On many fronts I’m delighted Fergus McCann feels confident enough to get back involved with Celtic, some 15 years after departing the scene. It wasn’t always this way. We reached our first European final in 33 years largely as a result of the groundwork he put in place, but he didn’t feel comfortable making the trip to Seville.
He was first tempted back at the unveiling of the Br. Walfrid statue, using the occasion to put the club’s charitable heritage to the fore. He has since been back to speak at Celtic Charity, now called Celtic FC Foundation, events.
His intervention today, saying “It is important for people to stand up and show their support by buying season tickets. That is my simple message” echoes a letter he sent to season ticket holders in 1995. Celtic had endured a difficult season at Hampden, if memory serves, we finished below Hibernian in the league, sentiment was low and as season 94-95 drew to a close I remember thinking the rebuilding project was in jeopardy.
Only 31,025 souls turned up to watch an end of season victory against Rangers with many unsold tickets in the Celtic areas of Hampden. Fergus was also unpopular among a sizable portion of the support, with prominent Celtic supporters only too happy to undermine his reputation.
The season ticket renewal packs arrived with a letter from Fergus which invoked memories of his trip to Kilmarnock in 1963 to see Celtic ship six goals during Jimmy Johnstone’s debut. Fergus knew what the years ahead would hold for Celtic but he needed faith from you and me or the project would have been in real jeopardy.
To everyone’s pleasant surprise Celtic fans rallied in great numbers as the new stadium opened. So much so I was scrambling around trying to get a season ticket as the ‘sold out’ sign went up before I got myself sorted. It took another couple of years before we recorded one of the most momentous league wins in our history but the strategy was sound. It was always going to get there while others played casino football.
This week, Fergus wrote, “The league is important going forward. Filling the seats makes a huge difference to the club’s chances of getting the players it wants, paying the salaries and getting into Europe.
“The rebuilt Celtic Park has 60,000 seats for a purpose. It was built on my belief that 60,000 at every home game would give the club a key advantage. And it has.
“Season ticket cash is essential for Celtic to buy players while TV income is a small fraction of that of the bottom club in the English Premier League. But not all-important. Personal attendance at every game – through and through – is a key part of our culture. It shows how important Celtic is in our lives.
“We both know that you don’t stop being a committed supporter of Celtic because the league doesn’t include Rangers, or because you feel you could pick the few big games you want to attend. For years I went to ‘unimportant games’. In fact, I was at every Celtic game, home and away, in the year before I emigrated to Canada.”
Ticket sales is one of those things which bends more with sentiment than we often consider, but we are at a new beginning this summer, one which many feel hopeful for. I reckon there is a good chance we’ll see an up-click as the Ronny Deila Days start.
Tune in on Friday. After the CQN Lions night at the Greenock Celtic Supporters’ Club on Friday, we will have Bertie Auld on the blog this Friday, 13th. More details later in the week.
And just in case you’ve been living on the moon this past week, watch BBC Alba at 21:00 tonight for the Jock Stein film.
Visit the CQN Bookstore to get Tommy Gemmell to sign your personal copy of his tome, All the Best.
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BBC Alba, what a tribute to Mr Stein. Brilliant.
WOW what a stunning programme,not a dry eye in the hoose (watchin myself).If anyone is on twitter with Alex O’ Henley,please thank him.
Brilliant, simply brilliant.
Wonder if Cameron still thinks, in public at least that Darling is doing a fine job.
Earlier today he apparently said that Cameron should debate Referendum with Salmond.
It would be a case of Dave being, Arse, Paper, Up, Torn in any order you like.
Well, that was worth the licence fee all by itself. Thank you, BBC Alba.
Reading back tonight and some interesting debating going on.
Regarding Salmon/Murray debate. Prior to Murray becoming a superstar he always wore Saltire wristbands which he would throw into the crowd. On one interview when asked who he would be supporting during world cup/euro champs he answered anyone who is playing England.
In 2010 at the Delhi Commonwealth Games he refused to play for Scotland although his brother Jamie gladly played sadly not very well. I think in my humble opinion that young Mr Murray is no longer as sentimental about the country of his birth as he once was. On the other hand Salmon came to the games to support Scotland and made a point of meeting every athlete, coach, manager , doctor, physio etc that he could sometimes and very early morning training sessions in some obscure places. He put in a lot of time and effort to show his support for Scotland and Scottish athletes at the only time an athlete gets to represent Scotland on the world stage.
I do not vote SNP but I will vote independence not because of the above but because I believe that Scotland has a right to self determination.
On the UEFA fines I believe that Celtic should have appealed especially as they openly flaunted the Mandela banners in every ground. Also others have carried banners without punishment I am sure I seen a banner with the Argentine team proclaiming that the Malvinas belong to Argentina ( which I agree with ) but surely political in the extreme leading into a world cup in South America which England are participating.
As regards to everyone owning a gun that is just crazy. Some of the people I know and have had dealings with I wouldn’t trust with a pea shooter never mind a gun.
HH
KTF.
ipaddy mccourt
21:45 on 9 June, 2014
I’d like to see England do well at the World Cup. Why not?
The sooner England are out of the world cup the sooner we can watch the other matches and hear commentary on the match rather than them talking about England…
Billy Bhoy05 over the past month or two I have supported several of your posts regarding a Yes vote but after your unsubstantiated post about Andy Murray this morning – no more.
I am a committed Yes voter for many reasons and all posts I have placed on CQN are my honest opinion following life experiences and thorough research. I would never post ‘truths’ on CQN as you did this morning unless I was able to back them up with evidence. This disparages your fellow supporters.
Like many of my generation I came from a poor background and was the first of my family to go to Uni and therefore wish everyone could appreciate the continuation of a free education system. My mother in law has severe dementia but thanks to free personal care she is able to remain in her own home. My son is a surgeon down in England and I am aware of how much better NHS Scotland is
I feel to change people’s opinions from a No to a Don’t Know through to a Yes you must be honest with them and be able to back up what you are saying with facts. Sadly you are unable to do this regarding your Andy Murray post and are now doing our Yes cause more harm than good.
Every morning I enjoy the quotes on Twitter from Gregory Loannidis and one I remember is “When somebody lies to you it is not the untruth that matters it is the fact that you can never trust them again”
Well done Alba, a great tribute.
Thank you Mr O’Henley. Wonderful tribute to Mr Stein. Archie MacPherson, I salute you! Magic!
Lovely lilt in the gaelic eh
Nantes, vojvodina agus dukla prague
:-)
HH
Never seen film before of Jock being carried into the dressing room in Cardiff,and didn’t there was a memorial at Ninian Park.
Saw a different side to Souness there. Great show Alba a must watch for all bhoys
Wonderful tribute programme to big Jock there on Alba.
Kleenex needed for me as I reminisced in so many wonderful moments; especially having seen so many if them.
The really touching aspect for me was the reaction of John Clark, wee Bertie, but as notably Graeme Sounness and Archie MacPherson.
Fantastic and so, so emotional.
mighty tim supporting wee oscar
22:02 on 9 June, 2014
First class post
The Immortal Mr Jock Stein,I thank God I was on the Terraces during hie tenure, will never see the likes again.
God Rest his Soul.
Awerabest PJ
Paddy McCourt
Its a no brainer as far as im concerned. Fergus must recognized in some form at Celtic Park. Is there not some kind of museum being built? That wd be appropriate imo!!
Heartfelt tributes from all ,not least Graeme Souness.
Fantastic programme. Well done Alba.
If you missed that great programme it is on again tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday.
Brilliant. It gave due emphasis to all stages of his life and career.
Fantastic footage of Hibs beating Real Madrid and Dunfermline against Valencia. Plenty on Celtic.
There was real research behind this. Not just a rehash of old footage.
Well done Alba.
Great programme on mr stein.
the oft quated phrase was said in its entirety, you could have the best game in the world but without the fans it would be nothing. (Or words to that effect)
Big Jock really was respected and loved. A sad in places but tremendous programme from ALBA
In his ambivalent attitude to his Scottishness; Andy Murray is not too far apart from a group of businessmen operating in Glasgow’s East End who selectively play the Irish card for the benefit of a section of their customer base.
So, to all you no voters, remember who is standing up for you………………….
@weetom1105: #gordonbrown And Gordon is embarrassed about a Scottish flag at tennis ? http://t.co/ynHKeKzalp
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Yogiy
22:03 on 9 June, 2014
Two points.
1. The positive things you mention about Scotland are happening now, while we’re part of the UK.
2. Don’t be too hard on Billy Boy. He appears to be an idiot who is just posting what he’s told to post.
Great programme on Alba ….all concerned were excellent.
celticrollercoaster luvs his luminious lime boots
21:37 on 9 June, 2014
SFTB
The huns and the zombies (dead sons and daughters of the huns) support the union, so cannot cheer England in case that breaks the union. :-)
Irony CSC
———-
You should see if Monaghan can infiltrate that notion onto FF. And then sit back and their poor wee heads explode – metaphorically I hasten to add!
No undead zombies were killed in the making of this productionCSC
HH jamesgang
Ah, Jock Stein.
You gave us so much joy and embedded the Celtic spirit in so many of us.
Great programme about big Jock, it really should have been on bbc1 instead of a minority channel, big billy was conspicuous by his absence, hope he’s ok
A wonderful 60 minutes tribute to Mr. Jock Stein by Alba – so much to pack into a phenomenal life and football career.
Thank God I am of an age to have seen it first hand – from my teens to my 30’s.
Brought a few tears to my eyes tonight – H! H! Big Jock!
Great prog but where was big Billy? Was he to ill to appear? Thats the most ive heard Luggy speak.
Tic just scored against huns on Alba
quonno- sorry it was quantum who replied to me earlier.
Delaney’s, sorry I never replied earlier to you.
I was otherwise occupied explaining to my son the relevance of the BBC Alba programme about our most special one.
A lot of great, great memories came flooding back. My dad is 88, I hope he managed to see it. He’s resident in Erskine Home now.
It was good players who played under Jock at Dunfermline & Hibs were also featured particularly Pat Stanton. I remember Alex Edwards playing for Hibs after moving from the Pars.He was a very good player. When you think of the Hibs team of the early seventies compared the current lot, no wonder the fans are beelin.
I knew Souness was in awe of Jock but his emotion there was very unexpected and welcome. I need to stop cringing when I see him on tv now.
I’m not related to Jammy but it was good to see him and others fight so hard to get a team playing again.
PS my son is watching a rcording of Mythbusters about Zombies. How apt, the zombies came about as a result of them trying to match what Jock did for our team.
That was a tough watch. What a man Big Jock was. Celtic through and through
Thank you Jock Stein. You made my childhood so happy !
Tried to contact Alba to say well done. Gave up.
JJ
Wonderful programme for Big Jock, simply Mr Celtic.