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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“@CollectCelticFC: Wow base ball player saves reporter with stunning catch
http://t.co/TOj7zoDK2j”
CRC
You are right ;-)
1966 and all that.
The UK MSM are as lazy as the Scottish ones.
The World Cup stuff might be the biggest boost ‘ayes’.
mighty tim supporting wee oscar
22:02 on 9 June, 2014,
Well said MT, hope all is well.HH
CRC
CQN predictor apart of course.
HH
B B
Want to try that again??
B B 05
Jist the wance??
Ernie
Why do you continue to argue for the retention of the House of Lords, Trident and a right wing Westminster Government?
Why do you hide who you are?
Are you ashamed of something?
Why do you hate Scotland?
Why do you always avoid difficult questions ?
It has been said on here a few times that you misrepresent yourself. why?
Are you Brian Wilson/ Milk sipper Galloway or Dracula?
Dallas
That was my programme of 2014 so far. Txt my two sons and two daughters to watch and be educated. They all loved the show, as did my mum. :))
Billy Boy
Are you prepared to concede that you were wrong about the Murray/ Salmond story?
Fantastic programme with great contributions from all concerned
Mr Stein was a real giant – not only in the football sense but also in the human sense
That was clear from the way that even so long after his untimely death – everyone who spoke was still so emotional
Many thanks to all who took part and especially to those who put this together
Hope it gets as wide a showing as possible – excellent sports documentary!
HH
I really must remember to tune into BBC Alba more often .
An amazing tribute to the Greatest ever manager to hail from these shores.
The only other time I have seen anything on Alba ?….this seasons Ramsdens cup final
Magic wee channel :O))
HH
Billy bhoy and others
Catch a grip of yourselves – just for tonight at least when we have all been treated to a great insight into our greatest manager – perhaps you could leave off the Indy stuff !
Talk football – you have another 90 odd days to win the argument!
HH
BillyBhoy….
I Know Ernie Personally…
And Can Assure You That He’s A Fine,Upstanding Individual….
And A Damn GOOD TIM!
Would like to think Ronny Deila would have a look at Alex O’Henley’s excellently researched tribute to Mr Stein. Just Magic! :))
Missed the program on Alba :-(
And must have missed my letter from Fergus
Now I have renewed 2 season tickets at over £1000,( I’m fortunate I can afford it) but, I do not need to be told by a multi millionaire, who made over £45million on the back of Celtic, how to spend my money
And yes I recognise what Fergus did, but I also played my part to the best of my ability then.
I would have more appreciated a letter to the current board, from Fergus, asking them to get behind the fans, who are continually being victimised for the crime of being a Celtic fan, and that victimisation is being supported by our current board.
Like many. I know quite a few who have turned their back on a season ticket, as taking no more, with lack of backing in many areas from Celtic PLC
Just had to say that
And will cheer on big Ronny and the Bhoys to 4 in a row ( plus wee Fergus unfurling the flag)
Hail Hail
Big Jock
To put it simply.
The greatest ever Manager of the greatest ever team.
Undisputed.
And Archie MacPherson was a figure to ridicule when I was young .
Simply thought he was like most commentators ….. A Hun.
I have seen Archie in a different light the last few years.
Respect!
Billy Bhoy 05
22:32 on
9 June, 2014
Ernie
Why do you continue to argue for the retention of the House of Lords, Trident and a right wing Westminster Government?
Why do you hide who you are?
Are you ashamed of something?
Why do you hate Scotland?
Why do you always avoid difficult questions ?
It has been said on here a few times that you misrepresent yourself. why?
==
Billy Boy
In an independent Scotland would all hereditary titles be scrapped? Would there still be Scottish lords? and if not why not? Why would the Elizabeth Windsor still be ‘head of state’ and lets not hear any nonsense about getting rid of royalty in the future.
An independent Scotland wants to be part of NATO correct? So thereby at much as risk from a Nuclear strike as any other member state of NATO- correct. So removing nukes from Scotland is mere spin as Scotland would be joining a nuclear armed club – NIMBY politics correct
croppybhoy
You are wasting your time and energy with the Indy mob mate.
HH
Nearly like Archie Mac as much as Stephen Thomson!!
Croppybhoy,
Totally agree. Give it a rest guys, I’ve decided how I’ll vote and I’m keeping it to myself. Stick to Celtic and World Cup.
HAMILTON TIM
That clip you posted of the gymnast.
Ouch,sair yin,but hilarious!
Seen on TSFM today
could this be more SFA skullduggery involving compensation to clubs that was being worked out in Jan:((
I wonder who will benefit from any changes.
So there are some unpublished rule changes!!!!
Grant Russell @STVGrant 56m
@asmallteaser @glasgowsgreenw There is now a unified SPFL/SFA system of compensation which isn’t in the published rules yet.
—————–
http://www.scribd.com/doc/228801099/General-Meeting-on-13-Jan-14 From the latest version of Charlotte on twitter @ 4.45 today
————-
Re Charlottes latest tweet.
My interpretation of the amendments to the current regulations are that even though a club, company or whatever ( In this case Rangers) are no longer entitled to be paid for a players development, The Board have now been given the authority to order that full payment should be made.
Someone drafting these amendments obviously has a crystal ball, or is privy to some good inside information.
You can take it as a racing certainty that Dundee United will be ordered by The Board to pay the full whack.
billy bhoy 05
22:32 on 9 June, 2014
Ernie
Why do you continue to argue for the retention of the House of Lords, Trident and a right wing Westminster Government?
Why do you hide who you are?
Are you ashamed of something?
Why do you hate Scotland?
Why do you always avoid difficult questions ?
It has been said on here a few times that you misrepresent yourself. why?
Are you Brian Wilson/ Milk sipper Galloway or Dracula?
::::;::::;;;;;;;;;;(
Once again fail to answer the questions
Frank Ryan
Compare what we have now with what we will have…Bit by bit.
No house of Lords
Loved Pat Stanton’s quip when he was talking about playing for Hibs against the idols of Real Madrid (who Jock persuaded to play a friendly at Easter Road). He said it was like playing cowboys with John Wayne.
The Big Jock programme brought back memories of reading the regret Alex Ferguson has that Jock thought he must have known Leighton wore contact lenses being his manager but he didn’t.
Good night all
the singing detective demands the resignation of campbell ogilvie
22:42 on 9 June, 2014
BillyBhoy….
I Know Ernie Personally…
And Can Assure You That He’s A Fine,Upstanding Individual….
And A Damn GOOD TIM!
::::::,
Absolutely brilliant!!!!!
Alex O’Henley@OHenleyAlex · 3m
So many messages but thank you all for watching Jock Stein on #BBCAlba. Glad so many enjoyed it. Great team effort again by all.
Goodnight Tims….Early rise for me.
Hail Hail
Billy Boy
You’re making a fool of yourself.
Well played tonight BBC Alba, Alex O’Henley and all the contributors to the Jock Stein documentary.
Hope it generates some network income for the wee channel.
I remember there used to be a fun pub quiz weekly and I enjoy Cool Country.
There’s a great Jock Stein quote on one of the old history videos from the centenary season where he is talking about how Celtic were viewed in England even after winning the big cup but Jock recalled the time when Celtic got to the European cup final after a 0-0 in Prague and the prominent English commentator came rushing in to congratulate the team shouting ‘we’ve done it, we’ve done it’ and Big Jock said ‘Rather than us become one of his crowd, he became one of our crowd’.
Was Big Jock a Nationalist at heart?
BILLYBHOY 05
I’ve no great problem with the abolition of the House of Lords,but what do you propose in its place?
Government needs a counterweight. The upper tier provides that.
In Scotland,there are only parliamentary committees,which are weighted in favour of the governing party,so do not provide that independent second opinion.
And as we have seen,it is sometimes necessary to have one.
Cowiebhoy like you renewed. Happy with Delia over Keane.
Celtic lost some of its sparkle with me on how they shafted their fans. Pedro should be ashamed for aiding and abetting innocent Celtic fans receiving criminal records.
He is the first person in a senior position in the history of Celtic who has worked hand in hand with Glasgows finest to jail Celtic fans. His financial management has been good ( not exceptional as we have wasted close to £10M on projects ).
The success of Delia will be down to one man ….yep our illustrious CEO.
I have a feeling that Pedros time is limited. If he outmanoeuvred Dermot over Keane ( which I understand he has ) then it’s a double edge sword for him.
It’s corporate life and there are no rules …..from my Majorcan retreat.
Last one from twitter
Good night this time.
When Charlie Tully died at the height of the conflict in Belfast Jock Stein ignored RUC advice not to attend funeral.
https://twitter.com/CelticBelfast/status/476109954907406336/photo/1
Cowiebhoy
Good post, well said.
Latchford
Why give our manager a lady’s name.
D.O.B.S. I know are using Delia to even up Fat Sleekit Lying Sally.
COWIEBHOY
As I’ve said before,PL neednae concern himself with the opinions of such as myself. He lost my support a long time ago.
It is when he is losing the support of supporters like you-and increasing numbers just like you-that he should be worried,and should start listening.
A superb post,balanced,accurate,and deadly.
latchford
23:00 on 9 June, 2014
Thanks for the response.
I fully understand how the corporate world operates, and I also appreciate that PL has guided us through a difficult period, in my view well.
But, my frustration, as pointed out, I refuse to believe that actions of the current board could not get the missing fans back, without Fergus input,
Do they want Celtic fans back on board, only they can answer, get us back to the front of the bus board
Hail Hail