I wasn’t engaged in Celtic politics 20 years ago, never attended the Celts for Change meetings and I wasn’t there to hear ‘The rebels have won!’ in person, but it was clear the Celtic Movement had achieved a remarkable revolution.
The old board’s biggest failing was its lack of strategy. 20 years on Fergus McCann rightly receives the plaudits for putting his money where his mouth was but until that very week he was merely one cog in the machine. Celts for Change were the advance party, others, such as McCann and John Keane were the generals, playing a critical role in the revolution, while the circa 30,000 fans who came forward to buy season tickets and shares were the foot soldiers who did the heavy lifting.
It cost £620 to participate in the subsequent share issue. People borrowed money in order to do their bit – in order to help Celtic, while others clubbed together to raise the target amount. This was an era when credit was even less pervasive as it has been in recent years. Thousands ‘did without’ to make this happen, and no one knew this more than Fergus.
The Revolution came 20 years after Jock Stein’s world record nine-in-a-row, but the intervening period brought obscurity in Europe, only once did we progress beyond Christmas and that was after overcoming Dundalk and Partizan Tirana. Six league titles were won.
The 20 years since have produced nine titles, with another in the oven, while former directors of former clubs are talking about the prospect of Celtic winning 10-in-a-row. We’ve had Seville, and lots of genuinely great achievements in the Champions League. It has been a fantastic two decades.
The one thing Fergus drove most thoroughly was his vision of the club’s social mission. Bhoys against Bigotry and Celtic Charity were launched and put squarely in the middle of who we are as a club. The renamed Celtic Foundation has grown and now engages thousands of fans each year in outstanding feats of generosity. If we are not ‘just another club’ this is the reason. If you’re not involved, get involved.
Over the years I’ve heard talk about a monument to Fergus, which would be entirely inappropriate, the man is a low-profile pragmatist, but we’re overlooking the biggest monument in sport. When he took over as managing director, Celtic Park was a magnificent football arena but fit only for our memories. We needed a safe, all-seater stadium. He raised £14m at a share issue, built the biggest football stadium in Britain apart from the decrepit Wembley, and left five years later with the club around £2.5m in debt.
It was an economic miracle which still beggars belief. I cannot explain how on earth this was achieved.
So Fergus, take a bow, you were years ahead of your time; ruthlessly uncompromising, just when we needed the same, but to those who only wanted to do their bit, without a wish for credit or glory, treat yourself this Pancake Tuesday, you deserve it. Every goal since is down to you.
Congratulations to Peter Lawwell on his appointment to the executive board of the European Club Association (ECA), alongside Bayern’s Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Milan’s Umberto Gandini, Ajax’ van der Sar and Ivan Gazidis of Arsenal; a heavy-hitting team. The appointment reflects not only on Peter Lawwell but on the fans and everyone who makes the club what it is.
Celtic are the club who more than any other in Europe have been disenfranchised by the drift of football success away from meritocracy to TV markets. Denied access to the TV markets neighbours enjoy, their status will inevitably decline further compared to those in other territories.
Do the ECA care? They will now. If football is to continue its 150 year tradition as a meritocratic sport, structural change must come. Celtic have been promoting this message consistently for years, so the ECA know who they have invited into the room. Let’s get on with it.
Seville, The Celtic Movement, launches this month.
“The long walk home from the game was memorable for the incredible reaction we got from the locals. They applauded each of us as we walked past their homes in recognition of what took place in their city throughout the day. Things like this don’t happen but that day was different. Seville, like Lisbon, will always remember Celtic.”
Order yours below:
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What lucky CQTeners are at table 9 with me & Bazzabhoy?
So what can Celtic do if their plea re the bill gets ignored or defeated?
Brian Dempsey on ssb
Another one that doesent know me, but thinks he does, show me where I said they are infallible, or did you just make that up?asonofdan
18:25 on 4 March, 2014
Does tonydonnelly67 exclusively own Celtic? Reading back he comes out with some absolute pash. The board never do any wrong? ffs gie us peace. They are human beings with their own set of values & politics to describe them as infallible is just nuts.
Floor Plan for Virtual CQten ticket holders
http://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKFTT/TC/2012/TC02372.html
Great to see Celtic coming out strongly against the OBA, hopefully no more Celtic supporters will have to go through what some Celtic supporters have had to go through since this Bill became Law.
LTPS
Celtic have asked for a review of OBaFGA to be brought forward, it’s unhelpful and counter productive according to the club.
Hallelujah.
Sorry if already reported not read back.
Offensive behaviour at Football Grounds Act.
adi_dasler
18:34 on 4 March, 2014
There’s just no helping the Huns is there :-) HH
Good Evening Timland.
Been lurking all day, first the Antipodean warlords kiss and
make up……then HT an TD kick off,great stuff bhoys
realhoosewifesofcqnCSC.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26435443
King happy to talk to The Ranger but also contains the following snippet – Meanwhile, Rangers have appointed Philip Nash as their new company secretary, Companies House has announced.
It comes two months after they announced that the former Liverpool and Arsenal financial consultant’s services would be used to overhaul their finances.
Now Rangers have confirmed that he has become the new secretary, replacing Brian Stockbridge, who also served as the club’s finance director and resigned on 24 January.
Hunskelper
These are the type of people who should never be near a mic
Bigot
John O’Neil
18:16 on 4 March, 2014
Hamilton tim,
‘It was an essay which was eventually published by The Times. However, it is also in some later editions of ‘Animal Farm’.’
####
Which essay was that?
winning captains,
I’m sure there are going to be calls for transparency on the method used to allocate CQNers to tables.
Especially from those of us who appear to be stuck at the back miles from the screens ….
Celtic Football Club statement
By: Newsroom Staff on 04 Mar, 2014 17:14
CELTIC have called for a review of the Offensive Behaviour at Football Grounds Act to be brought forward and have labelled it ´unhelpful and counter-productive´.
The Scottish Government introduced the legislation in 2012 and promised a review after two full football seasons of operation. However, Celtic believe that there is already sufficient evidence of the Act´s ´unhelpfulness and negative impacts´ to justify an immediate review with action to follow.
Celtic have all along opposed this legislation which has been used to create a general presumption that different laws should apply to football supporters as distinct from society as a whole.
This has inevitably led to a sense of discrimination across Scottish football and has brought the law into disrepute when tested in the criminal courts. It has also acted as a barrier to our own efforts to encourage supporters to behave in a way which is consistent with the club´s proud history and reputation.
We believe the Scottish Government should review, as a matter of urgency, the way in which this unhelpful and counter-productive Act is operating.
Celtic have always valued a positive relationship with the police and we are concerned that they too have now been put in the position of enforcing legislation which is provocative and does not command widespread respect.
The Scottish Government has conceded the need to review the workings of the legislation but we see no need for delay since there is plenty of evidence available, not least from the comments of Sheriffs who have had to deal with cases arising from it.
It would be helpful if the new season could kick off in August with these issues resolved so that everyone could concentrate on promoting the best possible environment for Scottish football and marginalising unwelcome influences which attach themselves to it.
An early review of controversial laws on cutting religious sectarian abuse at football games would be nonsensical, the minister in charge has said.
Roseanna Cunningham rejected suggestions to look at the legislation ahead of a previously agreed August 2015 deadline.
Ms Cunningham told MSPs the review in hand would be a “solid piece of work”.
Fans groups have raised concern about the laws, brought into force in 2012, and Celtic urged an immediate review.
The Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act gave police and prosecutors additional powers to crack down on sectarian songs and abuse at football matches.
The legislation, which also aims to stamp out threatening behaviour posted on the internet or by mail, was passed with an agreement that the Scottish government would review it after two seasons and report back to parliament.
Legislation ‘tweaks’
It created two distinct offences, punishable through a range of penalties including up to a maximum five years in prison and an unlimited fine.
Continue reading the main story
“
Start Quote
This has inevitably led to a sense of discrimination across Scottish football”
Celtic Football Club statement
The Scottish Parliament justice committee previously considered an early review after hearing representations from the fans who said the laws were having a disproportionate impact on ordinary supporters.
Ms Cunningham told the committee the Stirling University researchers conducting the review would not have all the information they needed until August this year.
The community safety minister added: “I just don’t really see any great need for that to be changed.
“I couldn’t now step in and ask them to do something differently to what they’ve been instructed.”
‘Independent researchers’
The minister added:”That process, because it’s being done independently, because it’s being done through Stirling University, is going to give a proper, comprehensive, quality-assured, evidence-based evaluation which will be – I hesitate to say incontrovertible, because nothing is ever incontrovertible – but it will be as solid a piece of work as you could possibly expect.”
Asked if anything could happen before the 2015 deadline, such as an interim report, Ms Cunningham replied: “No, it would be nonsensical to do something while this review was ongoing when we know the review is going to be published – they’re the independent researchers, they’re the ones that will be able to tell us something needs to be tweaked or not.”
In response, Celtic Football Club called for a review of the Act’s “unhelpful and counter-productive” impact to be brought forward.
A statement added: “Celtic have all along opposed this legislation which has been used to create a general presumption that different laws should apply to football supporters as distinct from society as a whole.
“This has inevitably led to a sense of discrimination across Scottish football and has brought the law into disrepute when tested in the criminal courts.
“It has also acted as a barrier to our own efforts to encourage supporters to behave in a way which is consistent with the club’s proud history and reputation.”
BSR
Thought that was an aerial view of one of the tablecloths?
Gordon – ah but they are nearer the bar! BRTH stuck all his drinking buddies on those tables as he reckons he’ll get bought a pint or two!
If you don’t yet(why don’t you!)have a ticket for CQteN, I’ve been asked to offer another two tickets for the poor souls who don’t have their ticket yet.
If you want to come along to the only show in town…….
doccqten@gmail.com
anditsthepoleagain-looks like the Sleazedales are digging in for the long haul…..
winning captains,
I knew there would be a reason …
Finally finally finally celtic do what’s right. The statement is still mealy mouthed but it’s a start. Celtic should have made reference to dawn raids and ruining of young lives and prospects.
It was always for me a no brainer to publicly back the support. The board are far too conservative and need to trust the support and back us more.
At last a start. But the police have effectively been backed here and that’s just pathetic.
C’mon celtic go the distance.
Celtic should also be furious about the so called debate on where to play theROI game. This debate us sectarian nonsense.
I’m beginning to believe that Chuckles Green was telling the truth when he stated that there was 500 million sevco fans worldwide.
There is after all, in the region of 500 million different supporters organisations for them to choose from.
praecepta
Ha – clean tablecloths
Is John Kerry the product of a showroom dummy mating season?
Ernie, I posted the title earlier.a
Gordon_J
Lurkers in the background
I received my 10 tickets for CQteN today, cannot wait, should be a great night…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
NegAnon2-Why were the Club so compliant in allowing indiscriminate filming of fans by the FOCUS mob?
bournesouprecipe,
Presumably posters get name badges and lurkers don’t ?
For what it is worth.
George Orwell .?
I assume the essay in question is ———–
The Freedom of The Press.
Memory says it first saw the light in the early 70s . Probably in the TLS and accompanied by a backdrop blurb written by Bernard Crick.
adi_dasler
18:46 on 4 March, 2014
How ferguson got that gig is beyond me, well am sure a handshake and goat where involved somewhere down the line but the guy can’t string a coherent sentence together :-) HH
tonydonnelly67
(and others)
17:50 on
4 March, 2014
The genesis is this, based on the meetings I attended, was:.
The Open Meeting of Celtic Supporters organised by the Celtic Trust but NOT a Celtic Trust meeting raised the issue of the OBB to which Celtic responded as follows
Q What is Celtic’s stance on the Offensive Behaviour at Football/Threatening Communication Act and when will they publically declare this?
Celtic publicly opposed the Bill and has since made its concerns regarding the operation of the Act public.
A. Celtic’s stance in relation to the Act was made clear in its submission to the Scottish Parliament Justice Committee in August 2011, a copy of which is attached. The Club’s position was developed following consultation with several supporters’ groups and having taken detailed legal advice on the content and possible effect of the legislation. In summary, whilst supportive of the Scottish Government in tackling sectarianism and extremes of behaviour, the Club made clear that it considered that the legislation was unnecessary and that the existing legal framework should be applied. In particular, the Club raised specific concerns regarding the potential for discrimination against football supporters and the potential for confusion in the application and enforcement of the legislation. The Club’s position was that it is wrong in principle to criminalise an individual for being a football supporter, and linked in some way to the occurrence of a football match, rather than his or her behaviour. The Joint Action Group formed in the spring of 2011, in which the Club participated fully, had agreed that the problems identified were not ones for football alone and affected Scottish society as a whole. The Club also identified that there was substantial potential for confusion regarding the scope and enforceability of the legislation, including the wide definition of “offensive behaviour”.
The Club’s submission was published on the Club’s website at the time of submission and is also available on the Scottish Government’s website regarding the Act.
• Why has the Club been silent since the introduction of the Act given it is an issue which is causing many members of its support great concern and distress?
After the Act was passed by the Scottish Parliament and came into force, Celtic has continued to work with the Scottish Government to explain our concerns and the concerns of our supporters. For example, on 11 April 2013, the Chief Executive wrote to the First Minister explaining that Celtic’s concerns regarding the Act remained and requesting that the Club be involved in the review of the legislation. The letter explained that the experience since implementation of the Act had evidenced the difficulties arising in connection with the application and enforcement of the legislation, and noted that concerns had been expressed by Fans Against Criminalisation as well as the Club’s supporter organisations and wider supporter base. The First Minister responded, giving an assurance that the Club would be involved in the review process and inviting the Chief Executive to meet with the Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs to explain the Club’s views and to discuss the Government’s plans for the review of the Act. The Chief Executive met with the Minister on 4 June and 2 October 2013 to explain the concerns that the Club and its supporters had concerning the legislation, providing examples of the concerns held by our supporters around the statistics published (the summary had been provided to the Club by the Trust), and making clear the genuine doubt among supporters as to what is, or is not, unlawful. During that process, the Minister made clear that the Government is committed to involving the Club in the review of that Act, but that the review period would be two full football seasons, as provided in the Act. Given the nature of the concerns raised by our supporters, the Chief Executive wrote to the Minister on 4 October 2013 asking that the review of the legislation be brought forward. The Minister responded on 20 November, reiterating the Government’s intention to adhere to the timetable recommended by the Justice Committee and agreed by the Scottish Parliament. The Minister repeated the Government’s commitment to involve the Club in the review process. The Club has also raised the issue at the Scottish Professional Football League. Given the clarification that the review process will not be brought forward, the Club will participate fully in the review of the Act and will work with our supporter organisations as part of that process.
The same issue was raised at the Supporters Forum to which Celtic responded (and I posted earlier)
Q.The Club has stated its opposition to the OBTC Act but there is a sense that it has to do more in support of the fans who are affected by this, will the Club take a more vocal position?
A. It has always been a fundamental part of the Club’s objection that the legislation discriminates against football supporters, criminalising them for being a football supporter, rather than for the nature of any behaviour. The Club made its position public on the Act through its submission to the Scottish Government and we have delivered public comment on a number of occasions outlining our opposition regarding this legislation. We will continue to do this where appropriate and are already planning to develop this further.
Having attended both meetings my observation is that Celtic realised when the supporters themselves were expressing their feelings face to face to the Celtic management team which included Peter Lawwell that they realised something had to be done.
It was the personal platform that the Supporters Forum provided that more than anything got the point across and that is not to diminish in any way the role played by the Open Meeting.
At that Open Meeting a question that was raised was how does the message get across to Celtic, how do we make things happen?
Well the how was answered at the Supporters forum. The passion behind the argument was the same BUT it was the presence of those able to act that made the difference.
But lets not get caught up in who gets the credit for the answer is everyone does.
Bada,
Maybe cos it was indiscriminate.
If you want to be seen as a CQNer at CQteN what better way than to have a CQN beanie hat, £15 each, your very own blog name and CQN….
http://twitpic.com/dwqd3p
hatsfrompat@celticquicknews.co.uk
Good evening all
Lambs, their like busses, you wait long enough for one,, and twins are born. Just an hour ago. A wee ewe and a wee tup. That’s my easy evenings dealt with. :-))
Weefra HH supporting Wee Oscar.
Bang.
This has inevitably led to a sense of discrimination across Scottish football and has brought the law into disrepute when tested in the criminal courts.
I’ve just seen the news that Celtic have asked for an immediate review of the bill. Very welcome news and good to see they are taking the concerns of supporters on board.
Hopefully all the emailing to mp’s and msp’s will see this review happen.
Well done Celtic