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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775 Comments- Pages:
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Dontbrattbakkinanger
13:17 on 9 June, 2014
ole Gordon is his own search engine ;/)
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And he doesn’t use google, that is so obvious.
I don’t think Old Tim uses google either.
RemarkableTims.csc
Maybe Andy Murray is hacked off that an ar$3 of a politician,hijacked the biggest moment of his life,with a 99 pence flag from Sports Soccer.He created the moment,and IMO is well within his rights to slap the wee fud down,Independence vote or not.
HT
so it’s no ra pies or the hunz them.
Feck. it’s serious stuff!
MWD says AYE
!!BADA BING!!
Gorra laugh,off to bed wi a chuckle.
mihal
15:23 on
9 June, 2014
Why don’t you get your ticket before matchday? They’re available from Celtic shops, online, call-centre. Plenty of options. Or arrive earlier.
I appreciate what your point but it does come across like you’re saying it’s Celtic’s fault that people don’t plan better.
Just as a wee observation season ticket holders were giving up their season tickets even when the Huns were in the same division as us They were even giving them up before Peter Lawell alienated the GB and even before the offensive behaviour bill came into force. They were even giving them up when we were winning trophies. Season tickets are only an investment when the demand for the product outstripped the availability ie seats in the stadium. A season ticket guaranteed you a seat of your choice when the stadium was full it didn’t make you a better supporter than the guy who sat beside you . There are guys who attend every Celtic away game in Europe who hardly ever set foot inside Celtic Park because they would rather spend their money travelling.
Judge for yourself who is the more committed supporter
16 roads – celtic über alles…
14:38 on 9 June, 2014
Remember to whisper that….hahahahahahaha
Some of us already had season tickets years before Fergus’s letter arrived:-)
Hoopy
It was more a response to your saying politicans should stay clear of all sport.
Im one of those who dont think all politicans are the spawn of the devil
I live in the wee 6 and for all their faults and even all the rants I throw at my tele or radio at them they managed a sort of political fudge that left a lot more people living than mightnt have.
HH
Just after the Celtic Song, this is my favourite Celtic song.
4 Leaf Clover
‘Gorra laugh,off to bed wi a chuckle’
-Barry or Paul?
MWD, you said you would renew after Fergus renewed. he has, so are you going to or not? If not, that’s a broken promise. Was thinking of voting YES as we’ll.but if that’s what you’re all like then I’ll stick.
LiviBhoy
13:41 on
9 June, 2014
The obssession on here with Peter Lawwell is really putting me off reading much these days.
If we do not pay our CEO a decent whack we will end up with someone like Terry Cassidy in the role. You get what you pay for.
LB
I agree.I think Peter Lawell is doing a grand job as captain of our ship.
Is he worth the money? In my opinion he is.He is the one who has to collate and consider all the various strands of Celtic opinion,form it,and project our club into the future as a going concern.He is a Celtic fan into the bargain which in the airy world of CEO recruitment is a bonus.He does not need to be told to get Celtic.He is like you or I with Celtic.a supporter first.
There is a lot to improve with Celtic,there always has been,that has been in our nature since our club was founded,thats why we are champions.long may that improvement continue.We are dynamic,not static and always aiming to improve.nothing has been given to us that we as a club have not earned through hard work.Let the mistrust and chaos act out where it does-govan,there you find plenty unhappy with their dual identities and excuse making for(old&new) boards.
HH
An T
The Celtic song, it is Timeless.
mickbhoy1888
15:33 on 9 June, 2014
Just as a wee observation season ticket holders were giving up their season tickets even when the Huns were in the same division as us They were even giving them up before Peter Lawell alienated the GB and even before the offensive behaviour bill came into force. They were even giving them up when we were winning trophies. Season tickets are only an investment when the demand for the product outstripped the availability ie seats in the stadium. A season ticket guaranteed you a seat of your choice when the stadium was full it didn’t make you a better supporter than the guy who sat beside you . There are guys who attend every Celtic away game in Europe who hardly ever set foot inside Celtic Park because they would rather spend their money travelling.
Judge for yourself who is the more committed supporter
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They are NOT supporters of Celtic if they don’t attend Celtic Park. They are merely fans, supporters support their club. Thought you may have known the difference, but I suppose it fell down the stairs.
The Celtic Way
15:41 on 9 June, 2014
MWD, you said you would renew after Fergus renewed. he has, so are you going to or not? If not, that’s a broken promise. Was thinking of voting YES as we’ll.but if that’s what you’re all like then I’ll stick.
________________________________
A very strange comment, IMO.
desertbhoy
12:15 on
9 June, 2014
210579/Twists…..
any update on Mr Maynard??
_______________________________
Desertbhoy,
Mr Maynard is currently engaged in 2 races at Uttoxeter on Thursday night (8.00 / 8.30), TnT said he expected it to run last Fri / this week if the ground was favourable, it obviously got pulled out of the Market Rasen race on Friday so if the ground holds up I guess it will run on Thursday?
Note: current going expectation for Thursday is GOOD.
Cheers,
BJM
I was looking for interseting facts on Chili.
there’s nane.
MWD says AYE
Echo and the Rabbits
Rik Mayall RIP
Funny guy.
Rik Mayall dead RIP
mickbhoy1888 – I would say they are guys looking for a jolly abroad and Celtic gives them that excuse…
Ah jist read..
That..
Ronny gave a First Team Debut tae .. FIFTEEN YEAR-OLD..
Martin Odegaard..
Fifteen Teen!
The Kid Musta performed well.. He Scored A goal..n became the Youngest Ever.. Goal-Scorer in The Norwegian League.
He is a Mid-fielder.
Ah like tae read Stuff such a that.
It bodes well .. It shows me Me why Ronny.. May be… Ma Cup o’ Joe.
Martin O’ ..wiznae!
n
Neil, sure .. Wiznae!
Perhaps, Ronny Is..
Ah hope so!.
Fur Ah am Dying fur a Guid Cup o’ Coffee!
“Yoof,is/ur ..the Light n The Way!”
Yes, Ah hiv good Vibes concerning How this New Manager of Oors.. will Pan oot.
Kojo
Still,Laughin’
Kojo
15:58 on 9 June, 2014
Ah jist read..
That..
Ronny gave a First Team Debut tae .. FIFTEEN YEAR-OLD..
Martin Odegaard..
Fifteen Teen!
The Kid Musta performed well.. He Scored A goal..n became the Youngest Ever.. Goal-Scorer in The Norwegian League.
He is a Mid-fielder.
Ah like tae read Stuff such a that.
It bodes well .. It shows me Me why Ronny.. May be… Ma Cup o’ Joe.
Martin O’ ..wiznae!
n
Neil, sure .. Wiznae!
Perhaps, Ronny Is..
Ah hope so!.
Fur Ah am Dying fur a Guid Cup o’ Coffee!
“Yoof,is/ur ..the Light n The Way!”
Yes, Ah hiv good Vibes concerning How this New Manager of Oors.. will Pan oot.
Kojo
Still,Laughin’
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There is a really nasty and sinister undercurrent that Ronny has to understand and deal with before he can even start being a Coach Carter. Neil was magnificent for Celtic, Tony Mowbray could have also been good for Celtic, IMO, he didn’t realise the enemies.
Tiocfaidh ar la
Celtic should get more radical and inventive with their fan base
There should be more ways to enjoy the Celtic experience
There should be a membership card,which incorporates the relationship between the Celtic fan and Celticincluding everything!and rewarding membership accordingly(discounts etc/free tickets/tours/celtictv etc)
from a season book in the directors box to buying a bunnet for a newborn wean with the Celtic crest on it.Its all income to the club.the difference being the club learns how to scale their response to each individual fan.
In todays digital age,we have had massive changes if you think back 20 years,the next 10/20 will see massive changes are coming regarding internet & streaming which hopefully our club can harness.again i would suggest it could all be done under a secure membership scheme.
HH
An T
hugh bonkle fae dallas
14:04 on 9 June, 2014
Instead of ST cards why can’t we have membership cards. If you want to buy a seat for a full year then your card would be validated for every game. If you can’t make it to every game then you could log in and pre pay for a seat for each individual game and your membership card would be validated to allow entry for that game.
I’ve no doubt that there’s an app for that too.
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That’s a great suggestion for the likes of me. I’d love to have a ST but can’t for several reasons. But I want to be as good a supporter as I can. And this would complement Auldheid’s proposal for a membership scheme.
GoodThinkingBatmanCSC
HH jamesgang
Rik Mayall RIP
Dick Byrne:
We have got to go on, we’ve got to go on.
CelticTom from earlier. I think you are right about the SBs – its more a money thing than anything else. People are not as prosperous as they were.
Like you if i go to a game i take kids, my dad and some times a bro in law. I pay. £100 for tickets usually. Then there is transport etc. I live in ireland. I know others who during the days of 55k season books at CP were over regularly – they havent the money now. They sometimes say its a quality thing but i dont think it really is.
Personally i would be there much more only for the money. It really is all economics.
If a Guy gies up his Celtic Season Ticket, by NOT re-newing same..
Well..
Woop de Doo!
It is HIS Loss.. N .. After He diz it..
Ah Ah sure, that when He Looks in the Mirror..( after No doing the Deed..)
His Face.. Wullnae look Too Good..
Na.. It sure Wullnae..
Noo that .. Noo..
Tae His Utter Horror n Consternation..
He finds… that…
He Hiz Nae NOSE!
Right?
Sure, Ah am ..
Kojo
Still,Laughin’
67heaven … i am neil lennon ….the angels are with wee oscar in heaven.. ibrox belongs to the creditors
15:34 on 9 June, 2014
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Lol will do.
Only thing that I be Lustig after at my time of life is a big bottle of Magners with ice! :)
RIP, Rik Mayall…..
The first of the young uns…
Tell me why I don’t like Mondays.
Bangles.csc
Should read Lusting obviously.
Stupid fone fs.
Too much of Celtic’s income is being squandered in paying UEFA fines.
Remember to treat your kite like you treat your woman
R.I.P. Lord Flashheart
Good afternoon all
How are we all today? So sad about Rik Mayall. One of life’s good guys and made me laugh on many occasions. May he rest in peace.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
thomthethim for Oscar OK
16:11 on
9 June, 2014
Maybe the club should grow some cahoneys and start disputing some of these fines, which frankly have been ridiulous in their severity and nature.