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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The juventus game again, full game on Al Jazeera +5 Wanyama will be a huge loss for European games, very hard to replace, you can’t just find another player like that. Someone who can dominate the midfields of Barcelona and juventus are very rare. Think we are stuck with hoping Kayal plays as god as he thinks he is.
Still strange to think from a football point of view Wanyama gave up games v Barcelona and juventus for wee Southampton and their 28,000 average attendance.
masty – you have got to love the Ardoyne ones,they have been thru some tough times but they still partied.Loved the Jam Inn mate,Ta Lockeys,Glenpark & the Sham.The Highfield was a wee bit before my time but heard a few stories about it – mental to say the least.Havnt been to the Gorbals in ages,last time i staggered out of that place i took a left turn instead of heading over the bridge and ended up walking to Rutherglen.Nightmare.
16 roads
ffs ta lockey’s forgot about there,remember the dj playing a wet wet wet song only for the scotchies( me) telling him it should be hun hun hun cue the record rolling along the dance floor…at easter and august it was full of gorbals and govan bhoys…
16 roads
I was in the highfield one sunday morning when in comes a brit patrol, a wee dug strolls over to the radio operator and pisses up his leg…hilarious..
Is the OST available in Wales?
ItsadifferentcountryCSC
Auldheid
Your a credit to yir self and a wonderful asset to the Celtic family, you’ve moved on since your retirement and still find the time to improve the lot of the Celtic collective.
As I live in engerlund and with what life throws at you I will probably be going to fewer games over the next few years, the overseas ticket may be an option then but of course Celts in England Ireland and Wales are probably disadvantaged in that the club don’t recognise that we live outside the country, currently it’s CFC’s loss as we are most likely to watch the games for free on the Internet.
Maybe this will all be sorted when we move ahead of the game, technology wise we should be the single source for all Celtic games worldwide, and anyone should be able to subscribe, we should’nt need sky or anyone else, cut out the middle man and increase visibility and availability.
Onwards and upwards Auldheid.
Celtic to start the season proper with a decent victory today, 3-1.
V
FourGreenFields, hope you enjoyed your holiday, intending to head over next weekend hope i get half the weather you got!
It must have been an experience traveling with them, i have done so many times and it never ceases to amaze me. Nice to see that new scottish club have gone international with their jerseys and songs pity its on camera for the world to see them rioting.
valentinesday
16:14 on 13 July, 2013
That’ll be me, then……!!!!
masty – lol ya wouldnt be hearing a
ny wet wet wet or tina turner in the west of the city chara! There a few decent wee pubs near the ibis – Madigans,Kellys Cellars,the Hercules and the Fountain – nothing special but lovely pints of Harp & Guinness.
The Hudsucker Proxy.
When Waring Hudsucker, head of hugely
successful Hudsucker Industries, commits
suicide, his board of directors, led by Sidney
Mussberger, comes up with a brilliant plan to
make a lot of money: appoint a moron to run
the company. When the stock falls low
enough, Sidney and friends can buy it up for
pennies on the dollar, take over the company,
and restore its fortunes.
hmmm…
Estadio,
Like you i was amazed that Wanyama opted for a possible relegation battle with Southampton. It has to be for the money not personnel ambition as he says. Hooper going to QPR, NORWICH, or HULL same scenario another relegation battle, have these guys got any brains i wonder.
Anyone have a like to the cliftonville Celtic article from 442 that was posted yesterday? I thought I book marked it but can’t find it now. Cheers
HH
masty – i would loved to have had a pint in the Highfield just to be able to say that i once drank there.It is legendary in North Belfast.
david peter deans
I understand where you’re coming from but you could also ask if at the end of these players careers will half a dozen medals won in Scotland outweigh an extra couple million pounds per year. Footballers do have an incredibly short career so they need to earn money when they can. Sadly they’re not all as eloquent as Craig burley so won’t be able to count on well paying jobs in the media
David Peter Pans
They have enough brains to become multi- millionaires.
West Wales Celt – Thank God for Joe Ledley and wee Adam Matthews – that’s what i say.
as_i_thought
http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/fourfourtwoview/archive/2013/07/12/morals-murals-and-motives-cliftonville-prepare-to-host-celtic-in-their-biggest-ever-match.aspx
Exactly, the strange thing is posters questioning players leaving for the likes of Southampton, Norwich & QPR.
16 roads
it was just 2 portakabins joined up, cans of beer spirits by the neck and the rebs…pure gang hut it was..loved the place, went to the GA across from ta lockeys on a sunday afternoon when all the lads from the falls came over
Masty – spares ? Are you nuts ? I can’t get tickets for solitude FFs ? Was round today on a mission that was totally fruitless – raging !!’
Pints in the rock sounds good I’m going to have to meet up seeing as I missed you at the cup final !!
I’m working but will try to get something sorted out
Match ended 10-2 cliftonville – Boyce and gormley were outstanding
Leftclicktic
Cheers
david peter deans 17:48
Aye they have brains, mostly thinking about their pocket.
Hooper will be the same and I get the impression Ledley is also all about he money, part of modern football I suppose.
EN
cliftonville celt
the rock it is then….is gormley the lad that scored in the final…?
paolosboots
Had a great time mate but the boat was mental , Celtic t-shirt on might not have helped though .
HH
They do have brains i suppose, when after next season there respective clubs will be relegated to the Championship and can no longer pay premiership wages. Maybe we can get them back on the cheep LOL.
don’t think Southampton are in any danger they have bought quality to add to a very good squad from last year
Just heard some potentially good news on Radio 4. According to the BBC, the PSNI will no longer treat the loyalists with kid gloves as they did during the flags dispute. They have had enough. I wonder if the SNP, Scottish Police, Glasgow City Council and the SFA will find the courage to face down the bully billy boys.
Yeah that’s the same fella
The glen park and ta lockeys were class remember having to fight my way out of them a few times tho !!!!
The McD’s on the glen road was legendary too bar only done bottles of cider tins of harp & vodka and the toilet was a hole in the wall !!!!
The great thing about footballers is no matter how poor they play or what league there employer is playing in they still get the same wage.
Short career my arse.
Yep Southampton had a decent squad last year and have improved it this season, plus have very good coach. Don’t think they will be struggling next season, can see them finishing above Everton.
Cliftonville Celt, tell them that you’ve been advertising them on CQN for years and if they don’t sort you out with briefs then you’ll drop the Cliftonville from from your moniker!!!
FGF, agreed that might not have helped and they would have been tired from all that marching & rioting so not much sleep would have been had.
masty – the only bad part about Ardoyne was trying to get back over West when the night was over.
when the lad gormley scored in the cup final, his mammy fell on top of me…
Personally, I think VW’s move to Southampton is a good one for him…. obviously, the really big clubs weren’t yet prepared to gamble on him…. and I think that southampton team is going to do well this year …. their owner is spending some money (which doesn’t guarantee success, I recognize, but they have brought in some good players, and a very good coach)… I think within a season or two, bigs clubs from all over europe will be fighting to sign him.
Realistically, such is the lack of respect in which the scottish game is (not entirely unfairly) held, that he would not given the same respect if he stayed here (even if he played as well)….
I dont think he is quite ready for a top, top club… needs a season or two to really blossom… so I think, for him, this is a very savvy move.
16 roads
didnay have that problem…my wee mate stayed around the corner in holmdene gardens.
One thing about the PSNI – Nothing but the best for them.Check out their Heckler G36 assault rifles.They replaced the old MP5’s with those beauties.Poor wee peelers. :(
Good luck to Victor, very sorry to see him go, he will be a big miss, but with so long left on his contract, now was the best time to cash in. Amazing return on investment, I think he had already paid his trasfer and wages a few times over with his performances, particularly the barca game, so 12.5 is just brilliant. Think he is more than Worth it, but wasn’t sure we would get that with being in the SPL.
As for Hooper, good luck to him too if he wants to go. I would have kept him, and just let him leave for nothing if he didn’t re-sign, thinking his goals to get us into the champions league would be Worth it. But, if as Lennon has hinted, his head and heart are not in it, then we need to let him go asap. Having someone at the club, particularly a high profile player, who does not want to be there, is not good for the club, or the other players.
I would think if Hooper does go, Neil would get most of that transfer, to put towards the transfer and wages for a replacement. As for Victor’s 12.5, I would think he will only see 3-4 inc wages and transfer fee. So at the most, I would expect to see a couple of 2M pound players, on decent wages.
I think Stokes is a great squad player, but not who I want to see starting important champions league qualifiers, or the games if we qualify. Just my opinion. I think he is great in the SPL, but the champions league just seems a step above him. If he proves me wrong, fantastic.
Kayal is also in this boat. I think he is great to have in the squad, but I am not sure he is ready to maintain a starting place taking games in the champions league by the scruff of the neck the way that Victor did. Then again, not sure who we could find to do that. But if anyone does come in, they do need to be better than Kayal, or at least look like having the potential to be.
Very happy though, can’t get every transfer correct, not every player will work out, but we are clearly getting more right than wrong, (on a Money basis, rather than actual amount of players, which I believe is more important, ie need to kiss a few frogs etc etc)
Pre season games, heard it all before. If we are great, its usually a let down when the real games start, and people Always make this comment. Will be reserving real judgement for at least a few games into the season.
We might not match the success of last season, but would like to think we will do well again, and keep going in an upwards direction!
I always thought Wanyama was slightly overrated by some fans, massive potential but always seemed to play within himself. He’s going to be one of those players that either blossoms and fulfils his ability or stays the same sort of player with his current clubs fans thinking he should be better.