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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There was contact between the GB and Celtic up until the banner display v AC Milan.
After the media frenzy this dialogue ceased but prior to it the club had stated in emails that they would highlight the food drive. It’s worth pointing out that the initiative was planned well before the events of that night and not as a consequence of it.
Celtic, despite numerous attempts by the GB through email and Twitter made no efforts to do as they had promised.
Tony D
My opinion of you hasn’t changed but it was wrong of me to use that language on CQN. For that I’m sorry.
_____________________________
This is your proof, lol, only when it suits the GB (who are dead) suited I should have said, did they want dialog with Celtic and e mail them, poor effort, try that one in any court, no wonder these kids are getting arrested if this is the leadership, god help them, and once again I’ve no concern of what your opinion is of me.
kitalba
14:27 on
4 March, 2014
And one more time Auldheid
Do you think ‘official’ Celtic have ever lied to us?
===============
Oh I would imagine so, being human and that.
This Tony Donnelly who says he will stand up for the club against any accusations(even when there is substance to them
hamiltontim is praying for oscar
14:32 on 4 March, 2014
proudbhoy
14:22 on 4 March, 2014
I really agree with you!!
I’m not anti board, for years I argued against posters who I thought were deliberately critical if the club without foundation.
PL has done a magnificent job in terms of balancing the books.
However, in my honest opinion he is failing Celtic, the club and supporters in many other ways.
—
Where on the same sheet
This is an era we should be looking back in with lots of joy.
Sadly it really hasnt been.
The msm,sfa and policd have all did there bit to take the heat of the huns. Our board has let them off the hook on too many occasions.
Bedtime here.
Tryingtokeepthefaith csc
For the record the only piece of promotion of the GB Food Drive I can see was this retweet by the Celtic FC Foundation twitter account on 16th December. It’s promotion but not much:
GlasgowRoad @GlasgowRoad
Big push towards Saturday @1254125 @CelticFCSLO @polishturnstile we can make a big difference by giving a little
I’m not buying the importance of the ECA.
The big clubs and the TV companies are what matter.
The EPL don’t want us.
There is no desire for a European super league.
FInancial fair play will be gerrymandered by the usual suspects.
UEFA are powerless.
If they pee off the galacticos then they will break away.
Celtic would be lucky to be invited into a European super league ,but if I was a betting man ,I would suggest that we would just make the cut just now,in ten years it would be doubtful.
Left in Scotland we are withering.
No serious avenue for growth exists.
TT
Auldheid
Whilst I agree we shouldn’t worry about crowds, life is too short.
Are you suggesting that the decline in calibre of player signed is coincidental with the fall in crowds?
The ever diminishing 50,000 season ticket base was how Celtic were reformed, and re-established, for some supporters and for the board I’m sure a return to fair-weather, on the day supporters is a massive concern, especially if it ceases to bottom out at less than a vision of that acceptable Celtic fulcrum.
Celtic have little or no TV revenue, and last years ‘bonus discount’ won’t stem next years indifference if recent attendances are reflective.
We lose an awful lot more than supporters when we close the top tier, and Aberdeen “Green Seat Brigade” banners are more than satire.
This Tony Donnelly who says he will stand up for the club against any accusations(even when there is substance to them it seems) is the same Tony Donnelly who will put the boot into fellow supporters(GB, Motherwell) yet not admit he made a mistake when the true culprits are identified?
Well said HT
HH
tonydonnelly67
14:38 on
4 March, 2014
I take it you weren’t at the game against St Johnstone on 16th February.
proudbhoy
14:22 on 4 March, 2014
I really agree with you!!
I’m not anti board, for years I argued against posters who I thought were deliberately critical if the club without foundation.
PL has done a magnificent job in terms of balancing the books.
However, in my honest opinion he is failing Celtic, the club and supporters in many other ways.
______________________________
You see? This is as I said Hunnish , not even up for debate.
It’s no diff. From Neil Lennon is a great guy, but he some times brings it on himself, same thing, Hun statement…FACT
HT 14.36
It was a monumental mistake.
They lost their ability to support the team at a time when they are really needed.
The home fixtures are dire without them.
TT
After the so called shame game Celtic with their partners Rangers/SFA/SPL as the football arm of JAG stated their priority to be:
“Improving mechanisms by which information is shared between police & clubs around incidents & individuals causing concern”
Celtic & Rangers/SFA/SPL also called for Celtic called for the setting up of a national football police/intelligence unit & more banning orders.
ANYONE KNOW WHY?
timaloy29
14:32 on 4 March, 2014
A member of staff at Celtic deliberately attempted to scupper the initiative.
Auldheid, would be able to confirm this from the second open meeting.
Ps Auldheid, one good turn deserves another auld yin :-)
weeminger:
I look at the Green Brigade (and to me it is just a Logo) and I see a noisy, colourful group of Celtic Supporters, an I look at myself, and you too, if you don’t mind, and I see a less noisy nor colourful supporter, but I can tell the difference between you and them, or me, at heart.
I don’t agree with all that they sing, all that they do, but without ‘unequivocal’ instructions, who can ever blame them for breaking the rules that nobody has the guts to write?
And never forger… FOR the grace of God, once went I.
Big Nan:
Me, me, me, pick me.
Tony D
I’m willing to debate with you but seriously you’re calling me a Hun because I moan about some aspects of the manner the club is run???
How do you know when your CQten virtual drinks order form has arrived?
As I say, I stand by what I post, and am answerable to no one here, NO ONE, looks like the normal phone blitz has been done and they are coming in droves as back up, kinda like Huns, prob. Will be one or two in there coaling the fires and the numpties thinking they’re Tims, sad lot actually, doesent fiz me at all, lurking Huns and there likes GIRUY.
Auldheid:
flippancy aside…
“Oh I would imagine so, being human and that.”
So would you care to guess how often they have lied to us?
Do you condone their lying to us?
Do you believe there is a ‘caste’ structure being introduced to Celtic FC by Celtic PLC?
vinte e cinco@13:42 & BMCUW@13.53
I agree that this was an inspiring and well written account (by Virbeke Venema) of a problem that was solvable with a bit of will and determination.
I no longer believe in earthly saints but there are some very good men and Arunachalam Muruganantham is one. A story I have never seen covered before and one that should be held up as an example to us all.
kitalba
14:45 on
4 March, 2014
Totally agree. My point (which I’m sure you get but maybe for others) is that there had been meetings between the club and the GB about various things and there had been threats from the club and strong words in response from the GB.
Then nothing from the GB. As an outsider it looked to me like they knew they’d overstepped an agreed mark, and that they were accepting the punishment.
weeminger
14:38 on 4 March, 2014
That solitary tweet, which came from JPT and not the club’s official Twitter page, came after days of continual tweets by GB members and other Celtic supporters urging the club to highlight the initiative.
I know because I read them.
hamiltontim is praying for oscar
14:46 on 4 March, 2014
Tony D
I’m willing to debate with you but seriously you’re calling me a Hun because I moan about some aspects of the manner the club is run???
___________
Show me where I called you a Hun?
bournesouprecipe- I’m still waitin’ for my pint.
The service is atrocious.
It’s late here and I really have got to go to bed so don’t bother Auldheid, don’t answer a single question.
Lent for me tomorrow and with lent I’m not going to question the PLC.
I don’t think I could ever handle the lies.
Tinytim
“The home fixtures are dire without them”
In your opinion.
Tony D
Now you’re being a pedant.
Ok you stated my posts were ‘Hunnish’. Would that be accurate?
DBBIA
Ha – It’s virtually non existent
tonydonnelly67
14:43 on
You’re the one behaving in a “hunnish” manner. Blindly believing ever word without question from the current custodians of my club, that’s the kind of hunnish actions that led the huns to their demise and ultimate death.
Tony D
Now you’re being a pedant.
Ok you stated my posts were ‘Hunnish’. Would that be accurate?
_______________________________
Yes,.
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar
14:36 on
4 March, 2014
Cheers, that is how I remember our exchange (I though the GB lad was implicitly contrite in giving his explanation) but as you say no apology.
The thing is whatever anyone else thinks he thought that he/the GB were doing the right thing so he did not apologise.
So in response to Kitalba, why should Celtic apologise to the GB if Celtic thought they were doing the right thing?
There are always two sides to every story and it seems to me that when an alternative narrative is provided in the interests of balance it is dismissed on one basis or another, rather than being believed because that challenges a core belief held by the reader.
The folk who run Celtic are human beings, some died in the wool Tims, some not born and bred supporters but still good employees and maybe some not so good, although the guys I have met have all been dedicated to Celtic.
Does that mean they get everything right? Of course not. The clue is in their human nature, but there is a better chance of making things happen if the human condition is recognised on all sides than we expect saintly behaviour from folk struggling to come to terms with their own hopes and fears.
eddieinkirkmichael
14:56 on 4 March, 2014
tonydonnelly67
14:43 on
You’re the one behaving in a “hunnish” manner. Blindly believing ever word without question from the current custodians of my club, that’s the kind of hunnish actions that led the huns to their demise and ultimate death.
_______________________________
Your serious right?
Why do people get so wound up by TD67?
He’s like the zombies who call up the phone ins to heap praise on their latest saviour.
Like a small child they perceive an opposing viewpoint as an attack on their beliefs and their team. When an alternative opinions is put to then rather than debate they instead resort to name calling. Quite sad really. Ignore him.
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar
14:51 on
4 March, 2014
Strikes me they did as little as possible to promote it. I wouldn’t say they did. No story on the club site and as you say nothing from the main club twitter account. Just that solitary retweet from the Foundation account.
kayal33
14:59 on 4 March, 2014
Why do people get so wound up by TD67?
He’s like the zombies who call up the phone ins to heap praise on their latest saviour.
Like a small child they perceive an opposing viewpoint as an attack on their beliefs and their team. When an alternative opinions is put to then rather than debate they instead resort to name calling. Quite sad really. Ignore him.
____________________________
Ehhhhhhhhhh! Like you did?
kitalba
14:53 on
4 March, 2014
It’s late here and I really have got to go to bed so don’t bother Auldheid, don’t answer a single question.
Lent for me tomorrow and with lent I’m not going to question the PLC.
I don’t think I could ever handle the lies.
=================
Kitalba
I have answered your every question I have read.
You might not like the answers but they are there for all to see.
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar
13:49 on
4 March, 2014
:)
HT,
‘Deliberately tried to scupper’ and ‘didn’t promote as promised’ are not the same in my book, likesy.