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.”
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Bizzare and quite funny.
A priest canceled an Ash Wednesday ceremony after parishioners were BURNED by the ashes.
The ashes used on mass goers during a ceremony at St Joseph’s Church in Newtownshandrum, Co Cork have now been sent to a lab after people developed rashes and blisters on their foreheads.
And one man was taken to hospital as the ash burned through his skin during Fr Eugene Baker’s ceremony.
Fr Baker spoke of his disbelief after the incident.
He said: “It was while I was placing the ash on the foreheads of parishioners that people began complaining about a burning sensation on their foreheads.
“I was surprised by it as I was dipping my thumb in the ashes but did not have any sort of reaction to it myself.
Moonbeams WD. Kano 2000 \o/ Supporting Neil Lennon 29.9%. Champions. C’mon Wee Oscar.
11:24 on 6 March, 2014
You’re very naive if you think that what motivates Tories is the constitution. It’s about their pocket.
I had fallen out of love with Scotland at a young age at Hampden after hearing our players roundly booed whilst being announced over the tannoy.
—–
Sorry but I’ve attended almost every Scotland game since 1979 and I have never heard this – maybe in early seventies??? Don’t know cos I wasn’t there
Independence
Choice is so easy. Stay as we are with a government we don’t elect or choose independence and get the government you vote for
You might as well vote for the ‘Kev Jungle Mark Mcghee Worker’s Party’.
The corrupt and undemocratic EU rules. British parties are obsolete.
Billy Bhoy 05
11:33 on 6 March, 2014
Who is this ‘we’ that you are referring to?
If Scotland leaves the uk could we have a law that says that any player who is eligible must play for Scotland if selected?
Billy bhoy,
My big fear about independence is if it comes to pass, what happens in a couple of hundred years time when aliens come to invade and Will Smith isn’t around to save us!!??
Confusingmovieswithdocumentaries csc
I was at a Scotland game where the billy boys was sang, and very audible it was too….
I think those days are past, in that environment anyway.!
still like to see my country win though.
HH
Its the population of Scotland Ernie, or in your case, the IRA
e=mc2 skiving at work
11:28 on
6 March, 2014
Willie Ormond,I think responded to hun chants for wee Jimmy to be substituted by Willie Johnstone.
And he did precisely that. Late `60s,early `70s.?
An education.
e=mc2 skiving at work
Mid to late 80’s family section at Hampden.
Roy Aitken & Paul McStay booed when names announced. Fans chanted for McCoist who was on the bench for almost the full game.
I was in the family section in the North terrace near the Rangers end of the ground. It was very loud. I would be shocked if you didn’t hear it. I think it was a Rous Cup tie. Apologies can’t remember the team. The game v ROI was not much better in 1987. I do remember that match. I didnt go back after the Rous Cup game.
My dad always went to watch Scotland. Hampden and Wembley for England games and went to many others in the 60’s 70’s and 80’s. He stopped going too.
LB
tallybhoy
11:22 on 6 March, 2014
BMCUW
How’s LORNA’s hangover this morning?HH!!
Belated happy birthday Lorna, if yer about. A lovely lass and bigger Celtic lass you’ll no get, better looking than her brother too.
Ayrshire is Green and White
Billybhoy,
I suspect that the SNP have blown what was a once great chance to secure ‘freedom’. You were/are up against the most bewilderingly inept Labour bunch of stiffs; yet your pie in the sky economics, nanny state and the general lack of information to the nation should ensure London rule continues.
ernie lynch
11:37 on
6 March, 2014
If Scotland leaves the uk could we have a law that says that any player who is eligible must play for Scotland if selected?
Would the U18s and U17s have to play for the full team?
E=Mc2
No apologies needed bud ,
BillyBhoy
Your comments were tongue in cheek , fine ,
Mine were from the heart , its all about opinions , i know big TD says he doesnt care what people think of his opinions , but i care what people think of mine ;))
I was at the Rous Cup game – absolutely pouring with rain, got soaked in celtic end- Scotland won 1-0 with Richard gough header- didn’t hear anything you describe. Maybe at the other end of the ground though -I’m not saying I’m right you’re wrong
Davie Hay was booed while representing Scotland at Hampden as he came on as a sub for Jandy Sardine, I seem to remember.
HH!!
The last game I was at was Sweden at Hampden. Ronnie Glavin played and the huns booed the Tims.
Mind, my memory aint what it used to be.
LiviBhoy – God bless wee Oscar
11:40 on
6 March, 2014
They WERE the people.
Those days have gone.
We will no longer tolerate it.
So Ernie
You are suggesting Scots Tories believe they will be better off in an independant Scotland.
As a Scots Socialist I believe the same.
MWD isny a Tory though but your point is interesting none the less.
ernie lynch
11:15 on
6 March, 2014
If an independent Scotland voted the Scottish Tories into power, then I’m totally fine with the principle of that. Scotland will be governed by the party with the majority of seats.
Anyway! us Scots are too stupid, fearful, inept, ruled, lacking in confidence, brow beaten to be able to run our own affairs.
Best just to leave it to South East England upper class to afford us their rule. They have proven so efficient at it in the past.
MWD Republican Unionists r dafties
e=mc2 skiving at work
11:38 on 6 March, 2014
‘Its the population of Scotland Ernie, or in your case, the IRA’
###
You see between that remark and your fellow nat feeling sick when he see what he regards as a Scot pulling on a ROI shirt I’m beginning to wonder if you guys have properly grasped the concept of civic nationalism.
I get the distinct feeling your type of Scotland might be distinctly uncomfortable for those who don’t think like you.
e=mc2 skiving at work
I can’t remember the opponents. It was a midweek game.
It happened. I heard it happen. It wasn’t pretty neither was the sight of my old man almost getting lynched for arguing with a guy with a Rangers scarf on for calling Roy Aitken a Fenian B@stard!
The guy had his son with him too. It was shameful. Family section?
Hard for a kid of 10 or 11 to get behind a nation after that. It’s a difficult one. A bad experience stays in the mind a long time.
I would love to be more patriotic about the national side and maybe under Gordon Strachan I will but the Tartan Army is an elitist group and I felt uncomfortable in their company.
This is not a club side. It’s the national team. It shouldn’t matter whether you have been to Estonia, Bulgaria or how long the feather in your glengarry is. Every Scottish person should be welcome to support their national side without sniping about how many games you have been at.
One very bad experience and one uncomfortable experience watching Scotland has put me off for now. I may be back if young LB has the passion for it.
Delighted to see the team do well though.
LB
weeminger
11:49 on 6 March, 2014
Would you agree that if Scotland leaves the UK that the government at Westminster is more likely to be Tory?
Delighted for WGS, Broonie and Charlie Mulgrew from last night. Scotland’s first ever win in Poland and only our second goal since a Dennis Law goal from way way back.
Didn’t see the Ireland game but saw the goals. Bit shambolic at the back but I have a soft spot for Serbia if I am honest. A lot of trash has been talked about them but they produce some wonderfully talented and skillful players.
Hopefully WGS can continue to help Scotland make progress.
On this issue about playing for your country –
I have NEVER liked the Granny rule. It has allowed countries to have players playing for them who never should have done so. The school rule thing is a nonsense and the 5 year Visa thing is also a nonsense.
It should be parenthood or country of birth end of.
That goes for every country in the world.
Just my opinion.
Livibhoy it’s very sad to hear this. And I don’t doubt you. What i will say is we can’t allow some neanderthals to hijack or put off the support, and at away games, where the hardcore are (and it’s really sizeable -ROI and Scotland proportionate to their population have best away support in the world), nothing like this is tolerated. It’s like Partick Thistle – it’s just not acceptable
ernie lynch
11:56 on
6 March, 2014
No. History shows that the Scottish vote has only been decisive (caused a majority switch) in 1 Westminster election and had a bearing in two others. In all other elections the Scottish seats did not change the majority winner.
Tartan Army
Absurd name. Smugness is the name of their game. Drunks. Think every foreigner worships them even when they urinate on Prague streets. Hun element. Superiority complexes. Endemic racism towards the English up until a few years ago. Support losers. Revel in losing. Village idiots who call themselves footsoldiers. Dreadful clothes. Dreadful chants. Shouldn’t have passports. Fund the SFA.
Still haven’t forgiven the footsoldiers who called Celtic players despicable names during World Cup 98.
I believe in democracy and, so far, I intend to vote ‘no’ in the referendum.
OMG..I’ve just realised…I’m a democratic unionist!
PeterRobinsonCSC
ernie lynch
11:56 on
6 March, 2014
Sorry, I should have said, that that’s since the war.
My big fear is that we’re going to end up with a Tory/UKIP coalition next.
One other thing – the tartan Army travelling support can at times behave absolutely outrageously – the willy exposing is terrible at times, I mean really embarrassing. They aren’t the saints portrayed in the media. They are however, outrageously behaved in a fair and even manner
Still haven’t forgiven the footsoldiers who called Celtic players despicable names during World Cup 98.
—-
i was there – Heard Ronaldo getting roundly abused – no celtic player.
If anyone from Edinbugh or Livingston is attending CQTen and is interested in sharing transport back from Glasgow to Edinburgh via Livi please let me know.
Ernie
Who are we?
Us Scots that live in Scotland and have a vote
E=mc2
I called Tom Boyd a Big numpty but I’m sure he never heard.
I called Craig burley much much worse :)
E,
I was in an Edinburgh pub. Scotland playing Morocco. Celtic player makes a mistake. Group of Tartan tyrants start hurling abuse based on religion. My dalliance with Scotland more or less ended.
I concede that the majority of foot soldiers are not interested in such bigotry though. At least that is what many good CQN contributors say.