The scene above is of Celtic Park in the 1990s, with the stadium and surrounding area pretty much as they were when Fergus McCann, you, me and 10,000 others stepped forward to buy the club. Improvements had been made on a decade earlier: the Celtic End roof ran to the front of the terrace, while you would walk around the east side of the stadium.
No one has ever satisfactorily explained to me how Fergus was able to decamp for a year, buy footballers and erect a 60,000 seater stadium after raising less than £20m capital, but when he left the stage 17 years ago next month, we had a facility appropriate for the times.
The east end of Glasgow has seen many economically poor decades – over a century’s worth, in fact. The area was built to cater for dirty industries and house workers and their families in as little space as possible. Poverty, social diseases and dreadful mortality rates have blighted the place ever since. As a consequence, housing and industrial land was cheap, and people prepared to plough money into the area were scarce when Peter Lawwell arrived the club started to acquire land around its footprint. The chief executive has always had a plan to move the club beyond its confines, in many ways. Celtic Park was going to be a visitor attraction all year round.
The long-disused London Road School (the large building to the right of the photo above) had a stone outer wall, but in all practical ways it was an unusable eyesore. Metal had been stripped from the outer and inners walls by thieves, the building was not watertight and vegetation had taken root high up the walls.
Celtic wanted to rip it down and develop the area, but the same forces which will prohibit you from parking within one kilometre from the stadium on match days from next season, denied the club permission. They only changed their mind when it became clear that the Queen would have to approach the stadium for the Commonwealth Games alongside the crumbling school.
If it wasn’t for one visit by the Queen, none of what subsequently happened in the area would have been possible.
Now Celtic plan to build a hotel, retail facilities and the long-awaited club museum (below) in the area to the south west of the stadium. The money and necessary partnerships are in place.
Don’t assume that the Council will welcome what is a stunning improvement to an enormously neglected area of their city. CQN’er, the late Councillor George Ryan, told me an SNP opponent at the Council objected to planning permission for the Celtic Superstore as it would have a negative economic impact in neighbouring supermarkets. You will deal with parking chaos next season for a reason.
The economic impact of Celtic on the east end of Glasgow for the decades ahead will be significant. Parkhead will morph from being a derelict scheme to being the site of a tourist attraction within one generation.
The community who laboured to level the ground to build the first Celtic Park on the site could never have imagined the process they were setting underway.
Well done to all, we can be very proud of the legacy we will leave future generations.
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Weeminger / Glasstwothirdsfull
How do you see that working bhoys? Play in the SPL AND a European midweek league?
Or SPL plus a CL type competition for ‘ smaller ‘ European clubs?
Or 2 leagues plus CL?
Not being difficult just unsure what you’re suggesting?
My problem is, I still think we ARE one of the big boys, top 32 for sure, top 16 if we continue on the current path, and potentially top 8 in a few years.
I appreciate the powers that be are weighting the CL in favour of the money men, but, this season we will turn over £80m or so.
That puts us way above some of the clubs who’ve put us to the sword for many a year now. We can increase the revenue streams further yet.
I’m so optimistic right now. This road we are travelling now, and the success we are seeing, with all sorts of records about to be destroyed, in what is our first season with a proper manager since Martin ( who also did pretty well eh!) , is the correct road.
It’s all out there in front of us. We CAN be that major European force again.
I believe the status quo offers us our best chance. Champions for the next few years, 10 in a row, CL groups, last 16, trebles……… it’s all waiting for us. I believe this season alone will have DD and PL realising just what can be achieved with proper investment and proper management.
With all of that in front of me, I’m happy with the league we are in.
Respect your views though ghuys, I just see it differently.
Hail hail
THOMTHETHIM FOR OSCAR OK on 22ND FEBRUARY 2017 3:53 PM
What on earth are you on about?
I haven’t posted anything about this proposal which is, or could even be construed as critical of the board.
Others have. I haven’t.
Have the MSM described it as an “old firm” hotel yet…..?
GARY67 on 22ND FEBRUARY 2017 10:31 AM
I would think that any hotel complex would operate in the same way as those on the land around Glasgow Airport, that the airport company owns. The hotel group fund the development and building and manage the hotel as they would any other. The airport, as the land owner get a fixed rate minimum annual rent plus additional income based on the success of the hotel. The airport has guaranteed income but its in their interest to work with the hotel group to maximize profits as they will get a share. Celtic would be the airport, guaranteed income, potential for additional income
*correct, the largest airport in this country own lots of land surrounding it and leases it out. Also, all retail, including food and beverage companies, taxis/limos, shuttle busses, advertising etc pay a minimum annual guarantee based on the previous year’s earnings or a percentage of gross revenue.
That’s why it is so difficult to entice a decent food operator to be on site every other week at Celtic Park and I would not be surprised if the food trucks on CFC land pay a fee either.
Vfr from previous-not shouting :-):-)
Good post fpr discussion mate
The bottom line is that it would be mind-boggling to assume that the Celtic Board haven’t carried out extensive research into this plan
TRUE.INTERESTING CONTRAST WITH RES12 THO IN TERMS THO HOW OUR BOARD USES ITS CORPORATE AND FINANCIAL PROWESS.BOTH I HOPE TURN OUT POSITIVELY.
The costs and income will have been assessed along with the return on investment. That will drive the business approach to creating the hotel, museum and retail outlets. It will also drive the funding model.
What should also be noted is that Celtic are very cash rich and without significant expenditure (in the playing and non-playing divisions) a whole chunk of money will disappear (sic) in Corporation Tax. The bean-counters will have devised the optimum strategy to reduce this to the barest minimum.
AGREED WE ARE CASH RICH AND HAVE TO SPEND OR THE TAXMAN GETS IT.
my question- would it not mean aa change in our outlook(articles) from fitba grpup to leisure group??
It’s a good position to be in when we are debating what the club should spend our millions on; what seems to be the case though is that it isn’t being spent on big dividends for shareholders!
Yeh on the team-if the finance for rhis is in place and rents agreed tghen its a goer.
I am weary of course of the ‘gefinor’ factor.where it looks to good a return for minimal outlay.I know there is still a shortage of rooms and conferwnce space in Glasgow. The east end is one of the few areas with a growth plan.
I look to 10 20 or 50 years down the line and this is a good thing as long as it is self financing of the club
HH and hope yir well
HG
In response to the proposed development adjacent to Celtic Park, is it true that sevco is building a gang hut for its new “Volunteer Force”?
RAY WINSTONE’S BIG DISEMBODIED HEID on 22ND FEBRUARY 2017 4:13 PM
In response to the proposed development adjacent to Celtic Park, is it true that sevco is building a gang hut for its new “Volunteer Force”?
They will just refurb The Louden………;]
Twists n Turns
I agree with much of what you say there. We are pretty much guaranteed champions for the foreseeable. Hopefully we can start making the group stage qualification more of a formality and develop a better co-efficient to get “easier” groups.
I have mixed thoughts about a move to England/Europe, but I can see changes towards a European league at some point (not for a while though).
I just think it would be good to be ready for that. It will be invitation, so this kind of development will put us in a stronger position than just a team that wins a perceived diddy league every year. We would look more like a big, modern European club.
If it never happens it will still be a great facility for the club.
Just my thoughts.
MIKE IN TORONTO on 22ND FEBRUARY 2017 2:59 AM
Mags … just saw the second half… what a fun game of football!!! That Monaco team counterattack beautifully, and at frightening speed. But they seemed to tire a bit
*that’s according to the commentator on TSN5 because the EPL is a tougher league hence the players have more stamina FFS. They were but for a duff Falcao penalty on tae a hiding.
Incidentally I watched the Bayern humphing of the arse the week before and I thought that KJ was going tae greet, impartial my erse.
GLASSTWOTHIRDSFULL
“The Celtic Hotel inspired by Old Firm Supremo David Murray’s vision”
Keef Jackass:))
Lou Macari’s ‘forte’ for developing homeless units would bring more Cellicness to the PLC, than any of these hotel hussie’s do …..imho.
Call Me Gerry – Sorry to read her news pal
Thoughts and Prayers for all who are close
YNWA
…off-oot….
God save the queen
Its a hashish regime
Yes the Resolution 12 Lobby has a nice ring to it.
Equity investment to increase the value of the organisation, reducing the risk of fan ownership by increasing the value of the shares. Increasing value attracts corporate investment which is only interested in value and return, they invest or pay nothing into the club and have a clear agenda on how the club is run, it is being run to that agenda. Brother Walfrids agenda was clearly different. The Foundation is a registered charity there are no shares just the goodwill and grace of people who accept that charity is the only answer.
The clubs attachment with Brother Walfrids ethos got kicked out on its erse along with him, after some capitalists counted the money, they created talking about ethos, it soothes the money cow while milking.
I just hope the stair case in this new Grand Celtic Hotel is a marbles staircase.
No not a marble but a marbles. With a couple of old street drains to play.
MWD
GUYFAWKESAFOREVERHERO on 22ND FEBRUARY 2017 12:53 AM
TontineTim 22nd February 2017 00.04am
Your post is appreciated, thanks. Yes, I know what we’re thought of in that area. Doesn’t faze me a jot. Read the game was played at Lennoxtown and our Irish centre half who’s holding the title challenge together, scored the winner.
*my da grew up in Silverton which had a lot of big families living there; it was an oasis in the staunch part of Dumbarton.
Bear with me. Last year, at Alec Brady’s grave commemoration in Renton, I asked a local, “is there a Tontine Park to visit?” Obviously, you know he said no, there’s a plaque where the park existed.
*the old Tontine Park is where the housing scheme built in the ‘20s is and opposite the current fields. There was at one time the centre circle from the original complete with plaque in a garden there. Unfortunately time and possibly vandalism has removed it.
I tried to follow his directions. Maybe, next time there, I’ll find it.
*it’s on the left side of the road on the way out toward Dumbarton.
Embdy got details on how the masterplan is gonny keep oot the beggars and jakies from disturbing the guests? Will there be a beg-free zone? Architectural minds need to know.
Why oh why do clubs continue to employ failed managers?
TWISTS N TURNS on 22ND FEBRUARY 2017 4:03 PM
You need to remember UEFA think in terms of big leagues primarily and big teams secondly. So their primarily focused on EPL, La Liga, Bundeslige and Seria A regardless of the teams that qualify from there (although those are normally going to be the ‘big’ teams) and that’s all down to population size and potential ad revenue.
We fall into the second group – big teams from tiny countries with French teams somewhere in the middle.
How will it work? I don’t know but I’d think maybe 2 smaller leagues so that teams can get midweek cup games fitted in. Then some kind of play-off between the top 2 or 4 from each league for the winners.
So the old dear calls me up from Scotland asks me how to delete someones number from her new iphone.
“what? fallen out again?”
“Naw. Deed.”
Tontimetim
“They were but for a duff Falcao penalty on tae a hiding”
*****
Yeah, ‘cos Monaco would just have closed up that Iron Curtain of a defence they’ve got.
Didn’t think that was a penalty, and Citeh could’ve been 2-1 up had their stonewaller been awarded, and might’ve settled down a bit.
Hope the return leg’s half as good.
By the way, Scottish commentators greet too when the Champions League is on, but that’s only if a particular Scottish team is winning!
“………although less grand and ambitious than Dave King’s plans for the area surrounding Ibrox, the Celtic board obviously see this development plan as an opportunity to supplant Rangers as the pre-eminent club in Scottish football by getting their modest move in first….”
Jabba McHutt, for level 5 news.
CALL ME GERRY
May your father rest in peace , thoughts and prayers are with you and yours….
YNWA
NB
GLASSTWOTHIRDSFULL
You’ve nailed it! That’s obviously the name for the new building – the OLD FIRM HOTEL. The MSM woud just love it.
‘would’ of course.
Weeminger/Twists
The “problem” for a European league at the moment is the English clubs. They simply don’t need it as the EPL generates so much TV money. This is why the big clubs from the other leagues want it. Of course things can change. A downturn in EPL TV deals would probably shake things up. Don’t see that happening in the immediate term though.
Call Me Gerry…my sincere condolences on the loss of your dad…
Sorry, Tontinetim, of course!
call me gerry,
thoughts and prayers with you and yours
Is Joe garner still in A&E?
Jungle themed creche
Call Me Gerry
Sorry to hear about your Dad
May he rest in pease
Guid luck to big Tony Mowbray in his new job.
BTM’s legacy to the Cellic…..
The Huddle……
Managers who take mibbery on the chin…..
In fairness to BTM,….he was managing us when the cheating huns were fueled by ebt’s unlike today’s shooting-fish-in-a-barrel-kiddology….which is about to be exposed by,…Apathy.
Guid luck to Neil Francis Lennon(as Hugh Keevins calls him)…tonight with the Hibbee’s and they’re musical fans with they’re zippy wee song to the tune of – ‘Runaround Sue’ – ‘Hibs, Hibs, ohhoooohhh, Hibs, Hibs,….etc.’……
….maybe, The Magical Green Brigade wrote it for them……doon The Brazen :) – TD67 CSC :)
…..oot-this-time…..
Just back in from court ….. so, here goes ….
LurkinTim “you know you cant win” … and “thank fek for brownie points” …you, sir, may be the lone voice of reason crying out in the desert that is CQN! :)
Barney … quite looking forward to Trainspotting …. enjoyed the first one, which surprised me a bit, as I really did not enjoy Shallow Grave at the time ….
Tim Horton … PVR?! I’m a technology numpty …. she’s my tech support, so I’ll need to ask her nicely if she can PVR it for me! :)
Beatbhoy …. I’ve tried the ‘but that’s not fair’ line before .. she just smiles, and says ‘it is so sweet that you think it is about fairness’, shakes her head, and then has a little laugh to herself …. the worst thing is that she is damned cute when she does it, I cant even argue!
Tontine … I agree that the TSN commentary can be a bit pro-BPL… but they are English and/or played in England, plus they have to sell their product, so I sort of understand that … and half the time, I have the sound turned down!
and in this case, I did notice a change in the tempo … did Monaco physically tire? or did they get a bit deflated about giving up a few goals (and the second would have hurt!)… or maybe City goal a boost from the goals…. …. but, either way, it was still one of the more fun games to watch in a while.
Good evening friends.
Rather disappouinted that the Hibs Hearts replay isn’t on TV tonight (contrary to what I said after the original game which was one of the worst derbies I’ve ever watched). Now if only there was a way of knowing where to search on the ole laptop…..
VFR … forgot to say that your solution to the Iphone problem seems to have worked a treat. Thanks for your help. much appreciated.
MIT
Hard to beat the cute, as Seinfeld might say.
I’m glad we play in green…green is such a beautiful colour…and I’m glad we play in hoops, normal hoops, not those wide hoops we wore in previous seasons. Do what you like with the second and third choice strips but the home strip should be sacred…and always green and white hoops…When playing away in european games we should always wear the hoops if there is no colour clash…and I may be one of the very very few people on here who has never worn the hoops. Never!…Perhaps one day…