At around 13:16 tomorrow afternoon Fraser Forster will hopefully break the 40-year record of Aberdeen’s Bobby Clark for not conceding a goal in Scottish league football. Clark’s record is next up for the Celtic keeper but the British and European records are not too far away.
Apart from Celtic Park itself there would be no better place to break this record than at Tynecastle, but the most important part of the day is to secure a win. Concede early but win the game and we have done our job. Break the record and leave pointless and we will have nothing to celebrate.
Clarity has never been a prominent feature when it comes to the analysis of football finances. 2012 threw up a slew of ‘experts’, practically all of whom swallowed lines from PR people instead of explaining HMRC’s published rules on voting for or against Company Voluntary Arrangements.
Journalists were briefed on HMRC’s intentions, which filtered to the ‘experts’, soon this PR version of events was accepted an a reality. The same was going on inside football. One journalist called me back then to dispute my challenge to his assertion that Celtic would have vote to allow Newco Rangers into the SPL, and that the SPL itself was absolutely certain to vote them “back” (sic.). Celtic were never going to that way and by then the SPL tide had turned.
It was not in Celtic’s interests to have Newco parachuted into top flight football, which has become clear in the subsequent years, although many in Scotland, including a sizeable chunk of the Celtic support, thought otherwise, and that the club would vote in favour.
It was, therefore, refreshing to watch BBC Reporting Scotland last night without the 2012 flops. A new expert was found to ask the pertinent question, a £1.5m loan is fine for a short-term fix but what about the enormous long-term problems?
Many thanks to everyone who participated in the CQteN Dream Team. We have now passed the 125 team target, which has triggered a £1000 donation from a longstanding CQN’er, who is a shining example of what Celtic is all about.
The Dream Team is your chance to select your team from those who have played 10 or more games during the CQN decade.
Select 11 players in either a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 formation; you’ll need a goalkeeper, two full backs, two central defenders, 3 or 4 midfielders and 2 or 3 forwards. You also need to select a manager from the decade.
The team judged as the strongest will be announced at the CQteN St Patrick’s Dinner on 14 March. The event is open to bloggers and lurkers but you can only enter ONCE. Closing date is 3pm, Sunday 9 March. There will be prizes!!
For a comprehensive list of players who are eligible for selection, see CRC’s comment here. Email your entry to Doc here, and remember to include a manager: doccqten@gmail.com
If you would like to read the new CQN Magazine, GO HERE to read properly, and for FREE, the graphic below is just a taster.
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BIG-CUP-WINNERS
Larsson…McStay…McGrain,my fav 3 as well mhate … all CLASS.
Just passing throught to say…..
__________________________
LiviBhoy – God bless wee Oscar
11:36 on 21 February, 2014
ernie lynch
A Celtic supporting player can connect. The others have to get it first. I think we have few at the moment who get Celtic. We miss Tommy in that dressing room. It will come again.
________________________________________________________________________
Strange that, TB(RIP)’s influence wizny missed in the Wim & MO’N
dressing rooms ?
Anyway……
The Maestro was a MAGNIFICENT Sellic player and will always be one of the giants of my own personal Celtic World. Absolutely.
My own ‘favorite’ Sellic player was Murdo Macleod ‘the real highlander’.
The Maestro was a young kid when he broke into the Celtic team of the early 80’s – a 17 year old – and he stayed there !!!
Strange then that, the young kids of today…come into the team…look the part and are then, dropped ? Being specific…Darnell Fisher was looking like a player and then…he disappears to be replaced by AM, whose been oot injured for 5 weeks and, this mis-management of this player contributed to the dismissal of Celtic from the SC v’s Aberdeen. Has the manager put his hand up and taken the blame ? No chance. No – he’s too busy ‘brassing’ his case in an assortment of TV studios down south – hoping for a taker !!!
Anyway…good luck to big FF and the defence, for the continuation of their ‘clean-sheet’ record v’s everybody – except Aberdeen. The Dons will rip-up the record on Tuesday while the Celtic manager flashes his nick in an English TV studio somewhere near you…
Hail Hail – Off oot awe happy
Pharrell Williams – CSC
BY HARRY BRADY SEASON 2013-2014 22/02/2014
CELTIC FANS FORUM MINUTES
This week I was fortunate enough to be invited to a fans forum at Celtic Park. In attendance were representatives from supporters groups including Celtic Supporters Association, Disabled Celtic Supporters Club, The Celtic Supporters Trust and others, along with people from various blogs and ordinary season book holders. From the club there was an impressive turnout from the Executive, including the CEO. The meeting was chaired by Fan Liaison Officer John Paul Taylor and there was a lovely array of sandwiches and other refreshments.
Now that I have established that I have lost all credibility with Hullbhoy by sitting down for tea and biscuits with the board, below are the minutes of the meeting;
Wednesday, February 19, 2014. Jock Stein Lounge, 7pm
Celtic: JP Taylor, D Nichol, T Hamilton, I Jamieson, P Lawwell, A Filby, M Nicholson, R Hawthorn, R Buchanan, K McQuillan
Attendees: CSA, ACSC, AICSC, NAFCSC, CST, DCSC, CSCSC, Maleys Bhoys, Celtic Underground, CQN. Also included were a number of unaffiliated ST holders from Scotland and Ireland
Apologies: NTV, E Tims, Cybertims
Introduction:
The aim of the meeting is to establish a transparent line of communication between the Club and fans through the Club’s SLO. It is planned that we will hold one meeting every quarter throughout the year and will rotate the attendees on an annual basis or sooner if anyone elects to drop out. In order to make best use of the time available, questions have been taken in advance and responses provided which we will discuss based on feedback from the floor. After this and each subsequent meeting the questions and responses will be published and a set of actions will be developed which will be reported on during the interim period and at the next meeting if necessary.
Agenda and Discussion Points
Stadium Atmosphere and Matchday Policy:
What is the current position in respect of the Green Brigade?
Although no members of the Green Brigade were present at the meeting, given that this issue is a source of much discussion amongst supporters it was felt that it was appropriate to answer the question. The Club can confirm that, if a relationship with the Green Brigade can be developed, then attendance of their members at future meetings would, of course, be discussed with them. There was a breakdown in trust and confidence following the matches against Milan and Motherwell. However, the Club welcome dialogue, as it does with all supporters. The group are a colourful addition to Celtic Park; however they must abide by the same rules as all fans. These include the Ground Regulations, the law and the competition rules such as those set out by the SFA, SPFL and UEFA. The Club considers this an entirely reasonable position. In all situations the reputation of Celtic and our supporters is paramount and must be protected.
Do the Club believe their response to Motherwell was justified and proportionate?
We believe the vast majority of the Support backed the Club on this matter. Celtic suffered substantial reputational damage as a result of significant physical damage to Fir Park on December 6. There was overwhelming evidence that a large group of fans had occupied a section of the lower tier which they did not have tickets for. On this basis the Club immediately suspended the STs of those involved pending further investigation. Given that no charges were brought against anyone within this group, the suspensions were lifted at the earliest opportunity.
Stewarding at home matches is heavy handed in certain sections of the Stadium e.g. Block 122 and Blocks 110, 111 & 112, is there a reason for this?
There can be no excuse for ‘heavy handed’ behaviour by stewards in any part of Celtic Park. Should there be reason to complain about the manner of stewarding the steward’s hi-vis jacket number should be recorded and the specific details of the complaint submitted to the Operations Department at the Club. All complaints will be fully investigated and responded to.
The primary duties of stewards relate to spectator safety. The Club is required to report on a match by match basis to the Safety Advisory Group of Glasgow City Council behaviour in parts of the stadium which those responsible for safety consider to be unsafe.
Such behaviour includes continual standing in a seated area, lateral movement and overcrowding by persons migrating to sections of the stadium without tickets for that area.
To ensure a safe stadium it is important that stewards and fans work together and the Club is keen to develop this approach.
The presence of FoCUS at home matches is intimidating and antagonises supporters, is it necessary to have them and if so can they be located in an area which is less intrusive?
The deployment of Police Officers within Football Stadia is at the discretion of Police Scotland, and this includes Officers within FoCUS section. However the Club can and do advise on concerns or suggestions raised by fans.
John Paul Taylor (Supporter Liaison Officer) and Ronnie Hawthorn (Head of Safety, Security and Operations) have met on two occasions with Chief Inspector Stephen McAllister the head of the Football Co-ordination Unit Scotland. Mr. McAllister has indicated his willingness to reduce the presence of his officers commensurate with the positive behaviour of football fans home and away.
Chief Inspector McAllister has met with representatives of Supporters Groups in the past and has indicated his willingness to hold similar meetings in the future to explain the role of FoCUS and listen to concerns.
Can the Club introduce a code of conduct which all Stewards need to sign up to?
We have recently developed a brand new policy based on treating supporters fairly which will be backed up with a complaints handling procedure. This is due to be rolled out across the Club in the next month or so and will give all fans a clear understanding of our commitment to them and a route to follow in the event of an unsatisfactory experience involving Celtic.
Stewards are currently issued with a Stewards’ Handbook outlining their duties which primarily relate to spectator safety. In addition, steward supervisors are issued with match specific Briefing Notes which are relayed to members of their team prior to the stadium opening.
To enhance the match day experience we would welcome input on the content of all match day steward Briefing Notes with representatives of our fans.
Attending matches is expensive, what are the Club’s plans on ticket pricing?
The club rewarded supporters with a £100 reduction on season tickets. This proved to be very successful with the Club selling more season tickets than the previous season.
The Club also reintroduced the £50 kids price which works out at £2.38 per game for an under-13, a season ticket for 13-16 was £105, £5 per game and for 17-18, the price was £186, £8.85 per game. The Club also introduced an under-13 match price of £10 for kids which has proven to be successful.
This is an extremely important income stream for the Club. There is evidence to support the fact that simply cutting prices does not automatically increase attendances.
Our recent Cup tie V Aberdeen was competitively priced at £15 & £5 for ST holders and failed to attract more than 35,000 fans.
Other Clubs, Dundee Utd, Kilmarnock & Motherwell have adopted cut price schemes which did not produce the desired effect and resulted in significant losses. There is a train of thought that halving the prices would double attendances but there is no evidence to support this. If we accept we need as a minimum to double attendances to effectively stand still financially, this is a high risk strategy which if unsuccessful would result in a drop in revenue. The net impact would mean that UEFA Champions League football becomes less and less likely.
Safe Standing has been regularly discussed, what is the current position?
We are still in discussion with the safety team and a further meeting is due to take place shortly. We have produced plans for safe standing and it is planned to be situated in the North East quadrant of the stadium and could incorporate 2,797 spectators. Should this be successful, we are also looking into the possibility of extending the area.
The Coach Park has been relocated to an area which is unsuitable for the majority of fans who use it, what is the longer term plan?
Based on feedback we’ve received from supporters we are currently considering a number of options relative to the coach park and are hopeful that we will be able to reveal details soon.
The Kerrydale Bar has been a welcome addition to matchday, are there plans for another?
The Kerrydale Bar has been a well received addition to the matchday experience for those fans that use it. We have, however, seen a reduction in the numbers lately and with this in mind it is difficult to commit to an additional Bar until we see full utilisation of the current facility.
What are the Club’s thoughts on the current location of the Family Section?
Based on recent feedback we carried out a survey of supporters located in the Family Stand. Of those who responded 81% advised that they were satisfied with the current location.
Stadium Catering has long since been considered over-priced and sub-standard, what is the current position in terms of offering an improved service?
We are currently in negotiations with a caterer for next season. The current deal ends in May 2014. Fan comments on previous catering will form part of the negotiations for the new contract.
Many fans feel their support is taken for granted, would the Club consider adding value by recognising long-term support for 5, 10, 15 years’ Season Ticket purchase by offering upgrades to Premium or Corporate for a day?
We value greatly the support we receive from every Celtic supporter and none more so than those long standing Season Ticket Holders.
The subject of long term commitment and continuous support of the Club is something that has been identified and discussed in recent months. We are currently exploring ways in which we can recognize individuals support in a way that is deliverable, consistent and meaningful.
As a result of several system changes and upgrades during the 1990s the data we hold electronically does not go back further than this period. We are therefore working on developing a manageable process by which fans could become involved to assist in the recognition of our oldest and longest standing supporters’ commitment to Celtic. This is an ongoing project and we will update on our progress.
With so many empty seats on match day at present can the Club not allocate these to good causes, school and youth groups and community projects?
The Club, for a considerable while, has provided free tickets to most domestic matches for various groups and worthy/good causes. This work has been stepped up in recent months since the Celtic Charity Fund and the Club’s Foundation department merged to become a new charity known as Celtic FC Foundation. Charity and helping in the local community and beyond is a massive focus point for everyone at Celtic.
In addition to the regular visitors we bring in through the Celtic Learning Centre, which sits within Celtic FC Foundation, we have had on average 150 other people at each domestic match so far in season 2013/14. These people have come from all walks of life but are consistent with the charity’s four main values of Improving Health, Ensuring Equality, Providing Education and Tackling Poverty.
PR & Communication:
There is a perception that the Club are quick to criticise our fans but slow to praise them, what’s the Club’s view?
There have been many instances of the Club praising our fans in terms of their support and how important they are to the Club – this is something we will continue to do, simply because we want to and because we value the tremendous backing we receive from our fans.
ClearlytherehavebeenincidentssuchastheMotherwellmatchrecentlywhichhavearisen. The Club felt it necessary to comment on these issues and we believe that our position was a real reflection of the feelings of our broader support. However, even within this statement we felt it important that we recognised the fantastic contribution of the overwhelming majority of our fans. There are occasions when we feel we have had to make comment, however, we do not set out to criticise our support and such occasions are very rare. We know that unity between the Club and our supporters gives us strength and we know how important this is.
Why is the Club not more vocal when our Manager, Players and Fans are attacked in the media?
If there are occasions when there are attacks on the Club or our staff and supporters we have been vocal. Categorically, we have fully supported Neil Lennon at all times, indeed Chief Executive, Peter Lawwell, has been quoted as saying that Neil has been subjected to an ‘ongoing campaign of hatred and intimidation’, and that the treatment of Neil has ‘shamed’ Scotland.
There have also been instances of our players and manager receiving abuse online for example where we have been very strong in our condemnation and with regards to our supporters, we have regularly ensured that we defend our fans when necessary – the swift and proactive handling of events in Amsterdam are probably the most recent example of this.
The Club is seen to be slow to react to key issues through the media, why is this?
We are not aware of any key issues where this has been the case. When major issues arise we believe the Club has been swift in dealing with these. Clearly there is a need to consider our position on major issues and a need for judgement in terms of what is in the best interests of the Club and our supporters. However, we do not believe we have been slow and feel we always aim to be on the front foot.
The Club has stated its opposition to the OBTC Act but there is a sense that it has to do more in support of the fans who are affected by this, will the Club take a more vocal position?
It has always been a fundamental part of the Club’s objection that the legislation discriminates against football supporters, criminalising them for being a football supporter, rather than for the nature of any behaviour. The Club made its position public on the Act through its submission to the Scottish Government and we have delivered public comment on a number of occasions outliningouroppositionregardingthislegislation. Wewillcontinuetodothiswhereappropriate and are already planning to develop this further.
Is this meeting recognition from the Club that a gap exists between the Club and the fans?
The reason for the invitation to meet was in order for the Club to continue to be proactive in its communication with supporters. We feel we have a healthy relationship with our supporters’ groups and we want this to continue. We communicate now more than ever with our supporters, however, we can always do more and hopefully this meeting will be useful to all involved.
The Club are often considered to be on the back foot in terms of PR, is there recognition of this from within and is there a plan to drive the PR strategy by producing more positive stories?
The Club’s strategy in this area is to promote Celtic as positively as possible at all times across all its activities on and off the field. In terms of generating positive stories, now, more than ever we drive a positive agenda through our own Club media and across the wider mass media. This covers football, community and charitable activity and commercial activity. Across all areas the Club generates and issues more positive stories than it ever has done. We have a developing multimedia operation and through this, across all its channels we aim to ensure we issue as much positive information to fans as we can, as well as ensuring wider broadcast and print media support to promote these activities.
Only in recent week, examples of these would be the launch of the excellent Ireland Fund of Great Britain partnership with Celtic FC Foundation, the Club and Magners charity association and a £10,000 donation for the Club’s Foundation, announcement of Celtic’s new disabled facilities and official matchday opening, the distribution of 2,500 shirts globally to good charitable causes, Celtic retaining its Investors in People Status, announcement of the Club’s financial results, the Launch of the Celtic Former Players Association, Manager and Player of the Month Awards as well as many more Club, fan and football stories covering all areas.
Would the Club consider the introduction of a weekly phone-in show to combat existing shows which often provide misinformation or unrealistic comparisons from unqualified sources?
Absolutely, we are already looking at various options around this issue.
Supporter Specific Issues:
Given the level of demand which exists, would the Club consider adding to the excellent new disabled supporters’ facility or creating something similar in another part of the stadium?
Yes, this is something we are prepared to look at in other parts of the Stadium.
Fixture re-scheduling at short notice is costing supporters money and ultimately driving fans away, can the Club seek an agreement with all other Clubs that a minimum notice period is put in place?
Despite efforts made by the SPFL there are no definitive rules in relation to the notice period required for broadcasters to give Clubs when a match is selected for television. This season has thrown up some more issues than normal due to the two main broadcaster’s efforts to maximise their viewing figures. From an SPFL perspective there are three ‘pinch points’ in the season.
Early season due to European schedules, Jan/Feb again due to European schedules and April due to post split schedules.
There has been discussion of putting a rule in place, however the broadcasters have indicated this would be shorter rather than longer notice and once established this would allow the broadcasters an opportunity to schedule matches with the minimum notice period required. This would arguably leave us worse off than we are at present.
Would the Club consider a floating credits’ scheme for fans outside Scotland to mitigate losses when matches are rescheduled?
Yes, this is something we would consider and are happy to discuss with a view to establishing who the mechanics of this would work and the potential demand.
Murrayfield – what is the plan relative to transportation and kick-off times, also Edinburgh cannot be accessed in a 24-hr trip by Irish supporters, and can this be reflected in their Season Ticket offering?
Discussions are ongoing and we will liaise with our supporter groups as part of the process.
At present away, neutral and European match ticket allocations are based on attendance of matches at each of the defined categories. Would the Club consider a scheme where all matches are taken into account including attendance at home matches as this would encourage more fans to attend home games?
Correct – tickets for domestic away matches are allocated based on attendance at these matches, the same procedures are used for European away matches. We do consider membership of the Home Cup Ticket Scheme and attendance at home cup games in the allocation of Cup Final tickets, therefore, attendance at home matches is considered. At this time, the procedures we have in place work well and whilst we review our procedures each season, there are no future plans to take into consideration attendance at home matches in the allocation of away match tickets.
For European match ticket allocation there is no stated policy at present, this leads to confusion as fans don’t always know when they will receive an offer or if it’s first come first served, this needs to be made clear by way of a stated policy which allows for clarity and gives supporters a defined process.
There is a stated policy which was detailed on all renewal forms and information readily available on our website. Depending on the allocation of tickets the Club receives, information is made available on the website on how tickets will be allocated. Except for the Ajax match this season, tickets were available on a first come first served basis to season ticket holders for all of our European away match tickets. Indeed, we returned tickets for all matches except Ajax. If there is confusion amongst supporters on how tickets are allocated for these matches, we can work on improving the communication of sales arrangements for Season 2014/2015.
Sounds like the club see themselves as blamless and on the ball with everything.
Anyway….
Nakamura – “Peter hasn’t told me I’ll be leaving yet.” ??? Hmmmmm ???
K. Miller(after he started scoring) – “Peter has told me that, if I don’t leave – I’ll be 6th in the pecking order of strikers.” ??? Is ‘that’ no the managers call ???
Joe(the ghost) – “I didn’t want to leave Celtic.” ??? Then Neil is ushered oot onto the stage tae shoot it doon ???
Common denominator – Two rid heided managers wi puppet strings ???
What the hell do we care now – Off oot.
G.B.
“The group are a colourful addition to Celtic Park; however they must abide by the same rules as all fans. These include the Ground Regulations, the law and the competition rules such as those set out by the SFA, SPFL and UEFA. The Club considers this an entirely reasonable position. In all situations the reputation of Celtic and our supporters is paramount and must be protected.”
Game set and match:
The Board.
proudbhoy
06:10 on
22 February, 2014
This communication process will inevitably breakdown if the club continues to ignore the issues around stewarding and policing at home matches, the club’s response on these issues are clearly ignoring the truth, dont know how you measure the majority of the Celtic supporters opinion on issues such as Motherwell and suspensions of innocent fans for whats its worth IMO i don’t believe there is a majority with the club on that issue, we know where the majority of the discredited and shameful SMSM sit in relation to Celtic fans, and the club needs to do a lot more
Communication is good, however listening and subsequent action following listening will sustain it
KevJ –
Neil Lennon was hardly “ushered oot”. He was asked a question by a journalist and he answered it.
In any case, when a club, any club, tells a player they have accepted a bid for him from another club, it doesn’t mean he has to move to that club. Joe Ledley could easily have said, “No thanks. I don’t want to go to Palace. I’ll stay till the summer and take my chances.”
Joe Ledley signed a contract for Crystal Palace. I bet that signature says “Joe Ledley”. I believe Peter Lawwell’s signature says “Peter Lawwell”. But I could be wrong. Maybe you know better.
The Master of Closutton:
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/article/2/9175937/donn-mcclean-a-sweet-selection
macjay1 for Neil Lennon
06:29 on
22 February, 2014
G.B.
“The group are a colourful addition to Celtic Park; however they must abide by the same rules as all fans. These include the Ground Regulations, the law and the competition rules such as those set out by the SFA, SPFL and UEFA.
The colourful additions at a club in Govan which sang songs of religious hate and chants which were racist in nature, clearly and loudly did broke the rules of all the associations which you mention in your post, apparently they still do
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2477639/SHAMEFUL-Fury-UK-soldiers-investigated-performing-Nazi-style-salute-Helmand.html
A newspaper close to your political heart, colourful additions ?
‘These men and the Army must learn from this’
Rangers fans were investigated by UEFA in 2007 when some made straight-armed salutes during a match against an Israeli team in Tel Aviv.
European football’s governing body was satisfied by Rangers’ explanation that the fans were making ‘Red Hand of Ulster salutes’ but the club warned fans not to repeat the gesture.
Satisfied by an explanation UEFA…………………………………….
Macjay
Game set and match:
The Board.
””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
If by that you mean no atmosphere in the ground and a diminishing number of people attending, then you are spot on
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b1banWYn7Xw
Ah tell ye, if this video disnae leave ye happy thi day, thurs gotta be summit wrang wi ye. Henk, Naka, Sutty, ach….jist too minny crackers tae pick the best…….but here are…..10 of the very best goals v the extinct yins.
I love Archie’s commentary on Henks first when he leaves big fat fat boab for dead
” the best finisher in the uk”
…or to be exact ” the most lethal attacker in the United Kingdom”
Gold Coast Tom
06:42 on 22 February, 2014
______________________
Nah, I don’t know better – just picking up on the patter. Thats all.
Oh, and btw…strange how none of the rest of my post seemed to catch yer attention ?
patter = pattern
typo
sorry
twists n turns
06:52 on 22 February, 2014
______________________
Thanks for sharing that amigo.
Great stuff indeed.
Anyway…ah’m away Off oot – afore ah break the blog :)
Pharrell ‘Happy’ Williams CSC
Off oot.
As some of you will know, I was in Scotland for a couple of weeks recently. During my visit, I travelled to Edinburgh as I needed to acquire an Australian Passport to allow me to get back into the country. I have two sons in Edinburgh so we all got together and in the process I was introduced to the mother of one of my son’s friends. I mention this only because the woman just happened to have been one of the jurors in the Neil Lennon assault trial.
For obvious reasons, I won’t give her real name, so I’ll call her Mrs Rooney.
Her son urged her to tell me about the deliberations in the jury room.
Mrs Rooney is not a football fan and while she knew about Celtic and Hearts, she knew nothing of Neil Lennon other than hearing his name mentioned now and again.
After viewing the video footage of the incident, the majority of jurors were in no doubt that a guilty verdict was a mere formality, until three male jurors spoke up.
One male juror told the uninitiated that Neil Lennon was “a known thug and troublemaker”. When Mrs Rooney voiced her view that it was irrelevant and didn’t warrant the attack, she and the other jurors were told that Lennon was known to constantly bait the Hearts fans during games at Tynecastle. They were assured that the manager spends most of the game arguing with and gesticulating towards Hearts supporters in the stands behind him. Another male juror agreed and said he himself had witnessed Lennon giving sectarian abuse to an old man in Hearts colours during a game at Tynecastle.
The members of the jury argued to and fro and the male jurors continued their character assassination of Neil Lennon, even going as far as to allege that Lennon has past links to the Provisional IRA.
Before long, the bulk of the jury had a picture in their heads. They were convinced that the man who attacked Neil Lennon was reacting to severe provocation and that Lennon had “brought it on himself”.
Mrs Rooney and another female juror were not convinced and even asked why all this was never mentioned by the defence counsel. The prominent male juror said it would have been suppressed because Lennon wasn’t on trial.
The defendant was eventually found not guilty by a majority verdict. The jury had been completely turned around by three male jurors who clearly had an agenda from the start. With hindsight, Mrs Rooney believes the three men should never have been on that jury.
Mrs Rooney told me a lot more but the above just about covers the main thrust of what went on in that jury room. Mrs Rooney and one other female juror were utterly disgusted and believed the other jurors allowed themselves to be manipulated by the three men.
This is an account of what I was told. Mrs Rooney has no reason to lie to me and when I think about it, it all kinda makes sense.
What price justice eh?
Neil Lennon has responded to claims from Joe Ledley that he was forced out of Celtic.
The midfielder moved to Crystal Palace on the final day of the January transfer window and told BBC Radio Wales that he was ready to sign a new contract when Celtic accepted the offer from the London side.
Celtic and Ledley had been in talks for a number of months over a new deal but faced with the prospect of losing the player in the summer for nothing decided that it was best to accept an offer from Palace which has been reported as anything between £250,000 and £800,000
Answering Ledley’s claims Lennon said: “The contract was on the table for quite a period of time,” said the Celtic boss. It was not as if it was a last minute thing. It was there on the table for at least two to three months.
“I think there was a big part of him that wanted to stay and part of him that wanted to go play in the Premier League as well.
“It was unfortunately a scenario where we lost out and lost a very good player.”
Ledley joined Celtic on a Bosman deal from Cardiff City in the summer of 2010 as one of Neil Lennon’s first signings.
KevJungle said:
Oh, and btw…strange how none of the rest of my post seemed to catch yer attention ?
I can assure you there is absolutely nothing strange about that little fact. Nothing whatsoever.
Hi folks, I’m going to the game today and it’s my first time going to Tynecastle. I’m taking the car and was thinking of parking a wee bit away from the stadium and walking. Does anyone have any tips on where to park and how best to make my way to the ground.
Really hoping we see Biton, Johansson and Brooney in midfield so we can control the game the way we did last week. And a cheeky wee first goal from Griffiths in front of the cousins would be amazing!
Cheers
Craiginho
GCT…
If true (no offence but seems unlikely) it is a pity Mrs R and others didn’t ask to consult the judge, as entitled to do, about the relevance of information not presented at trial.
An intimidating situation of course and a certain level of confidence required to follow through but a pity none the less.
With Forrest & Izaguirre injured, Mulgrew for Izaguirre should be only change from last week. Dominate the midfield, win as easily as the last time. Griffiths to get his first Celtic goal.
KevJ…
Puppet strings?
Maybees aye, maybees naw …
These days no matter which club more than the manager makes decisions.
Sometimes good sometimes bad.
Even Big Jock had to bend the knee occasionally to his EMPLOYERS.
Although no members of the Green Brigade were present at the meeting, given that this issue is a source of much discussion amongst supporters it was felt that it was appropriate to answer the question. The Club can confirm that, if a relationship with the Green Brigade can be developed, then attendance of their members at future meetings would, of course, be discussed with them. There was a breakdown in trust and confidence following the matches against Milan and Motherwell. However, the Club welcome dialogue, as it does with all supporters. The group are a colourful addition to Celtic Park; however they must abide by the same rules as all fans. These include the Ground Regulations, the law and the competition rules such as those set out by the SFA, SPFL and UEFA. The Club considers this an entirely reasonable position. In all situations the reputation of Celtic and our supporters is paramount and must be protected.
__________________________
I wouldn’t have bothered my arse talking about them, they didn’t turn up for the meeting, but I will keep my powder dry and wait to see if they where invited to it first, if they where not invited, then why where they being discussed?
I’m not going to swear because I’m aware that Saturday mornings are often when children will read this site with their dads.
However, the minutes of the meeting hosted by Celtic make for genuinely depressing reading.
A mixture of Pontius Pilot and Herod spring to mind.
We’re guilty of nothing and we’ll not be accepting of any criticism that comes our way.
To claim that the majority of the Celtic support were supportive of the reactionary ‘suspensions’ that were given out on the back of Fir Park is as big a head in the sand comment as I can remember.
Celtic broke an agreement with the CT by doing this.
A deal had been made that any bans/suspensions would be discussed prior to being administered. This clearly didn’t happen.
Celtic plc don’t feel they were wrong in suspending an entire section of the stadium and support even though not one arrest came from them?
Ffs don’t mention contrition in the boardroom of Celtic Park.
Craiginho
The parking around that part of the city is not great. You would be better getting the train but if you have to bring the car you will get a space around the Murrayfield area. Get there early and check with the police when you park up.
Enjoy the game
LB
Hamilton Tim.
I agree with your comments.
A question and answer session with a corporate veil lacking emotion and empathy. A pity as it’s an opportunity missed.
Hh.
Here is an article which relates to a number of themes which have been discussed on the blog recently. For example the protection of children. It is very disturbing but it merits reading. I left out the first few paragraphs which detail inappropriate and upsetting things and which add little to the article. The victims of this horror may be about to receive some more information relating to the culture of ‘Progressive’ thinking and practices which led to the horrific abuse of innocent children.
* * *
Yet at the time this book was published, in 1980, O’Carroll and the Paedophile Information Exchange (PIE) – a body founded to openly lobby for child sex – were part of NCCL, now Liberty, Britain’s foremost mainstream civil rights organisation.
In 1975, NCCL had granted PIE official “affiliate” status. It put O’Carroll on one of its working groups, it made him a platform speaker at an NCCL conference in spring 1977, and it strongly defended paedophiles against “hysterical and inaccurate” newspaper attacks.
There was, to be fair, internal opposition to this. According to the winter 1978 edition of Gay Left magazine, NCCL’s executive voted not to distribute the transcript of O’Carroll’s 1977 conference speech, a passionate attack on the punishment of sex offenders. NCCL’s union affiliates were reluctant to accept PIE as a fraternal brother, and NCCL’s secretary, Patricia Hewitt, said “public hostility to paedophilia was such that it damaged the cause of gay rights for the gay movement to be associated with it”.
But such voices were a minority; for most of the Seventies and early Eighties, the “right” to sleep with children was one of the “civil liberties” that NCCL supported and the policy differences with PIE were ones only of degree. PIE favoured lowering the age of sexual consent broadly to four (as they generously allowed, a baby below that would “lack the verbal skill to communicate its consent”). The comparative moderates of NCCL backed a reduction merely to 10, so long as it could be demonstrated that consent “was genuinely given”.
NCCL vigorously opposed new cornerstone child abuse legislation. In a letter to the Home Office in April 1978, it argued fiercely that child pornography should not be banned as “indecent” unless it could be shown that the child depicted had been harmed. The NCCL official who wrote this letter was its legal officer, Harriet Harman.
Ms Harman is now, of course, deputy leader of the Labour Party. She presumably no longer believes what she said in the Seventies – though she has never apologised for it. But it is her role then, and that of the Left, that journalists are starting to explore as they try to understand the climate that led to an apparent child abuse epidemic in the Seventies and Eighties, manifest in dozens of major scandals – Jimmy Savile’s only the latest to come to light.
For NCCL was far from alone in its views. In 1977, the social workers’ trade paper, Community Care, published a sympathetic spread, headlined “Should we pity the paedophiles”, talking of the “liberation of children to enjoy their natural sexuality” and reassuring readers that most paedophiles preferred only over-10s, making them “less frightening than [PIE’s] campaign implies”. In 1979, the National Council for One-Parent Families called for abolishing the age of consent.
With the Pill, the legalisation of homosexuality and shrinking taboos against premarital sex, the Seventies was an era of quite sudden sexual emancipation. To some on the Left, sex by or with children was just another repressive boundary that had to be swept away. As Andrew Lumsden, an editor of Gay News at the time, said: “We were fighting against a lot of outmoded laws, and perhaps the ones against paedophilia were as outmoded as those against homosexuality or cannabis.”
Britain’s half-hearted liberalisation of homosexuality – until very recently, the gay age of consent was 21, five years above heterosexuals – also allowed the likes of O’Carroll and PIE to cleverly conflate their perverted agenda with the legitimate demands of young gay adults.
PIE tried to present any attack on paedophiles as an attack on homosexuals generally; as Gay Left put it, “realistically, the moral Right wing cannot get much support out of campaigning against homosexuality as such… but they can hope to build up a new moral consensus [against gays] around the issue of protecting childhood”.
PIE’s members, mostly educated and middle-class, were good at finding “progressive” academics – some useful idiots, others rather more sinister – to fight their cause. As O’Carroll said: “We thought we could manipulate the Establishment and find allies within it.”
In 1981, a respectable publisher, Batsford, published Perspectives on Paedophilia, edited by Brian Taylor, a sociology lecturer at Sussex University. The book’s introduction said it aimed to “inhibit… antipathy towards [paedophilia’s] discussion [and] its indulgence”.
One man, Peter Righton, contributed a strong defence of paedophilia; Righton, later convicted of child sex offences, was a member of PIE and director of education at the National Institute of Social Work.
The presence in PIE of people like Righton has led to claims that child abuse in the era involved an Establishment conspiracy, with “rings” of powerful abusers, including Cabinet ministers, protecting each other. Though there are some justified suspicions about this, hard evidence so far has been lacking. Indeed, in the political sphere, PIE’s activism clearly backfired, sparking a massive public backlash and being completely ignored by ministers – who consistently tightened, not loosened, the law.
Most people, of course, never fell for the paedophile agenda. The obvious problem with any argument that children could “consent to” or “demand” sex is that any relationship between an adult and a child involves massive disparities of power, to the child’s disadvantage. By the early Eighties, the devastating harm that abuse did was quite clear. PIE’s activists, including O’Carroll, mostly went to jail and the group was disbanded in 1984.
Yet in some organisations infected with the ideology of the Seventies and early Eighties, a climate was created where the abuse of children became acceptable. Unforgivably, those organisations included a hard-Left London council, Islington, with thousands of vulnerable children directly in its care.
In the Eighties, an official inquiry found, Islington’s children’s homes were riddled with abuse, sex and paedophile rings. Dozens of sexual predators worked for the council and were, found the inquiry, protected by misplaced “equal opportunities” policies which enabled them to cry “discrimination” if anyone tried to rein in their activities. (One key member of the NCCL executive in the paedophile period, the lawyer Henry Hodge, was married to the then Islington council leader, Margaret Hodge, now reinvented as the chairman of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee.)
Despite the backlash, what the madness in parts of the Left did create was still dangerous.
* * *
Social workers eh?
Celtic broke off discussions with the Green Brigade not the other way around. Please remember this.
Yes, you may think that they were correct in doing this and that’s ok but please be aware that this is what happened.
Oh and then some inside Paradise made deliberate attempts to try and de rail the GB’s food drive.
Tony Donnelly.
The list of apologies is included in the meetings.
Hh.
Meeting minutes
THM
I am angry at the club’s response to some of the points raised but more than anything I’m deeply saddened, genuinely, that the board are unwilling to accept any wrong doing.
I’m away to get ready to to watch Celtic in Edinburgh.
That’s Celtic FC not Celtic PLC.
Tony Donnelly,
Good morning. We know what will happen with the Green Brigade. There will be another confrontation. That is what happens.
GCT, God Bless ye and yer Family. You have had a tough time.
A Celt the same as us all.
If the board are claiming that the GB will be treated like any other supporter then on the back of this when will they next allow a group of Tims into the stadium for 3 says to set up a display like the one to celebrate 125 years of history against Barcelona?
are the green brigade as a group planning on buying tickets for killie on the friday night
if so, i hope they have plans to stop the friday night drunks from fir park squeezing into their seats and causing a repeat performance
because they should be under nae illusions that there will be plenty there looking to see what section they are in and wanting to join them
HamiltonTim,
Should we praise them for such a display? To a certain extent. It was magnificent. However they are Celtic supporters. It is kinda what they should be doing anyway. Praising Celtic supporters for supporting Celtic is a little odd. Your Green Brigade friends are not superior supporters to the rest of us. They just support. Often they do it well. Other times they blunder.
Enjoy the game.
All the progressives need is an ajar door. They will use the goodwill of the people to make sure the door is Smashed wide open. Same as it ever was.