The Scotsman did an interesting article today on the fact that recent attendances at Celtic Park have fallen well short of the circa 46,000 paid for tickets, the majority of which are season tickets. It touches on several issues.
Suggestions that a league in which Celtic inevitably process to the title is less attractive to the spectating public than a league with a competitive challenge is not a surprise. It would be bizarre otherwise.
Still, many Celtic fans continue to support the club for a whole variety of reasons: we want to see it prosper, we enjoy going to games with our family and friends, and, unsurprisingly, we enjoy watching football.
Anyone who doubted that attendances would soften after Rangers were liquidated should have widened their survey sample. For most of us, this was a welcome change. The joys of beating Rangers were undeniable, but most of us have a deeper relationship with Celtic.
The Scotsman predict that in the event there was never a “team called Rangers in the top flight” Celtic would endure some serious downsizing. If we remained within the confines of Scottish league football this is undeniably true. So what? There would be little competition, less income, fewer signings and more promotion from the youth team.
In this scenario there would inevitably be fewer Champions League nights too, but in the big scheme of things, would we want it any other way? Of course not. Celtic will be there, in sunshine or in shadow, playing football and paying their bills. I’d sign up for this right now.
There is, of course, the question of how welcome our continued presence in Scottish football would be with the prospect of not just winning 10-in-a-row, which I hear our favourite Sevconian, Ally McCoist, is now discussing as a possibility, but the realisation that 10 would soon become 20, or 30-in-a-row.
All Celtic can do is continue to win football matches, pay their bills and see off all challengers. The game here is irrevocably broken; the consequences of this will continue to emerge in the months and years to come. All we know for sure is that Celtic will prevail, no matter which scenario plays out.
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notthebus
13:04 on 31 December, 2013
Cancel loan deal with Lierse and play him tomorrow
If blantyretim is lurking , if you need a lift to the game tomorrow I can pick you up at the KSC take you and a another and bring you back if that’s any help
K33-some loan deals are set in stone and can’t be cut short,hope it’s not true in Tony’s case.Posted yesterday that he seems well down the pecking order according to NL
Hamiltontim:
You should get Ramie’s address of Paul and send your best wishes to Kano through him, Ramie will love to pass them on and Kano will be glad that another Celtic Supporter went out of his way just to be kind.
I’m told Kano is now outliving all the doctors’ predictions.
Kita … @ 13.04
The TFOD strawman rides again.
Do we see our future as the SFA establishment want us to see it?
Or do we want to move forward with our own ideas and endeavours?
If the future means waiting for the TFOD2 / Tribute Act to slither their way into the SPL then all is lost and we are working to the SFA Ludge agenda.
We need to re-focus and start working out our own way forward.
A sectarian SKY funded pantomime is not for me and hopefully not for you either.
Happy New Year to all Antipodean Tims. God be with you Kano.
Neganon:
Did you manage to meet Kano?
G31 / M5 … @ 12.33.
If we reduce ourselves down to a hardcore of 25K then they will have won.
The only hope the TFOD2 have is to get us down to a level where their base T/O of £30mill will make them competitive.
It will take hard work and humility for them to get there.
However don’t be so arrogant as to think they never will.
It might be Third TFOD …
It might be the larger of two tribute acts but it will happen.
Marspapa.
Thanks for the offer.
Will be in club at 12.30 for a couple before going to game.
Ok re getting to and from the park..
MadMitch:
I’d rather walk over glass in bare feet. You know that.
We have got to determine. as a club, what we desire as a club, then strive to achieve it.
I would not Sell my soul for gold, I wouldn’t align with any that would.
Unfortunately, as I see it, rightly or wrongly, as a club, we are waiting on the slitherers.
Since the 5 way agreement I have not put a penny into Scottish Football, I find it hard to understand why others do.
Kita … @ 13.22
My view is that we have an SFA / football Establishment view that cannot see the opportunities that the fall of the TFOD has opened up.
They possibly even “we” are conditioned to expect the TFOD to be part of the mix and some even pine for their return. Surprised at the numbers of our supporters who want them back and proclaim loudly that they are missing them.
I don’t miss the sectarianism, the cheating and the business clique that formed around them.
However we have to stay dynamic and move forward.
We need leadership — not an Irish Raj and a bonus culture — and we need a focus.
Apparently the talks in NornIron which have just broken down involved a ‘five way agreement’.
Or lack of such.
These ole five way agreements don’t seem to involve much in the way of actual agreein’.
Since the 5 way agreement I have not put a penny into Scottish Football, I find it hard to understand why others do.
They are Celtic supporters probably.
I was considering my support of Celtic.
A typical Home Saturday match has my whole weekend dependant upon the actual match but much more than that.
Friday night’s activities are dictated by the main event, be it family visits, shopping, entertainment, alcohol intake, the lot. Must I get in a few holes of golf on Friday or can I get an early morning Saturday slot.
You see, Saturday’s game means, lunch by 1.00, up to pick up BSR by 1.45, parked by 2.00.
The wander up by the Emirates to the Gazebo surrounded by a throng of green and white like minded folk. The sheer enjoyment of meeting a myriad of Gazebo goers each with a differing tale to tell but all Celtic men and the odd mini girl from up Leven way.
Team news is sought, usually by the technically proficient TBB junior or JoBo junior who know how to use their phones properly, TBB tabs up, BSR delivers one liners and BJMac gives out the confectionary. JoBo always provides information, DougC a grin, while AngelGabriel often tells wonderous tales of human kindnesses he has been party to.
Several lurkers happen by to share a quick word or to perchance catch a fleeting glimpse of the mysterious Gazebo itself. People like Michael the polis,from doon the coast, who got me a spare brief for the Milan game for a mate. Or Brian S, an old workmate from times past. Hughie, BSR’s mate with his jokes from the fifties, ( still make you laugh though). All add to the vibrant tapestry of our Celtic family and my match day experience.
While Celtic is not always the subject of conversation, each activity one engages in is coloured a Celtic hue. The Battered Bunnet can dispense the most intricate detail of many a topic, finance, tactics, TV rights befuddling many of the crew, while ole Goldstar is just one of the most pleasant of Celtic men eternally struggling to put together that one handicap slashing round of golf he craves. On occasion the amazing quick witted, good doctor, DBBIA graces the company, but never for too long. That kind of import has to be shared throughout the wider family. We’ve even met a suited and booted Paul67 prior to him entering through the front doors of Paradise hospitality bound.
The topics are many, however the serious business is always there to the fore; be it bucket collection, plans for the race night for wee Oscar, or the CQTen dinner. The treatment of and effect of the Green Brigade. BJMac always to the fore in organisation of the more charitable endeavours, then off to hoist the Kano Foundation banner. Of course there is the organisation of tickets for games away from Paradise, step forward ole Goldstar again, our very own Ticketbus. Social occasions are mooted, golf outings or maybe the Q&A at KSC Blantyre, (not made one yet though others have).
My friends in Celtic, this is all before we set foot inside Paradise, whereupon a whole new chapter begins, a different set of Celtic family members surround you. From my vantage point in the South Stand, next to the press box, ( oh how I love their faces when we score), I await the teams, anticipating Broonie’s manic slalom sprint and imaginary header, (god I love that), and the Huddle. I fight the urge to go down a few stairs to Ian fae Falkirk and tell him, ” good evening gentlemen, before in make my point can I just say some fawning cringeworthy piece of nonsense that in no way represents the thoughts of any Celtic man I know”? But I have mightily close to it on occasion.
There is no greater thing that to be at Paradise, in our community, watching the club I love. Mrs EC67 once asked me who was my first love, not family obviously, but who I had first fallen in love with. In all consciousness I can admit as a 7 year old in was Celtic. 50 years later, it is still the same. The team may, at times disappoint. I may disagree with some of the PLC policy. Some of our community might let me down. And people, not Celtic minded,may try to undermine who and what we are, but they will never my belief in the good of Celtic.
I watch the match from first whistle to final whistle, then decant to the car park to await the resplendent or ranting BSR depending on the result and performance. The silly ole codger lives south of Paradise but sits in the upper North stand, go figure. Stuck in traffic, aided and abetted by non existent traffic police presence, (probably away kettling some youngsters from the Lisbon Lions stand), I quickly realise that I am in a parallel universe to my great friend BSR, as he rants about a game different to one I witnessed while I try to navigate a route through traffic while avoiding undertaking doubledeckers as we head towards Tesco lights.
As I head home, post Bournesouprecipe’s departure, I ponder the merits of his alternative perspective. I must say I am often revising my view of what I saw myself. Respect.
(I watched the Spartak Moscow from the Champions Lounge seats last year and truly saw a totally different side to just what Sammi puts into his game, at that level).
Anyway, another year is almost over. I’m many of you have terrific tales of a different nature to your match day experience. I am also sure that without the Celtic experience yours and my lives would be not as blessed as it is now.
May wish you all a very happy new year. May you and your families prosper in 2014.
Hail Hail
Yours in Celtic,
Eurochamps67
IndependentlyprosperousdontneedanyotherdeidclubCSC
No problem , I read the other day you were looking for transport , btw I’m the guy who sat at your table with Sannabhoy , Gordan64 , Brt&h and morrisey at the KSC night with the two Paul’s and Phil , thanks for making me feel welcome …….. Just to be clear you need a lift or not , I’m no the brightest lol
Martin, I hope and pray you recover quickly and get back home soon. Happy New Year to you and the Family, God Bless.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Another Keith Jackson Exclusive
https://twitter.com/doelcmila/status/418008673840279552/photo/1
Martin Kane – I hope you are back home soon.
Hail Hail
Eurochamps- Gazebonian of the Year.
Eurochamps
Brilliant post mate
Happy New Year to all CQNers and to Paul our host.
Thanks for your company
MadMitch
I really wish you would stop relating whatever challenge we have at Celtic to the Irishness of some of our shareholders unless of course you have a problem with the Irish.
In which case perhaps Celtic is not the team for you!
eurochamps67,
Me old mucker, you gave me a fright with the opening line of your sparkling post, above.
I thought you were preparing to walk away! Heavens to murgitroyd, I thought, now we’re really done for. Hope you’re enjoying your break
While I’m on; the much maligned MadMitch has some pearls of wisdom in his posts today. While he can be a little unfocussed and emotional ( ain’t we all) he hits the spot today with his fears for the future.
MadMitch:
I agree with a lot but bottom line if you accept the 5 way agreement without recording your discontent then what comes three years down the road is as much your fault as those who drafted and signed the 5 way agreement, regardless of all the board apologists.
If you don’t stand against it, then you are for it… that is the way I see it. And those who stand against those who stand against the 5 way agreement…. well I wonder, and I wonder, and I pray my wonders conclusions are wrong.
Did the huns ever get stripped of any glories? The old Huns.
Marspapa.
I knew who u where buddy.
Thanks for the offer but not required this time..
BocchiniBhoy:
When it comes to getting shafted…. do you have a particular favourite position?
pogmathonyahun aka laird of the smiles
13:16 on 31 December, 2013
Leyton Orient game postponed, another pick please.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
EC 67-Great post
Kit no I haven’t yet. Have a few more days when I planned to. Is he in hospital now?
I was looking to buy Paul Larkins book, The AsteriskYears, but the reviews on Amazon are terrible. Any thoughts from anyone who has bought the book?
Notthebus….
That is so funny.
You owe me a packet of screen wipes for that post.
SnottersandcoffeeontheipadscreenCSC
Rubicon…..
General thoughts will be that anyone who has bought the book, via Amazon, has supported tax evasion…..hmmmmm
For the avoidance / evasion of doubt
Tax evasion is different from tax avoidance
AllsemanticstomeCSC
Four?
ryecatcher, you’ve jumped to a conclusion. I won’t buy it from Amazon as they only offer the Kindle version, which I don’t use as I love real books! I was only using Amazon for the reviews.
Eurochamps67
Your post started with me going cold, then it warmed me up and then some, and now I’m sitting in that glow of satisfaction of being a Celtic supporter.
Good luck, God bless you and your’s in 2014.
HAIL HAIL
Fivesy…..surely not?
Rye catcher in reality there is no difference. It’s all cheating.
SP @ 13.49
We are currently being run for the benefit of an absentee landlord.
We are not being run for the benefit of the playing side or the support.
How else do you want me to describe him?
He is a fish out of water controlling a WoS football club with a progressive / collectivist ethos.
Consequently he is an Irish Raj because he is only in it for the money.
He is not one of us and he does not have our best interests at heart.
Big in arbitrage / long game.
Poor in squad development / growth strategy / future plans.