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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John O’Neil
I presume you know nothing about the White Paper?
I’ve heard this crap on site repeatedly but I still not read anyone asking any questions solely on economics. Let us hear the questions and we will answer them rather than wild statements with no foundations.
Does every Unionist on site, and there many, think it is better the way it is?
I’ve asked a question and I look forward to your answers and questions.
Marsapa
I disagree entirely with your sentiments but thanks for your response
John O’Neil
12:00 on
6 March, 2014
Tartan Army
Absurd name. SEEMS OK TO ME. IS GREEN BRIGADE BETTER?
Smugness is the name of their game. NO IDEA WHAT YOU MEAN
Drunks. ABSOLUTELY
Think every foreigner worships them even when they urinate on Prague streets- MOST PEOPLE DO LIKE THEM BUT HEY, OCASSIONALLY DRUNK FOOTBALL FANS URINATE IN STREET
. Hun element.- CLUB SIDES DON’T MATTER
Superiority complexes. YOU’RE BEING RIDICULOUS. ANYTHING BUT
Endemic racism towards the English up until a few years ago. STILL THERE I’D SAY, THOUGH NOT RACIST (AS IN SUPERIORITY COMPLEX- MORE LIKE STRONG SENSE OF INJUSTICE) HEY THEY ARE OUR GREATEST RIVALS
Support losers. GOOD ON THEM – TRUE FANS UNLIKE GLORY HUNTERS
Revel in losing. IT’S CALLED SUPPORTING THE TEAM
Village idiots who call themselves foot soldiers. AND YOU’RE SO URBANE BEING FROM GLASGOW…? OR ARE YOU A MILANESE FASHIONISTA?
Dreadful clothes. BETTER THAN SHELL SUITS
Dreadful chants. BETTER THAN SSRUC, BILLY BHOYS
Shouldn’t have passports. GOD FORBID ANYONE SHOULD DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN MOAN ABOUT BEING OPPRESSED AND PRETEND TO BE IRA SNIPERS AT AWAY GROUNDS IN ENGLAND
Fund the SFA. SO DO YOU
Billy Bhoy 05
12:06 on 6 March, 2014
And do Scots have one set of political interests irrespective of class?
Billy Bhoy 05
12:13 on 6 March, 2014
The white paper is a piece of nonsense.
SNP propaganda paid for by the taxpayer.
Well I finally found the positive case for the Union.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L47_j6QMR-I&list=UUm2QgGeWmryLyqB0qQ1V4AA&index=2
LOL
Ach John, sorry I’m only ranting and raving – sorry you’ve had bad experiences in the past. We’ve all witnessed stuff at footy grounds we don’t like. Don’t let me whining at you or a few huns put you off
Whether you’re for against Scotland going it alone is entirely your decision but there a few thing that really worry me.
The staying in the union lobby are pretty cute and know the electorate and their intelligence levels. They will continue to throw things into the pot which appeal to the more moronic. Oh, we won’t have the Beeb so we can’t get Eastenders, you can’t have the pound and RBS, Standard Life etc etc will move out of Scotland.
In essence I am saying we have to think for ourselves, and I mean think without being pulled one way or another by spin of any kind.
I could cite many countries who are doing just fine on their own, Scadanavian countries seem to be the most accurate comparison. Some say they are highly taxed, but salaries are commensurate.
Anyway, off out for a wee game of golf
Hail Hail
KINGLuBO
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
Ernie
You’ve got a cheek regarding having consideration for other opinions. You have made many nasty and sarcastic
remarks to Tims on this site. Scottish people are renowned throughout the world for their good humour, fairness and generally niceness of their
demeanour.
There will always be arseholes regardless how utopian society is and we just accept this rather than miscalling a Nation State like Scotland.
Yes Billy. Actually I think Scotland could sustain herself without London. Having spent some time in Finland and Estonia, I see no reason why Scotland can’t also govern herself and survive economically. Yet I don’t trust SNP economics.
I am a Unionist but only just. The common Unionist argument is negative and condescending. Some of the scare stories are ridiculous. That being said, I think Scotland does ok within the Union. We are in no way oppressed. I can’t see a reason to change.
I respect your determination and passion but believe your dream will fail to become a reality.
Will technology have a big part to say in us moving to another leauge ?
Surely the English clubs recent financial results show a model that is knackered
from top to bottom and a place we would not want to have our healthy club compete in.
If we are moving to another leauge does it exsist yet ?
With other big clubs like Celtic in small leauges also looking for ways out and new income sources could there be a change in domestic competitions around europe on the horizon ?
Just a thought but with Peter Lawell at the ECA I’m sure we are covered should anything like this be in play.
Snake plissken
Smashing wee video. You really wonder why so many on this site would prefer to stay with the Eton crowd?
e=mc2 skiving at work
I have no doubt the TA in the main are decent fellas just enjoying a few days away on the swally.
I think the people I am referring to and their way of thinking will rear it’s ugly head of the home game of the ROI double header.
NatKnow
We are staying in the Travel Inn/lodge at the end of London Road. £29 for the night. Can give you a lift back to Edinburgh or Livi next day.
LB
C’mon Paul67….where ur ye son?
E,
Well obviously my Tartan Army post was playful in parts. I wouldn’t want Scotland to lose necessarily. I just don’t care. My experience was soured by some bigots. The bigots don’t represent Scottish people as a whole though.
John O’Neil
Ta for your comments but I’m determined to prove you wrong, and as I said earlier lets have some questions / concerns on economics
BillyBhoy
No problem bud , as for Scotlands politics and the indie vote , learning on hear …ah huvnae a clue …..;))
weeminger
11:58 on 6 March, 2014
Firstly I believe it’s three times, not once.
Secondly I’m not sure how the reduction in Scottish MPs from 72 to 59 would affected those results.
Thirdly you’ve misunderstood the question which was whether the absence of Scottish MPs would make a Tory government more likely.
john o’neil
12:00 on 6 March, 2014
“Tartan Army”
I agree, they are morons when they get in the pack, and that’s from someone who goes to many home games.
I also hate the whole militaristic element in football:
* army
* brigade
* armed forces day
* poppies on jerseys
Billy Bhoy 05 prepares for Indy debate on friendly Celtic site. Wrong turn?
http://i.huffpost.com/gen/468892/thumbs/r-SCOTLAND-REFERENDUM-SCOTS-LIVING-IN-ENGLAND-VOTE-large570.jpg
new article posted.
Billy Bhoy 05
I was trying to inject some humour into this. There is precious little.
This video sums up why I would be voting YES – I think it gets to the heart of the matter –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIgP4gPTENI
Note this is called Vote Britain.
Good Efternoon…
Watched the aul Scotland Match last night ~ once the streaming thing was sorted ~ Just before the adverts funnily enuff.
I like Gordon Strachan, he’s a lucky manager and we all know there’s more to luck than serendipity.
When Scotty bhoy Gemmelled that ball into the left corner well it reminded me of how good it was to support Scotland ~ like Roxburgh and Brown never happened.
Enjoy the Armageddon!
Good lad Paul67!
Lest we forget.
Billy Bhoy 05
07:26 on 6 March, 2014
‘I feel physically sick when a young Scottish player pulls on an Irish shirt.’
Billy Bhoy05
“Scottish people are renowned throughout the world for their good humour, fairness and generally niceness of their
demeanour.”
Don’t think that stands up to the test of evidence.
Where we are considered at all, in the popular culture of other countries, we are generally portrayed as aggressive, hard drinking, grudge holding and tight with money. (Shrek meets Groundskeeper Willie meets Scrooge McDuck)
Were you perhaps thinking of the Irish? :-)
e=mc2 skiving at work
11:28 on
6 March, 2014
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
==============
e-mc2
Brian McClair was loudly jeered coming on as a sub for Scotland vs Malta around 1992.
Thats was the catalyst for me to chuck it and hope they got pumped every time they played, up until a couple of years ago.
I’ve calmed down a bit now though:)
Billy Bhoy 05
11:33 on
6 March, 2014
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
==
Now do i understand this correctly? your election strategy is based on that of the Northern Irish Orange state model. The majority of the country (Ireland) voted for something they, the Ulster Scots, didn’t like (i believe the pesky thing is known as democracy or something like that) so to ensure they got their own way decided to opt for their own wee statelet where they could make their own rules. Now again correct me if i am wrong Scotland is at present part of the UK in which each eligible citizen receives 1 vote per election. The premise being that the party that wins the most seats wins the election and the Scots Nats do not like this version of the democratic model, imperfect as it is, as the ‘ majority’ of the UK population don’t have Scotland’s needs at the top of their political agenda. Hey you know the idea might catch on. How about the population of the ancient kingdom of Essex (Regnum Orientalium Saxonum) hold an election to leave the UK as they don’t like the subsidies that the North East of England receives.
ps. McClair was a Man Utd player at the time and was jeered because he was formerly a high profile Celtic player.
Frank Ryan
The main difference is of course is that Scotland is a Nation State: sold out by parcel of Landed Gentry Rogues for a pittance to the Eton
boys
Billy Bhoy 05
12:51 on
6 March, 2014
Frank Ryan
The main difference is of course is that Scotland is a Nation State: sold out by parcel of Landed Gentry Rogues for a pittance to the Eton
boys
==
Essex was a nation state long before Scotland was consiered one.
STBF
I’ve travelled extensively and I’ve some wonderful stories about Scots abroad. Of course the Irish also have a wonderful name and they are brilliant at self promotion: Paddy’s day is a fantastic celebration throughout the world. I am friendly with many Irish fholk and visited the Republic many times but I cannot remember any Irish, although the can be self deprecating, running down their own country, and it happens often on this site, which I find really upsetting.
Some on this site may find this of interest
Teachers are ignorant of the real world, states Gove
They know how universities work, they know what to do to get an A level, they know about UCAS Forms
Frank Ryan
If the working class in Essex and the rest of England didn’t continue to vote Tory the evil lot wouldn’t get in, and there wouldn’t be so much hardship. In Scotland very few vote Tory, but we still get the evil lot.
Therefore Independence is the only way we will be free of the evil lot. Not a lot of brains required to work that out. Simplistic I know but no less true because of it.
Billy Bhoy 05
14:09 on
6 March, 2014
Frank Ryan
If the working class in Essex and the rest of England didn’t continue to vote Tory the evil lot wouldn’t get in, and there wouldn’t be so much hardship. In Scotland very few vote Tory, but we still get the evil lot.
Therefore Independence is the only way we will be free of the evil lot. Not a lot of brains required to work that out. Simplistic I know but no less true because of it.
==
So what about the periods of Labour governments that ,allegedly, the Scots did vote for.
No such thing as hardship in an independent Scotland!! Do you honestly believe there will be no poor or social depravation in an independent Scotland. Just where is all the money required for the maintenance of this utopian dream to come from. And just how to you ensure that a Scots version of the Tories doesn’t win power.
Testing testing iz thur emndy ther , um a facing the right wey ……hullo
Huz thur been a bhoycott an naebiddies telt mae , whit ir yiz like …