The changes over the last decade have been so profound, and are now so established, it’s difficult to recall how different the balance of power was back then. In 2004, a small handful of people had complete control over the Celtic media narrative.
Was Martin O’Neill going to Leeds United? He was, you were told he was, live on the country’s most listened to radio programme. By a former Celtic player, too. Objectivity and the opportunity to challenge was controlled by the very people who were writing the headlines.
For years, this was the way it was, and it was poisoning Celtic. The ‘old board’ were worthy of little better, but Fergus McCann was brutally attacked. He was the man who would bring equality and respect to our club and fans, but he was demonised by lazy hacks who cared little for truth. So much so, he was booed by the very people who celebrated the league title his vision brought. It was a bitter experience for many.
Martin O’Neill, in some respects, like The Man 35 years before him, brought a force of personality so strong, the gaggle of critics could only stand back in awe, but the system had a flaw. Stein brought unimaginable success with little more than unimaginable brilliance. O’Neill used money, lots of it. More than Celtic were earning. His whirlwind high-spending start at Celtic ended with the £6m signing of John Hartson in 2001, little over a year after he took the job.
Martin would spend another four years working within a budget; not one that brought expenditure into line with income, we continued to lose millions each year, but one which limited signings to a fraction of what was spent on Hartson, Lennon and Sutton.
While those four years were among the most exciting in our history, it was an unhappy era.
Put yourself back in time for a moment. Celtic are champions and have beaten Ajax to qualify for the Champions League for the first time. We were imperious, had beaten Rangers 6-2 and took to a field in Turin to final take part in a tournament which for so long appeared out of our reach.
Juventus went 2-0 up but back came Celtic. I worked with a Rangers fan who was at a lower league game that night. When we equalised, his friend text “I don’t think I can take this anymore”. We had come from nowhere, an irrelevance in Scottish football, but here we were, champions of Scotland and level against Juventus.
At that moment, anything was possible. For the first time in decades, we thought, maybe just…
We soon learned that it takes more than honest endeavour to win in Italy, and visits to Portugal and Norway provided a rude awakening. This was not ’67 all over again, there was a lot of work to do, we just needed to keep the pedal to the metal.
Two years after that defeat in Turin we came close to winning our second European trophy in Seville, with a team which had, pretty much, been in place for three years. We were getting the hang of European football, but the team was aging.
For reasons that defy logic, history records the Seville season as the highlight of that team, but the achievements of season 2003-04, with 25 consecutive league wins, and eliminating Barcelona from Europe, were vastly greater.
Then the party was over. The Great Swede left, we’d lost £35m in a few short years, and reality was acknowledged; all clubs need to live within their means, or face liquidation. The climb-down was necessary, but I’m not going to tell you it wasn’t hard.
Back then few people read football clubs accounts, even though Celtic posted copies to over 20,000 shareholders, but all the clues were there, Celtic had to stem the flow. We lost £7m in the Seville season alone; wages to players and coaches were unsustainable.
Despite this, Celtic were regarded as cautious. We lost £35m over five years; Ranger lost £35m in a single season. If they could pump debt up to £80m and survive, why wouldn’t Celtic? We would learn the answer to this question in 2012, but think back to 2004, thoughts that one of Scotland’s major clubs could be liquidated were ridiculed – often, on CQN.
So how did the media deal with our club in 2004? I was driving to work one morning and had heard “What the Celtic fans want to know, is where is all the Seville money?” once too often. “Where is all the Seville money?” was a toxic question. There was no Seville money, only higher debts.
When I arrived at work I ranted about such lazy reporting. This was calculated reporting of the most pernicious type. A Rangers supporting friend suggested, “Why don’t you start a blog and challenge what they’re saying?” I’d never heard of a blog, but he sat me down and got me going.
The first CQN article, written 10 years ago today, was a modest call to “Ignore the Press”, but just before I pressed publish, I had to select, ‘Allow comments: Yes or No’. I’d no views either way but ‘Yes’ was default, so I left it.
The whole thing, the millions of comments, the hundreds of thousands of pounds raised for those in need, the friendships made, the golfers, the slimmers, those helped in bereavement, the thousands of kids attending our school kitchens each day in Malawi and the countless hours of enjoyment we’ve had, are all down to a default position on Blogger. And a Rangers fan telling me to start the fight back online. Who’d have thought it?
Now, people stop me in the street to talk about Celtic. Can there be a greater joy in life? Thanks for all the help and support.
Celtic yesterday, today, forever.
810 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- »
Feliz décimo cumpleaños CQN por cierto
I’m a Celtic convert from Man U. CQN just shows and reinforces the difference in attitude between the two clubs. Long may it continue. I must be on here nearly ten years. It would be nice to know. One thing–the Wolfetones are neither Celtic or republican minded. I’ll leave it at that.
Paul 67
______
The year that CQN started was the same year that I had my last SB for Celtic Park.
MO’N’s last season finished with the SCF victory over Dundee Utd.
On the day of ‘black Sunday’ the week before, I awoke to headlines of…
….”Martin O’Neil will leave Celtic next week and, will be replaced by Gordon Strachan.”
My previous memories of WGS were of an, antagonistic wee Nacho Novo-type of
creature, who seemed to be born to antagonise Celtic fans. imho
Plus the fact that, we were losing a manager who, in a lot of fans opinions was, the ‘best’
since Mr. Stein. A downer would have ‘slightly’ described how I felt.
A lot of soul-searching was done and, I came to the conclusion that, after being made
aware of the fact that the huns were going to be downsizing coz of all their ‘debt’ that, we
were going to be doing the same only, we were being sleekit about it, ie: if we were, to
get to the top and botton of it, Celtic were going to be reducing the ‘quality’ of the product
on the pitch, but asking the customers/fans to keep paying top dollar to watch this
apparently, inferior product. Confusion reigned.
With the appointment of WGS who’s managerial career had seen him manage the likes of,
Coventry City and, Southampton, who he took to the FACF, being underwhelmed and
confused yet, despite being financially able to continue with my SB….I said effff it!
I have attended CP – now and again – despite being financially unable to do so.
I have recently started new and more lucrative employment but, will not be tempted to
buy a SB until a standing area is built as, for me at least, standing feels as if yer at the
real fitba. Paul 67, during my absence from supporting of, or rather,
financially supporting the Celtic…I have kept ‘tuned-into’ the Celtic through Not The View
and listening to radio, watching TV and reading Gerry McNee and, Hugh Keevins.
Then, listening to Terry O’Neill’s calls on SSB, I discovered CQN.
Paul 67, I have been in the main, critical / sceptical / paranoid / suspicious / over-whelmed
by all of yer bloggers sympathy at my own personal losses, for which I will always be
grateful, and of course for the fact that, you haven’t banned my yet.
Paul 67 – thanks for providing CQN and for, understanding me(I think?).
timabhouy
21:21 on 20 July, 2014
http://tirnaog09.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/fools-gold-big-archie-campbell-wasnt.html
~~~~~~~~~~++~~~~~~~~~~
Wow.
Thanks,mate. He writes some excellent stuff.
Just in from watchin ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’
What an amazing piece of cinema i urge everyone to go and watch it.
It touches on a lot of themes very relevant to events happening in the world at the minute.
Oh and their leader is called ‘Caesar’
Happy Birthday CQN!
B-)
Off oot.
Oot working today…radio 2 on…You’ll never walk alone on…I start singing…lump in throat
and tears on ….every fekn time.HH
Night all Night wee Oscar my hero God bless x x
Congratulations Paul. Hardly a day I haven’t checked in to CQN in donkeys years: to enjoy the good results with other Tims, and to seek solace among those who know how it feels whenever we’ve snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. And of course for a sanity check from Paul on any set of football accounts that pops up (or in the case of our erstwhile rivals, why they’ll never pop up!)…..keep up the brilliant work Paul.
CQN – The Unpalatable Truth Revealed
It is with heavy heart that I must write this article but you must know the truth about CQN. I have suspected for some time that all was not right and recent events and research have confirmed my worst fears.
The blog was seemingly started to expose the financial extravagance of Rangers against the prudence of Celtic and against the tide of MSM reporting at the time. Whilst there was an element of truth to this, the real reason will be exposed below.
The success of the site grew but the big break for the founders came when wild predictions made about the downfall of Rangers actually came to pass. This was the period when many people, like myself, heard about it and were sucked in. Readership grew exponentially and, like others, I began to find it difficult to go any time without checking what was being posted. Research shows that most of you are the same.
So, what is wrong with that? Why have my suspicions been aroused?
Well, the recent CQten dinner provided many clues:
• The programme introductory notes reinforced just how many ways that CQN gets into our lives – blog, social, charitable events
• The many comments by BRTH about the effect on our lives. What would we do without it we were asked?
• The request to identify CQN widows – the most important clue of all!
All of this pointed to one word – Addiction.
Meanwhile, our founder began disassociation tactics by blaming some unknown Rangers fan for starting it all – classic guilt behaviour.
You see, the CQten Dinner was not just a 10th anniversary celebration – it was the end of Stage 1 of the master plan – the creation of a captive audience.
Stage 2 gently started with the reduction in the 5.00 AM posts leaving me some mornings without my wake up fix. Other posters innocently fill in some days which satisfies the immediate craving but the dependency factor is growing.
Then, the lunchtime New Article does not always appear on time at noon. Your blood pressure rises… the sweating starts…you cannot eat your lunch. Great tactics to keep people hooked.
On Friday, at Companies House, a new company was formed – Cqn Relief of Addiction Programme Ltd – registration number SC188867.
At CQten, the seemingly innocent show of hands by CQN widows was actually filmed and the widows were infused with ideas of more CQN events and activities in future, driving them to a state of despair. This was a cunning tactic to recruit them to support CRAP.
I must forewarn you that the next stage in the master plan will not come cheap for us.
So how does it work? Brace yourself.
At a cost of £5,000 per person you will offered a counselling programme to gradually wean you of CQN. If it does not work first time, you will have to pay again.
If you cannot be weaned off, let me warn you that there will be many more days in future when you will not get your 5.00 AM update. Even worse, there may not even be a New Article. You will wake up every day unsure if you will end the day in a state of sanity.
Multiply these fees by several thousand of us and the sums become phenomenal. City analysts predict that the founders will become some of the UK’s richest men.
There is no escape for us. We are all doomed.
Good night all. Hope Mort puts in an appearance and Estadio and so many more.
Celtic mac- Axel Rose had a tough start to life and when he made it big, never forgot his roots (no pun intended). He has donated vast amounts to charity as far as I am aware. We should make him an honorary Tim!
Can I give a big shout out to my mates nephew, Colin who is carrying the Q’s baton from the terminus on Knightscliffe Avenue to Netherton Community Centre. He was nominated for his charitable work and I’ll be there to cheer him on.
Good luck with your new life when you move to Boston in September.
HH
Ps. Your dad would have been proud!
Derek RIP
Jeromek67, good to hear from you today.
tin_soldiers, delighted you’re back with us. Hang around.
TerryONeill, aye, I remember you coming on w your own name; putting it out there, and you still are. Take care.
crowbhoy, ha! I hope so, thanks.
Lennybhoy, aye, we’ve a long way to go.
Barcabhoy, to the next 10, indeed.
Can I Have Raspberry, thank you.
Celtic Mac, now that’s a good question!
Margaret McGill, you too, Mags.
borgo67, no embarrassment, 99% were. Good to have you.
Voguepunter, ah! Of course I knew that. Hmmmm.
connaire12, I sure hope so.
swindonbhoy, you said it well, thanks.
The Red Telephone, which is an excellent thing.
Beatbhoy, I like your thinking.
FourGreenFields, the future is in the hands of the CQN community.
West Wales Celt, you’re very welcome.
PeteTheBeat, cheers.
mea culpa, many thanks.
Papa John, thanks, PJ.
Billy Bhoy, yes, I can have a good guess. Have one on me.
‘GG, thank you for those welcome words.
gearoid1998, you enjoy it. Take care.
Cowiebhoy, best to Laura, a credit to you.
North Cyprus, ha! Like it.
Alfie49, me too.
Cognitive Dissonance :-)
williebhoy, correct.
Apricale, you’re welcome.
EXILED TIM, good one. Thank you.
sipsini, aye, it’s picked up a pace.
Mountblow tim, you’re welcome.
Dubaibhoy, cheers.
qhere, I sure will, thanks.
lennon’s passion, oh cheer up :-)
Por Cierto, ciao.
Raymac, good story.
KevJungle, you’re welcome, I think!
Bhoylo83, cheers.
Balhambhoy, it’s had some great moments.
Hrvatski Jim, too late to do anything about it now, better just accept it and sign up for the programme…..
corkcelt
20:59 on
19 July, 2014
You mightn’t meet me Saint Stivs but you will meet with guys who have met me. kikinthenakas, Blantyre Tim, Old Tim Jungle Jim, Hamilton Tim & Minx, Angel Gabriel & Son, Jungle Jim, Skyesalandfill, Lennybhoy, Celtic Rollercoaster, Malor Bhoy, ChannellIsland Celt etc etc They will all vouch for me (I hope). Anyways great game of hurling on the box earlier.
Great meeting you and your friend at the Euro Game last season,hope to enjoy your company again soon
Always look on the bright side of life.
And been reading the blog and supporting the causes since it first popped up in a NewsNow search for Celtic in August 2004. Happy Birthday CQN.
Paul, very quick question.
How have you passed your day – other than chatting to us good guys- and have you did it with a big grin on your fizzer?
Congratulations Paul,10 years can hardly believe it.
Cant remember my start up but must be a while and for me has been a daily check and balance for accurate comment amongst proper Celtic men.
Continued success in the future.
Raymac, re the WTs, that would make them purely mercenary. That would not surprise me in the slightest, nor bother me to be honest. The Warfields have written a few great tunes (Celtic Symphony not among them), no worse for being commercially targeted at a specific market. A bhoyband, if you will.
Anyway, all the best mo chara.
Great day on CQN today, back to its best and good to see some names from the past pop up with their best wishes.
Also great to see the enormous amount of goodwill to Paul 67 and his family.
One thing I would also call out is Paul’s ability to carefully choose his causes – we shouldn’t underestimate Paul’s ability to choose causes which capture our hearts and minds.
Don’t post on here so much these days, as sadly football & Celtic seems to be a unnecessary nuisance to some, but it is pleasing to note the absence today of those with non Celtic or professional agendas.
Family member died recently an in sorting out things i turned on his tablet which we thought he had been unable to use for some time and found that one of the last things he had been physically able to do was log on to cqn. The story an comments were by now months old an i had a tearful look at the important issues affecting Celtic during a time my life was filled with sadness an turmoil an the thought he was still tryin to find out bout Celtic gave me comfort. In recent months I’ve become slightly disillusioned with cqn an whereas i logged on daily for over 9 yrs I’ve scarcely gave place a glance in recent wks an months due to my disenchantment. Glad for whatever reason i looked in today. Lot of good people on here, none more so than our host, a good guy. I remember before having courage to sign up yrs ago i read something factually incorrect an i emailed Paul to ask him to tell poster they had fact wrong. Thinkin bac can’t believe how ridiculous that was of me an how i imagined Paul spent his whole time studying site an it was his full time job. Thing is Paul not only posted correction but sent me a reply an encouraged me to sign up which i eventually got courage to do.
Happy tenth anniversary an hopefully many more, as posters we may not always agree but there are more important things in life than football an i only hope days like this remind each other that we may not agree but we can be civil an everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Take care everyone.
Raymac
The first time I met Tommy Byrne, I was astounded at how much he knew about Celtic.
He admitted that they had jumped on a band wagon, and had in his own words ” exploited the Celtic support ” he did quantify that they knew little about business and were guided or misguided by their agent.
I asked if he regretted anything, a firm no was the reply, he went on to explain that harbouring regrets was not good for the soul as nothing can be changed.
He did say that if he had his time again he would have done things differently.
We proceeded to get wasted, and very enjoyable it was.
I have never met any of the others, so can’t say, but I can with my hand on my heart, Tommy is a good Celtic mhan.
HH
Paul 67
Great job and to keep a forum going for ten years takes some doing. Still think MON was worth every penny, especially the Treble winning year, will never forget it, was lucky enough not to miss a game that season. Happy days and here’s to the next ten years.
Jude
Great news today, well done to your grandson and all the rest of the bhoys, we’re in good hands
HH
Until we meet again…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Scotlands Shame, a lovely story about your Dad reading CQN, hope to see you here more often now. I say it often, for those posters you find, ehm, difficult, scroll on by, no one gets on with everyone.
thanks doc, another of the good guys!
Congratulations Paul on reaching the 10 year milestone. I knew of the site/blog long before I started posting, my usual nonsense, but what drew me to the site eventually was the fund raising for Kano and I’ve been hooked ever since. I might not agree with a lot of the stuff that gets posted on here (who does?) but I’ve met some great people from this blog and everyone of them has their heart in the right place.
Hail! Hail! PMTYH
Wow. Is it really 10 years.
It took me months to figure out how to get into the comments section!
I live in England and my only way to get celtic news was through the Sunday Mail, SOS and the Erin’s rumour mill.
I thought it was brilliant that someone was publishing ‘real’ stuff about Celtic. I don’t post much these days but CQN has had an impact no one could have dreamed off. It has also had a positive impact on me.
Thank You Paul.
Lubo.
Radnor, Clydebank gone tonight.
I was there in 1982 listening to a small radio when the Celts beat Ajax.
To all the Celts who were there then, I remember you in my prayers.
——————————————————————————————-
Derbyshire bhoy
I remember your story, sir. So happy to read your post today. Please, find the energy to tell your Celtic stories from those wilderness years we need to preserve.
——————————————————————————————-
KevJungle
No, you’re wrong. It’s not all about you. It never has been.
Ten Years A Slave…..
to reading CQN
Well I may only have been here for 9 of them (minus a sabbatical) but I’d like to join in offering thanks to the providers of the format.
The blog deserves the praise today but I am uncomfortable in declaring any blog the No. 1 Celtic Blog. That honour belongs to whichever Celtic blog suits you best and there are many fine blogs out there to choose from. Today I give thanks to CQN without diminishing any other blog.
I feel more comfortable posting on here but there will always be a tension and a danger from posters infiltrating to undermine. Tolerance is important but it is not the only virtue. There are times to draw a line in the sand and there have been times when we came close to having to do so.
However, today is not a day to put the blog to rights. It is a day to give thanks that it is there at all.
So long as this blog exists, a little bit of the memory of pablophanque, miki67, Lurgan53 and others are retained. Let us cherish and guard our gift.
Here’s to another 10 or more.
Paul67…it’s funny, but you are still the only CQNer I have met…congratulations on 10 great years…
Hi Paul,
Long time lurker and occasional poster.
Enjoyed the past years of the blog,long may it continue.
Hail Hail.
MicktheMick
Congratulations Paul for giving us CQN,where would we all be without it
Paul67 –
Good work, fella.
NatKnow.
Anyone watching Don’t Drop the Baton on BBC1?
Wind back a few minutes and look at the clip chart in the City Chambers scene.
The heading is Things We Could Blow Up and the various options are scored out except one – –IBROX
I found this site when Boruc signed for Celtic. Unexpected departure from Legia Warsaw and I wanted to know what Celtic supporters think about new guy in the team? Congratulations Paul67. So much achieved in in so short time. I miss the server in meltdown and reset to run it again :-)
Congrats on reaching a decade Paul67.. Here’s to the next 10
HH