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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Cowiebhoy
I need you every day at 2:15…….. pie and a bovril please …. ;)
Btw
See this ian black thingy. .. I know it’s the rules but lesbe onest here… daft rules from sfa as usual
A wee bit common sense needed here… he was putting on a fixed odds coupon. . A fiver or a tenner. Really no big deal.
Perhaps single bets on Scottish games should be banned
As for betting against your own team. . I would not want him in my team if he did that.
Im pretty sure ive seen certain celtic players on twitter saying they were waiting on a bet coming up.
Lets face it… talents in their feet not their heads
Just had a re run of karagandy game on tv… And it’s once than first time round…
cowiebhoy-i’m with you get 2 strikers on today
Worse even..
Starry
If you are on, great post. God bless Cathy, yer wee ma. Will think of her at CP today…I’d you need anything you know where I am…
Kikinthenakas
mickbhoy1888
10:42 on 24 August, 2013
big nan
10:29 on 24 August, 2013
Don’t feel guilty there are hundreds of thousands of people who struggle into their work every day in this country with ailments and illnesses and are still able to perform their job and are paid peanuts compared to JF
The nursing profession is one that immediately springs to mind
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
Obviously you have never had sciatica but maybe you have been a professional footballer?
Starry, I wish yer Mammy well, hope she recovers quickly.
That was a great post, really inspiring.
Starry
Missed your original post.
Aye, the auld saying is true, ‘ your mammys your best friend’
God bless Cathy and speedy recovery.
Weeminger:
I apologise for the delay, I’ve been grafting, I appreciate your reply and consideration. In reply mate, when I post on anything meaningful, I really do try to include as much of the burden of the broad church that is the Celtic Support as I can. When I post I post from personal experience. That personal experience includes walking in the other mans shoes. Failing that I do try to empathise with the man who tells me his story over a beer. I haven’t shared a beer with every man or woman who carries a burden in this life, but it would not be a life wasted if I did. Bottom line mate, I think there are a lot of deserving big, CELTIC Supporting, kids who deserve a lift over. But I am only one man with one heart, with one set of values, with one voice and one lifetime.
Burnley78:
I’ve not always seen eye to eye with what you have posted in the past (and like you said, that is a two way street), but without a doubt, we’ve walked the same pavements and skipped over the same cracks on our way to Parkhead, lest we be unlucky or go to hell. It is not the same club as that which Sir Robert Kelly looked down on. Sir Robert Kelly would be turning in his grave at the unopposed re-election of Campbell Ogilvie.
James Forrest:
Before I say anything you might remember me better as kitalba.
Regards last night, you butted into an exchange I was having with Summa. He had posted that I was the new Sydneykit. In my humility I did not think I was worthy of such an accolade. I offered several alternative suggestions to Summa as to what he might like to see me post, part of what I posted in the exchanges was this:
A Stor Mo Chroi at 15.55
At no time was I passing publicly, personal judgment. Who am I to do such?
You came on and asked did I mean you, without equivocation or hesitation I said YES.
Because I meant you in particular.
Now, there are a few posters on here who post links to their own personal blogs, the subtle, or not so subtle, difference, between they and you, is, they (the others) all still contribute to this blog whilst you don’t.
The last time I saw you on here was when you were plugging your book.
You then, as is your petulant way went into one of your humorous tirades, humorous for me anyway. James Forrest
Followed soon after by another inventive crock of crap which might help you to sleep at night.
Your post was full of falsehoods and wee man bluster. I’ve seen so many from you over the years and they bore the mantits off me.
I remember your fierce and relentless attack on Neil Lennon post Ross County in 2010, on these pages I let you get on with it though I thought your words were cruel and callous. Your vitriol was in competition with Slan_Abhaile……….Sack Lennon and Lawwell..
I thought you both disgraced yourself that day/night but I was later to find out the true meaning of disgrace.
You both called for employees of Celtic to be sacked forthwith… not very socialist of you is it?)
I found that out a few months later when you denied being anti-Neil Lennon.
That day I made my judgment that you are at best a psychedelic tim. (with a tiny wee T)
(You alluded to facebook for some reason and accused me of all sorts. On my fathers fenian grave, I have never been on facebook) Why I bother to make that qualification is beyond me other than to highlight other than that at times you are pretty strange.
Now James Forrest, I’ve taken too much time of my limited life up with you, you have options, if you wish to progress this further here are your options:
We can continue it on here… I’m happy with that.
We can continue it by e-mail I’m happy with that. (ask Paul for kitalba’s e-mail address if you’ve no longer got it)
You can e-mail me a number and I’ll phone you… I’m happy with that too. That is the one I prefer besides talking to you face to face.
You pick, but I’ll be fecked if I waste one more moment of my life clogging up this blog with a reply to a spiteful poster.
…oh aye………
On the subject of the Bored………
Celtic comment on the Huns and the scoddish msm unite to decry, denigrate, obfuscate undermine and rabble-rouse……….. against Us……..
The Huns in the midst of dark devious dealings at the heart o’ scoddish foo’ball, with gaffe after gaffe………and plenty of ammo………..with ‘bear-faced’ irony can sya and do almost anything……………and the scoddish msm can’t even properly question The Binman regarding the Bookies…….
Good morning bhoys. Looking for some help. Mrs DFS’ sister has been accepted into Stirling uni, but no places guaranteed in uni accommodation. Does anybody know the Stirling area in terms of decent/student friendly places to rent? Thanks in advance.
Has it got so bad that we aren’t even linked with anyone today?!
#takenforaride
Bankibhoy
Don’t see the smsm ever changing mate… its no right but… appeasing their readers
Dexter
Celtic match on today. .. no talk of links allowed on cqn :)
sid
07:47 on
24 August, 2013
See the happyclappers are up early.
They were not up so early on Wednesday morning.Awaiting orders from the bunker.Orders came through,”Trot out the old nobody wants to come to Scotland,its not easy signing players,PL is trying to get players in,Finnbogason is not worth the money,look at the huns,do we want to end up like that?.The usual guff.Its worked season after season,it will again”.
Not with some though.
Starry P
Read your post about your mum last night.
Hope she recovers.
Apart from that I read back the blog until about 10 o’clock last night and gave up..
God bless the dead from last nights crash..
3pm kick off for all top flight league games today on a Saturday-brilliant-feels a bit retro.
Hoping for a good display today but due to the injury concerns and Wednesday’s game looming, I have no idea what the team will be. Hopefully we’ll have a couple of fit strikers to test the Caley back line.
Will have a good look at the free scoring Billy McKay today…
HH
Downforsam,
There is a large student block of flats really close to Stirling bridge, on road into the Cornton.
Within easy walking distance to Stirling centre, and easy reach for Uni, may be an option ?
Hail Hail
Sandman I don’t believe celtic have a chance of getting through Wednesday cos we have no strikers and we need to score goals. There said it again.
Bankiebhoy so we are too scared to confront corruption. Is that the way of it?
Cowiebhoy in support of Fearless Oscar & Family
Much appreciated.
Ten Men Won The League
08:31 on
24 August, 2013
Lennys comments that we’re still doing due diligence on players at this stage of the transfer window is deeply worrying.
So much for there being a Plan B, C, + D.
Ah,the old”Due diligence”.A phrase that seemed to spring up in the Craig White era.How did that work out?.I await other such terms as”We are robustly seeking new players”and “Celtic are not a quintessential buying club.Maybe followed by”We will maintain our dignity as we have always done in the transfer market”
Lets hope not.
DownForSam 11:04
My brothers both went to Stirling Uni and lived their, would have thought you’d get Halls for 1st year, after that it’s unlikely, everyone seems to live away from home at Stirling. Will try to find out from them where is good.
turkeybhoy
11:07 on 24 August, 2013
sid
07:47 on
24 August, 2013
See the happyclappers are up early.
They were not up so early on Wednesday morning.Awaiting orders from the bunker.Orders came through,”Trot out the old nobody wants to come to Scotland,its not easy signing players,PL is trying to get players in,Finnbogason is not worth the money,look at the huns,do we want to end up like that?.The usual guff.Its worked season after season,it will again”.
Not with some though.
————–
Ditto.
Finnbogasson now out of reach after performance against Ajax
Embarrassing pursuit of Pukki (who?)
Self-proclaimed “ambition” to be CL team is exposed as hypocrisy by the inept and lazy transfer (non) activity since January
Bada
2 up front and through the middle for me today, lets see what they’ve got to offer.
I believe Stoksie has an ankle injury, so play Balde and Watt
Hail Hail
Turkeybhoy
11:15
Said that yesterday – just smacks of us scraping the barrel for whoever is available now rather than transfer targets that we had.
Don’t understand why deals can be in place before the window, at least to an extent where you’ve sounded out clubs.
….pfayr,
Enjoy your hols, lucky b.
Say hello to Gerry, the boss in the Fiddler.
Unfortunately, my mate won’tbe there, as he is, I hope, successfully recuperating frim his recent ops.
“Due diligence”
On 24th August…
Do they take us for complete numpties??
IF “due diligence” is still being carried out at this stage, then the transfer “policy”(sic) is a sick joke
#renewseasonbooksbeforetransferwindowcloses
Malone Bhoy in support of Wee Oscar
Thank you. She’s on waiting list for halls. But wants to keep options open.
bournesouprecipe
10:49 on
24 August, 2013
Back page of Express….. No pay rise for ‘Lennon’headline news
Hurtin in Sevconia
Of all the WATP/WASP/ tory/fascist rags in circulation, the Express is probably the worst
If I was at Heerenveen I’d be wanting €10-15m for Finnbogason… yet Celtic didn’t see him as value.
Downforsam,
There are many Lets available in Stirling, and out lying villages.
Causeway head and Bridge of Allan, best suited although may be a wee bit more expensive.
Stirling itself is good
Just avoid Plean and Fallin
Hope this helps
And Cowie, avoid Cowie at all and any cost.
Morning CQN,
bit of a re-post from the wee small hours – apols if seen already.
Can anyone advise on Belfast-Paradise ferry travel for midweek evening games please?
What time must you leave by, and when do you return to Belfast?
Thanks,
HH!
desertbhoy
10:35 on
24 August, 2013
Turned on tv, sports talk programme… Who’s on.. Mark HATEly… Need Al Jazeera for the football but will be more selective in choice….
Al Jazeera,the best football channel in the world,is indeed infested with far too many huns.Where are you?.
Doc, at least 50% of Cowie is Tims, with a couple of nice new housing schemes ( not estates on Cowie :-)) worked for me ya roaster
See you at 1
2 up front and through the middle today
Hail Hail
Bought a dug in Plean last year- orange flags and Sevco tops seemed to be mandatory
How does everybody know what was offered, how much heerenveen would have accepted and where finnbogason wanted to go?
Why has a bigger club with more resources not snapped him up for the chicken feed that everybody seems to think heerenveen would have accepted?
Something smells fishy. Sounds like msmguffery.
TBJ
Aye…………….
NegaNon
Confront corruption in scoddish foo’ball?
………zat no’ the Job of the SFA? The Police…The Courts……The Media….The Peo
We may be more than a football club, but our primary role is playing football.
;)
HH.