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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HT, c’mon, I’ve looked at it:-)))))))))))))
Doc
Ya cheat :-)
I’d have more chance if I’d just left all the scores as 0-0!!!
Hehehehe,
Off to Aberdeen.
Hi Ho!
36 degrees at 9 45 am — going to be a hottie -way down south.
Oot and aboot in Punta Secca earlier , get the chores done before it gets scorchio .
Went for a shave , 2 old guys in the queue at the barbers —–
” cant be assed with this World Cup ” –
” me neither, the only thing that excites me is the hope that a Ref will have the balls to send Neymar off ”
” Si —- but it might be better if another player simply thumped him “.
That done , they moved on to wallowing in nostalgia re Italian victories in 34 and 38 and discussing the wonders of Giuseppe Meazza
Morning Starry Plough I was at a wedding in leeds at weekend. Now just getting ready to go to work. How are you mate.
HH
KTF
Being ignorant, I thought Durham was just another industrialised northern town, apart from the Cathedral of course. A nice surprise, town centre is lovely – in a quaint sorta way.
JQB reporting live from a daunder in Durham
Interesting article,especially the last bit.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/10/soviet-union-comeback
Welcome back,Tom McLaughlin.
Tom McLaughlin
Welcome Home Tom
We can all argue with you in person now:)
HH
Welcome home Tom
HH
Scottish FA considers move from Hampden Park
By Alasdair Lamont and Martin Conaghan BBC Scotland
The Scottish Football Association could move away from Hampden Park.
It is one of a number of proposals put forward following the hiring of a consultancy firm by SFA chief executive Stewart Regan.
The SFA’s lease on Hampden expires in 2020 and that could signal an end to international matches and cup finals at the national stadium.
The SFA’s board will look at the practicalities of taking such games to other stadiums round the country.
The proposals, which are at an early stage, also include exercising an option to renew the lease for a further 20 years or acquiring the freehold from current owners Queen’s Park Football Club.
BBC Scotland has seen documents sent to key SFA figures last week.
Queen’s Park against Peterhead League Two outfit Queen’s Park own Hampden Park in Glasgow
Celtic Park, Pittodrie Stadium, Ibrox Stadium, Easter Road and Murrayfield Stadium are all under consideration as venues for Scotland’s home matches and Scottish Cup games.
It would also mean the SFA finding offices elsewhere as well as moving sports medicine facilities and the Scottish Football Museum.
The SFA has lodged a bid with Uefa to host group matches for Euro 2020, which will be staged across a number of European cities, and recently extended the lease on Hampden to incorporate its bid.
The proposal document assumes there is no desire in the SFA to build an entirely new stadium or refurbish an existing ground.
James Watson Consultancy has been engaged to assess various options ahead of any announcement regarding Euro 2020.
BBC Scotland contacted the SFA, who do not wish to comment.
Hampden, which also houses the headquarters of the Scottish Professional Football League, has been temporarily converted to an athletics stadium for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
League Two side Queen’s Park have been playing their home games at Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie during conversion work and will remain there until Hampden reverts to a football venue after the Games.
———————————————————————————————————–
Let Fergus make the final decision when he comes back at the start of the new season.
In Dunblane to visit Tommy Gemmell. Tommy is signing a big bundle of his new book All The Best for CQN ahead of Father’s Day.
If you’d like a signed copy order today at http://www.cqnbookstore.com and all of today’s orders will be sent a signed copy in post immediately.
I see that the gangster Blatter is lashing out – time for FIFA to go to the mattresses?
Since none of the football associations have the integrity or balls to take him on directly, I would really love it if a high profile footballer or two came out and refused to play international football until the World Cup is taken away from Qatar… that might grab the attention.
In the words of John Lennon, you may say I’m a dreamer…
Tom McLaughlin
I don’t know you but I wrote the important words of a song for you to welcome you back (Dougie McLean wrote the less important words)
I don’t know if you can see the changes that have come over me
In these last few days I’ve been afraid that I might drift away
So I’ve been telling old stories, singing songs that make me think about where I come from
That’s the reason why I seem so far away today
CHORUS
Let me tell you that I love you and I think about you all the time
Celtic Park you’re calling me and now I’m going home
But if I should become a stranger you know that it would make me more than sad
Celtic Park’s been everything I’ve ever had
I have moved and I’ve kept on moving, proved the points that I needed proving
Lost the friends that I needed losing, found others on the way
I have tried and I’ve kept on trying, stolen dreams, yes there’s no denying
I have travelled hard sometimes with conscience flying somewhere in the wind
CHORUS
Now I’m sitting here before the fire, the empty room the forest choir
The flames that couldn’t get any higher they’ve withered now they’ve gone
But I’m steady thinking, my way is clear and I know what I will do tomorrow
When the hands have shaken and the kisses flow then I will disappear
CHORUS
Welcome home Tom.
There’s a few CQNers based in and around Edinburgh. We should start up an East Coast Chapter! :-)
Live from Durham Cathedral (i know… But I’m bored)
Two of the priests are haudin me down while their deacon beats seven bells oot of me, and all for askin “is this where the pope sits when he’s here?”
Luckily I managed to nut one of the priests and free a hand to type this, or there could have been trouble.
It doesn’t get any more exciting than this.
Naw, really, it doesn’t… sigh
Tim Malone Will Tell
09:20 on 10 June, 2014
I see that the gangster Blatter is lashing out – time for FIFA to go to the mattresses?
Since none of the football associations have the integrity or balls to take him on directly, I would really love it if a high profile footballer or two came out and refused to play international football until the World Cup is taken away from Qatar… that might grab the attention.
In the words of John Lennon, you may say I’m a dreamer…
——————————————————————————————
I posted a link to an editorial piece in the Financial Times a few days ago about FIFA/UEFA and corruption. They made the very valid point that these organisations are not subject to criminal law in the country where they are based (Switzerland) and that other countries should be putting pressure on the Swizz to rectify this in the interests of good governance, Until that happens, nothing will change.
Welcome home Tom
Enjoy the Fitba With your Bhoys :)))
Hrvatski Jim,
With regards to that piece in Shortie about SFA relocation – it caught my eye too……
My rather jaundiced view however got me thinking that perhaps some hunned-up skulduggery could be afoot….
A possible SFA relocation to Auchebhowie on the cards perhaps?
Offices, meeting rooms, media centre and pitches…..???
The boul’ Awwy Wamont is never far away from a guid news story down Edmiston Way.
Maybe I’m just paranoid?
Just a thought.
HH
NATKNOW
IIRC,bribery wasn’t illegal in Switzerland at the time.
I wonder if that’s where the word swizzle comes from?
Billybhoy
On Sept 18 next year we have the chance to retake Scotland’s independence……
——————
Check your calendar, mate, it,s this year. Wouldn’t like you to miss out on voting no.maybe it was somebody else who wrote that, and not this year. Just sayin like.
c&pcsc
Welcome home Tom, glad the flight home was safe and sound.get used to those grey and dreich weather reports
Jimmyquinnsbits if carling done typos hehe,it did make me laugh
HH
:-)
Sad news bout ian st.john who has cancer. I wish him well in his battle.
HH
Has anyone purchased the autographed Tommy Gemmell book from the CQN bookstore?
Can you tell me what the signed message is please?
Re. Archie MacPherson. Sorry to disagree with you all but Big Archie is a dyed-in-the-wool, fully paid up member of the Cream Bun Club.
Yes, he built up a strong friendship with Big Jock over the years, mainly because they found themselves working together on media assignments so often.
However, anyone who watched the discussions regarding yon deid team on Blue Tie MacKay’s programme which featured Archie could be left in absolutely no doubt, whatsoever, that Archie is a card carrying Son of a Gun.
Bankiebhoy1
Alternative suggestion – we have a lot of space in the Celtic Triangle. We could offer them accommodation at a premium rent now that the area is so des-res.
THEORIGINALSADIESBHOY
He is doubtless a Rangers supporter,but he isnae a hun.
Stewart Regan on Ssn this am stating any allegations of corruption must be investigated and appropriate sanctions taken if evidence found.
You could have knocked me down with a feather Mrs.
Our Stewart doesn’t do irony but he’s nothing to learn in the hypocrisy stakes.
I hope somebody taped last night’s programme for Ronny D
The Celtic Way
09:43 on
10 June, 2014
Billybhoy
On Sept 18 next year we have the chance to retake Scotland’s independence……
——————
Check your calendar, mate, it,s this year. Wouldn’t like you to miss out on voting no.maybe it was somebody else who wrote that, and not this year. Just sayin like.
c&pcsc
_______________________________________________
maybe Billybhoy means that if scotland votes no in this years referendum then he is organising a big squad to head down to england NEXT september and beat them all up and claim independence
maybe in the style of the clans from bygone days
i might join his crew, but unlikely to get further than strathclyde park before i jump off and just head for a jar instead
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
09:42 on 10 June, 2014
NATKNOW
IIRC,bribery wasn’t illegal in Switzerland at the time.
I wonder if that’s where the word swizzle comes from?
————————————————————————————
Ha! Good point mate. The fact that FIFA/UEFA seem not to be subject to law is bizarre to say the least. I’m guessing the ole argument will be wheeled out that is used to support corruption everywhere – that if they tried to impose something then these organisations would take their business elsewhere. I say, let ’em!!
Hrvats ki…………..
:)
I like it! ( and so does Big Peter.)
On a less jaundiced note If Archie supports the ranjurs he’s a hun.
The actions of that group of peepil have defined what being a hun means.
I thought the film on Jock last night was tremendous, another hun spoke well of Jock.
It gave him some credit, but he gets no medals for pointing out the truth and seeing greatness when it presents itself.
That’s what we all have to do.
HH
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar
08:30 on
10 June, 2014
Many thanks for following through on my suggestion that a seat on the Board was one of their intentions.
It certainly was in the past.
Hail Hail
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS –
BTW – Still not transferred your record to MP3 due to various home difficulties but will get it done this week. Need Cowiebhoy’s details so I can pass the vinyl onto him but you can give me those via email/txt. Apologies for the delay!!
bobby murdoch’s curled-up winklepickers
09:51 on 10 June, 2014
THEORIGINALSADIESBHOY
He is doubtless a Rangers supporter,but he isnae a hun.
………………………………….
Sorry, but I think he is.
NATKNOW
Nae rush,bud.
Keep it for the twelfth of next month!
I think ole Archie is an ole bluenose.
‘Blue’ Peter Thompson was in charge at BBC Scotland when Archie started there; he was dyed-in-the-womb bitter. Archie did well to emerge from the experience relatively unscathed.
Archie’s books on our greatest manager and our greatest player are well written and scrupulously fair.
DBBIA
…and that is to be expected, isn’t it….in a reasonably decent society?
More on Thompson from the excellent Celtic Wiki