Lawwell the formidable operator

The real story of Celtic in Scottish football in recent decades will never be written, hidden in a fog of “You can’t use that”, the most-spoken words in the game.  Suffice to say, Peter Lawwell carried responsibility for successes and failures for most of that period, 18 years when he was liable for them, three when he was not.

Let’s break that rule for one matter.  In October 2011 he learned Rangers, then under the control of Craig Whyte, were planning to present a take-it-or-leave-it option to the Scottish Premier League and SFA.  Mired in debt with three HMRC claims against them, they wanted to liquidate, phoenix and have Newco Rangers complete Oldco’s fixtures.  They were 10 points clear at the top of the table and the plan would have left them debt-free, with a points penalty but able to sign players in January.

When the story broke the following February, some in the media, administrators and some clubs presented the issue as a question of survival or extinction for Scottish football.  “It will invalidate the TV deal”, “No one will come if there is no contest”, we were told.

I heard from Peter before I wrote this article on 27 October 2011 on the prepack route for Rangers Newco FC.  He started the campaign, saying “We need to stop this.  Get fans and other clubs involved.”  He believed Celtic, having lived within their means while watching Rangers carry-off the previous three league titles, would never recover if Newco Rangers were able to phoenix and carry on as though nothing had happened.  He knew it would have killed Celtic and worked to make sure it did not happen.

He called campaigning on the subject almost every day until the SPL vote in July 2012, when 10 voted against inviting Newco into the Premier League, with Kilmarnock abstaining and Rangers voting to permit Newco.  A friend recently said “We’ve been lucky to win so many trophies with Rangers [sic.} nowhere.”  Luck had nothing to it.  This was a battle of existence, a battle for trophies and domination of Scottish football for years to come.  The unprecedented haul which followed was a consequence of Lawwell’s decisions and ability to lobby other clubs.  Craig Whyte had no idea what he was taking on.

In the club statement announcing his departure last week, Dermot Desmond wrote, “During Peter’s tenure, Celtic found a strong voice in Scottish football”.  It cannot be over-stated how antagonistic much of Scottish football was to Celtic 21 years ago, or the change he effected during this time.  Clubs did not necessarily like Celtic (or Peter), but they listened.  Changes happened at the SFA and among match officials which were unthinkable in earlier times.

He left citing alarm for his family.  Four years ago his home was subject to an arson attack, which thankfully damaged only property.  Nine days after the attack, Eddie Howe declined to come to Celtic, as a toxic cloud rose about the club.  I was surprised when he agreed to step back as chair in 2022.  Celtic assessed that influence was needed, specifically at Uefa, on the proposed Financial Sustainability Regulations, which he substantially co-wrote.

This helped keep a lid on irresponsible spending in Scottish football but brought him attention he was no longer due.  The biggest name attracted most angst, at a time when Lawwell had no controls over the club.  Of the mistakes he will admit to making, coming back as chair will surely be the first.

He remains a very private man who came from the most working class, of working class, Glasgow environments, and who reached heights usually scaled by those with a leg-up in life.  His key acquired benefit was a work ethic from a mother, the original formidale Lawwell, who held multiple jobs to support her family.  Kids his age were allowed on the supporters’ bus for free.  “Can I get a lift over, mister” was his ticket to a lifetime’s devotion to Celtic.

In the club’s statement, Lawwell and Desmond both refer to the 38 trophies won during his period at the club as one of “domestic dominance”.  It was a generation and more of domination, and was the work of another formidable operator.

Running Celtic is probably now close to an impossible job.  Few of the calibre to get the top job would want it with its unyielding abuse.  We will likely pass from an time of Celtic fans in executive roles, to being another step on the football exec train.

The last few weeks have been tumultuous, to say the least.  The sheer relief around the stadium on Sunday at some respite was palpable.  We will find soon enough if a new seam of success has opened up for Celtic.  Until then, remember those who gave you Celtic and what we can achieve with the sense of community that saw the club through enormous challenges.  Take care and have a happy and restful Christmas.

Click Here for Comments >