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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Turkeybhoy. Did you speak to heerenveen? Or are you basing it on the msm?
ten men won the league-i take ithe comes at the mandatory £1.2 mil ?
NegAnon2
11:11 on 24 August, 2013
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.
===============================================
Ridiculous attitude. I’m sure the Bhoys will take great inspiration from you sitting there with arms folded, tut-tutting them on….
TBJ Praying for Oscar Knox
Those were the days.I remember them well.Still have faith in PL.He has assured us that his aim is to bring us out of every transfer window stronger.
What?!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan
Duly noted. £5 per goal today then. I’m in.
THM-You must like the look of the balance sheet.
Cheers Sam
THM…
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2389590/Celtic-pay-5m-Heerenveen-striker-Alfred-Finnbogason.html
if marco van basten says alfie will be a fabulous striker then that will do for me….
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11917/8677603/reported-sunderland-target-alfred-finnbogason-can-become-fabulous
Whichever way you look at it, whatever strategy you believe is best and whoever you believe:
it’s a massive gamble playing for Champions League qualification without Hooper’s replacement.
EverythingcrossedCSC
The Spirit Of Arthur Lee
11:51 on
24 August, 2013
Score update fae Stonehouse
Stonehouse 5 Cleland 5
=================
Is that scars?
Just wondering, when Jon Daly scored against the Sevconionians did he join in a rendition of Billy Boys.
I guess his family will be so proud.
And you thought some on here were bad.Before anyone starts I took it from Newsnow.Canny get the Record in Turkey,I had it bannedWAKING up to the news that Neil Lennon is going to sign a bumper new deal was like waving a red rag under the nose of a bull.
Celtic supporters were already going berserk after the shambles in Kazakhstan on Wednesday so you can imagine their reaction to the manager’s new contract.
Alex Cameron, Erskine, said: “Lennon must be joking with the talk of a new deal.
“He talks up people like Forrest, Ledley, Samaras and Brown but, as Ricky Tomlinson says – ‘my a**e.’”
H Gillan emailed: “Now we know why we have not signed any players. Neil wanted his money out of the fund so now he knows what he has left to spend.”
Jimmy Murray, Edinburgh, said: “When are the fans going to wake up to the impostor in the dugout. He has taken Celtic to an all-time low, regardless of the score in the return leg.”
Michael Sheerin, Liverpool, said: “He shouldn’t get a new deal as Celtic won’t turn the tie around.”
Paul Marshall, Glasgow, said: “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Lennon is getting a new deal.
“He has done nothing to deserve it and the fans will agree with me.”
Rockets are us,CSC.
.
TBJ
We did.
Right time to get ready for the Hoops
Hail Hail
Cowiebhoy enjoy your day at CP ( Wish i could join you) heading into the town for a beer or 2 before CTV.
Bada bing.
Love them, maybe the balance sheet will be hoopers replacement.
In all seriousness we need a striker, a good striker, one that fits into our club. I trust the club to deliver by the end of the transfer window. Most don’t. That’s the difference in opinion.
Turkeybhoy
.Canny get the Record in Turke
Of course you can get the retard in Turkiye, it’s a day old and costs 3.00 YTL
Sandman I am glad it annoys you – glad to see something will stir you from your complacency.
Honest mistake the end of the transfer window is far far too late
Masty.
He might be prolific at one club but profligate at another. See Andy Carroll, Harold brattbach, tomasson to name but a few. I trust our club who are buying more than I trust the club who are desperate to sell.
Nervous night waiting to hear from my Bro who was flying in a Puma at the same time as the one that went down , thankfully he’s ok , thoughts and prayers for those who lost their lives , their families and everyone affected by this tragedy .
Mea Culpa:
Jon Daly is a man doing a job, he might not have the prejudiced attitude that you so obviously have.
Rangers were slated when they didn’t sign Catholics and now when they do Celtic supporters slate the Catholics for signing for them.
Who in the equation is the sectarian bigot?
Turkeybhoy
See if we were in America……
See if it was Thanksgiving…..
See if ah had a gun…..
COYBIG
Neganon. We’ll see on wednesday evening. I’ll take great pleasure on being correct.
Bankiebhoy
Feck them they’re kidding themselves
I give it to them straight everytime …
Thanks to CQN and other outlets we are much more informed …
“The parties over”””…,,, take it away Nat :-))
Celtic face an injury crisis ahead of the visit by Scottish Premiership leaders Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Georgios Samaras, James Forrest, Derk Boerrigter, Anthony Stokes and Kris Commons are all very doubtful.
————–Forster————–
Matthews Van Dijk Mulgrew Izaguirre
——–Brown Kayal Ledley———
————–Rogic—————-
————Watt Balde————-
Subs Zaluska Lustig Mouyokolo Ambrose Atajic McGeouch George
The honest mistake
As will all of us malcontents
You cannae win :-))
ASMC
Ya fox …didnae ken about yer name change
Thought you were another antipodean raj :-))
THM-The manager has earned the right to have the boat pushed out a wee bit IMO.If we can’t spend decent money now ,we never will.
Thanks mickbhoy1888
Bankiebhoy – all of those are part of the corruption. Celtics main job I football you say? Perhaps you should tell PL and chums because banking seems to be the main occupation for celtic!
sciatica…..been off work for a month with it…think of being at your dentist with the biggest drill he has….but he does,nt numb you up first……then add on 100 or more in pain factor…then theres the pain killers that dont really work at all…just leave you out your chops as they say….sciatica….
BRTH
Ayr races 20 th sept …fancy it ??
Honest mistake I will take great pleasure in your being correct.
Bur woe betide that you re not correct because the club ain’t seen nothing like the wrath that will be visited upon them. The mistakes made here are sacking offences not misdemeanors!
Pfayr.
That’s the beauty of the situation.
PFayr:
I just did it to confuse a few people. I’m thinking of changing back so the confused people will no longer be too confused.
Bada Bing
I would think Salzburg would be wanting £2m+ for him.
Badabing. Can’t disagree with you.
We can’t afford to spend big money and get it wrong.