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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Brogan,
No. Some see every BAD decision is made by Peter lawwell. The good ones are made by….well….someone else.
That’s if we make any good decisions. What are we like eh!? ;p
Ah used to get lifted intae the front stand for nothing
Chaps – sorry if already covered but any idea what time CQTen is likely to finish?
Thinking of trains back to Edinburgh…!
Just caught the brief highlights of the Scotland v Poland game there and it got me thinking about our captain.
Many on here bemoan his passing, sometimes quite rightly so.
I’ve come to the conclusion that……Broony…..yer bloody left footed!!! :)
Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Oscar Knox, MacKenzie Furniss and anyone else who fights Neuroblastoma
21:43 on
5 March, 2014
Good Evening.
Hard as it is to believe, we are starting to put together the next issue of CQN Magazine in which we want to include some interesting and topical (hopefully) articles.
If anyone wishes to write something for the magazine can they contact me at editor@cqnmagazine.com with their suggestions, and similarly if there is an issue which you think we should focus on then again send me an e-mail. There are certain issues that we are already looking into and if there are lots and lots of replies then please forgive me if I am unable to respond to each one individually.
To other matters:
I wonder?
With all of the chat about Fregus McCann and his struggle with the “old board”, and the separate discussion about things like Celtic’s recent statement about the Offensive Behaviour Act ( notwithstanding Graeme Spiers’ article ) and the notion expressed by some that the Celtic Board and Peter Lawell are due criticism — various thoughts have gone through my mind.
Cast your mind back to the board of Robert Kelly, Jimmy Farrell, Desmond White and so on and ask yourself this question.
Could that Board of Directors have successfully managed the business of Celtic Football Club in the 21st Century?
This of course is the board that was in situ when the club ruled Europe in footballing terms, but I think it is obvious that this same board could not cope with the business ( footballing and otherwise ) of the Celtic of today.
The same goes for the board of Michael Kelly, Chris White, Tom Grant, Jack McGinn etc.
Could the board assembled and dismantled by Fergus deal with the modern day business of Celtic? I don’t think so, and I think Fergus would have had the foresight to bring in some strong personnel to assist him in the task.
That then takes us to the current board and Peter Lawell.
Could it be that the metamorphosis of The Celtic Boardroom that was started by Fergus is not yet complete?
Peter Lawell has been in charge for several years now and there is the impression and perception that every single decision within the club is personally approved and overseen by Lawell himself when this is patently impossible.
The board and management of any sizeable PLC must be a constantly shifting and changing beast especially if the company itself is changing in terms of performance and key market influences such as repeated champions league income or increased activities because of the internet.
Against the climate of a Government wanting to bring in legislation which was always going to effect the club, should the board not have been smarter in the past in terms of employing or utilising proper political and social lobbyists who could speak from the outset about the consequences of potential legislation and how it would affect both the club and its members or customers if you prefer to look at them that way.
Perhaps it is just me, but I detect a shifting of emphasis coming from Kerrydale Street where at long last there has been a definitive statement speaking out against clearly poor legislation.
I am less inclined to look at what Celtic PLC has done in the past and would prefer to focus on what the board of management should do in the immediate and long term future in terms of policy.
Peter Lawell cannot be personally responsible for each and every steward or policrman who is heavy handed or rude, but if there is a concerted and prolonged feeling amongst the fans or customers that stewarding and policing within the ground is a big issue which has a negative impact on the club, then this would suggest that whatever management he has put in place to ensure the smooth running of these areas is not working and so a different approach is required.
Sometimes, that may involve acknowledging that your initial approach to a problem was misguided and that there would be merit to a complete volte face and change of mind.
No one person can run a business the size of Celtic and as each decade passes the challenges facing those who run the club will change with the result that the board will be forced to draw on areas of expertise which they did not need before.
Lawell is a very VERY good business manager.
Perhaps when it comes to dealing with the Police, Parliament and other areas he should be looking to appoint people of a similar calibre to himself to fulfill the everchanging key roles that running a club like Celtic requires in the 21st century.
Celtic need a social Director, a technology Director ( Yes I know Lord BT of Parkhead is there but is a part time non exec sufficient imput in such a key area ) an experienced Public Relations Director and one or two others in my opinion.
Hopefully the recent statement marks a hardening of attitudes towards the mal treatment of fans and perceived over policing of football fans both in and outwith the ground plus a considered and well planned exercise in bringing your own customer base closer to the club by way of better dialogue between the executive and the massed fanbase.
A board of management should always be changing, always be improving, always adapting to the changes in society and Government that will inevitably take place at any point in time.
Finally last night there was a discussion about youth and football — well youth and a fresh attitude have a place in boardrooms and management positions as well.
Malorbhoy
21:48 on
5 March, 2014
winning captains
BRTH
I Propose you for Social Director, do I have a Seconder
mickbhoy1888
21:55 on
5 March, 2014
Ah used to get lifted intae the front stand for nothing
Mickybhoy
Ah used tae get thrown oot the Jungle fur nuthin:-)
Auldheid
Some supply experience and wisdom, some supply the radicalism and newness of youth.
Some supply technical ability, whilst others supply passion and soul.
Besides which I know that you are really only 26!
Natknow
I think ot posted a couply pages back that its a 0100 finish.
Geordie Munro
22:01 on
5 March, 2014
Natknow
I think ot posted a couply pages back that its a 0100 finish.
——————————————————–
Will I still get a train at that time?!! :-)))
Great goal by Broonie. I know now what he’s been doing wrong. Shooting with his right foot.
Fabulous stadium in Warsaw.
Wee Gordon doing what he does best; playing things down; knowing what the Scottish media are like.
That Ikechi Anya; is he related to Clannad?
Peter Martin or McGuire; great face for the radio.
“Besides which I know that you are really only 26!”
Ha!
The old ‘born on the 29th of February’ trick!
;)
Totally off topic,
Lost the youngest of the lambs born last night. Wee soul had problems not associated with the breed. She was just too weak. Fortunately, the tup looks like a prize winner. A wee bit of happiness. :-(( : :-)))
Weefra HH supporting Wee Oscar.
Natknow.
I wouldn’t think so.
Sumbdys sofa for you ;)
Night all. Night wee Oscar my hero!! God bless x
Geordie Munro
22:09 on
5 March, 2014
Natknow.
I wouldn’t think so.
Sumbdys sofa for you ;)
———————————–
Ah well. My choices are bunk up at my old mums or drive the train myself!
Anyone got a link for Broonies goal?
weefrathetim
Sorry to hear about the lamb , hope the rest of the lambing season goes well.
Enjoy reading your posts from the farm .
HH
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faEJVmAfbX4&feature=player_embedded broonie goal
Nat know
Toot toot.
You know you wanna!
But the visit to yer mum’s might be much safer;)
BRTH
A lot of good points.
My perception is that the board don’t feel the need to explain their decisions to the support. They are all more intelligent and accomplished than me but , amongst a long list of others, I’d like to know why they thought it acceptable not to oppose Ogilvie’s re-election? I want to know why PL doesn’t seem to bat an eyelid at joining the SFA board given what they have overseen in that last 2 years (or 100). Our new ‘influence’ or ‘leverage’ doesn’t seem to extend to taking decisions to issue life bans to players who bet against their own teams, or define a fair and just policy for insolvent clubs. There is something murky going on within hampden and it does not sit easy with me that our CEO now has his feet under the table.
The lines of communication can increase but if that communication is not frank and forthright it’s ineffective. However I would admit that recent statements on mythical land deals and yesterdays OBAF left you in no doubt.
I’ve always said only 5% of the missing 20k at home games is down to no old firm. If the PR issues and transparency on governance concerns had been resolved I think it would be a much happier ship.
fourgreenfields
Thanks for that, will keep you all updated on a regular basis. Going up to the byre shortly to check for more miracles. None expected tonight, but neither were they last night. I wish to feck they would lamb during the day!!! :-)))
Weefra HH supporting Wee Oscar.
Scotland!!
i’ m probably in the minority but i feel physically sick that any Celtic player pulls on a Scotland strip , the amount of effort Celtic fans are putting in , on behalf of fans subjected to injustice by this government and SFA and fans are backing them , yet we look to sanction our club for lack of actions against the two not for me lads , just my opinion.
Another thought, maybe PL is trying to sanatise the club of dubious songs for our venture into another league . G/night all :((
A debate by more learned men on the OBB
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=D2oOD16rZJs
brogan rogan trevino and hogan supports oscar knox, mackenzie furniss and anyone else who fights neuroblastoma
22:00 on 5 March, 2014
Auldheid
Some supply experience and wisdom, some supply the radicalism and newness of youth.
Some supply technical ability, whilst others supply passion and soul.
Besides which I know that you are really only 26!
Dug years?
Kikinthenakas
Charliebhoy.
Cheers, great goal.
weefrathetim
No problem mate , good luck tonight .
Looking forward to the updates.
HH
NatKnow – Supporting Wee Oscar @ 21:57
Chaps – sorry if already covered but any idea what time CQTen is likely to finish? Thinking of trains back to Edinburgh…
There’s a bus from Buchanan at 1:30 and 3:00. I got the 1:30 back after Oscar’s night and the polis lifted 3 guys before we eventually left! Why I’m staying over (Babbity Bowsters no less).
“i’ m probably in the minority but i feel physically sick that any Celtic player pulls on a Scotland strip”
Good grief
fourgreenfields
Cheers buddy, will do. HH
Weefra HH supporting Wee Oscar.
Malorbhoy.
I just saw your mail,I’ve answered it.
WeeFra
Genuinely sorry to hear that wee fella fingers crossed for the other one :-)
weefrathetim
22:08 on 5 March, 2014
—
Sorry to hear about the wee lamb :-(
BRTH/WC
Does jeans with shoes count as smart casual???
Or do you mean an intelligent football hooligan?
fourgreenfields if someone is wearing their Spider-man jammies I’m sure they won’t make it out the polo lounge for an afternoon with Gary :-)
Wee interesting chat with my bus driving sevco neighbour. Why on Monday was the Easdales garage in Inchinnan full of spiv like characters. All the drivers got a free lunch in pub next door as the canteen been taken over by Easdales.
Said neighbour is very sad but don’t have the heart to put him out of his misery.
IcansmellshiteCSC
Marspapa.
What kind of comment is that, If they’re picked to play for Scotland they will be proud to do so.
Why don’t you go back to Mars.
Biton injured playing for Israel tonight, possible muscle tear in thigh.
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar
Suited & Booted for this Bhoy :)))