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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masty – you are a million per cent correct mate.
okay … on a different subject … my prediction for this season’s player of the year in the SPL (or whatever it is now called)……
Joe Ledley….. think he does a lot of the dirty work, away from the spotlight …. a top, top TEAM player…. I think he has a great engine, and agree wit those who say he could get forward a bit more … (I’m not sure if this is something down to him, or if he has been asked to play a more defensive role… but when he does get forward, he shows a good brain and eye for the goal)…. I think he has improved every year, and I think this year, he is going to lay down his marker as THE mhan for Celtic.
mike in toronto
Agree with everything you’ve written there.
I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that big vic will go on and play at the very highest..
mike in toronto
Oops previous post about big Vic. Not too sure about Ledley as much as I like him.
as I thought…
cheers…. better put your tin hat on, though!
Ledley isn’t the type to get player of the year, not flashy enough.
I mean look at Wanyama, with us 2 seasons never player of the year, yet leaves for a record fee. Same with Ki.
You have to be a goalscorer or major creator to get player of the year (usually :O)
FGF – Enjoyed reading about ur travels on the blog mate.That sounded like the holiday from heaven.When the weather is like that,there are not too many places on earth that can compare to the west coast.Beer time now.Slan.
I have to say that seeing cheats like the guy Broad not only do well but become national heros really makes me angry. As bad to see umpiring as one sided as Dar. Amazing he spotted Clarkes faintest of edges yet couldn’t see brat Broad shot yesterday. Corrupt or weak or what ??
There’s the third juvntus goal went in, no wonder Ambrose has never been the same, his confidence must be shattered after being rushed/rushing into that game.
Was outstanding against Barcelona, with confidence he will return to that level.
huddle
I agree that, in the past, JL hasn’t been, as you put it, ‘flashy enough’…. but, and it is just a hunch…. I think we will see him come out of his shell a bit this year….
He does seem a bit quiet… on and off the park… but, the sense I have is that he loves being at Celtic, and ‘gets’ what it means …. and I think he is going to step up this year and fill the hole that VW’s sale leaves in the middle of the park ….
And here’s the one that is REALLY going to get some of you going …. I think big Efe is going to have a breakout season in midfield!
Is there any proof that it was £12.5m ?
Estadio
I’m inclined to agree with you about Ambrose. A lot (everyone?) seemed to think he was the ball playing centre half we’d been after for ages then all of a sudden he’s worse that Tebily and Schiedt put together. Poor descion to play him versus Juve and that affected the rest of his season. Hopefully after the rest he’s had this summer he’ll improve again. I think he’s a better option in midfield that Kayal and I’ve only seen him play there for about 45 minutes.
Masty is neil lennon.
Hope you are right and Vic goes on to play for 1 of the very top clubs, We got a very good transfer fee for him. Would it be to much to hope for, that the powers that be at Parkhead have also include a sell on clause in the deal. That would be the icing on the cake.
Burnley 78
Enjoying the Ashes – couple of twists to come tomorrow . I have always liked Dar as an umpire but no excuse for yesterday’s decision – not an honest mistake and cricket is the sport I cheer for England. As for Broad I mind in 2009 watching the matches on TV with my terminally I’ll mother and she said of Broad ‘good looking lad…but a horrible ex-public school boy’ .
Jimbo
mike in toronto
I’ve thought JL has been very good wherever he’s been asked to play, even at left back a couple of times. There was one game last year, can’t remember which, he absolutely infuriated me though. Bit then again I doubt there a player past or present that hasn’t had a game like that.
http://footballtaxhavens.wordpress.com/2012/12/19/celtic-fcs-9-million-hidden-debt-paying-6-in-perpetuity/
BBC news back to the ole equivocation, allowing the DUP to claim unchallenged that the oo had categorically condemned violence.
…and along the same lines as Irish pubs we have Line Nominees Ltd
http://www.celticfc.net/corporate_sharecapital
a i t
I know what you mean about JL…. I do think he is underrated by a lot of fans… but there are games where the midfield was screaming out for someone to grab hold of the game… and I think he could be the guy… but sometimes he didn’t push forward and really grab the game by the neck, when it was screaming for him (and we know he can do it, because he has done it in other games) ….
as I say, I cant be too critical as he does, as you point out, play all over the place when asked… so, it wouldn’t surprise me if he was asked to hold back and cover for the defence… but, as I say, I dont know that for sure…
who happen to share the same offshore tax haven address in Gibraltar as RBS
Company Overview of Line Nominees Ltd
57/63 Line Wall Road
Gibraltar
Phone:35020079000
Key Executives for Line Nominees Ltd: Line Nominees Ltd does not have any Key Executives recorded.
The Royal Bank of Scotland (Gibraltar) Limited
PO Box 707
57/63 Line Wall Road
Gibraltar
The Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited
(Trading as “Natwest” and “RBS International”)
PO Box 707
57/63 Line Wall Road
Gibraltar
Joseph Christopher Ledley at 26 years of age is approaching the peak time of his career.
I hope it’s with Celtic.
margaret mcgill
Did you also like Jackanory as a child?
as_i_thought 18:37
Also remember Commons having a go at him, low in confidence and a team ‘mate’ slating him in public, no wonder he got a bit erratic while he was trying to settle into a new country.
Not sure about the move to midfield, he is cool headed on the ball and could work there, think a lot of folk are scared by the Cauldwell experiment….
EN
come on!….. There is no need for the money laundering accusations. Cant we all just get along?
Where does Joe Ledley play when all are fit?
For me a midfield 4/5 would have Brown, Forrest, Rogic, Kayal/Ambrose, Commons in there before him. He seems to find his place when others get injured.
I like him, I suspect he is all about the money but met his Dad in Lisbon after the Benfica game, complete with Celtic scarf and family friends who were already Celtic fans living in Cardiff. Mr Ledley assured me he loves it here. He is one of our high earners but should have made a place his own by now.
ASonOfDan
18:59 on 13 July, 2013
Sure did and you? Especially the wizard of oz episodes and the green citadel at the end.
I thought that was like a gospel on CQN?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG2keYgBiZc
Your midfield 5 wouldn’t include Commons or Ledley? No chance.
mike in toronto
Yes, very underrated. Sometimes the abuse he gets is quite ridiculous. I remember coming on here after the Barca game, at least I think it was, when he came on for the last 8/9 minutes and people were complaining that he hadnt touched the ball. Think one of the comments was that he’d held the water bottles when someone was down injured for other players more times than he’d touched the ball. Anyway I would doubt very much with us winning 2-0 at the time he was told to go on and spray passes about I think he was put on as another player for barca to have to play through.
Anyway I like him a lot but I’m pretty sceptical about him being able to grab games by the neck. I’m pretty sceptical about any of our midfield doing that. Wanyama didn’t even do it nearly enough.
EN
Just my opinion but I reckon if Joe was to agitate for a move via his agent then he’d earn more in the EPL.
eldiegobhoy 19:09
Agree, if he was to see out his contract, again, he would earn more….
I’ve a theory about the players who go to Dubai on holiday a lot, i suspect they are all about the bling. Hooper proving it right so far.
EN
EN
Sb has come on leaps and bounds the last year…but not a midfield general…
JF has tons of potential (but on the wing, or even up front)
Rogic … going to be a star, but more of a no. 10 than a true mid
Kayal… not been the player we saw in his first few months… (too much like the old SB… bags of energy, but no positional sense, lack of discipline and not a great passer of the ball
KC … see Rogic
None of these guys are really a ‘put your foot on the ball’ and look for a pass/connect with the forwards’ sort of midfielder… JL could become that midfield general we need, if he can/is allowed to push forward and seize the chance.
Funny you would think he is all about the money…. I had the exact opposite feeling…. not saying I am right, mind… just my impression from listening to him when he is interviewed…
Bloody hell, now we are getting questions about Joe Ledley.
Best midfielder in the league,injured for the tour.
Geezabrek,ffs.
estadio nacional
Talking of the Heid experiment I coincidentally watched highlights of when we beat the teddy bears 2-1 with Jan scoring in the last minute today. 2 very good passes from Caldwell. Although the first was made to look a lot better by Nakamura’s first touch.
EN
I have a theory about people who are always critical.
Yer never happy.
So on the odd occasion that you are right,I may well miss it.
Eldiegobhoy:
Agents are the scourge of the game. Joe is different from others and believe he is genuinely happy at Celtic. However, as we have witnessed with Victor every Player hss his price, not that I am saying Joe is worth £12.5 million. I would thougg like to see Joe hang around a lot longer, an unsung hero in my opinion.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Excuse the couple of typos in last post, using my phone.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
mike in toronto 19:13
Good point about Kayal being like an early Scott Brown, don’t think we can wait for him to mature though, he has to do it quick.
I pin my hope for the season on Tom Rogic, as far as entertainment, skill and excitement goes he seems to have potential for it. He is our ‘foot on the ball’ man, some great forward passes last night, possibly the first from central midfield since That Scott Brown through ball v hearts in 2009 I think.
My Ledley feeling is just a personal thought based on tweets and other rubbish, a hunch despite what his Dad said. I like him. No doubt he will sign a new contract this week.
EN