You can imagine the scene, deep inside Celtic Park. “Let’s invite Fergus over to raise the flag on the opening day of the season. Would be great to get him back 20 years after his critical role in saving the club, especially after that nonsense in ’98.
“Wait a minute, probably best not to mention the flag just yet, let’s call it the opening home game of the season”.
16 years ago Fergus McCann accompanied Jean Stein onto Celtic Park to raise the league title flag, an event which seemed beyond us when he flew into Glasgow to complete the takeover from the old board in 1994.
He was booed by a sizeable minority of the support, ostensibly for not spending enough money on players. It was a source of regret for tens of thousands of us. Fergus arrived with a plan to turnaround a club which played in an antiquated stadium and were being thoroughly routed on the park. He left five years later with the league flag flying high, a modern 60,000 seater stadium and net bank debt at £2.5m. It was something of an economic miracle, and although he got the money he wanted when he sold up, he never got the credit he deserved.
Celtic fans had been conditioned to distrust him by a small handful of people with considerable reach. The club was being rag-dolled, despite the miracles it was performing. The man himself was never one for showboating, his last two contributions to Celtic were to speak at the annual Celtic Charity (the charity he formed) dinner, and to mark the unveiling of the Brother Walfrid statue. Only charity has brought him back, so this will be a rare day indeed.
I’m absolutely delighted to announce we are publishing Tommy Gemmell’s autobiography, “Tommy Gemmell – All the Best’. The book is written and will be out in the summer. It will be a paperback but we are going to do a small hardback run, all of which will be signed by Tommy, and will include a special chapter with questions from CQN’ers, which Tommy will answer in the book. Details on how to submit a question soon.
This one is going to be a lot of fun……….
If you would like to read the new CQN Magazine, GO HERE to read properly, and for FREE, the graphic below is just a taster.
[calameo code=0003901710a55b5798f06 lang=en page=1 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
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I hope the fans who live in the east do all get along to murrayfield and boost the crowd big time
Also, its easy to get to Haymarket from the west as well so would be good to see the trains packed with fans
Though if we end up getting bigger crowds there than we do at parkhead, do you think there will be a vote for the club to relocate to the salt ‘n’ sauce side of the country?
EdinburghCelticFootballClubCSC
…..for we only know that there’s gonna be a show and the Edinburgh Celtic will be there.
Nah! not for me.
I,too, was at CP that flag day …….
My seat was in the South Stand, just outside the Director’s Box , to the left….wonderful seat.
(Now a pensioner…don’t have it any more)
Prior to that day I had been in written dialogue with Mr.McCann…. We had exchanged three letters, in which I had “criticised” certain aspects of his “attitude” towards spending money on the team ….and also a personal complaint regarding the way he had spoken to my cousin who was over from Canada,and had met him in The Walfrid.
I won’t bore you with the details of that…but Fergus hadn’t been particularly pleasant…Although he did write back and apologise.
Anyway..I digress…
I’ve always argued…and I always will…that there were two distinct sides to the Fergus coin.
On the one hand you had the guy who, through brave and astute financial decision making, saved our Club…Of that there is no doubt…and for that he should always be remembered with our grateful thanks.
On the other hand there was the taciturn, obstinate, blinkered businessman who sometimes forgot we were a Football Club….whose main asset was the team…and made life extremely difficult for those charged with bringing the Club success on the park.
It’s easy to forget this …..and pretend that everything he did has to be applauded.
It’s not, IMO, as cut and dried as that….and that is why an element of the support that day
booed him…while the rest looked on in amazement.
Some may be wondering now if I booed…given my “history” with him….
The answer is no….but I didn’t applaud either…I maintained a diplomatic silence.
People are entitled to their opinions and we see things as we see them.
Oh and for the record…I have no problem with the money he made as a result of his involvement….I’m delighted that it all worked out so well for both parties….
I just feel he could have made things a lot easier in certain areas.
And finally…I’ve lost two of the letters over the years….but I have the third…and I read it occasionally…and it’s personally signed by
Fergus McCann.
Hail hail
Cadizzy
Nor me.
It doesn’t scan as well.
Embra Celtic it’s got to be.
hamiltontim is praying for oscar
14:58 on 7 February, 2014
Was there somebody looking for a ticket for tomorrow?
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
…and the salt ‘n’ sauce celtic will be there
quonno
14:59 on 7 February, 2014
gamriestu
14:26 on
7 February, 2014
Ross Kemps Nornn Ireland
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-iFVPGVcbQ
Told us nothing that we did not already know.
Tony Blair’s Good Friday Agreement was just another politician’s con trick.
—————————————————————————————————————
Aye you’re nae wrong.
I’ve just finished watchin’ it myself told me nothing apart from the sheer hatred of “peepel” against so called injustices.
to the tune of four leafed clover
with a tartan rug
upon my lap
and a barbour coat
o’er my celtic tap
From Officialsite
Celtic plc Interim Report 2013
By: Newsroom Staff on 07 Feb, 2014 14:17
CELTIC plc have released the interim report for the six months to December 31, 2013.
Operational Highlights
• Progression to group stages of the Champions League.
• Currently unbeaten in the SPFL Premiership and top of the league.
• Breaking long standing record for number of consecutive clean sheets.
• Academy continues to be successful; over 70 internationalists at Under 21 level and below.
• Multi-million pound investment in the area around Celtic Park, benefiting supporters and the local community.
• Launch of the Kerrydale Bar, Café 1888 and new family stand.
• Installation of a full stadium Wi-Fi network with accompanying matchday application.
Financial Highlights
• Revenue decreased by 11% to £44.8m (2012: £50.1m).
• Operating expenses decreased by 7% to £34.3m (2012: £37.0m).
• Profit from trading before asset transaction and exceptional operating expenses of £10.5m (2012: £13.1m).
• Exceptional costs of £2.3m (2012: nil).
• Profit on disposal of intangible assets £16.5m (2012: £5.2m).
• Profit before taxation of £21.3m (2012:£ 14.9m).
• Period end net cash at bank of £5.7m (2012: £0.1m net bank debt).
• Investment in football personnel of £5.0m (2012: £4.7m).
• 16 home fixtures (2012: 19).
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT
I am pleased to report on our financial results for the six months ended 31 December 2013. The introductory page to these interim results summarises the main highlights.
We have enjoyed another highly successful period on the football pitch. As we report today, we are comfortably at the top of the SPFL Premiership, having enjoyed an excellent run of results in the league, remaining unbeaten and having broken a long standing record for the number of consecutive clean sheets.
Having won the Scottish Premier League title in season 2012/13, we qualified once again for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League. Our reputation as a leading club in European football has been enhanced by that success. These results reflect the financial benefit of participation in the group stages of the Champions League for a second year in a row, coupled with successful management of the playing squad.
Revenue dropped for the period to £44.8m (2012: £50.1m). The decrease compared to last year’s results at this stage largely reflects the impact of our decision to make the £100 reward for adult season ticket packages, together with playing three fewer home matches in the period and accumulating fewer points in the Champions League group stages, resulting in reduced UEFA distributions.
Operating expenses for the period decreased by 7% to £34.3m, leading to a profit from trading, before asset transactions and exceptional operating expenses of £10.5m (2012: £13.1m). Exceptional operating expenses in the period of £2.3m relate to an impairment charge.
Prudent investment in, and management of, our playing squad is a key component of the club’s strategy. In line with that strategy, we continued to invest in the playing squad, with £5.0m invested, an increase from last year (2012: £4.7m). Our profit on disposal of intangible assets of £16.5m, in comparison to a profit of £5.2m last year, largely reflects the transfers of Gary Hooper, Victor Wanyama and Kelvin Wilson. Together with ongoing investment in our Academy, the identification and creation of Champions League quality players remains fundamental to Celtic. Following the end of the period, during the 2014 January transfer window, further investment was made, securing the signing of the highly rated players Holmbert Fridjonsson, Stefan Johansen and Leigh Griffiths.
As at 31st December 2013, net cash at bank was £5.7m. Our profit before taxation for the half year was £21.3m, an increase of over 40% on the same period last year.
There is little doubt that this is a robust set of interim results and they reflect a club that is in excellent financial health.
The strategy of the Board is unchanged; our overwhelming priority is to win the SPFL Premiership and to qualify for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League and beyond; we seek to give our manager the best tools for the job, within the constraints of our economic environment; we aim to create value by investing in our youth academy and by acquiring players that we can develop; and in terms of the finances we seek to live within our means. All of this helps us prepare for the future and the economic uncertainties, which have had such a devastating effect on many other football clubs.
Our Chief Executive, Peter Lawwell, is serving as a Director of the Scottish FA, while our Financial Director, Eric Riley, serves as a Director of the Scottish Professional Football League. The structural and financial difficulties that face Scottish football are well documented and it is fair to say that the outlook for the game is challenging. I am gratified that Peter and Eric can make a contribution to overcoming the obstacles that lie ahead.
Looking forward to the second half, as with previous years, trading performance in the remaining months of this financial year will not be at the same level as that in the first six months (or the comparable period in 2013), with fewer home matches scheduled, no Champions League participation and lower gain on player sales.
A key focus for the year will be our continued investment in Celtic Park, not only for our own supporters’ experience on match days, but also for the benefit of the wider community. In January we opened a dedicated facility for disabled supporters and, throughout the year, we look forward to delivering further projects, including development of our Wi-Fi system, safe standing areas and the new landscaped and public realm area to the front of Celtic Park. In addition, we will continue to support Celtic FC Foundation in its very important charitable work, which provides assistance in key priority areas of health, equality, learning and poverty.
This has been another very active spell for the club and my profound thanks and appreciation go to Neil Lennon and his backroom staff, all of the players, executive management and staff, who are committed to ensuring that Celtic is a world class football club. Most importantly, I pay tribute to the fans, whose support, encouragement and dedication is second to none.
Ian P Bankier
Chairman
7 February 2014
To read the full Interim Report, click HERE
Geordie Munro
Ah but nobody from Embra ever calls it Embra so you would have the local fans singing Edinburgh Celtic and the travelling support singing Embra Celtic….we’d get out of time with each other…it just wouldn’t work.
Maybe just play the games at Cappielow and hire in some heavy breestit wummin as cheerleaders. Greenock Celtic?….there’s probably already at least one and not counting the supporters club
jeez_i_thought_blinker_was_pants
15:02 on 7 February, 2014
According to T”internetJohnny Doyle was sent off against Ayr United at Somerset Park by Ref Bob Cuthill after he was smacked by the ball on the head by accident.
Louis Thow was a old sevconian anyroad……and a crap referee
———————————————–
I had the misfortune to meet Louis Thow last night, for all of two minutes, he’s a despicable man, don’t know anything about him, other than he is an ar$€
HH
U20s win 2-0, Fridjonsson & Henderson
THEORIGINALSADIESBHOY
Beg to differ,mate.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2NR-CDSTKRo
SFTB
It’s okay, don’t panic. I’m well aware that there is little chance of that.
KTF
hoopy-do
that’ll be tweed hoops I expect
setting free the bears supports Res. 12 & Oscar Knox
13:20 on 7 February, 2014
If there are minerals under the ground at Ibrox, then I think a new club like Thems FC would have discovered an entirely new 115th element. What should they call it? :-
Oranganium
Dignitarium
Quintessentialum
Biscuittinium
Collective Consciousness of Liquidatiunum
Struthium
Greggspiesium
Masonium
Creditlineum
Honestmistakium
Supercasinum
Caesium Assetium
Floatingchargium
Blueknightium
Leggatium
Irvinespinium
——————————————————————–
Unobtanium.
Or, in the more common nomenclature down AyeBrokes way….cash!
new article posted.
THEORIGINALSADIESBHOY
Call it a draw.
You got the game wrong and I got the ref wrong!
Between us we could win a quiz,you know.
Anyone know where we can find a Celtic Quiz on a Friday?
Public Realm?
Are we gettin’ a new gazebo?
bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers ………fc not plc
15:19 on 7 February, 2014THEORIGINALSADIESBHOY
Beg to differ,mate
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2NR-CDSTKRo
———————————————-
I knew ye were right auld son, can see where our fellow supporter went wrong though..
HH
What was it Big ‘ands said about Rangers balance sheet being stronger than Celtic’s as a result of his buisiness acumen? I cannot wait to see The Rangers (in liquidation) balance sheet for the same period as we see Celtic’s recent figures (just released). Enough cash in bank to buy Ibrox and Murray Park and the Car Park! tee!hee! hee!
SFTB’s hunperiodic table
Watpishium
Sleekitnesium
Zombidium
Bighooseisclosium
Boeriggter defo wouldn’t be wife swapping with his countryman Michael Mols,ey?
Murrayfield will give us a big advantage. Whenever Antony Stokes blasts the ball over the bar from 10 yards, we will get 3 points. :-)
Thanks for the comments and
Phyllis Dietrichson
if i was surely the post and this one would be transparent!?!?
Lennybhoy
I had a spare but it’s gone mate.
I was one of the more radical of the “Rebels”back then inthe “Celts for change”era.Every meeting,every protest,even boycotted my beloved team,which I hated the old board even more for.I remember them all,Fergus,Haughey,Depsey,Keane,Weisfield.
The night Brian said the immortal words”The battle is over,the rebels have won”was one of the best nights of my life.Wee Fergus is a saint to me.His later run ins with the SFA,made him even more so.If only we had someone like him now,that scurrilous mob at the SFA would be in hiding.
He will get a thunderous reception at Celtic Park.
SFTB and Weeminger i have no wish to rake over the coals but. DD increased his shareholding. Celtic delisted from the main stock exchange ahead of the share issue to allow him to do so (if we had remained he would have had to bid for the remaining shares).
The fans oversubscribed (we always oversubscribe) – this stuff about other investors etc etc is I am afraid a falacy. He wanted greater control and he got it. Some fans did not get their full allocation as a result. Remember Fergus said he wanted fan control? Well DD made sure that didnt happen.
Geordie – where did I infer that Paul said Fergus was perfect? Please dont try and read things which arent there.
Tonydonnelly in attacks on the celtic trust (and supporters in general) – shocker. They must be on his banned list………that he has but was only pretending he had………
Neganon2, sensationalism as usual,I didn’t attack anyone, I only stated an opinion on them that I have, easy tiger, cam doon,
Hmmmmmmmm
http://www.heraldscotland.com/mobile/politics/political-news/galloway-attacked-for-snp-catholic-slur.21116305?_=dd6ee9ba727de021a53d2c769b4d0a68cc375d35
A lovely wee story from Dundee United.
Roberto Martinez visited DU and he endorsed their approach to bringing young players through. He suggested that he would be prepared to send players on loan. But Jackie Mac stressed to his youth coach that he would prefer to keep the pathway to the first team for his young players.
Great to see young players getting the opportunity to flourish
Broken?
Fixed noo!
Someone posted earlier about the Jimmy McGrory – Lifetime in Paradise
Guy sells it on matchdays in Janefield
St
I was told by a good Tim.
HH
How many medals will we win in winter Olympics?
Lenny great on Shortbread TV news. No giving it up yet!!
Despite what he has had to face,
Well done oor Mhan!
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=university+of+freedom+long+kesh&espv=210&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isc
Do we know how many games we will play at Murrayfield and which competitions?