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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twists n turns (God bless our little hero Oscar)
13:18 on 24 August, 2013
Scullybhoy
The share price is 57p so I’d have said £114?
However I’m definitely no expert and someone may tell you different.
………………………………………………………………………….
Hail Hail
Was thinking you had 57 shares, apologies. As I say though, await someone who knows for definite!
STARRY PLOUGH FORZA OSCAR
Replied,bud.
Cheers and HH!
PFayr
Daniel Levy has learned from his mistakes in previous windows.
Some people repeat their mistakes year on year.
I’m in winchester over the weekend bhoys so wondering if any can direct me to a Celtic friendly bar……thanks in advance..Celtic tae win 3-1 today !!!! Hail Hail
UTLR
twists n turns (God bless our little hero Oscar)
13:20 on 24 August, 2013
Was thinking you had 57 shares, apologies. As I say though, await someone who knows for definite!
…………………………………………………………………….
No probs!
BT
No …sorchio …very sorchio
Beer time soon
BooooooooooooooooM
BigjoeinTheBalearics
Scully
Wish I hadn’t dived in now..twice!
63 shares x 57 p = 35.91. It gets worse….def off oot noo!
Two nil arsenal
Podolski. .
Scullybhoy,
Depends on which type of shares they are, the ordinary shares are worth around 55p each, preferential are about £1 each.
Excellent finish from Podolski
Hope Celtic telly is working the dad……..
Think we will come oot all guns blazing.
3.0 for me……..
BigjoesaysBoooooooM
Big Joe
Are you on a cruise ship?
Shoulder2Shoulder
Doubt it will show the game but you cannot go to Winchester without taking a visit to the Wykeham Arms!
http://www.wykehamarmswinchester.co.uk/
Great wine list, good ales, fab food and a really outdated slightly “Winchestery” feel to it.
Great pub— just not many Celtic fans alas!
Captain joe…
How was the crossing? 8)
afternoon cqn on the train to the game..anyteam news h.h
PFayr (13:06): “Getting payers in before they are cash rich ….not allowing themselves to be shafted
Just like us ….lined up the replacements for our three stars before selling them …aye right”
So I assume that neither Mouyokolo nor van Dijk will take up the central defensive position previously occupied by Kelvin Wilson, and Balde will not play in attack, where Hooper used to play?
The only one who we hadn’t already signed a replacement for is Wanyama, but that is not to say that we haven’t tried… and we already have Brown, Rogic, Kayal, Commons, Mcgeouch, Ledley, Forrest, Samaras and Boerrigter (9 players) vying for 4 midfield positions.
With the signing of Boerrigter, we even replaced McCourt before we sold him!
Friend is a Roma fan, he’s gutting at selling the player he hoped would be the new Totti for €30m and thinks he’s worth more. They paid €20m for him so he’s not chuffed… We have wee team syndrome.
Re: McCourt… for “sold” read “released”.
A Saturday 3.00 home game – magic!
Time to head off to The Park. Via The Gazebo obviously. Hoping that today gives us a wee boost ahead of Wednesday.
statingtheobviousCSC
Bigchips..,
We’ll never replace Paddy :o)
Kin Celtic, score THREE Goals agin the Gandydancers?
Kin Celtic, score FOUR Goals agin the Northern Cluggers?
( Which they Wull Hiv tae.. if they wanna Top the League.)
Hmmm
Na.. No tae baith of these Teams.. IF…
They play the same way as they hiv bin..well.. Playin’.
Celtic, are in a Rut.
Neil, needs tae try a New Approach.
Sammi, Stokesy, and Commons… are Aff thur Feed.
Forrest, noo, that Ah hear he hiz Sciatica.. Should be RESTED..
We need tae go oot and Sign anither
RIGHT WINGER, tae tak his Place.
Doctur Detroit, tells Me that Sciatica..In Nine oota Ten Cases..
Heals Itsel.
The woise Treatment fur Sciatica is..well.. TREATMENT!
which translates as..
The best Treatment fur Sciatica.. Is.. NO TREATMENT, at awe!
Leave it alain. Endure the Pain.. Which kin Last up tae WAN YEAR..
and .. Nine times Oot Ten..
Yer Sciatica Will Cure itsel( whit ye ur waiting fur is Yer Herniated Disc.. tae Heal.
and it is A Slow,Slow Bugger. tae Heal…..It taks it’s Time.)
Never Try tae hurry it.. It wull get there..and when it diz..
Ye wull be Pain Free.
Remember..Nae Surgery, Nae Inoculations of Pain Killers..
Manipulation and Massage is a Waste of Time.
Exercise..like.. WALKING, which wull be Painful.. Will Help it tae Heal Faster.
Leave it Be. Be a Patient..well.. Patient.
So says the Good Doctura..and She knows ye Know.
If Ah wur King:
Ah wid Drap..
Ledley, fur today ,and Also Agin the Gandydancers..
He is Nae Use..
Ah wid Play Rogic ,if he is Available..if he is no..
An wid Play young HENDERSON in Ledley’s Place.
Our Mid-Field ,is where all our SCORING problems are Coming Fae,
It disnae Create Enuff Chances fur oor Strikers.
Broonie,is A Brainless Wonder..
Ledley,is Not Far Behind him.
Kayal,is a Little Lad Loast.
Commons,is not a bad Player,
Forrest, is a great Prospect, but, as he has Sciatica..
Ah Wid NOT play him ,until , he is Pain Free.
so. Forrest, Ah wid Gie an Extended Holiday.
Back tae the Mid-Field.
Broonie, MATTHEWS,Henderson,Commons and Sammi.
Ma team fur today wid be..
Forster
Lustig Izzy
Moko/ Van Dye , Charlie Mulgrew
Matthews, Broonie, Henderson, Commons , Sammi
Watt.
This Team should be given a Try-oot.
If it clicks.. Then we wull be prepared tae Tak oan the Gandydancers.. and
Score those Three Goals.. and we Kin dae that..
But, Today, Neil has tae Gie this Team a Chance..
Watt ,is oor Best Striker .. if he is Allowed tae Play his Naturall Game.
Kojo
Still,Laughin’
Big Joe:
I was thinking about you last night. (not bulling you)
kitalba
(was also thinking about mcgraininspain and aldo and the priest in London (dave))
richie #teamoscar
13:27 on 24 August, 2013
Big Joe
Are you on a cruise ship?
No Sailing bud…..
BIG CHIPS
We didn’t sell Paddy.
You trying to start a riot,ya bloody trouble-maker?(!)
The live updates article will be up at 14:30, could someone leave a note here?
Thanks.
Paul, you just did!
:o)
Enjoy the game.
blantyretim is praying for the knox family
13:28 on 24 August, 2013
Captain joe…
How was the crossing? 8)
I fine, what’s the crack…….. .?
Got a season ticket this year so trying to make a few games.
Will drop u a line in advance and we can catch up, if you are up for it.
Bigjoeondaboat
a stor mo chroi
13:38 on 24 August, 2013
Big Joe:
I was thinking about you last night. (not bulling you)
Was I any good???
BigjoejustWants2know
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS forza Oscar and Mackenzie
Lovely Mate, thank you..
Bring on the Nessies…
Kitalba.
Wouldn’t call it a wee dig more of a valid response to your claims the under privileged are ignored by the club or words to that effect. We can continue the discussion later on if you want as the it was a good topic of discussion. As long as we don’t continue down the wee dig route as I had enough of that nonsense last night to last me a lifetime.
Kitalba.
I can relay that mcgraininspain is doing well. I shared a pint and the game with him last week. A nice guy. Pity about his pal Rodo though.
BigChipsUK
Mouyokolo + Virgil were brought in to replace Gershon + Rogne’s places in the team/squad.
Lenny had been asking for a left sided player for quite some time. Boerrigter was that signing.
He made no secret of the fact he wanted a physical front man to complement the strikers already at the club (Hooper included). Balde was that signing.
The club are looking to add another CH to replace Wilson (dependant on CL).
We have still not replaced Wanyama + Hooper.
Ten Men Won The League
I don’t think you pay upwards of £2m to replace Rogne or Gershon. Agree regarding Derk and Balde.
Turkeybhoy…. Dubai.
Apparently Wayne Rooney is looking for a new club, and he could play either as an attacking central midfielder or an out and out striker.
The fact is, if we can’t afford to sign Finnbogason, we’re a little stuck with regard to signing players with any real quality!
It is not a nice thought, but it is unfortunately a consequence of being stuck in the Scottish League.
Were we ever allowed access to the EPL we could attract, and most likely afford, almost anyone we wanted!
Morrissey 23,
Are you around? If so, can you please elaborate on this passage which you wrote last night?
“I am not a fan of any religion. I find it prehistoric. I can see the bill for what it is. Anti-Catholic. The quiet acceptance of the bill makes me fear for Catholics in Scotland. Not because I care much about them but because I care who’ll be the next victims”.
* * *
I am not spoiling for a fight but am just interested in your point. It is a little vague.