I received an email from John Paul Taylor, Celtic’s recently appointed Supporter Relations’ Manager, asking for some help getting the message of his appointment out to the support, and explaining what he is there to do. This, for a guy whose inbox will never be empty, was a refreshingly proactive approach.
Here are the questions I put to John Paul, with his answers below:
So what is the scope of your Supporter Relations remit?
“The role is basically to provide a link between supporters and the Club. Since starting I’ve had a number of issues to deal with including the 5:15 Kick Off, Hearts away and what supporters should do in terms of submitting ticket applications given their current financial plight, supporter behaviour and specifically the Section 111 issue.
“I’ve also travelled to Sweden to provide information and assistance to supporters and officials of If Elfsborg at our UCL Qualifier and more recently I have been working with supporters who have been trying to obtain visas for Kazakhstan. In addition to this I have been working with colleagues relative to Stadium Catering and providing feedback in order that we can assess what happens next, so as you can see a wide and varied range of issues to work on.”
What will you be able to do if supporters come with issues around policing or stewarding?
“These are basically matters which come under the remit of the Operations Director, however there is a responsibility on my part to ensure that they are being addressed. Consequently any issues raised will be discussed and action appropriate action taken.
“Naturally any action has to be consistent and appropriate to the nature of the complaint. The issue of Policing of Celtic Supporters is very much to the fore at the moment and we welcome feedback and specific examples of inappropriate or unfair treatment.”
There are tens of thousands of contacts between supporters and the club, between getting entry to the ground, to buying a cola to using the toilets. Lots of these interactions don’t hit the mark, if you are successful in getting things done, you know it’s only a matter of time before you’re swamped, unless the supporter experience reaches legendary levels?
“I think this is a good point, however I think in the main supporters are generally satisfied with their match day experience. Quite clearly though there are some things that we could do better, equally there will be times where we just get it wrong. This is where the service aspect of my role comes into play and I would ask that on such occasions, supporters make me aware in order that we can provide a swift resolution through the relevant Departments.
“That is a particularly challenging aspect to the role but I believe that we are putting processes in place which are helping us turn around our complaint handling very quickly.”
Are there limits to what you can talk to fans about?
“Football and Finance are really areas where I can’t offer any real assistance. Although, like almost every football fan in the world I would consider myself to be a football expert its one area that there are people more qualified than me to speak about these things when it comes to Club matters “
Have the club established a route for you to get things done?
“I think because this is an entirely new role we are working on a ‘let’s see how it develops’ basis. Naturally I have KPI’s and specific projects that I need to complete but I am working for a lot of the time on my own initiative and providing feedback on the key issues of the day so it’s important to keep a handle on everything that’s going on with the support and what the main topics are.
“I think being close to supporters and having a wide circle of friends and family who are supporters is a real benefit in this respect.”
Final question, who are we going to sign?
“Ha, see the answer to question 4!!!”
I made the point to John Paul that if CQN is anything to go by, in many areas, satisfying one group of supporters is almost certainly going to compromise relations with another – the nature of a divergent club, open and tolerant of all from inception, perhaps, so this is not an easy shift.
That being said, news today suggests he’s off to a good start, which as Mo Bangura will tell you, is half the battle at Celtic.
CELTIC PAY THE PENALTY
I’m sure your mind has already cast ahead to Wednesday night. We will have plenty of possession inside the Shakhter box, which will increase the likelihood of being awarded a penalty kick.
Failure to properly prepare for penalty kicks has cost this football club more than I am prepared to recall in recent seasons, so we must be aware of the following:
There is a high probability we will be awarded a penalty.
Shakhter will know that Kris Commons is likely to hit any penalty.
Shakhter will know that Kris hit his last penalty straight down the middle.
We should prepare not just for a penalty kick competition, but for penalties during normal time.
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Many years ago when I was a young mental Starry I had hit a brick wall in London( let’s just say my life choices weren’t great) and had come up the road for Christmas and New Year.
I was done in, skint and downright unhealthy, I tried to bluff my folks but who was I kidding they knew straight away, anyway a bed was prepared and food was cooked, at the table the conversation turned to Celtic as it mostly did with me and ma Da’ and he asked me if I was going to the game to which I replied ” I canny be bothered with Celtic any mair Da’ ” he said fairynuff and got his paper, I went to get up when ma Mammy said ” sit where ye are” Weird thought I, “did I hear you correctly GMPJ ma full Sunday name” Whit says I full of cheek,
” Ye canny be bothered with Celtic? Do you know how many shifts yer Da’ changed and how many double shifts he worked so he could take you to see Celtic? Do you know how yer Granda scrimped and saved to get ye yer first scarf which I believe ye still have? Do you know how many nights I sat here waiting for yous to come home from Rangers games, only to see yous come in greeting because ye’es had lost? And now you come back up the road in a mess to tell me ye canny be bothered with Celtic, no way Sir, get on that phone and get yer mates to get you a ticket and get yourself to the game as it seems to me since you’ve been away you lost touch with who you are and where you come from, you lost touch with faith family and friends and your beloved Celtic and she was right I had, I got on the phone and the getting better process began, I think we even won at Mordor!!
Now that wee wummin has never set foot inside Celtic Park but she is as much Celtic through and through as any one of us on here how could she not be coming from Carfin and I am eternally grateful to her for booting my arse when I needed it..
My wee Mammy is back in Wishy HDU the night after her third heart attack and i can’t be there so thank God for CQN and thank you Paul 67 for making this place for me and for all of us and most of all thank you CQN’ers for being here when times and good, bad or downright ugly…
C’mon Cathy you can do it Darlin’…
Sorry for interrupting whit looks like quite a lively thread!!
Play nice now you lot…
Starry…
The honest mistake – so anyone who criticises is making a Snide comment?
The club are tearing its support apart by blatently exploiting the support.
Did NL really say we werent taking a gamble with the CL?
No chance for me at quiz at 10, I’ll be pished…
Emerald Green 19:21:
Welcome to the greatest Celtic blog mate.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Canamalar
Yes I was in the car park. I seriously doubt you were though, nae keyboards for you there.
canamalar reckon you were there with a pitchfork, have image of groundskeeper willie of the Simpsons in my head when i think about it!!. Hope your doing well :-))
I dont believe our manager is a liar but i have to say as time goes by in this window i am beginning to wonder if he is strong enough to stand up to the money men Remember he went to Portugal to give ok to sign striker only for him to be overruled and be given Banguro instead If he wants someone brought in then the board should support him Bidding £3.2m for a striker when his club already have said £5m does not mean the club are serious We should spend Norwich’s money and get Finnaboggson in if thats what manager wants
Re Forrest he hasnt warranted a start for a long time and for his own sake the manager should leave him out till 100% fit I personnally think he is another Jamie Smith He has pace but lacks heart and awareness and would rather have McGeoch in team 10/10 before him
Starry
Really sorry to hear that G let me know if there’s anything I can do.
I never said you wanted Lenny to be sacked.
You however said that Lenny would get sacked for playing James Forrest.
Ehh, no it doesn’t by the way.
Aye ok. You’re wish is my command master.
canamaler
Totally agree with your points. But, just a wee thing. This is going a wee bit iffy at the moment, would you agree to let NFL try his damnedest to sort it out. He has had an unchallenged run to date, why not find out if he can change this round. I would be intrigued to follow this through. Just MO.
Right going to feed the poultry and get them into their beds. Then walk the dugs. Cannie put them in the fields cause their full of cattle. :))
Weefra HH
Paolosboots
I’m fine mate I’ve been doing a bit of running/gym etc so it made last night a bit easier thankfully :-)
Finnbogason now scores his 2nd of the evening to bring his team level with Ajax. Not worth £4-5m eh?
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar
Will do Mate thanks, it all a bit confusing at the moment…
Let’s face it, *he says feeling elated* the decision to announce the closure of section 111 was not only a Celtic public relations disaster, but hugely damaging , to have set Celtic supporter against Celtic supporter crossing cyber swords, which hopefully wasn’t replicated, anywhere in the real world. Hopefully the repatriation of any single lost ST holder will be remedied fairly quickly.
The ‘they won’t be missed “and worse ‘the good riddance brigade’ who masquerade on CQN wouldn’t know Celtic Park even if they were stood on the centre circle, let alone have knowledge of who is in the Green Brigade, how many they number, or how they behave, and are bereft without consuming MSM propaganda and sensationalism.
The reconsideration and reversal of the decision, really does say it all, and it’s now fairly and squarely back to the Celtic supporters, conducting themselves in and out of the GB. You and I have made more concessions than the GB have, since the days we stood in the old Jungle, I hope that the fringe element, who are not members but remain shoulder to shoulder in section 111, adhere to what’s been agreed on a match by match, and long term permanent basis.
I hope the GB flourish, and look forward to seeing a full section 111 in their rightful place tomorrow.
KevJ – wont read any of your future posts.
foolish and incorrect.
Neganon.
Aye that’s right. Anybody that criticises the club is being snide. How to you jump to logical conclusions like that? Some agenda you have.
Snide comments tonight include lenny is a liar, lennys jacket is on a shoogly peg for playing James Forrest ad nauseum.
YYYYEEEESSSS ….JUST SAW ON SSN THAT THE GB ARE BACK…..WELL DONE GB / BOARD……….NOW, GB, BEHAVE YURSELLS OR I’LL BE OVER TO YOUSE…
ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED…..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bourne
Well said.
joe fillipi
No, sorry didn’t make it clear enough. He put it in print. There is a difference. Calling someone a liar is open to word against word. Putting it in print??? I leave it to your opinion. It is, of course, just mine. :)))
Weefra HH
HT, Glad to hear it, you had no problems and played well. Did you see Murdoch Auld & Hay was looking for players for an Oscar charity game, looks interesting!
Starry fingers crossed & best wishes for you mum
Good at last.
ht,
Why would you doubt it ?
Did you hang arou d after one of the games or did you make a point of going ?
bournesouprecipe
Stop Making Sense!
TalkingheadsCSC
Paolosboots
No I didn’t see that but I’d be interested if it could be arranged mate.
Awe Naw
Well said!
Kev J — Disgraceful even by your standards!
canamalar prays oscar can do it again
19:43 on 23 August, 2013
ht,
Why would you doubt it ?
Did you hang arou d after one of the games or did you make a point of going ?
———
Not sure what you mean.
Bournesouprecipe.
Unfortunately there have been casualties in the impasse. Our very own vmhan for example.
The gb and the board should both make public apologies to the fans that they have disenchanted.
ten men won the league
19:38 on 23 August, 2013
Finnbogason now scores his 2nd of the evening to bring his team level with Ajax. Not worth £4-5m eh?
I agree, but not with our cheque book
Tet. I know master. You a grid yin in the masons?
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar
forget the gym and running……buy yerself a banjo, find a field off cows wi big erses and get practising :-)
Heid yin
HT i think its happening was £20 per player v a rangers over 35’s team you might just sneak in:-) and £5 entrance for fans to watch in Renfrew, someone else might have more details. On 22nd Sept, would be up for it also, if he’s on the look out but he might have players in mind.
starry plough forza oscar
19:33
Amazing post, mhan. Praying hard for your amazing ma.
PeteC, if you’re still around. I loved your post earlier as well, the one about your sister. She sounds an amazing woman too. In fact, she sounds like some of my aunts.
Women are amazing.
Starry
Thoughts and prayers for your mum. she sounds like a good lady.
God bless her majesty
Lawell will come out in the next few days and claim that when someone signs Finnbogason for £7/8m that he was out of our price range.
Aye Peter but that’s cos you never moved for him when you could have got him for £4/5m.
Dutch Football @football_oranje 1m
HT Heerenveen 3-2 Ajax brilliant game! Ajax let a 2-0 lead slip! No defence’s evident! Finnbogason brilliant!