Earlier this year I wrote that the pyrotechnics problem was one of the free rider. There are reputational and Uefa fine costs to Celtic, but the perpetrators hide among a crowd, so encounter no costs. Celtic pay the fines, Celtic fans, as a group, carry the reputational damage, those who create the problem act with impunity.
Two who set flares in Istanbul have been identified and banned by the club. This ban will prevent them attending away fixtures in Europe for a considerable time, but it will not prevent them walking through turnstiles at Celtic Park, or some other Scottish grounds. Celtic have announced that they are considering their position and may raise a civil action to recover fines imposed –aligning consequences with actions.
Whenever I hear someone ‘considering their position’ I don’t expect them to act. Those who act tend to only provide advanced notice when legally obliged to do so. There is a flip side to this, however. If Celtic raise an action the issue is dead – it will not happen again. If Celtic don’t raise an action it may well happen again. Steps to hide identities will be improved, perhaps making it impossible to identify another offender. The stock defence of football clubs, “We’ve done everything we could”, will not wash.
It’s only 12 years since 80,000 Celtic fans went to Seville and didn’t so much as spill a drink. What chance that now?
When they were at their peak, 1.2million miners went down the pits in Britain. Before the pits, the population of Lanarkshire was a fraction of what it is now. They build railways in the late 19th century, allowing coal to be taken to the cities and ports, and people were drawn to places like Bellshill, Motherwell, Coatbridge and Wishaw.
This subsequent years saw the greatest migration from Ireland to Scotland, and an enormous migration from rural to urban Scotland. People came to Lanarkshire to work in the coal industry, and to Glasgow and other surrounding towns to work related industries, like shipping and heavy engineering.
The work was almost always dirty, often dangerous and inevitably poorly paid. Poverty and its associated diseases, including social diseases, were difficult to escape. Even today, the twin towns of Hamilton (a market town established for centuries) and Motherwell (a 19th century town established by the coal and steel industries) are separated by a significant gap in employment opportunities, property values and wealth. Physically they are only two miles apart, you can walk between them in minutes.
Football was the real opium of the masses. They worked five and a half days a week, on their half day they went to a game. Entrance was cheap, even the poor could attend, all boys could play, all men could talk a good game (it remained a predominantly male pastime for decades).
Coal, and its by-products: railways and heavy industry, shaped the industrial towns of Scotland, Wales and much of England. Without it, cricket would be our national game (it was once popular even in Scotland). You wouldn’t have Celtic.
Today the last miner will emerge from a British pit, in Kellingley, North Yorkshire. The pits around Lanarkshire are long gone, and there are few bings left. Jobs now are cleaner and safer, but we’ve lost a link to something Celtic fans value more than most, our heritage.
Speaking of which, get to Celtic Park before 13:00 tomorrow. Wallow in the abundant heritage that is Billy McNeill!
We’re shipping same day from CQN Bookstore, but there’s not long left before Christmas!
673 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- »
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWiP_NDWcAED9kD.jpg
Maestro
HH
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWcDZlmWoAEj-pN.jpg
McGarvey scores in Europe
HH
Dena
What was the name of Paul’s hotel in Stranraer we stayed in over easter back in 94? The cup semi final when Cadette should have played. Was it the Roundhouse or Roundstone?
Delaneys Dunky on 18th December 2015 11:02 pm
See you there
At the holy ground once more , fine ghirl ya are (love it)
HH
The Kano Bhoys, will welcome their 4000th kid as a guest to Celtic park tomorrow
What a day for that as we also celebrate Mr McNeill
Well done to the Kano Bhoys as well now :-)
Hail Hail
owen on 18th December 2015 11:20 pm
I think it was the Ark
HH
Cheers fholks, good craic and well done to all CQN quizzards. It’s easy when you have the answers in front of you.
Now relaxing with my favourite ghirl……Stella :-)
HH
CRC
I love this song. Reminds me of the Irish diaspora. Very poignant. One son home from Australia, middle son returns from London next Tuesday. Teresa and I both lived abroad, in North America.
Love Christmas, love family, love Celtic.
http://youtu.be/vXyv1TW4R4A
owen on 18th December 2015 11:20 pm
Or was it the ark house something like that.
Hows you
HH
Dena29/ Almore
Some nice buses here to choose from:
https://youtu.be/It75wQ0JypA
:-)
COWIEBHOY on 18TH DECEMBER 2015 11:22 PM
The Kano Bhoys, will welcome their 4000th kid as a guest to Celtic park tomorrow
What a day for that as we also celebrate Mr McNeill
Well done to the Kano Bhoys as well now :-)
Hear Hear thats some achievement
HH
Dena
The Arkhouse sounds sort of familiar. That was a “lost weekend” if ever there was one.
Enjoy the game with Bee.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hvqgb1D6Opw
Blondie
Union City Blue
“Norwich are pumping the ball to Cameron Jerome and he is making things happen, but nothing has happened”
Poor Hooper.
PRAECEPTA on 18TH DECEMBER 2015 11:26 PM
Dena29/ Almore
Some nice buses here to choose from:
Your bad, :-))
HH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9udxbvHiqGw
The Skids
Into the Valley
Dena
I plan on driving down to Stranraer and staying over in a B&B and having a party wi the Irish Brigade.
Nevermind buses I still chuckle when I see trucks with “Huncargo” on them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WyChNh_p-E
Good Morning Britain
Aztec Camera
HH
Dena29
Think big Jim M probably ran the one in the first photo! :-)
OWEN on 18TH DECEMBER 2015 11:28 PM
Dena
The Arkhouse sounds sort of familiar. That was a “lost weekend” if ever there was one.
Enjoy the game with Bee.
Ha Ha we had a few of those
as long as Celtic win we’ll enjoy the game alright
see you soon bro
Goodnight Timland early start tomorrow
HH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFsg2cXSOgQ
The Adventures
Broken Land
HH
***Last Man Standing 6 update***
Wow!!! 82 teams registered to take part.
30 mins left for any stragglers to join us at cqnpredictor@gmail.com
HH
CRC
Dena/Eddie/Almore/DD
Just checked, we got three for Stranraer but only the Minx and I can go so that’s one for you so far.
DELANEYS DUNKY on 18TH DECEMBER 2015 11:30 PM
Dena
I plan on driving down to Stranraer and staying over in a B&B and having a party wi the Irish Brigade.
-Yeoooo so me and Almore will be fine if we miss the boat home ………sweet
only joking :-))
see you tomorrow hopefully
Goodnight
HH
Mags
Aye poor Hooper, so good that he canny get a game for Shef Wed these days.
HH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlYXp_3A64k
Panic
The Smiths
comebackbigGCSC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szUeXBaOfl4
Ash.
By the way I read the quizz and I would have gotten all the questions right (even ones you didnt even ask)
Do I win a prize ?
HH
You know I went to San Francisco on a holiday recently and met my in-laws. My 12 year old nephew stood out. “You’re from Scotland”? “where?”
“eh “Glasgow”
What followed was a 12 year olds synopsis on medieval Edinburgh compared to 19th century industrial Glasgow’s origin due to the newly found markets of tobacco, cotton and corn. I learned a lot. Most American adults think I am part of the irish diaspora when they hear me talking and move on bored after about 60 seconds.
HAMILTONTIM on 18TH DECEMBER 2015 11:33 PM
Dena/Eddie/Almore/DD
Just checked, we got three for Stranraer but only the Minx and I can go so that’s one for you so far.
I’ll know tomorrow if I’ve been successful for a ticket , so if the other bhoys need it no problem but dont give it away :-))
see you tomorrow
HH
Good Morning Britain and Broken Land.
Wow DJ RC. You surpassed yourself there. Who needs formulaic Adele?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-OnS3LPt0w
Thousands are Sailing
proudofoursupportCSC
Maggie
Paul makes Hamilton sound like the posh neighbour of Motherwell. He’s obviously not seen where I stay :-)
Very Merry Xmas in advance to all CQN’ers!!
Hope we all have a great festive fun.
Here’s to you all!
Dena
It’ll be going to one of the 4 I mentioned pal. I’m doing my best to get more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rLF-QAS67I
Tin Soldier
Small Faces
Dena
Aye, you can sleep in my bed.
Almore and I will sleep in my motor. :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKAa20ukR-s
INXS
Disappear
HH
MarspapaCSC