I’m delighted for Alex Neil at achieving promotion for Norwich City just a few months after joining and transforming them. Alex was groomed for the Hamilton Accies job by former boss Billy Hamilton for years before being given the position as a 31-year-old two years ago. Billy would talk him through training games, “Reds are being overrun, would you do to change things?” I listened into some of this, but in football it’s never apparent what’s being absorbed and what’s slipping through the cracks.
Lots of credit has to go to our former commercial head, David McNally, who took as Norwich chief exec six years ago, in the wake of departing Neil Doncaster. McNally spent much of season 2013-14 dangling the Sword of Damocles over Chris Hughton, before sacking him with relegation looming, then sacking his replacement, Neil Adams, whose only previous coaching role was as a Norwich youth coach.
Fresh from having to admit a mistake in appointing an inexperienced manager, it was unfathomable that McNally gambled on Alex Neil. Last season Neil got Accies into the play-off final against Hibs, where they lost the first leg 0-2 at home. At that stage his achievements were no better than could be expected, but Terry Butcher was master tactician at opponents Hibs.
Ahead of the second leg Butcher spoke to his players about post-match celebrations. The only thing anyone at Hibs could celebrate after the game was Butcher’s resignation. Six months of spectacular overachieving with Accies this season was enough for McNally to see something special in Alex Neil. It was a breath-taking gamble which worked.
Norwich’s gamble has echoes in our own, in appointing Ronny Deila, but Celtic had a bit more form to judge. When I asked a Norwegian journalist about Ronny last summer he actually compared Stromsgodset wining the league to Hamilton Accies winning the SPFL. Ronny had six years, not six months, of pretty spectacular form to study before Celtic made their offer.
Ronny and Celtic know they are working to a medium-term plan and that short-termism isn’t going to get in the way. Such planning is a luxury in football, and isn’t something Celtic enjoyed when they were caught in an arms race with a liquidation-bound opponent. Norwich might just have learned enough self-awareness to know that next season’s target shouldn’t be survival, it should be medium-term development, even if that means accepting the short-term pain of relegation.
I read yesterday that Real Madrid have sacked a manager every season they failed to win a major trophy since Alfredo Di Stefano’s side finished second in La Liga, and were losing finalists in the Copa’ Liga, Copa del Rey and Cup Winners’ Cup, the latter to Aberdeen. Medium-termism at Real is counted in weeks, not seasons. Being intolerant of short-term failure is incredibly wasteful.
Alfredo was sacked a year later.
646 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- »
On the Dunfermline surrender I heard at the time that Calderwood turned up at Ibrox telling all and sundry that they were only there for the party and that his father , good Rangers man that he was, would never forgive Jimmy if Rangers didn’t win the league that day.
Could be utter nonsense of course but…
mighty tim supporting wee Oscar
If your still about best wishes to your bhoy
what time is his hearing and I’ll light a candle for him
HH
!!Bada Bing!!
20:52 on 26 May, 2015
Cheers – need to check the funds first to see which card to use
The long wait is over
I heard Calderwood say his father would never forgive him on the radio.
Jobo Baldie
21:00 on 26 May, 2015
I knew it was somewhere along those lines to use the credit card – cheers
gordybhoy64
There was a post a month or so ago(quite possibly by weet weet weet)about stoopid quiz answers.
It was very funny and 1 of the answers was similar to that.
Question was something like…..who was shot in Dallas in 1963?
Contestant answered…..don’t know….wasn’t watching it then.
There were some belters :)
Morrissey the 23rd
20:06 on
26 May, 2015
I recommend watching and sharing this.
WESTMONSTER:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oCNiiH_Xqs
Its 3:26 minutes can you pinpoint any specific areas or do I have to bookmark for later
HH
hamiltontim
You haven’t seen anything yet. Just wait and see if the UK bill of rights gets drafted and put to use.
That will be the case for everyday life let alone going to the football.
Almore
Cheers pal it was a pleasure as usual. Well done on your fundraising efforts, I’ve got soak the teacher a week on Tuesday! :-)
!!bada bing!!
19:37 on 26 May, 2015
excathedra44-the penalty Oldco got v Dunfermline that day, is up there with as bad as you’ve ever seen, among some stiff competition obviously
———
Correct. A staggering decision.
Stan and Stefan,
Sutton used to occasionally take St Cadocs u14s for training.
One of the first tricks he taught the forwards was how to foul the defender and win a free kick.
Also one day he stopped at the roadworks at Newton Mearns and the Celtic fan who was wearing the hoops every day , stopped and gave him 2 tickets for a key game against Oldco.
Sutton made some stupid comments, but deep down he is a Celtic Man.
Dena
Many thanks for your efforts supporting this G they’re really appreciated.
MT
You’re welcome my friend. He’s a great bhoy from great stock.
UTLR
Morrissey the 23rd
It was a bonus seeing you on Sunday sir,I had forgot about the money thing:))).
IMHO the “glib and shameless liars plan has always been to pick up a carcass for a pittance ,Big Huands Green and Mash ruined his plan to collapse them by deperiving them of money through jar jar binks and the SoS crew assisted by a friendly media.
Now they are threatening to take away Mashs voting rights , blatantly looks to me like they are trying to get Mash to force an insolvency event so they can get on with 3rd rankers plan.
stupid stupid peepil:))))
The Long Wait is Over-Take a look at @jnicol1888’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/jnicol1888/status/602884307196186624?s=08
Almore
Posted yesterday my thanks for your generosity which knows no bounds. The Shirt definitely has a resonance. Keep the faith and go raibh mhaith agat. Lorcan will wear it with pride.
MT
Sean will be in my thoughts and prayers on Friday.
Let justice prevail.
dena 10.00 his friend Michael has had to travel from Belfast for it. Shocking.
Thank you I appreciate your kindness.
HH
KTF
Utlr
Gearoid
Glad you got sorted on the earlier boat home.
Was looking forward to a chat after the match over a beer though.
Shall make a date next season.
HH
Bada
cheers but can’t get any video of clip to play. – might be an iPad thing.
heroes are forever
I’m sorry I cant donate when I was completeing my details the lock which signifies a safe payment changes to a small triangle telling me the page could be looked at by others in transit and is not secure…….I know its probably my inability to update details but dont know how to… do you have a paypal account ?
HH
HT: ditto.
Gearóid: haven’t read back but I knew you’d appreciate it. When I take the students to Scotland and we arrive in Belfast for the ferry I tell them about the United Irishmen. Most of them never heard of them. I blame their teachers:
Bada and any one else
Clip is on YouTube now
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty65FkFUsHg
Got to admire the guys honesty….
Almore
Great fund raising effort.
Did the pupils video your humiliation? ;)
Almore
Yer too kind and yer making me blush.
Would gladly do some stuff.
It would be a pleasure….and perhaps a little redemption for me.
Ordinarily if i say im going to do something, i do it, but i let Serenity down with something he was working on for Kano.
Long story but ultimately i let him down with such a worthy cause and im still ashamed.
It won’t change that but if it helps in some way for something else then id love to get another chance.
Almore
Students who never heard of the United irishmen. .seems bizarre
Almore…..sorry…..it was great to see you again btw :)
Still convinced you should have a big white beard.
Might Tim
I hope and pray justice prevails for Sean.
Gearoid. Pleasure to meet/cuddle you pal.
HH jamesgang
Sorry for long post but this is why it’s worth the effort.
Campaign News
Following his acquittal today (26/5/15) on an Offensive Behaviour charge, we hear from one young man about what happened to him as a result of this legislation.
I have been a Hamilton Accies fan since their return to Hamilton in 2004. On Wednesday 24/09/14 I attended the Accies V Motherwell match. I sit in section A the closest section to the away support which is known as the “singing section”. The aforementioned match was portrayed as the shame game between the two clubs due to numerous arrests during after the match; myself included as I was arrested during the game.
I was charged at Hamilton police office for a contravention of Section 1 of The Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012. I was alleged to have shouted and gesticulated in a manner which was likely to cause public disorder at a regulated football match.
Here and now is my story:
I entered the ground at 7:48, 3 mins after kick off, and took up my usual seat in section A. I was then subjected to numerous coins,lighters etc being thrown from the Motherwell support (although I stress both sides were doing this). I did not partake in this and subsequently approached a police officer and asked about the safety of the game. I quote his words “I’m not interested”. I returned to my position again but returned to the same police officer again when a flare which was lit by the Motherwell support was thrown into the home end landing close to my location (the unlit part of the flare). I was again told “I’m not interested go away!” I did so, returning again to my position. I approached him again a 3rd time after a coin landed 4-5 ft away from me. This time I was forcibly pushed away and told again “I’m not interested go away”.
I came back to my seat for a 3rd time and watched the game and taking part in the usual singing etc that takes place at a football match.
I went to the toilet before the end of the first half and whilst watching the game from the stairwell I felt two hands on my back and at this point I realised I was being ejected from the stadium. I had no idea why.
Outside the stadium I was held by two police officers and a short time later a police van arrived. I was taken to Hamilton police office where I was processed and charged under Section 1 the Offensive Behaviour Act. I appeared at court the following day and was bailed with the conditions not to attend SFA regulated matches.
On the 22/4/2015 my full trial took place. I gave evidence alongside 3 police witnesses and have detailed below their accounts along with inconsistencies between them.
Cop 1 gave the following evidence
I never approached him at any point. He claimed he approached me to politely ask me to calm down. I swear, call him names and make implied threats against the Motherwell fans eg ‘if you don’t do something we will.’
He was completely unaware of any flares.
I was ‘fended’ away 3 times as I was invading his personal space. (So, I don’t move away, how long would this have taken (2-3 minutes, 5 minutes tops)and 2 Cops stood together could easily have removed me down the stairs.)
I finally return to my seat.
I am watched from trackside despite the 12ft high wall…they see me clearly??
Normal procedure is for arrests to be made after camera evidence is utilised. (handheld or CCTV).
No camera evidence exists – west stand CCTV is focused on Motherwell fans……(strange given Police requirement to disperse Accies fans)
I go to the toilet just before half time.
I was charged and cautioned outside the ground.
There was no discussion in the van.
Cop 2
He heard what I said, as he is stood right next to Cop 1 (though the words are slightly different).
He suggests I don’t move away – thinks there are 3 fend offs but doesn’t seem certain. (How long would that all have taken – maybe 2-3 minutes, 5 minutes to ps?In a short space of time a Cop would be really frustrated and would take action.)
He is fully aware of flare (s) and even notices it landing on the pitch…………Cop 1 stood beside doesn’t notice??
I finally return to my seat.
I am watched from trackside despite the 12ft high wall…they see me clearly??
He doesn’t see me taken out of the ground and has no involvement in the arrest.
Cop 3
He sees me approach Cop 1 3 times but seems to suggest I go away and come back contradicting Cops 1 and 2 but confirming my version of events.
He watches me after Cops 1 and 2 return trackside and who have said I return to my seat but despite the 12ft wall…he sees me clearly??
He sees the flare in the Motherwell end, he hears the radio chatter about it. He doesnt see it land on the pitch despite being constantly trackside.
He is involved in me being removed from the ground close to half time.
He states I am cautioned and charged in the public order vehicle (with internal Perspex box though the perspex causes no communication issues. This contradicts Cop 1 who flat out denies speaking to me inside the vehicle.)
My defence witnesses did not give evidence on this day as the court ran out of time and a part heard trial was arranged for the 26/5/2015.
My two defence witnesses gave evidence and gave their accounts of the evening supporting my version that I didn’t do what the police have alleged.
At approximately 13:11 today (26/5) I was found Not Guilty of the aforementioned charge as the sheriff concluded that there was reasonable doubt that I was the person involved.
I’m glad and relieved justice has been done and that I have proved my innocence.
I would like to thank my family & friends for standing by me throughout this time and supporting me. I would like to thank FAC (who aren’t just an organisation for Celtic fans but for all) for all their advice and support throughout this ordeal.
I’m glad the correct and just result has been concluded and hope that no one has the same feelings of injustice that I have. I’ve had to miss the greatest run in my clubs history; a chance to see 4-0 & 5-0 v ironically our great rivals Motherwell; a 1-0 victory at Celtic park our first in 75 years ( can feel the Celtic support on my back ha!) and the chance to say goodbye to a man who served us for over 10 years as player and manager and guided us through the greatest time in our history, Alex Neil.
I urge and implore anyone that hasn’t yet signed the petition regarding this disgusting and ludicrous act to do it now. It demonises all football fans for simply being that – fans of the game we all love !
The fight starts now to repeal this horrible act.
Thanks for reading #killthebill
Hamiltontim
I’m just sorry I cant do more
my offer is still open for the Ballymena csc diner dance on 26th June if needed
HH
mighty tim supporting wee Oscar
21:18 on
26 May, 2015
dena 10.00 his friend Michael has had to travel from Belfast for it. Shocking.
Thank you I appreciate your kindness.
HH
reminder has been set on hone to light candle at 9:30 God Bless
HH
on hone should read
on phone
sorry
HH
Delanys Dunky: they did. I’ll try and get some footage.
WITS: Typical students, they say they never heard, doesn’t mean they weren’t told:)
ThunderRoad: I might have one for the next visit:) Seriously though, if you could do something it would be great. I know lots of people who would love your work
Dena
If you need anymore sheets let me know and I’ll post them over. Alternatively you can print them off from the Celtic Trust website.
Can’t believe that I had never seen this before now –
https://youtu.be/6yfSrndU27k (Video in full: SFL announce Rangers will be admitted into Third Division)
HT
Blatant lies from Police Scotland……disgraceful
And in these times of austerity an outrageous waste of public money
HT-truly disgusting mate,keep up the good work.HH
dena29 @ 21:06
It is worth watching every minute of it.
HT
Lying bandits Police Scotland.
Shocking but not surprising to read.
Thank you for fighting for justice.