Defining Cruyff is not easy but there are some objective facts to assist: three times European Champion, three times Ballon d’Or winner, voted Europe’s Player of the Century in 1999, and third place in the World’s Player of the Century at the same time.
On the field, the most damming criticism of him is that he wasn’t Pele or Maradona, both of whom won World Cups, but neither changed the direction of travel in the game as Cruyff did. Pele’s Brazil seemed out of sight as they strutted their stuff at the 1970 World Cup. By 1974 the Dutch, with Cruyff pulling all the strings, had tactically moved the game on a generation. It would be decades before Brazil won the tournament again.
The Dutch know all this and, rightly, place Johan at the pinnacle of the game, but there was more going on in the Netherlands at the time. Feyenoord beat Cruyff and Ajax to the European Cup by 12 months as a generation of players matured together.
While the Netherlands took hosts Argentina to extra time in the 1978 World Cup final, Cruyff was watching on TV. Of course they would have won had he played, but that they came so close without him is a testament to the rest of his Dutch generation, forever in his shadow, but great nonetheless.
So would the Dutch revolution have happened without him? Something would have happened, Luxemburg would not have beaten the Netherlands in the 1970s, as they did in the 60s, but it would have been a revolution you might not have noticed. Ajax’ European Cup adventures may have ended with the 1-3 home defeat to Benfica in the 1969 quarter final. Feyenoord may not have edged extra time in the final the following season.
Allied to his skill, speed and strength, Cruyff opened the eyes of all who played with and against him. After Cruyff, opponents knew the old rules didn’t apply anymore.
Yesterday’s story in the Guardian, citing “sources at a major Premier League club” would signal the end of the last pretence of meritocracy in football, where the most wealthy will only play each other in European competition.
Resist of wither like Miss Havisham.
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No problem BT. If your hip is still dodgy I might chance giving you a right jab and praying that you won’t be able to run fast enough to catch me.
Seriously I know well that these issues must be consigned to the past and am happy to do that. This is an emotional time however and I suppose this arose because of HT’s comments about the Army which struck a chord with me.
Anyhow I won’t bring it up again, mind you I can’t promise not to respond if someone else brings it up.
KILL ULTRA on 28TH MARCH 2016 5:50 PM
Auldheid on 28th March 2016 4:38 pm
Last week here, CQN, MARCH 2016 10:32 AM, following the news that the PLC had refused to engage with UEFA, I posted here that the four requisitioners yourself (Auldheid), Canamalar, BRTH and Morrisey were either incredibly naive or were in cahoots with the PLC. I have now come to the conclusion in the light of the latest shareholders/PLC alliance that you are in fact pursuing the agenda of Peter Lawwell. Irrespective of whether or not you will ultimately be successful is beside the point. It was not the purpose of Resolution 12.
When the idea of a resolution to be debated at the AGM about SFA misgovernance was first mooted, and one hundred shareholders’ signatures were needed, I couldn’t offer mine quickly enough. At long last I thought; a way of playing a small part in getting around the PLC’s intransigence and its indifferent dismissal of the fans. Morrisey’s difficult treatment at the hands of the Celtic security staff at the outset of the process was just one sign of the Board’s hostility towards any supporters’ action against the SFA.
While I engaged in the process with Canamalar, proving shareholder credentials and adding my signature, I urged him to take care that this promising initiative was not undermined. I also warned him that you, Auldheid, as one of the four resolution’s principals was already compromised in that, as was evident in all of your postings, until then (and since), never missed an opportunity to support Peter Lawwell pursue the Board’s strategy, and you worked assiduously to get the message across. The question I had then, and still remains; on who’s behalf was/is all your energy expended?
Canamalar, in fairness to him, assured me that your possibly compromised position wouldn’t have any negative bearing on the progress of Resolution 12.
Then came the day of the AGM and the news that an adjournment had been agreed between the requisitioners and the PLC on the basis that it would be in both parties’ best interests to work together. What a result for the PLC! In one fell swoop it had avoided the certain opprobrium from the supporters of the resolution had it voted it down, while, at the same time, positioning the ‘dissident 4′ inside the tent flap to ‘face’ outwards.
I immediately made it clear to Canamalar that I wanted no further part. As far as I was concerned Resolution 12 had no longer any status. Such has been the prevarication since from the PLC and you its allies we now have the bizarre situation where the shareholders involved in the recently drawn-up petition initiative are doing so on behalf of the PLC.
Auldheid, your influential posts both on here and on TSFM have helped provide an effective screen behind which the Board, through Peter Lawwell can pursue a separate agenda. The treatment of the present petition’s signatories by PL and his allies, such as yourself, is every bit as as reprehensible as that meted out to the 100 signatories of Resolution 12.
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/resist-of-wither-like-miss-havisham/comment-page-42/#comments
Hamilton Tim
And a complete fantasy. Nothing approaching the truth.
Corkcelt
Like any conflict, ifs and buts will play a major part.
For me, Collins was sold out by Dev, he was a soldier, not a politician, and Dev’s subsequent actions against Republican prisoners from ’22 onwards demonstrate who the real Rebel was.
Just my opinion mo chara.
Auldheid @ 8:39
Firstly let me say that I share many Celtic fans debt of gratitude to you and your cohorts re Resolution 12. Your patience and fortitude is remarkable.
Regarding Mr. Lawwell, he has moral and ethical obligations, in addition to fiduciary obligations to his shareholders. I truly hope that his interpretation of the latter does not equate to acquiescence with rule breaking to facilitate the elevation of the team playing at Ibrox. What I can tell you is that his public silence is causing immense damage. The blogs are awash with long term fans stating they will not endorse cheating by purchasing season books or merchandise. Many known to me, with decades supporting Celtic, have had enough. I am now wondering whether the CSC I belong to will even be viable next season.
I hold out hope that Jimmci, a shareholder and poster on SFM., has surprisingly gained an audience with Mr. Lawwell in April to discuss the Board’s apparent inertia regarding Resolution 12. What is puzzling is that other correspondents have received no reply or the typical bland corporate response.
Perhaps, if Jimmci shares the outcome of that discussion, we may gain some clarity vis-a-vis the Board’s position on this matter.
Auldheid, I have one question – is the March 31 deadline for a Member Club submission to UEFA hard and fast? Thank you again.
IniquitousIV
Auldheid
I didn’t say it was accurate but I said it deserved to be addressed.
Additionally, you’ve not answered my question.
Did you consult or speak to the signatories before withdrawing the Resolution?
Michael Collins was still alive and well, when he gave the orders to bombard his own former comrades using borrowed English artillery.
It can never belong to Free Staters…
Over & out.
HH.
Corkie
It’s my dad you need to fear , 2 hips and a new knees and he would still catch you
If you ever get a chance to see the pic of Celtic with Dev in 67 have a look at his face, my granda had a different opinion than you my friend
Serious question …
Are CQN the people’s front of judea or the judean people’s front
TOOR A LOO
Neither….its the surealist/anarchist group(me), that are in charge.
Dont listen to the rest of them malcontents and rebels:)
Fishbones/Chopsticks.
HH
Evening Timland from a warmish hun free mountain valley.
Delighted that all had a great time in Dublin, wish I had been there.
Watched some of on the tele, and like HT, I cried.
Saw mention of Pedro voting against~for glibby, he would have been a fool to vote against him imo, I would much rather be pitting my wits against him rather than the likes of mash any day of the week, in addition mash would have had a credit line had he needed one, they are pushing a piece of string up a hill without one, they are still getting all the help needed from the sfa, but that is expected.
As for the assertion that Auldheid is a cover or shield for Pedro, dearie me, talk about paranoia, I would have Auldheid on our board before any of the current mob any day of the week.
BT
Is this the pic you are looking for?
Third one down on Celtic Wiki
Celts and Dev
16 Roads
And Dev shot Republican prisoners.
It’s a mucky game.
Great to see you last night J.
HT
I am saddened by the post of Kill Ultra.
I think any opprobrium caused by a voting down of Res.12 at the AGM would have been as short lived as the opprobrium caused by every other motion they have voted down,
To jump from there to a belief in collusion and double agents is paranoia off the scale.
HT 9.13, I have no time at all for DeValera, nearly arrested 1965 for banging on the window of his car and calling him a murdering bastard.
However for factual correctness Dev had no part to play in the Executions from ’22 onwards. At that time it was his people who were being executed.
20 years later when he as Leader of Fianna Fail during the second World War was the time that his Government executed Republicans and to make matters worse refused to release the bodies to the families.
Green man I’m off out for a bag of otters noses
HT 9.24. Hanged them.
100 % correct HT.
Dev was indeed a badun.
Always a privilege to spend a wee bit of time in the company of your good self, the Minx and the rest of the crew.
Yous are a credit to the Celtic Nation.
HH.
Hamilton Tim
I was not involved in the discussions with Celtic on withdrawing the Resolution.
I was in Spain.
What was discussed was reported back and at that point the Res was going to be voted down.
A suggestion for avoiding that and keeping it live came FROM CELTIC the next day. It came because there was a good reason to keep it live. Time will show that.
I appreciate that an opportunty to berate the Board on the day might have been lost but the aim of the Res would have been lost and with it the cloak of authority the adjournment provided that allowed the SFA to be asked questions.
That adjournment provided the opportunity with Celtic’s help to take matters from suspicion territory into fact.
As I recall Morrisey got a very hard time from the Trust on the day, after doing sterling work to get the required number of signatues and I’ll be happy to talk to you about that when I get home and point you at an independent witness who can confirm what happened.
TOOR A LOO
Anarchist Clown Army are following events closely.
Someone is due a severe flanning:)
SFA under siege from Flanflingers:)
Come on.
HH
BT 9.16. Don’t know where you got the impression I was a fan of Dev.
Liam Lynch was my hero.
SFTB
I thought much of Kill Ultra’s post was void of recognition and praise of what Auldheid and the Resolutioners have done, and are doing.
However, as I’ve said, I think it merited a response.
My belief has always been that Res 12 should never have been withdrawn. Doing so has got us to the position that we’re in now where Celtic supporters are in a quandary. Are Celtic supportive or not.
Had the resolution been left on the table, Celtic would have been forced to make a decision either to support it or vote it down.
At least then we’d have known their true intentions.
I would like to express some words in memory of a wonderful and extremely brave person, Anne Byrne. Anne was a midwife sister at the Queen Mother’s maternity hospital at Yorkhill .
She helped bereaved parents who’s babies were born prematurely or were born asleep.
Anne endured all sorts of health issues herself, including diabetes , arthritis and cancer but always put the people she dealt with first
She was a huge help to the Glasgow branch of SANDS (the Stillborn and Neonatal Death Society) with her medical knowledge and practical advice.
Anne was an etremely special person who helped so many and always said she was just doing her job.
We have lost a true angel and heaven is gaining one.
Thank you, Anne for being you and being there for so many people who you supported
Slack arithmetic just for the sake of making an observation.
Average ST £500
PL stated position that lack of Sevco cost £10 000 000.
20 000 non renewals before the PLC is out of pocket.
That is a gamble worth taking, perhaps.
Broadfoot of SFA adopted a similar attitude when in discussion with John Clarke(SFM)
SFTB
His love of the man shines through ⚽️
Auldheid
Respectfully, you’ve not addressed my question.
Were those who signed the resolution consulted before it was withdrawn?
You’re criticising the Celtic Trust which I think is uncalled for in this instance.
The Secretary of the Trust asked Morrissey minutes before the AGM began and asked if Res 12 was being withdrawn. She was told no.
Morrissey deserves huge credit because he was the guy who went round pubs in the Calton seeking signatures. However, he was wrong in his reply to MM prior to the AGM.
Hamilton Tim
Celtic had already stated their position. They were against Res12.
Had they voted it down and after any hoo ha how would it have been taken forward and by whom?
An Tearmann on 28th March 2016 8:24 pm
Bbc 4 10pm liam neeson narrates 1916: The irish Rebellion
*this was on PBS Buffalo a couple of weeks back; Buffalo has a healthy Irish and Polish population.
BTW a wee bit more of useless trivia for you all. The first hunger striker and a founding member of the Irish Volunteers and also took a major part in the Rebellion outside Dublin as commandant of 5th battalion of the Dublin Brigade was the uncle of Gregory Peck.
Dallas
I’ll add Anne to our class prayer list tomorrow. May she RIP.
Phil’s latest well worth a read.
AULDHEID on 28TH MARCH 2016 9:45 PM
Hamilton Tim
Celtic had already stated their position. They were against Res12.
Had they voted it down and after any hoo ha how would it have been taken forward and by whom?
——
That’s my point.
You’ve taken it forward. As you said, Celtic opposed the Resolution, that says it all.
Hamilton Tim
I realised after posting that you asked if the signatories were consulted?
Physically impossible. If that is what the Trust did when the Res to review the SLO post was withdrawn then that is because the trust has the machinery to do so. We guys were winging it.
Just been reading Kevin McKenna’s latest contribution to the Observer. Like most of his recent out put, I little care for most of it. But one word sickened me. He wrote “Rangers ALMOST ruined themselves….” I thought they had in fact done so by going into liquidation. Maybe liquidation means something else where he hails from or maybe he is too frightened (or too anti-Celtic) to print the truth amid his rantings.
Tell you what…Those sevco bigots will be clapping like seals, knowing that the Celtic PLC are gutless.
Thats the crack now…thems are free to cheat like their ancestors with a green light from DD and PL.
Money….sick with greed for money.
Injured Celtic supporters wont matter to the board, as long as the PLC they get their bigot money, thats what is important.
Greed.
Principles long gone.
We need a revolution in Scottish Football.
HH
Hamilton Tim
No what says it all is that not only did Celtic not vote it down, they came up with a way to keep it alive.
I wish now they had voted it down because of the effort involved since, but as a result of the adjournmemt an obligation to the signatories existed which had to be met and those signatories who have been in contact will be able to say if they think it has been.
Lots of lessons for all parties to come out of this.
Hamiltontim, thank you.
Anne Byrne was a very special person who was selfless and always put others first . She had part of a leg amputated and was back at work 6 weeks later as she had a job to do.
I’m glad you and Minx along with every one else who went over for the Centenary celebrations had a very good time. Two pals of mine only got back about two hours ago and they both enjoyed the celebrations.
HT
The fact that they kept it alive and that either a) They strung the 4 resolutionists along or b) they co-operated with the 4 in an “at arms length” relationship, is yet to be determined.
I have not heard any one of the 4, and they are the 4 most clearly informed on events, state clearly that they have been duped and the Resolution and its aim are dead.
I disagree that it would be better to have had it voted down in order to know where we stand. I think it is far better to get a result than to know who to blame (that is why I am in favour of Zonal Marking too).
I think it is revisionism to believe that there would have been mass uproar if res. 12 had been voted down. The Living Wage was voted down and, though there was widespread disapproval, there was no mass uproar and eventually a deal, albeit a too-late and a misleading one, was reached.
Every record of Resolution 12 proposers meeting with PL or Board members or the Company Secretary is evidence, on record, that “arms length” or not, our club was informed in detail about the deficiencies in SFA and SPFL administration and on potential legal routes for seeking justice on these matters. As a result of this, they have no excuses left- they cannot claim that “they had not been informed”, or “they did not possess the legal facts or did not have the legal advice necessary to tackle this at the time”. This way, they have no hiding place- it is obvious that they have been informed and their relationship with the Resolution is not a deniable one.
If they had merely voted it down at the AGM, and then things came out in the wash, they would still have a plausible defence of “Well, we got that wrong because we did not know the full facts.”
I know that you and others have strong reasons to distrust the Board at all levels. On matters of defending our support, they have proved craven and come close to collusion. However, in defence of their money interests, I have not heard too many convincing explanations of why they would let this cheating and corruption, which cost them potential millions, to just be dropped.
If DD had been stiffed by a rival bidder using illegal or semi-illegal tactics on any of his airport deals, he would pursue them for everything he lost and twice as much in damages. Saying they are motivated by money just to get the smaller sums associated with the O** F*** label back into our circulation, cannot explain why they would so easily let the cheated CL money, a much larger sum, go by the by.
In fact, the only plausible psychological explanation I have heard in all my time on CQN for the seemingly schizoid enthusiasm for the “return” of Sevco, was made by I believe, Hunderbirds a few weeks back (apologies if it was not you), who suggested that we must have been in the muck along with them and allowing them back is the price we must pay to avoid further exposure of our own illegalities.
Now, I have no evidence of this and I am not, as yet, fully convinced by it, as I tend to make up my mind based on evidence rather than on who I do not like in the situation. But, it does have the merit of internal reliability in explaining why these ruthless businessmen are so seemingly supine in responding to cheating by their rivals.
I will just have to have the patience to see how it plays out.
Meanwhile, like you and many others, I would prefer to hear a gesture or voice from the Board to give us confidence that they are not just going to leave this issue with just a Rory Bremner gag to show for the record.
Iki @ 9:38
It won’t be as simple as that.
If, for the sake of a figure, 5,000 fewer STs are purchased next season, and the club has received, say 1,000 + emails or letters from those not renewing, I’d foresee a situation at CP in which major investors will be asking seriously awkward questions about the advice they’d been receiving from PL.
I’d go further and suggest that PL’s jaiket would be on a shoogly peg …
VIP
Jungle VIP on 28th March 2016 7:03 pm
Tontine Tim @ 6:26
I can’t believe it’s taken more than 30′ for anyone to compliment ( or even remark upon) on that wee vignette.
Kwality, mhan …
*cheers, when I write these little pieces it’s not for praise as much as pointing out to younger disaffected supporters the pleasure that can be had from supporting the leather belts, as my da used tae call them.
What I was alluding to in the latest was the dark days being lifted and a bright light shining down on Paradise from that other Paradise in the sky which we all openly embraced as well as our Irish heritage. ‘Twas indeed a grand time tae be a Tim, as it should be right now.