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.
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Need to sleep. things to do early doors.
Sleep well Timland.
Take care and god bless.
HH
KTF
Can’t do links but in the best traditions of Nicey and Smiley (who have yet to be arrested for past misdemeanours)…
Johnny Cash’s ‘If we never meet again’ goes out to the CQN massive, Paul 67 and those no longer here.
Goodnight all.
ET- how’s the good lady?
Thanks Paul. I was introduced to your blog around 07/08. Your insightful, balanced, intelligent and often propheric comments have been the main stay of my daily reading since. Well done and thanks for all the obvious hard work. Here’s to another 10 years
Congratulations Paul.
A germ of an idea and look at it now.
Due to technical upgrades and my inability to keep up I’m on my third incarnation (originally Thirds63 then Fresh Start).
I’ve recently been less of a contributor than before though I was never prolific.
I’m not much enthused by the non football stuff so its great when the seasons on.
All the rfc deceased stuff just turns me off.
Anyway congratulations again on the 10 and here’s to the next decade!
Right ghuys and ghals, off to bed. My wee mum goes into the chapel tomorrow at 6.00 pm.
Night Night Timland.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Paul,
On behalf of all exiled Tims, thank you for your wonderful brainchild. As one of the irregular and, cough, younger contributors, I have been privileged to receive an education in all things Celtic. Contributors such as Auldheid, The Battered Bunnet, Bournesouprecipe, Voguepunter, Che, HamiltonTim, Corkcelt, Doc, Bobby Murdochs Curled Up Winkelpickers and many others regularly school me on what it means to not only be a supporter, but a Tim.
Thank you all once again and for us so far away from home, please keep posting. You may not realize it, but your opinions and submissions are valued by this (mostly) lurker. Yes, even you Neganon and SydneyTim :-)
Paul67
A simple thank you is scant reward for the fun, interest and insight CQN has brought to so many. I hope you are proud and glad of the gift you have provided.
Hail Hail
the Exiled Tim- sorry forgot to mention you! My favorite teacher in all things natures’ natural air conditioning :-))
Weefra
Thoughts and prayers with you always, but especially over the next few days.
Peace n love Fhriend.
KTF.
HH jamesgang
One last tune tribute pop pickers:
Johnny Cash’s rendition of ‘Transfusion blues’.
That one goes out to those naughty individuals who upset some on the blog. Tut tut.
Sleep time.
Paddybhoy1888
That’s a fair point you make, how sad that so many are put off by a few callous characters.
It’s appalling that so many Celtic supporters are put off. Celtic supporters are better together.
Hope the absentees will listen to your request.
jamesgang
Thank you and to you also. Hopefully the big meet is on again next month. :-) Nighty night.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
weefrathetim
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time , only met you once at CQN corner but could tell right away your a good mhan . Hopefully meet up again during the coming season .
YNWA
Congrats on the 10 years Paul! Am a regular lurker but still loving your work. Love the different viewpoints allowed to be discussed too. Well done.
fourgreenfields
Thank you for that lovely post. Yes indeed, we will meet up again this season, the sooner the better. Night. :-)
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
As someone who has lived in LA and seen the person in question on more than one occasion, I can assure you he is not!
is charlie sheen happy
Sorry, that was for you…
morrissey the 23rd
00:00 on 21 July, 2014
I hope this good vibe posting continues over to future blogs. It was a nice way to respect a birthday in the family.
—————
Hear Hear!
Paul67 thank you.
Enjoy your holiday if anyone deserves one its you and especially your good lady for bringing the Celtic family together like no one else.
HH
KTF
Thank you Paul, for the site.in todays information age your site has been great window on the decade.
Lot of energy,love and hope on the blog on its 10th birthday-bwilliant
thanks to all the great reads and for what I learned from you all regarding Celtic
HH
An T
Paul
A very late, but nevertheless heartfelt congratulations on the anniversary.
Thank you for all you do in front of house and, particularly, back of house.
In my mind I have an idea of someone who best sums up the Celtic Family…
Paul 67 is who always comes to mind.
Thank you again
HH
A cracking day on CQN, sleep well Bhoys and Ghirls..
Weefrae you are in our thoughts and prayers..
Mighty Tim good to see you mate!
Bis Morgen..
Starry..
Starry always lurking mate.
Weefra thoughts and prayers for your mum. They never die those that live in the hearts of the ones they leave behind.
Y.N.W.A.
HH
KTF
Congratulations and many thanks Paul.
Your efforts are very much appreciated.
Thanks also to all on cqn for the information, debate and laughs over the years.
Here’s to the new ten years.
What a coincidence that “the Darnell” featured in today’s mass readings!
With apologies to WG if you are lurking.
A big hail hail to you all.
living_in_the_love_of_the_commons_people
Indeed it is all about opinion
I do find it strange that paul always posts these items during a transfer window , a time when PL income is threatend
What is clear is there massive wage cuts and downsizing ( should of been of course as we could not sustain EPL Salarys for entire team )
Now costs have been cut , profits for our club have never been greater
There is an opportunity to give the fans a bums in seat player without breaking the bank , but our club have changed is much in the last 10 years and that won’t happen as our AGM balance sheet is the no 1 priority for our CEO. The every penny brought in to be reinvested in team policy is long gone
Loans and Bosmans are all we are going to get
News of this Mexican nobody ,fills me with dread
As etims says maybe out scout , who scouts our forwards, should reality look at another occupation as he is rank rotton at this one
ST
Living in the love, cheers for the info. The name came about after a pub debate. I didn’t think we’d get an answer! :-)
Not often I agree with any posters on here but sydneytims post is probably the most relevant and least snivelling post I have had the joy of reading today
GuyFawkesaforeverhero
22:44 on 20 July, 2014
KevJungle
No, you’re wrong. It’s not all about you. It never has been.
_______________________________________________
Oh, ok then.
Git it roon ye anyway.
Sorry Paul…..
Bye, Off oot.
Paul67
It’s hard to believe that this place is 10 years old. The amount of time I spend on here it feels like forever.
I came upon this site fairly early on but it was a few years before I got to use THE phrase
“Long time lurker, first time poster” and then being ignored most of the time.
Congratulations on bringing a new category of people into existence. One which my other half has joined.
You are responsible for the phenomenon known as the CQN Widow.
This place has also widened our vocabulary what with mine shafters, happy clappers, internet bampots,scrufulous ,sleekit,hundar,moonhowlers,hunderlopers and timposters.
Its got to the point nobody knows what I’m talking about.
Paul67
You have a lot to answer for
HH
Any word of the most talented poster
Estadio?
Goodnight and God bless all Celtic supporters.
Houl yer wheest
Estadio yes
but where is Joshybhoy
sydneytim
01:18 on 21 July, 2014
Thanks for the reply, I feel honoured!
I agree there is often a disconnect between our foot soldiers and the heated seats.
Irrespective of this, our strength lies in our unity, despite many varying opinions and angles as to our plan going forward. If I’m honest, I sit on the fence when it comes to politics versus balance sheets. I see the need for prudence, to survive the “best league in the world” poison versus “where is the Seville money” dynamic.
Make no mistake we are surviving in a vacuum and seem to be surviving despite the assaults from the hun gutter media. One issue I disagree with Paul is our continued hope to join the EPL. Forget it, it’s not going to happen, let’s move on. Atlantic League perhaps?
Keep stirring up the happy clappers. People need to be made to think.
SYDNEY TIM
I was told about this site in early 2009,and you were one of the first posters I “engaged with”
In all that time,you’ve been negative about the way that the club is run from above-and afar.
Mind you,I’ve probably run you close a coupla times,and it doesn’t diminish our love for Celtic.
Hopefully some day the suits can do as we ask and invest properly in the team,not that I’m holding my breath. Who knows,in another ten years we’ll probably be typing in pretty much as we have done.
In fact.we should just c&p to save time!
Say hi to MC.
CLINK/
Joshybhoy we can do without,but I would dearly love to see ESTADIO back on more frequently.
To shamelessly steal an expression of his,he’s
KWALITYMAN
mickbhoy1888. Thank you , sometimes I fall off my seat with laughter with some of Paul’s posts
That was right up there with the ” our youth policy is magic ”
What has happened sneakily is the
A. Overspend policy that got us to Seville has gone
B. the spend what you earn was a policy that was told to us by Paul67 has also gone
C. Policy now is get as much money into bank account for AGM. Don’t strengthen the team projects projects projects
Policy C is where we are now
Moving backwards on the park every year