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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Top of the morning to you all from a Fife where the clouds are heavy and full of rain.
Good news for Broonie less so for Biton. I watched the Ireland game and thought they had a good game against a good team. Martin will get it right with this team I think as he has them working their socks off.
From last night:
owen
23:27 on 5 March, 2014
Big Nan
I do not think anyone believes Celtic were not informed about the bill, Celtic have stated that they did receive some information but that they did not feel they had been given enough to unequivocally back the bill.
In the passage you quoted one section stands out for me
“2.1 Members were provided with an overview of the provisions of the Bill and the intentions behind it.”
Note the term “overview” not “draft copy”, not “Final draft”. To me an overview is an abridged version covering the headlines without going into line by line detail.
I could be wrong, and frequently am, but there does not seem to be a smoking gun here showing Celtic as the driving force behind this bill.
######################################
Owen, I am often wrong myself, but in this case whenever the Draft Bill was published in parliament and on their website, 16 June 2011 it was clear to most what this was about.
The prospect of handing the power of judge and jury to a Glasgow bobby to determine when someone was committing a crime and when they weren’t was never going to be kind to Celtic fans.
Your average Glasgow polis is typically a Rangers fan/Mason and with the words of praise for the wonderful atmosphere of the CIS League Cup Final from Ass Chief Constable Campbell Corrigan still ringing in my ears I made a written submission to the Bill opposing it.
The doviest man in Dovytown knew what it was about before Christine Grahame let slip it was about “evening up”.
We will never know why the late Paul McBride supported it, but can guess with some confidence it was a political decision rather than one with his Celtic scarf on.
The happy clappers have changed tack and instead of denying that Celtic backed this legislation they are now saying “Peter is such a busy man”, “threat of civil disorder” blah, blah, blah.
The sad fact is that many, many of us saw this coming and I was one of many who could never understand why Celtic got in bed with those who would see tumbleweed rolling across the terraces, but they have.
The GB are gone, but Celtic’s, yes Celtic’s Frankenstein creation, FoCUS, will still need arrests.
The result is as tragic as it is predictable, many young people will have their lives blighted by arrest, detention and in some cases even jail for what? To even up statistics that were shameful. but shredded, showing we are far more likely to be the victim than the perpetrator of sectarian attacks.
So whose side am I on, the side of those who are targets of the “kettling”, the dawn raids, the detention?
Or the board who couldn’t see this coming and simply join in the chorus of whatever the DR/BBC decide will be the theme tune of their anti-Celtic/pro-Rangers agenda?
The choice of sides is an easy one for me.
Hail Hail CQN
Had drizzle, but sun now breaking through, only mid 20’s at the minute :-)
Marsapa
I feel physically sick when a young Scottish player pulls on an Irish shirt. Do you live in Scotland!?
If you do you will most definitely know that it is a great wee country with some problems that other countries have. The biggest problem being not a stupid act that has caused much consternation on this site,but that we have 64,000 young Scots unemployed.
That should be the priority!
billy bhoy 05
07:26 on 6 March, 2014
While I don’t share Marspapa’s views I know many Celtic supporters who do.
You are the first Celtic supporter in my life though who I’ve heard say that they feel sick when a Celtic supporter pulls on an Ireland jersey.
I love this resort by the way
Something inside so Strong, blaring over pool by entertainment team :-)
Hail hail
cowiebhoy
Hope your enjoying your trip .
HH
Morning all
Just had a wee quick look at the Sports section of the Herald.
First 3 stories about some deid club (the first one, although a puff piece, is penned by a “Senior News Reporter”…).
Next two stories about Scottish international team, who are showing some signs of recovery under GS after years/decades of dross.
Don’t know why I bothered…
Where are you Cowiebhoy?
Tam
The Sevco cartoons are hilarious. They dont half remind you of how awful the msm spin has been over the years, and just how rotten to core, the whole ‘establishment’ was and still is.
Good Morning Timland.
eddieinkirkmichael, estorilbhoy,Can I Have Raspberry On My Champions
Ice Cream, Floridaghril……looking forward to sharing table 34 with you and
+1 at CQteN……I see our table is near the door, always a good thing for a
Paisley corner bhoy and his moll.
Good Morning all.
A wee correction from last night — right enough Davie Robertson joined Rangers from Aberdeen! What was ai thinking– sleep deprivation setting in!
The Celtic Underground Podcast with John Paul Taylor is worth a listen as suggested by Auldheid — the man talks calmly and makes a lot of sense although obviously we will all have opinions and issues which could be addressed quicker and better I suspect.
The Winning Captains tried to set me up with a date last night!!!!
Bloody Hell…. the man has no shame………
Just in afore I git – off oot….
___________________
marspapa
00:29 on 6 March, 2014
___________________
Total agreement mate well said.
Hail Hail
I would just like to add if ye don’t mind.
The only way that all of what you said will ‘ever’
change will be the day that the Celtic support allow
the penny to drop and then they will realize that – only
‘they’ have the power to bring about the over-haul of the
abyss that Celtic FC have to operate in – Scotland.
The key to the change….when the SB renewal forms come
through door – inform the club that there will be ‘NO’ SB’s purchased
until, Celtic FC get into the ring and fight back against the establishment’s
hate-driven campaign against the Celtic FC ‘customers’.
We’ve been told quite a lot over the last few days about – how Fergus
informed the fans that -‘the customer is King’ – let the ‘bored’ EARN yer money,
don’t just hand it over like blind, brainwashed sheep. You will be treated by the club like
doormats. Now…if the club can get away with treating the celtic fans that way – so can
the establishment. imho
Hypothetically speaking….my guess is that…if the fans united and did what I suggested above…my guess is that…the billionaires on the ‘bored’ would have a fleet of philadelphia lawyers in the ring, fighting the establishment in a matter of days. imho
Conclusion – Celtic fans are treated like doormats cos – they dae nothing but, turn the other cheek and that gets slapped harder.
Grow a pair or – be the hun-establishments bitches for ever more.
Don’t be fooled by the ‘bored’ statement – their trying tae ‘sook awe yer money oot yeez’ imho
Hail Hail – Take Care Tims – Off oot.
Pharrell ‘Happy’ Williams – CSC
Billy Bhoy 05
07:26 on 6 March, 2014
I feel physically sick when a young Scottish player pulls on an Irish shirt. Do you live in Scotland!?
If you do you will most definitely know that it is a great wee country with some problems that other countries have.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
WHAT CRAP!
BTW I live in the North of Ireland and God help me but I hate the phrase ‘its a great wee country ‘, yeah just like Scotland in so many ways.
For anyone who hasn’t seen this great movie this is your chance to get it at a great price.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000HD100Y/ref=pe_200671_44888751_wre_dt1
Just thought I’d pass it on. :)
HH
/Bishop B
Morning all. Dreich down here once again. Doesn’t look like changing. If it is like this in Glasgow, I would imagine the roads might be a bit dangerous because of surface water.
Phil’s latest…
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/the-plan-man/#more-4453
HH
/Bishop B
This is not anti anyone but pro Scotland. It’s only my opinion but if you are brought up in a country that offers succour and education you should have a loyalty to your country. I don’t know if Northern Ireland is a great country ad I’ve never had any wish to visit it.
However as someone who because of circumstances has worked on and off for years away from Scotland and my family, like a few on this site, it always feels wonderful to get back home.
I think that’s straightforward enough and I detest hearing people slagging Scotland: as much as I do when The Tic are slagged
Any real news about Biton? I heard the BBC suggesting his injury might be serious. Hope not.
auldheid
02:34 on 6 March, 2014
An interesting podcast with John Paul Taylor
Support Liaison Officer for Celtic
https://soundcloud.com/harrybradycu-2
_______________excellent, I thoroughly enjoyed that.
The bad Celtic guys will rip it apart, so what’s new.
So Aiden made you sick? Did you join in the chorus of boos every that he had to endured every time he played out with CP. Did you gleefully join in press witch hunt against a young man who chose to play for Ireland rather than Scotland, the young man’s crime he chose blood over rock, or if one chooses to be more cynical he chose a much better team with no sectarian baggage to play for. Many people across the world indentify themselves by heritage and not simply because they happened to be born in a geographical location. I suggest you read what one of greatest managers, MO’N, said about Celtic and the Irish Diaspora and what it means to some.
As you know there is plenty of evidence of the Scottish establishment bias against Celtic players. Inferior players from a certain club with a sectarian policy selected over the better Celtic players –how many caps did Jinky have? or what about the all too blatant efforts made to ensure that KD didn’t eclipse a player from Rangers appearance records I could keep listing examples of anti Celtic bias. That is why many Celtic fans can’t be bothered with Scottish international football and why many within the Scots Irish Diaspora chose to support Eire not Scotland.
As for the number of unemployed Scots youth is this the latest propaganda directive from the SNP Furher bunker , keep mentioning youth unemployment and pretend it is is only a problem in this wee part of the British Isles? What would you do about youth unemployment – how would you create real jobs that offer a future. Youth unemployment is a major problem throughout the UK and western Europe but no doubt wee Alex will have a cunning plan to resolve all this in his all new utopian Scotland. Why is youth unemployment in Scotland more important than youth unemployment in Newcastle or Belfast?
Frank Ryan’s Whiskey
08:51 on
6 March, 2014
Sorry my post was in response to Billy Bhoy 05 07:26 on 6 March, 2014
Frank Ryan
You always have a lot to say about Scotland. Are you Scottish? You have problems spelling whisky
tamrabam,
They’re DEID, brilliant!
AR
Billy Boy,
I have told you before Whiskey is the correct spelling however you are the one that has too much to say about Scotland. Sadly for you much of it ill researched SNP propoganda Fox news would blush at publishing.
I loved that e Tims comic cartoon of thems, very very clever, first TRUE cartoon comic I’ve read ;)) .
Frank Ryan
I presume you are like most of us and look after your family first: and only then do you look to help others. I think that Scotland can eventually be a positive example to other countries and then we will be in a much better position to offer practical help.
You’re wee horrible person Salmond is doing his best to protect Scotland from the savage cuts from Westminster, but of course you prefer the status quo to remain.
Over 5,000 new millionaires created by Bankers Bonuses is the headlines today. Yesterday’s headlines, London now has more of the fabulously wealthy than any other city in the world and ten fold increase in Food Banks. In the meantime the Labour Party prostrates themselves as the move further and further to the right to appease the electorate of South East England. Please talk about real horrible politics in the Macro Economic world instead of getting tied up with things like the OB act that most Scots have never heard of.
Frank Ryan
You failed to answer my question. Are you Scottish?
Phil’s AM post.
The plan man
7 Replies
In the military it is drummed into young officers during training that “a bad plan is better than no plan”.
Some people make a good living drawing up business plans.
Well Dave King wants to get himself a plan.
In fact he says he won’t leave his home town without one
I suspect that his preferred plan would be one that gets control of the home dressing room at Ibrox without parting with lots and lots of money in the direction of the current shareholders of Rangers International Football Club (RIFC).
Well Dave there’s your problem right there.
The only way to get control of the stadium that John Brown played for is to buy shares in RIFC.
Now Mr King can do that on his own or with others.
However, the people who are currently operating the Ibrox franchise will want to profit from their effort and their investment.
A share issue (like the IPO) would raise extra funds for the company.
However that would dilute the shareholdings of the current incumbents of the Blue Room.
Only they can agree to such a share issue-it cannot be imposed upon them.
There have been several shares issues at Celtic since the first under Fergus McCann, but they weren’t forced by people who had no shareholding in the club.
I took part in the first one after the Bunnet had bought out the old board.
I’m still a shareholder, but that original share in the club has been diluted down because I didn’t take part in subsequent share issues.
So, once more, Fergus McCann BOUGHT out the old board to gain control of Celtic.
It cost him MONEY.
He also cleared all the debts to the last penny, everyone got paid because anything else would have been undignified.
Of course in 2012 the then now and forever same club different company thingy left behind 276 creditors stiffed for millions including the Ambulance Service ,Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and a long list of local suppliers and family run businesses.
That shameful episode doesn’t seem to have had any moral impact upon the home crowd at Ibrox.
It would appear that when it comes to debts they seem ok about Doing Walking Away.
Now?
Dave will have to buy shares in RIFC or stand outside the front door at Ibrox with about as much authority as Paul Murray at the AGM last December.
The Requisitioners attempted to get onto the board despite the fact that they weren’t major shareholders.
They failed.
In the run up to the RIFC inaugural AGM there was gushing copy in the Scottish tabloids about the Requisitioners.
It created an atmosphere where The People got all excited.
Bless.
No one pointed out the inconvenient truth that the Requisitioners actually needed to buy shares to have a hope.
Well that’s not strictly true dear reader, your humble corespondent pointed it out, but as usual The People thought I was wrong.
However, as usual, it was the Dignified Ones who had miscalculated.
Like Craig Whyte and Charles Green their slavish need to believe in powerful leaders had them befuddled by a cruel world.
If Dave King won’t buy out the current majority shareholders then his only card, it would appear, is to organise some sort of season ticket strike.
Of course, if successful, that would collapse Sevco (RIFC’s loss making subsidiary) into insolvency.
The club will of course be fine as a football club never experiences an insolvency event, only the holding company.
Honest.
Moreover, only liquidation wipes out the shareholders in any company.
In administration the administrators run the company on behalf of the creditors, but if the CVA is approved then the company survives and the shareholders regain their power.
The only hope that Dave King has of getting the keys to Ibrox and not giving some money to the folk in the Blue Room for their shares is by dealing directly with an administrator or by buying Ibrox in a liquidation sale.
Dave needs a plan, but the chaps who are currently defending fortress Ibrox will have some moves of their own.
Young military leaders are required to study the wisdom of General Von Moltke who was Prussian Chief of Staff under Otto Von Bismarck during the Franco Prussian war.
He sagely noted that “no battle plan survives contact with the enemy”.
No one who has experienced the chaos of war since then has ever thought to contradict him.
In the battle for Ibrox it might come down to who has the best plan.
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Oops already posted sorry.
***************Breaking News******************
Yes campaign orders Billy Bhoy 05 to take 6 month break from online campaign as mission “CQN” implodes like Sleekit’s bum after gorging on Curry steak bakes.
****************************************************************************
Billy Bhoy 05
07:26 on 6 March, 2014
‘I feel physically sick when a young Scottish player pulls on an Irish shirt.’
####
I hope you don’t mind but I’m going to quote that every time you post your SNP propaganda.
Just to let people know exactly what you and your beloved SNP are all about.
Worrying news about Nir Biton but the saving grace is he has 4 months to fully rest and recover for the CL qualifiers.
What a pity as he was showing what a player he is and the MSM amateurs were choking in their humble pie having written him off as a dud,
Ernie
On with your usual crap patter.
You view doesn’t count and you think by repeating you SNP stuff it will stick. FFS you accused Campbell Martin of being SNP and he was banned by them.
Ernie
Ps I forgot to mention your Labour Party apologist crap
Billy Bhoy 05
09:32 on 6 March, 2014
Mhartin Champbell was a member of the SNP.
He’s an enthusiastic supporter of the SNP’s Offensive Behaviour Bullshit.
Keep posting. You’re doing more harm than good for your cause.
Ernie,
I noticed later last night that you had replied to my post re Mighty Tim’s son’s predicament. I replied but it was late on. Reposted fyi:
####
Ernie writes:
I would question whether that section applies to the Orange Order.
#####
There have been in excess of 1000 convictions for it since S74 was introduced 10 years ago. The legislation is unambiguous. The courts clear and consistent. It’s unquestionable in anything other than a moot setting.
The Battered Bunnet
09:43 on 6 March, 2014
Of those convictions how many referred to the Orange Order?
I can understand why it might be an offence to call someone an orange b, particularly if they weren’t a member.
But to sing that you will not be mastered by any orange b is an entirely different thing.
Morning troops,
14 oaps just arrived at the the house knitting bee in full swing. I’ve been sent out for extra tea and biscuits and more size 8 and 10 needles. Poor souls are working round the clock to get the beanie orders completed on time. I’ve told them only only 2 more days and the order book will be closed for CQN10. There was some collective groans but ah told them if they stopped there incessant chatter they would get on a lot quicker.
Apparently they are on piece work then it was my turn to groan as I thought I had to make up the sandwiches.
Only 2 days left to get your BEANIE HAT ORDERED , do it today it is for a great cause and join the multitude of posters who have already got there very own personalised BEANIE HAT.
Order here. hatsfrompat@celticquicknews.co.uk and collect on the night £15.00
Or send me your address and I will post out if you can’t make the big bash.
As Jobo says only 8 more sleeps.
HH PB1888