, but reading Auldheid’s words has made me remember that you’re never far from another member of the Celtic family no matter where you are! Can’t wait for the Brentford game now. Finally an away game I won’t travel far to!
Not only never far, but closer than you think!
There’s a great wee CSC in Camberley. Haven’t got a ticket for Brentford, but plan to go up for a couple of pints and meet some of the family!
Probably go to Riordan’s Bar. Only a few minutes from the ground and a fine pint of Murphys.
!!Bada Bing!!
I cant recall everything he has done good or bad, but he’s by no means better than very many before him
Mea Culpa
13:42 on 13 July, 2013
I have to agree with the NI politician who laid part of the blame for the trouble at the hands of the Marching Commission.
Why should the marchers be banned from marching in any area?
I mean, why put up road blocks and provoke a violent disturbance?
Much better to let them go anywhere they desire and have a full scale riot on your hands.
Yes, much better.
Meanwhile across the water…
It’s truly astonishing that a guy can face jail for singing a song at a football match whilst an organised march, complete with marching band, playing/singing similar songs with the specific purpose of stating GIRFUY to the Catholic community, is deemed OK, part of the nations cultural wealth.
Every one of these marches should be banned. No exceptions.
People have the right of free speech but not when the expression of that freedom is solely designed to cause offence to a large portion of the community.
EVERY official, at every level, in every organisation in the country knows exactly what these marches are truly about.
Indeed, were the marches not solely about sticking 2 fingers up to the Catholic community, they wouldn’t be taking place at all.
Can you imagine what would happen if these marchers were to take similar action with regards to the Muslim community?
It would be banned on the spot
~~~~~~~~~
Precisely….
Two Young Men,From An Irish Catholic Background….
Unaccompanied,On A Charity Walk……
From Hyde Park Corner….To Woolwich Barracks…..
To Lay A Wreath In The Memory Of Drummer Lee Rigby…..
Are Shadowed By Police,And Fascist Thugs….
And At A Point In The Route….
Before They Enter The Borough Of Tower Hamlets..(35% Muslim Residents)…
There Is A Pre-Planned Assault On Them By Two Thugs Who Have Been Shadowing Them….
Known Members Of The “Brighton Pavilion’ Marxist Chapter…..
And Also Members Of The United Association Of Fascists…..
And The Police Arrest The Two Irishmen,Whilst Letting Their Assailants Wander Off…..
Something Is Rotten…In The State Of Albion…
http://m.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&client=mv-google&v=mEI0TKkX9_o&fulldescription=1.
http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/2367/european-muslim-no-go-zones
STEPHBHOY
£200k to bring down the school?
Bollox
Just invite CANAMALAR and Sidney TIM and some happy clappers,throw in a few cases of beer,job done.
Davidopoulos.
Sorry, chopped off your name.
Auldheid
bang on my friend in celtic, your a good yin
hail hail
and am deff away knew
Stokes is an extremely talented player, but is not capable of playing in a lone strikers role, he needs someone up front to play off of. We need a striker with pace who can play up front on his own if the situation warrants it.
A striker who can play up front on his own with pace can also play with a partner but a striker who can only play with a partner a la Stokes can not always play on his own if you get my drift.
gsu
What happened to the Gary Hooper money?
Get it spent.
Kalispera
No post or Greek odyssey , tale, fable or legend from me tomorrow.
As it is the Sabbath I shall instead attend the Church of Agia Marina and ask my god for nothing but what he considers best for mine and I.
The church is Greek Orthodox but as it celebrates the liturgy, venerates the Virgin Mary and believes in Christ the King as sole head of the church I reckon God will be ok with it.
I’m not a pious or religious man as such but do believe in a higher power. I’m just not into whose version is better than whose sort of thing.
I will however enjoy the serenity of sitting in an incense filled room, surrounded by iconic paintings, gazing upwards to the mural of the Christ painted on the inner ceiling of the central dome of the church.
I will hope for simple positive results for my family, particularly my 82 year old Mum, currently in the care of staff at Hairmyres, in the parish of JoBo, nothing serious, she is old.
I will contemplate the gifts I have been given or earned, and will hope the lives of several CQNers are enhanced. Special words of hope for Miki and even a leg strengthening boost for BlantyreTim.
The church is building up to the feast of S. Georgious on Thursday 17th. Seriously.
I myself will be hoping to celebrate S. Georgious in a different manner on Wednesday evening as our own Greek Ghod puts in one of his special European away day performances.
So until Monday, at least, yasass and efharisto polee for all your kind responses.
EC67
wee sunny afternoon tune..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDLsPwrOOhA
My Dear Kojo….
Stokes Disnae Have The Pace Tae Be A Modern-Day Winger….
An’ He Disnae Possess The Trickery…
Of John Robertson…..
Free The MegaWATTIE 1 !
Do You Believe He’s Injured..?
Me Neither..!
HH
JJJBT……9 in a row epic.. Has Minty contacted you( or Mr Fraser as Charlotte revealed ) to say…..
JJJBT – for every 5 CQN posts you place , I’ll place 10?
Ha thought not.. And you’d say GIRUY if he did…
HH
9 in a row… Love it ….
Stephbhoy,
Cheers for the response.
So in theory we should be able to pay for that development this year.
I was never one of the ones on here who repeatedly queried where the Seville or McGeady money went. To me it was pretty obvious. The Seville money went to give the players new contracts and to pay off the money we spent buying them in the first place. McGeady money was used to buy Hooper, Izaguirre, Kayal and Stokes!!
Will be very interesting to see where all this money goes though!! I’m one of the boards biggest fans but can’t see how it would be acceptable not to give Lennon another 6-8m for new players.
We’ll just have to wait see….
I meant to wish all the best of luck to the CQNers visiting the Shire capital. I used to love a day at The Hamilton Park races. Looks like poor fields tonight though.
If my memory serves me correctly not many favourites win on a Fair weekend card at Hamilton.
Fahey’s horse, 7/1 in the last.
EC67
fan-a-tic @13:10,
Salve salve;- Have to say I think you have hit the nail right on the old proverbial. Furthermore as far as investing any of our newfound wealth is concerned, I think the absolute prioity would be for an experienced continental coach with sound tatical nous and who knows how to set out a team and knows all about physical conditioning. For me this would preferably be a coach from the Bundislega as I think this is now the strongest league in Europe. I will leave it there as I do not want to be gratuitously disparaging to our present maagerial team. Finally if there is any fall out with Tony Watt, then bridges should be mended imediately, he should be played if fit and not on the wing either.
Greenwells Qod scripti scripti
greendreamz
13:00 on
13 July, 2013
Kind of sums them up really…….thats ALL of them EVERYWHERE
http://www.channel4.com/news/mp-hit-by-brick-in-belfast-clashes-video
It is all how you see it, or see it reported.
Unknowing viewers of last night’s BBC news would have been appalled that a fine upstanding Loyaliist was somehow being denied the right to walk back and forth to church.
My dear,dear,dear,friend… The Singing Detective
You are correct.. Stokes Is not very swift.
Howevahhhhhh..
When Ah say that Stokes if a Left Winger.. Ah am endeavouring tae Justify ,a place for him in the Celtic Set up.
After all.. We are so short of Effective and Profitable ATTACKING PLAYERS..
Ah wiz only Utilizing .. Mr. Stokes ..in whit Ah consider tae Be what should be
his ONLY ROLE..in oor ATTACKING set up.. such as it is.
We must use whatever Resources that we hiv at oor Disposal in the Most Effective Way..
and that is why Ah opted fur Mr.Stokes as an Out and Out Left Winger.
Ah readily agree, He is Not the Ideal..
But, we must make do with whit we hiv..
For oor Attacking Set-Up..such as it is.. especially, if Hoops does go..
Is Verily.. QUITE..
ABYSMAL!
and .. You are correct..
Ah do not believe ,for wan blink of a Rabbit’s Eye..
That Everything Between Neil and Tony Watt
Is..
COPACETIC!
Kojo
Still Laughin’
F
Auldheid, thanks for replying, i have that background so am happy if it benefits the club. My time in the Middle East reaffirmed my thoughts on this, it brings into consideration that celtic’s fans are their greatest marketing tool and ambassadors bringing our story & brand to new fans.
Stephbhoy £200k to take down the school!!! must be a few lads in Belfast would take it down for a few pints…
TSD/Kojo
Stokesy needs loved.
An arm round his shoulder.
Made feel important.
He is the best goalscorer at the park.
He can spot a defence splitting pass.
His combination passing with Commons and Hooper is fabby.
He will be Celtics top scorer this season if managed properly.
I would make Anthony kingpin.
He would respond positively to that tact.
You have got it wrong as far as Stokesy is concerned IMHO .
TT
Nice article Auldheid. Gives a sense of being part of something greater than a football club. Which of course we all are
Tiny Tim
Hiya,Pally.. where ye bin?
Nice tae chat.
Ah agree that Stokesy has his qualities..and Ah hiv said as Much
He is A Fine Guy tae hiv around.
Ah jist don’t believe that Neil is Using Him,to get the Best from him.
He is.as you say.. Pretty Much . a Peck’s Bad Boy( well Ye didnae say That. but Ah am
sure that ye Meant tae)
He must be shown that he is Wanted.
Nothing the Matter with us doing that.
Ah hiv always known the Stokesy, marches tae his Air Drumbeat..
Don’t we All?
But, he is ..in Ma Opinon..
Too Moody fur his Own.. and Our Own.. Good.
Ah hope he Fulfills All your Expectations..in Abondanza..
and Thumbs his Nose.. at My Expectations for Him.
Kojo
Still Laughin’
Tiny Tim….
Ah Will Suggest That What Ye’ve Said Regarding Stokes…..
Would More Accurately Describe The Current Predicament….
Of The Best Player To Hiv Come Through Oor Ranks Since Paul McStay….
Sir MegaWattie…. Of Airdrie-Toon
Shop windowing EPL fodder
Nice turnover
last 16 in Europe if yer lucky
Wait and see what the huns are daein?
Paulosboots.
Actually “ambassadors” is something that came up in conversation and can be built on in a very acceptable fashion. Thanks for the reminder.
Just like to say congratulations to my wee mate who had his fourth, yes fourth daughter at 12.21 this morning. I have a picture in my head of the midwife shouting push and him saying gie it twenty minutes hen don’t listen to her.
4:51 on 13 July, 2013Coatbridge paper bhoy
Just seen your kind words on the other thread.
Thanks for that. Much appreciated
Re the OST season ticket….great idea and auldheid is very eloquent in his post….as some posters have said it should be widened to include supporters outside Scotland…..there must also be a supporters bank where the normal season ticket holders can donate their tickets when they can’t make a game…..sometimes last season I couldn’t make it and pals didn’t want to go….I am in the investors, prime seat on the half way line and would be willing to donate it when I couldn’t go….
Lanzarote is roasting….had a few beers nice lunch…..dip n snooze now….Cqners….”let’s be having you…I have euros!”
Kikinthenakas
DJBEE
15:00 on
13 July, 2013
Just like to say congratulations to my wee mate who had his fourth, yes fourth daughter at 12.21 this morning.
———————————————————-
Was his wife present at the birth ?
Congratulations.
Nigel Farage has condemned a local UKIP councillor who didn’t say anything racist, sexist, homophobic or mad during his first council meeting.
“Doesn’t this idiot know that every time a UKIP councillor goes off on one of them our poll ratings soar?” Nigel Farage told reporters. “How are we going to maintain our reputation as clowns and fruitcakes if my councillors start behaving reasonably?”
The councillor in question (Mohamad Hous Bin Phartin) apologized unreservedly for not causing controversy and said he’d already lined up some highly offensive quotes for the next council meeting.
TSD
Yip I agree that my namesake would benefit from similar treatment.
He is a natural goalscorer.
He just needs to learn to lift his head , so that he can see better the options around him.
I like Watty a lot.
TT
Celtic Supporter: A very personal Celtic and being a Celtic supporter
Celtic Bored: My own personal Celtic reach out and touch me.
Auldheid, no bother will be keen to hear how you get on. I don’t know if you read my post on Celtic Bars along the Irish Bars route based around expat populations, capital cities etc and where csc’s can operate out of. The difference being that each one will have a merchandising shop carrying a selection, i saw a similar idea in Mexico with a Cuban Bar. The bar would operate like any Irish bar except when celtic were playing, that way it can attract expats, locals & tourists alike.
Most Irish bars I have been in show EPL games when Celtic are playing.
except in Scotland
Hail Hail from sunny Mexico
Hope to see a few tims on tour over here and a few new faces on the park on my return
Adios
And they say they are defending their culture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?hl=en&gl=GB&client=mv-google&v=w8sbCwHf59k&nomobile=1
macanbheatha
15:15 on 13 July, 2013
that is their culture.
If we don’t spend decent money this window,i don’t see it being made available in January on next summer.