I was asked a cracking question last night: ‘Everyone knows Rangers went into administration on 14 February 2012, but do you know what date they came out of administration?’
Can anyone guess? This is the material Cognitive Dissonance is made of.
Duff and Phelps did an incredible job. Had they stuck to Whyte’s plan, put a fait accompli to the SPL, with a matter of days to decide, ‘Our Hero’ would still own the ground, the club and would still be exalted by those who initially crowned him ‘Our Hero’, before the term became a weapon of irony.
We got a further glimpse into the goings-on at Cardiff before popular and successful manager, Malky Mackay, was sacked. Chief exec, Simon Lim, while commenting on the £30m loss the club made last season, as a Championship club, spoke of the signing of 20-year-old striker Andreas Cornelius for £7.5m, from Copenhagen, with a £45k per week, 5 year contract, somewhat more than the £6k he was previously coping with in Denmark.
Earlier this month Malky said, “What I said at the time still stands. £7.5m was our record transfer at the time but a hit-the-ground-running centre-forward in the Premier League costs two or three times that and every team in the Premier League are striving for someone like that.”
There you have it, £7.5m is not enough to buy a hit-the-ground-running centre-forward, you’ll need two or three times that! In England, reality really is a different country (this is not me getting involved in the referendum debate, before the nationalists start trolling me again).
English football is broken in ways it is increasingly difficult to fathom. Only the persistent annual losses and ballooning debt figures offer a glimpse into what the future may hold.
Our namesakes, Belfast Celtic, withdrew from league football shortly after their players were attacked by a mob following the final whistle at game against Linfield on Boxing Day 1948. Star man, Jimmy Jones, died yesterday. The then 20-year-old was thrown over a wall and out of the stadium, breaking his leg in the process.
That was the end for Belfast Celtic but Jimmy recovered and is the Irish League’s all-time top goalscorer.
If you would like to read the new CQN Magazine, GO HERE to read properly, and for FREE, the graphic below is just a taster.
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Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar:
I’ve had that happen to me too, often, but what do you do, books exist to be read.
Awe-Naw,
I was not messin with you earlier. One of them said, if you are aggressively articulate over years, you have education, you have passion, then at the very least you have an issue that deserves, at the least, consideration.
Aiden Bhoy:
Can you link me to where the Green Brigade take full responsibility for the vandalism at Motherwell. Also, if they were responsible, why have none of them being arrested. If I were you I’d be down that Polis shop right now grassing up them pesky Green Brigaders.
I see those posters who demand all the rights of man are back on demanding that the rights of man be limited for others to their preference. Which way does the world revolve?
With declining attendances’ (albeit the seats are often paid for but nobody parks their arse on match day which screams volumes) at what point does DD order Peter to press the ‘Oh Feck Let’s Panic Now Button’, 22,000? 18,000? 15,000? How low can you go?
HamiltonTim:
This is from one of those books you lend out and never get it back but I’m going to phone the bugger later and ask for it:
On 27 December 1948, rioting broke out during a match between Belfast Celtic and Linfield. Jimmy Jones, a prolific goalscorer for Belfast Celtic, was dragged from the pitch by the opposing fans, and beaten so badly that his career was ended. And with that ended the existence of Belfast Celtic after fifty-eight years in the game.
In Political Football Barry Flynn traces the development of the team from its beginnings, in an attempt to discover the reasons behind the tragic events.
Like that of every football club, the story of Belfast Celtic is one of victories and defeats. Theirs, however, is a story riddled with violence and hatred culminating in near-murder.
Political Football reveals how the political and social unrest that took hold of the city of Belfast was reflected in the history of the club, how tensions between two communities spilled onto both the pitch and the terraces, with devastating consequences.
Political Football promises to be a valuable reference for anyone with an interest in the famous Belfast counterpart of our own club, and in this extract the author describes the events surrounding the brutal assault on Celtic’s Jimmy Jones:
On 21 April 1949, the legendary Belfast Celtic resigned from Irish soccer four months after one of the ugliest incidents in the history the game. On Boxing Day, 1948, violence spilt onto the pitch at a Belfast Celtic v Linfield match at Windsor Park. The events of that day were the beginning of the end of one of the most successful Irish football teams ever. Sports historian and writer Barry Flynn looks back….
For two teams whose grounds were less that half a mile apart, Belfast Celtic and Linfield could well have existed in different universes. The sectarian divide kept both communities encased within their own areas and in front of 27,000 feverish spectators, a bruising and bad-tempered encounter ensued.
One player’s name became synonymous with the events that fateful day; his name was Jimmy Jones, the bustling Celtic forward from the Co Armagh town of Lurgan. In a twist of terrible fate, an accidental collision between Jones and the Linfield defender Bob Bryson in the thirty-fifth minute of the game, led to Bryson being stretchered off the field with a broken ankle. Mid-way through the second half, it was announced on the public address system that Bryson’s ankle had been broken. Given the tinderbox that existed within the ground, it was, to say the very least, an irresponsible act.
Given the festive season, there could be no doubt that a significant number of supporters had ‘drink taken’ before the match and many came with bottles to fortify themselves against the cold. A small detachment of RUC officers patrolled the ground and kept their eyes on the spectators but nothing untoward was expected that December day. The Belfast correspondent of the Irish Times reported that police moved through the terraces with batons drawn to try and stamp out any disorder before the game began. The signswere ominous as referee Norman Boal blew his whistle in the cauldron that was Windsor Park.
The game intensified and the tension in the ground rose considerably as rain began to fall and the light began to disappear. Ten minutes from the interval, the crowd erupted as the clash between Jones and Bob Bryson saw the Linfield defender writhe in agony as a stretcher was called for to take him from the field. The net result, given that no substitutes were then permitted, was that Linfield were now down to ten men and at a disadvantage as the game approached half-time.
Shortly afterwards, Linfield forward Jackie Russell was pole-axed and taken from the field after he had been hit full-on by the football and as the whistle blew for the break, Linfield had only nine fit players on the field. The opening forty-five minutes had laid the foundations for the chaos to come. The ground possessed an undertone of serious violence and sectarian hatred was bubbling below the surface.
When it was announced over the public address system that Bryson’s leg, rather than his ankle, had been broken, the genie was most certainly out of the bottle. This act of folly shortened considerably the odds of a backlash against Jones and the Celtic players. The game resumed in gathering darkness with Linfield still two players short. Russell had been sent to the Royal Victoria Hospital with severe bruising, while Bryson had a broken ankle.
With the game poised and scoreless, the temperature reached perilous heights when Celtic’s Paddy Bonnar and Linfield’s Albert Currie were sent off after they clashed with eighteen minutes left. Gaps opened up on the terraces as fighting broke out among spectators on the Spion Kop and the police again drew their batons. With ten minutes to go Linfield full-back Jimmy McCune upended Celtic’s Jackie Denver in the box and to the roar of the Celtic fans, Boal awarded a penalty from which Harry Walker scored. The situation was now bordering on the brink of chaos as Celtic seemed certain to take the points.
Many thousands of supporters sensed that there would be trouble and headed for the exits as the match entered its closing stages. However, Linfield attacked in search of an equaliser and were rewarded four minutes from time when Isaac McDowell burst down the wing and found Billy Simpson in the box.
The Linfield forward made no mistake as he finished past Kevin McAlinden to square the game. Immediately, masses of Linfield fans surged from the terraces and invaded the pitch in celebration. The police present battled to clear the field and the remainder of the game was played out amid a deafening roar. The final whistle saw the Linfield mob on the Spion Kop overrun the field and they began again to attack the Celtic players.
Furthest from the pavilion, at the far end of the field, was the solitary figure of Celtic’s Jimmy Jones. In addition to the ‘sin’ of being involved in the Bryson incident, Jones was targeted as he was, quite simply, a sublime footballer who had already scored twenty-six goals that season. By the time Jones had made his way to the running track at the side of the pitch, the ringleaders from the Spion Kop had reached him and he was dragged over the parapet into the terrace below the main stand.
The 20-year-old was now at the mercy of the baying mob as police elsewhere tried to clear the field. In the stand watching in horror were Jones’ mother and father who had travelled up from Lurgan for the occasion. What followed in the terrace was brutal and prolonged. Jones was trapped and hidden in a sea of bodies while the rest of the Celtic team battled through the raging crowd.
The beating was merciless on Jones. He was punched in the back of the head. However, as he tried to make his way up the terrace away from his attackers, he was tripped and dragged back down the steps.
The core of the mob now consisted of about thirty men and unhindered they set about the prostrate Jones.
The attackers knew what they were doing and immediately began to jump on the legs of the player to ensure maximum damage was inflicted on his career.
Heavy hob-nailed boots danced on Jones’ leg and ankle as the frenzied crowd took turns to jump on the hapless player. He was kicked around the terraces like a rag doll.
After what seemed like an age, a police constable arrived and tried to intervene.
Immediately, he shouted at the mob, ‘If you don’t stop kicking him I’ll use my baton!’ Not surprisingly, he too was beaten back as the attack continued unabated.
Despite the danger, a close friend of Jones – Ballymena goalkeeper Sean McCann – waded into the madness from his seat in the grandstand.
He wrapped himself around the screaming player, guarding his leg, which was badly broken. Finally, a dozen police officers arrived to aid Jones and the mob dispersed post-haste. It was too late, the damage had been done and the repercussions were about to begin.
Taken from ‘Political Football – the Rise and Fall of Belfast Celtic’ by Barry Flynn, published by Nonsuch priced £14.99
I wonder if we got some Bata Power-point boots for our strikers would it help, after all, they come with a free instruction booklet guaranteed to improve your game, or would it just cause bigger anxiety attacks?
Good morning CQN
Can’t wait to get to paradise today
Been looking forward to it all week
Come on you Bhoys in green
Glasgow’s Green and White
Keep the Faith
Hail Hail
.
I see Peeps are saying Pukki has Not solved the Ole sign a Proven Goalscorer Conundrum..
Hmmm..
“There once was a player
Named pukki who read
A conundrum that weighed
Heavier than the thickest of lead
Dashing to the rescue
Celtic took to the lead
As they presented a solution
For Pukki to read”
Still some say: You have to spend Money to make Money..
Summa of CruelToBeKindCSC
Kitalba
Below is a little piece from the Belfast Celtic archive …..it speaks volumes!
Significantly the Celtic statement on the night of the attack focussed blame, not on the Linfield club, but on the RUC which had been present in force at the ground. “During the whole of this concerted attack the protection afforded to the unfortunate players may be fairly described as quite inadequate”.
http://www.belfastceltic.org/archive/tribune.html
.
Anyone know when is the earliest match Celtic can Win the League.. ?
TIA..
Summa
Summa
By my reckoning the title could be won just before the league splits.
Possibly our last fixture which is at Tanadice.
I was basing it on Celtic, Motherwell and Aberdeen taking maximum points from all there games until then, but we will play Motherwell and Aberdeen before then so depending on those results it may be sooner…..or a bit later.
Change that….maybe even a draw the week before on the 29/3/14 at home to Ross County would finish it.
Summa –
Motherwell can get the highest points total outwith Celtic, so assuming Celtic and Motherwell win all their games, Celtic will clinch the title at home to Ross County 29 March.
Good morning Cqn, lovely Morning down In good old D&G, getting ready to head up to paradise Hail Hail
My team today
FF
Fisher Ambrose van djik Izzy
Brown Biton Johannson Kris
Pukki
Griffiths
Id like to see that line up today.
Is Charlie Mulgrew still injured?
Question
How come it is always Celtic Fc management that are asked about
The singing and behaviour of the fans
When all over the country there are far worse going on
And not a word said
I am not just talking of one other club
But most clubs
With their songs
Wrecking of seating
Running onto the park during the games
ECT
Proudbhoy
I like the look of that team selection
Not sure if Charlie is fit if he is that would be the only change I would make
Hail Hail
MT
SSN saying Mulgrew back in squad after calf injury…..
.
Cheers Guys..
Mon the Hoops..
Summa
Quick update.
I am stll in Scotland. My brother Gerry is still fighting but is very sick. Today he is being moved from hospital to a hospice where he will receive 24/7 palliative care. He is still quite immobile and requires assistance just to turn in bed. The hospice will allow him greater mobility as he will have access to a wheelchair.
I fly home to Australia Monday morning and today will be a day for saying goodbye to my beloved brother. It will be very difficult but I depart happy at having spent over 2 precious weeks with him and seeing him getting proper care in the hospice rather than a hospital bed. I know I will never see him again and it breaks my heart, but as Gerry himself said . . . life goes on. He told me to enjoy whatever time I have left on this planet.
Thank you to all on CQN.
Kit
I never thought you were
HH
Tom
A wee prayer said for you all
God bless
MT
Tom
Thanks for posting,God bless your family.
Tom,
Incredibly touching post.
Tlwio
.
Normally I can count with my Eyes closed ..
However..
I need Help..
If Celtic take maximum points from now till Killie game 15th March..
Can can we Win Title that day if Motherwell drop 3 or 4 Points before then ..?
Summa of BrainFreezeCSC
Tom
may your god be with you, your brother will be well looked after and hopefully in no pain
Tom.
Very moving post, God bless.
Lawrenzo
.
Tom..
God Bless Gerry..
001
Tom
Your love for your brother shines through in your post.
He is in the very best of hands now.
Look after yourself and safe journey home.
My thoughts and prayers with you both.
Tom
the hospice will give him the best care and treatment.
St Margaret do a wonderful job, I know from personal experiance.
god bless.
tom
08:24 on 16 February, 2014
Tom, heartbreaking, I have a brother and can’t imagine your pain, sounds as though he’s given you the nod, he’s your brother and you both know the score. Head home your family, he knows and you know, you’ve done your bit, God’s speed.
Ayrshire is Green and White
HH
Good Morning Timland.
Tom, don’t have the words pal, God bless.
If you can, get yourself along to CP and support your team.
Is not a bad day in Ayrshire, no rain. What will today bring? a Celtic victory, moans and groans no matter what, but still the same outcome, yer a Tim lad, what’s not to be joyful about.
HH
Tom
God bless you, Gerry and your families.
Safe journey for both of you.
Tom-sorry for your situation,you couldn’t have done any more.HH
VP-The excellent CQN’r Saint Stivs was dissing the ole Roxy Music last night…….
ClipeCSC
Tom
God bless Gerry and all of his family
Take care mate
Prayers said
HH
Man U to pay Rooney £70 mil over 4 years…….obcsene money for kicking a ball.