Are you looking forward to the AGM tomorrow? As always on these occasions, the questions after the votes will be far more interesting than the formal business of the day. The Living Wage appears on the agenda for the third year, courtesy of the Trust. Celtic now pay at or above Living Wage rates, although they have not signed up to the Foundation and the pay increase for lower-waged members of staff was accompanied with the withdrawal of a discretionary bonus.
Not sure what the cost of this was, or the impact on staff, but we’ll no doubt hear about it tomorrow. I should also say that I’m not signed up to the Living Wage Foundation either, as it has no relevance for my business.
The performance of the team (imperious domestically, impervious to improvement in Europe) will be the central concern from the hall. Celtic are a Champions League club, this is our focus. We need to be competing on that platform regularly.
I expect, and hope, shareholders get an update on Resolution 12, which looks increasingly relevant. You can bet questions will also be asked on whether or not there was a conspiracy to break tax, SPL and SFA rules, and to subvert an SPL Commission.
There’s not a great deal Celtic can say on this matter for now, beyond their statement last week.
Many thanks to Jim Craig and Brendan Sweeney for joining us on the blog last night. These events see the blog at its best and last night’s was no exception. You can buy Brendan’s book, Celtic: The Early Years, or Alex Gordon’s latest, The Winds of Change, Managing Celtic from 1991-2005, at the CQN Bookstore.
974 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- ...
- 26
- »
Philbhoy
VG Big man :-))
CelticResearch @CelticResearch
When a company MD decides to invest £1M in one Glasgow team only, you’d assume it would rule him out of the role of Chairman in the other.
” The revolution will inevitably awaken in the British working class the deepest passions which have been diverted along artificial channels with the aid of football.” .
Leon Trotsky — Where Is Britain Going ? (1925 ).
I was at the meeting today. Ian Bankier was the most animated I’ve ever seen him when speaking about Ian Livingston. (It’s a pity that he’s not more animated on more important matters).
He had plenty to say about what he’d read on social media, so if you’re looking in Ian, Hullo.
For the life of me though, I can’t recall him saying anything about Livingston’s race, religion or background at all.
Nothing. Perhaps I’m just suffering from attention-deficit disorder.
LIONROARS67 on 20TH NOVEMBER 2015 2:19 PM
CelticResearch @CelticResearch
When a company MD decides to invest £1M in one Glasgow team only, you’d assume it would rule him out of the role of Chairman in the other.
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/agm-ahead/comment-page-13/#comments
_______________________________
Whit??? Source?????
HH
BGFC
LIONSROAR
Do you mean what I think you mean?
Shirley nut.
Been good if someone had asked Ian Bankier if Lord Livingston had built himself a robot butler from his Parliamentary pin-money…
Big Georges Fan Club – Hail, Hail, Wee Oscar on 20th November 2015 2:23 pm –
It is a tweet by the excellent Celtic research which i have posted on the blog
lionroars67 on 20th November 2015 2:19 pm
CelticResearch @CelticResearch
When a company MD decides to invest £1M in one Glasgow team only, you’d assume it would rule him out of the role of Chairman in the other.
=================================================
Intrigue. Whom?
Sandman
I hope you are well!
I shouldn’t drink and post at the same time.
Been off it for a wee while hence my sensible posts.
I’ve met our “esteemed” Chairman at a social Celtic occasion and was distinctly underwhelmed – a grey man in a grey suit. Very little knowledge of our history, all in all a man with no charisma or personality, just my opinion. H H Hebcelt
Im with Fourgreenfields
Bankier contributes nothing to Celtic at all. In fact he is more of a boil that needs lancing and pretty quickly too
Saying all of that, I have no idea why Ian Bankier is at the club at all, let alone Chairman. Chap is a million miles away from the sentiment of the club and the support. I don’t know him and I can’t place him. I think he’d be more comfortable supervising a stocktake. Cartons to count. Boxes to tick.
Mind you, I thought he was terrific as Walter Donovan in Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade.
Afternoon all.
Just in from the AGM. Thought it was very worthwhile being there.
Yon Patrick Kelly spoke very well especially about Justice. Agreed with every word he said.
No hostages to fortune and no calls for the head of anyone, apart from Ian Livingston. Personally, I think he shouldn’t be re-elected but I suspect he will.
Over all, I am satisfied with what occurred.
CelticResearch @CelticResearch
Here is the Herald report with those quotes from 2003.
“I’m absolutely ecumenical about this” – Staggering
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/11984832.display/ …
Ask not what the Chairman (or any other Board member) can do for Celtic, ask what they can do for The Great Desmondo.
Philbhoy on 20th November 2015 2:28 pm
Sandman
I hope you are well!
I shouldn’t drink and post at the same time.
Been off it for a wee while hence my sensible posts.
================================================
I’m well enough as your favourite nominated Hun. ;))
How is your daughter doing?
By the way,
I think we should be paying the Living Wage; I guess I will lose that poll vote too.
lionroars67 on 20th November 2015 2:31 pm
CelticResearch @CelticResearch
Here is the Herald report with those quotes from 2003.
“I’m absolutely ecumenical about this” – Staggering
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/11984832.display/ …
=======================================================
Well, he finally backed the right horse. Whether he’s got the right to ride it, tho…
HEBCELT on 20TH NOVEMBER 2015 2:12 PM
TD67 C&P? In your own words would have been sufficient but I suspect you have’nt a scooby. H H Hebcelt -can’t be arsed indeed!!
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/agm-ahead/comment-page-13/#comment-2721549
Lol, and I’m supposed to give a fryer tuck what you suspect? What a strange person, takes all kinds I suppose.
Sandman
She is doing great thanks!
If I called you a hun, please accept my unreserved apology!
My memory aint as good as it used to be!
Bankier apparently played the old ‘Celtic not political card’.
Hadnothing to say when Reid and Haughey used club’s name for political purposes.
I don’t think Bankier was attacking the person who moved the motion against Livingston. He was criticising those on social media who abused him. He was quite specific about that. Now, I have not read any of that but judging by some of the stuff that appears on here directed at individuals, like even Paul67 on occasion, it wouldn’t surprise me if there was such abuse.
We don’t care what the social media say
What the hell do we care
Cos we only know that there’s gonna be a show
and big Desmondo won’t be there
Sandman on 20th November 2015 2:37 pm
Agreed we have the best connected board in British football, no board is better connected,we have had and do have British cabinet ministers, former deputy governor of the Bank of England, powerful rich men from the business world……………..but what have some of them ever done for Celtic ?
montypythoncsc
Had a quick gander at Twitter.
Nothing new in differing views about how to take forward our club. What is new in my opinion, is the vitriol aimed at people employed by Celtic Football Club.
Árd Macha
Philbhoy on 20th November 2015 2:40 pm
Sandman
She is doing great thanks!
If I called you a hun, please accept my unreserved apology!
My memory aint as good as it used to be!
========================
Glad to hear that. Very good news. Curiously thought of you (and her) whilst up at the hospital with my own a couple of weeks back. Teenage girl on a drip looking very tired nearby waiting on a consultant; terribly debilitating sight. And my own 8 y/old – she contracted cellulitis and developed a 50p-sized abcess on her leg from a (seemingly innocuous) graze in local swimming-pool. The simplest things escaleate at alarming rates. Nothing worse in the world than your child ill.
Anyway, all on the mend now. And the footy back. Life could be worse; I could still be hangin’ around the Hun boards where you told me to get tae… ;))
Well it’s predictable I suppose, it’s all kicked off.
IAN BANKIER infuriates shareholders after defending Tory peer after some fans ask for his removal from the board over his stance on tax credits in the House of Lords.
67
SHARES
16
COMMENTS
SNS GroupCeltic Chairman Ian Bankier speaks at the Celtic AGMCeltic Chairman Ian Bankier speaks at the Celtic AGM
CELTIC chairman Ian Bankier blasted a section of the club’s fans as ‘criminally racist’ at the AGM today over their campaign to remove Tory peer Lord Livingston.
Bankier infuriated large sections of the meeting with his stout defence of Livingston who angered fans by his stance on tax credits in the House of Lords.
Glasgow-born former BT chief executive Lord Livingston, who is a non-executive director of the club, supported the Tory party line by voting against delays to Chancellor Osborne’s tax credit changes.
Livingston, recently voted in favour of the UK Government’s tax credit cuts policy in the House of Lords, which prompted a section of the Celtic support to start an online petition calling for his removal. Almost 10,000 have signed it but the proposal to re-elect him is likely to be carried when the votes are counted.
Shareholder Jim Milligan called for the Tory peer to be removed due to his role in the government and the tax credit cuts in particular.
Anadolu AgencyLord Ian Livingston of Parkhead pictured with Turkey’s Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci earlier this year
Milligan said: “His role in society is contrary to the ethos of this club and its origins and he should not be a member of the board.
“This is not Downtown Abbey – the days of tipping the cap are over.”
But the demand was met with a fierce response from the normally cool chairman.
Bankier said: “The core value that defines Celtic Football, the standard we proudly point to, is that we are inclusive. We welcome and include into Celtic, everyone, no matter their race, their religion, their social standing or what their politics may be.
“This personal campaign against Lord Livingston is criminally racist. He has been subjected to a torrent of base personal abuse in social media.
Some of the messages are criminally abusive.
“We are grateful that he prepared to dedicate his time and considerable talents to the Celtic board. The fact he is a member of the House of Lords has no difference to the interests of Celtic.
“We play football and we are good at it. Our fans come from all corners of society. We are not a conduit for political statements or campaigns. Our club is not available to anyone for this purpose.
“I condemn this activity. Intolerance leads to hatred and hatred leads to a lot worse as we well know, That this campaign has been done in the name of Brother Walfrid is shocking.”
Bankier might have claimed Celtic are no political platform – but it certainly looked like one at today’s AGM which was more political than an episode of Question Time.
The Hoops boss was one of the few footballing issues on the table as the Parkhead powerbrokers were grilled on the Living Wage and Lord Livingston’s controversial seat at the top table.
SNS GroupShareholders take their seats in preparation for the Celtic annual general meetingShareholders take their seats in preparation for the Celtic annual general meeting
The band of Resolution 12 requisitioners – who raised a question on Celtic’s stance on Rangers being awarded a UEFA license in 2013 – declared themselves content with the club’s stance during a sometimes stormy annual meeting.
There was even the usual question about the queues for the pie stalls.
But Deila’s future was addressed however and chief executive Peter Lawwell backed his man to the hilt despite the European woes in the last couple of season.
Lawwell told shareholders he has every faith in the boss – and he is convinced he can surpass the achievements of Neil Lennon in the Hoops dugout.
He said: “We can’t look at snapshots of make knee jerk reactions. Five years ago we were 3-0 down to Kilmarnock at half-time and we had lost to Sion in Europe.
“In 2010/11 we were out of Europe after losing to Braga and Utrecht. Lenny went on to be a huge succes, delivering three-in-a row and Champions League football.
“This is just the start for Ronny and god-willing he will even surpass Lenny in the years to come.”
SNSCeltic manager Ronny Deila
The thorny issue of Rangers was never far away however. There was no demands from the floor regarding title stripping following the HMRC EBT appeal.
But Lawwell let the crowd know the club was busy in the background and the matter was not being allowed to slip away.
Lawwell said: “When hugely sensitive issues come up we don’t always go public.
“But I can assure everyone that everything we do is for the benefit of Celtic Football Club.
“The Resolution 12 people are satisfied with what the club are doing.”
Hugh Clark of Resolution 12 requisitioners said:”We are happy with way club is working with them and they are awaiting SFA response.”
The Living Wage was once again a major topic though with passionate statements from the floor.
Will be glad that the football is back tomorrow, hate international breaks and AGM’s….
Sandman
So sorry to hear your wee girl was unwell.
Sick kids really are a great leveller and it is so easy to prioritise what is most important in your world when it happens.
I am glad she is well and I will remember you both and your partner in my prayers.
Oh, and will you please stop referring to that post?????
;-)
HEBCELT
I’ve never met Tony Donnelly in person but every visit to Celtic Park I see the three bricks just next to Jinky’s statue where Mrs RobinBhoy and I have a paving stone that Tony and his two brothers have. Their names then Tims Forever.
One now sadly deceased. So you might disagree about stuff but is he a Tim who can find his way to Celtic park?
Most definitely!
TD67 Still no answer I see, just bluster, no change there then. PS it’s FRIAR Tuck unless of course he runs a chipper then it would be FRYER. Thanks for the replies enjoy the game tomorrow. H H Hebcelt
Daily Ranger reporting BDO to appeal Tax Case. No mention of this anywhere else yet.
ROBINBHOY just got your post, I have no doubt TD67 is a Celtic mhan to his core but really some of his stuff – not by no means all – is well – choose your own words. I’d still share a pint with him as I would with you . H H Hebcelt
ARCHDEACONSBENCH
I thought I read on here that by saying they were appealing the decision BDO would get another stay of 42 days before they would have to fully submit their appeal. They would be able to pull anytime during the 42 day extension.
Or something like that.
“I don’t think Bankier was attacking the person who moved the motion against Livingston. He was criticising those on social media who abused him. He was quite specific about that.”
Pcs,
Cheers. My thoughts too now I have read his quote and heard from someone in attendance.
HH
TheTributeAct @TheTributeAct 2m2 minutes ago
Do we give the press too much attention? They have sunk to the level of FollowFollow posters. Should they be taken just as seriously?
TheTributeAct @TheTributeAct 4m4 minutes ago
“BDO to appeal” lie gives the rags an Ibrox story that will sell while suiting the PR machine that feeds them. Everybody is happy.
TheTributeAct @TheTributeAct 9m9 minutes ago
TheTributeAct Retweeted The Celtic Network
We have a winner. In light of Souness payment, why is every ex-RFC manager not asked about all payments? TheTributeAct added,
The Celtic Network @CelticNetwork15
I’m beginning to think that EBT’s are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to corruption involving RFC
TheTributeAct @TheTributeAct 12m12 minutes ago
“BDO to appeal” lie is conclusive proof Scottish press are willing participants in agenda setting to change the news rather than report it
TheTributeAct @TheTributeAct 23m23 minutes ago
TheTributeAct Retweeted Scotsman
No finer example of media lying to try to set their own preferred agenda that this rubbish.
Scotsman flying a kite no official statement from BDO to confirm they are appealling
The liquidators of oldco Rangers BDO will challenge the Big Tax Case verdict on Employee Benefit Trusts with the Supreme Court, according to reports.
A Court of Session ruled earlier this month that Rangers, between 2001 and 2010, broke tax rules when they utilised an EBT scheme to help pay players and managers.
ADVERTISING
Either the Murray Group or BDO had 28 days to appeal the decision once it was made, and it seems the liquidators are going to take up that option.
They are expected to announce the appeal next week.
The ruling has re-opened the debate as to whether Rangers should be stripped of titles won during the years when EBTs were used.