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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I have read with interest the number of people considering giving up their season tickets next season. It’s not an easy decision. It’s one taken by the heart and the head and rarely will they agree.
I had to give my season ticket to a mate 3 years ago when I decided to get married. I could not afford to fund a wedding in 10 months and go to watch Celtic. I had to make a very hard decision. The previous 2 seasons I had been at less and less games than before. I had run into money problems through mismanagement of my own finances and sticking my head in the sand a bit like the old club across the river in Glasgow. This was all my own doing. I have paid back every penny. I am not out of the woods yet but I am getting there. It would have been easier for me to take the route of going insolvent and paying an agreed amount with the companies I owed money to but I took the decision not to. It meant paying off the full amounts at a much longer period of time. It was my choce and sometimes not the most sensible one. I could have been debt free 3 or 4 years ago and on my way to buying a home and being a lot more comfortable in life.
I took the harder route to pay back what I owed. Probably more noble than I should have been. It’s the way I was brought up though.
Throuout my life Celtic has been a constant. A release from the week of school or work. The enjoyement of watching my team win, lose or draw. I didn’t miss many games. from 1988 to 2008 I didn’t miss many in the UK at all. In the season we went to Seville I spent £6k more than I earned to watch Celtic all over the country and in Europe. Wise? No way. Fun and worth it? Without a doubt it was.
Will I be back? Of course I will. My ticket is on loan to a mate. He is looking after it. He used to sit himself and now he sits with other bus members and my father. It is in good hands. My sons godfathers hands.
Is it easy to miss games? Of course it isn’t. We all have Celtic in our blood. It’s not a pass time or a hobby. Celtic is an obssession. My wife who is a Hibee sort of gets it but at CQteN she will probably see it in full flow. She is similar to my mother she understands the love of the team but does not get the obssession with a football team. I am a pain when we lose. I have never taken defeat easilly. I don’t like to lose at anything. I’m not a bad loser but I want to win. I have shared many a pint with an opposition fan in Livingston after a loss and discussed the game. I don’t hold grudges but I want to win. On a match day I have a nervous energy that my wife knows is building to kick off. She usually clears out the way and allows me to watch it in peace. At that moment before kick off and the players go into that huddle there is not anywhere on the planet I would rather be than at the game cheering the team on. It’s virtually all I have ever known. It’s very difficult. I have had radios on and laptops out trying to get a feed for matches and if we are travelling in the car when the game is on I hear nothing. I am focused on the match. My wife knows better than to even attempt a serious conversation about future plans or anything. I read about Celtic daily. I comment on this blog and others. I also back my team, club, manager, fans on Twitter and Facebook sometimes to others amusement and to the dismay of my wife when I argue with a friend of hers. I have the Celtic bug. It never leaves you. I may not attend as much as I would like but my heart is still there. It’s always there and always will be.
I have went through a period of my life where I had to reavulate where I was going and what I was doing. My life was geared around Celtic. I was working at maybe 60%-70% during the week because I spent most of my day thinking about the team as some kind of virtual manager and board member. It seems crazy now but my career took a back seat. I was coasting. Was it sensible? Not in the slightest. I worked harder on my CSC than I did at my job. That was irresponsible. I didn’t get sacked but I could have achieved more in my career than I did at that point.
I had a reality check before I got married. I hadn’t had the greatest records with girlfriends. I used to be OK in the close season but once the season got underway there is only so many times you get away with the bus has broken down excuse for letting them down for an evening out when you are actually in Glasgow drinking the night away with your mates after another victory. I needed and wanted to give my marriage 100%. That meant a few years away from the Hoops. I knew that was inevitable due to finances anyway. When my son was born it was another shock to the finances but we have got through it and are starting to make in roads to getting on a sounder footing. It’s possibly a good grounding.
I still miss Celtic though. Does it get easier? No it doesn’t. People who know me from my time in Livingston still are amazed I no longer go to every match. It was the norm for them. I have a son and I work 5 days per week. I have two days to spend with my wife and son. That at his age can’t involve the football. As much as it pains me not to go I have waited a long time to be a father. I love every minute of it. The time will come in 2-3 years when we can go together to the games. I will be in that queue for our season tickets and we will probably sit together for the rest of my life in the stadium that Fergus built. It’s worth the wait. It’s a special moment for a parent to pass on the love of a football team to their child. When that football club is Celtic it is not just a football club it is an identity. I want to be ready for it so am sacrificing games for myself now to be able to take my Bhoy when he is old enough. I can still make the odd game and special occassion and have taken the wife a couple of times to Hibs v Celtic matches but it’s not every week. It just can’t be just now.
That is a very honest assessment of where I am regarding Celtic games and season tickets. In the 35 years I have been on this planet I have had a a season ticket for 20 of them. My first ticket was child one and cost me £50 in the old Celtic end/Jungle.
The first season of not going is the worst. It doesn’t get much easier though.
I’m not sure what people who are considering giving up their ticket think of my assessment but I thank every single person that keeps those seast full for the people like me who are taking a sabitical. There are lots of people in the same situation as me. We will all be back and when we do we are bringing our kids with us.
LB
Auldheid:
Just caught me.
So you agree that Celtic PLC lie to the Celtic Support.
tonydonnelly67
14:57 on
Of course I am, your behaviour in never questioning the authority of our board displays all the characteristics of what you term “hunnish”.
I used to think and now I’m convinced that the sole purpose of some posters or artificial personae on here is to create conflict and controversy just to keep the blog “interesting”. Kojo stated as much once, and I’m sure even he would admit that’s what he does himself.
Ignore them, don’t rise to the bait and they should go away.
If someone’s out to create conflict, they’re not going to be persuaded by reasoning.
Beats me why anyone would post regularly on the blog,usually against the tide,berate other posters for their opinions,then get all high and mighty stating that what he himself posts is his opinion only and he’s entitled to say so.
Sorry,Tony. If you want honest debate,please engage. If you are only interested in insulting people who are more used to reason,I suggest you are on the wrong site.
For the benefit of doubt,the above is my own reasonably-held opinion. Feel free to disagree. I bet it includes something along the lines of being misunderstood or ganged up on.
Geordie Munro
14:54 on
4 March, 2014
Tinytim
“The home fixtures are dire without them”
In your opinion.
=========================================
Lets be honest here Geordie. The young supporters who are our next generation are fascinated by them.
It is the atmosphere that got many of us hooked on Celtic.
Without them, the place is eerily silent. If I were a youngster now would I be pestering my old man to bring me to Parkhead and sit in a morgue like atmosphere? Tough questions.
Did anyone watch the St Pauli match last night? Full house of fans supporting their team for 90minutes. A Monday night.
They weren’t all there for the quality of the football – they have the passion and there is no one there trying to suppress it.
HH
Auldheid
Some good points usual.
Shouldn’t Celtic have apologised to the GB for their knee jerk reaction in closing section 111 when no member has been arrested for the events at Fir Park. Especially given that those who sit there had paid close to £500 for the privilege to do so.
Sevconian Ice Tester
LiviBhoy
That was a cracker of a post. I am not at all a sentimental sort of guy and often feel almost embarrassed at some of the ” What being a Celtic fan means to me” posts. Yours wasn`t like that to me. It was a great post from a great supporter.
Hail! Hail!
Jungle Jim
Well, well, well… What do we have here? Is this possibly the new section for the #GreenBrigade?
https://twitter.com/LeeFlood27/status/440859847685599232/photo/1
Do you believe that Dermot Desmond (and I mean no slight on the man or his character, inferred, or otherwise) is more important to the soul and ethos of Celtic FC than the unemployed street-sweeper who dreams of a ticket to a Celtic game for Christmas?
CQN SHROVE TUESDAY 2014,
Luke 18:9-14
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, I am a sinner!’
geordie munro
15:02 on 4 March, 2014
HT,
‘Deliberately tried to scupper’ and ‘didn’t promote as promised’ are not the same in my book, likesy.
———
Agreed.
Both things happened though.
Celtic renaged on a promise to promote the initiative AND a member of staff deliberately gave misleading information which could have led to it being a failure.
If it wasn’t for the wee barmaid I’d drink somwewhere else.
Eddie
Did you read the other tweets? Big screen maintenance.
JJ
eddieinkirkmichael
15:04 on 4 March, 2014
tonydonnelly67
14:57 on
Of course I am, your behaviour in never questioning the authority of our board displays all the characteristics of what you term “hunnish”.
_________________________
Listen there is only one way I can put this, and that is, ” I have no questions for the board! as far as I’m concerned every thing is fine” so what do you want me to do, be like some in here, make questions up? Just for the sake of it, the CFC and PL are way far to busy, and the people asking stupid questions, and making seriously redicules insinuations, are only holding the club back, without doubt some have questions, but for gods sake make them pertinent.
kitalba
(missed this one)
14:50 on
4 March, 2014
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?
No I have no idea. But a truth one week can be presented as a lie the next if the basis for the answer changes in the meantime.
Do you condone their lying to us?
I cannot condone what you believe to be true. Do I believe them all the time? Do you think I’m daft?
Do you believe there is a ‘caste’ structure being introduced to Celtic FC by Celtic PLC?
There is what I call a range from suits to tackity boots and there is a kind of them and us, where the “them” starts with an elite centre which is the players and coaches, surrounded by another management elite circle plus wealthy supporters, (the suits) then the everyday club employees, then the support at large (the tackity boots).
However I doubt that is unique to Celtic and it is not something that is introduced by external design, it is the DNA of a successful football club.
Auldheid @ 14.57,
Your words should be written large on this blog. Too, too many only want to see and believe one side of any story.
Eddie , it had better no be – we’ve got 62 seats in there ;(
Sanna
hamiltontim is praying for oscar
15:11 on 4 March, 2014
geordie munro
15:02 on 4 March, 2014
HT,
‘Deliberately tried to scupper’ and ‘didn’t promote as promised’ are not the same in my book, likesy.
———
Agreed.
Both things happened though.
Celtic renaged on a promise to promote the initiative AND a member of staff deliberately gave misleading information which could have led to it being a failure.
_____________________
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, COULD, being the word, but not DID, now I got it.
LiviBhoy – God bless wee Oscar
Glad we got the small talk out of the way :O)..now we can just talk pish to each other
at night oot …….some mhan ,lookin forward to it.hh
The atmosphere at Celtic park hasn’t changed for about 95% of supporters, when the green brigade where there hardly anybody joined in when they where singing so now no body is singing nothing has changed for the majority. HH
Livibhoy
Great read and not too dissimiliar to my own situation. I’m getting married(she says in November, I say next season!) so currently share a season book – works well.
I’ll be a regular again before too long, whoever we’re playing against.
The apathy I don’t understand.
There were people who came to Celtic post-Fergus who I had a feeling would slip away before too long.
I know of one(middle aged) guy who is a perfect example. Stopped going 2-3 years after Fergus left. The reason? He lost his car parking space outside the Main Stand when a certain former member of staff in Celtic security vacated the building.
Some people just don’t have the passion and will drift away anyway.
We have to concentrate on those who do.
Like the full stadium of St Pauli fans last night, why can’t we be the same? Can we really claim to be the best ‘supporters’ in the world?
HH
Has anyone ever seen Kitalba/GCT AND HT and TD67 in the same room?
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar
15:06 on
4 March, 2014
Auldheid
Some good points usual.
Shouldn’t Celtic have apologised to the GB for their knee jerk reaction in closing section 111 when no member has been arrested for the events at Fir Park. Especially given that those who sit there had paid close to £500 for the privilege to do so.
=============
I think in lifting the suspension they should have explained why they acted quickly, apologised for depriving anyone suspended but not charged and done so in a letter to the individuals suspended.
Its only good manners.
It is a bit rich not to say politically naïve to expecting Celtic to make a public apology to a group not themselves prepared to reciprocate.
TYPE UP FOR THE GREEN BRIGADE
HT
Evry time a come oan hear your apologizin’ tae sumdy.
The blog’s goin’ tae rack an roony by the looks o it.
tonydonnelly67
15:18 on 4 March, 2014
hamiltontim is praying for oscar
15:11 on 4 March, 2014
geordie munro
15:02 on 4 March, 2014
HT,
‘Deliberately tried to scupper’ and ‘didn’t promote as promised’ are not the same in my book, likesy.
———
Agreed.
Both things happened though.
Celtic renaged on a promise to promote the initiative AND a member of staff deliberately gave misleading information which could have led to it being a failure.
_____________________
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, COULD, being the word, but not DID, now I got it.
——–
It wasn’t a failure because a GB member contacted the person who’d been given bogus information from the Celtic employee quite by chance and the possibility of failure was averted.
TonyDonnelly all 6’s & 7’s (the official Celtic Oracle)
Is it dark up there?
MWD
Philbhoy
15:22 on
4 March, 2014
Has anyone ever seen Kitalba/GCT AND HT and TD67 in the same room?
———————-
I saw a news item once where a guy had four ferrets down his trousers :)
Jock Stein wore tackity boots once, so too did a lot of others. And my point was, which you did not address, where in social space do you draw a line where one supporter is worthy of hearing and digesting the truth and another is not?
And so DD put 4 million into our club and gets to lord over us, but his four million (with annual dividends) is a fraction of the sacrifice of the unemployed street sweeper who sold his soul just to but for see a single game… before he died.
I’d rather drink with the street sweeper.
hun skelper
“nothing has changed for the majority. HH”
Unfortunately it has changed for the majority, we can ALL hear the silence now por cierto.
hun skelper
15:20 on
4 March, 2014
The atmosphere at Celtic park hasn’t changed for about 95% of supporters, when the green brigade where there hardly anybody joined in when they where singing so now no body is singing nothing has changed for the majority. HH
================================
Celtic Park is MUCH quieter without them, wherever you sit.
Not everyone wants to sing for 90mins like they do but when the rest join in, what a sound.
Its a football match – you sound like you’d prefer to sit in depressing silence?!
Philbhoy
How are you? Made it back onto the gowf course this year yet?
MWD
Livibhoy,
Cracking post mate.
Tinytim,
I just don’t get the fascination with the atmosphere. I love it on big Euro nights and the likes but I simply don’t need it to enjoy the game.
Maybe it’s because I have watched, junior, Sunday, amateur football all my life. With a billion local kids comps thrown in.
I’ve seen some awesome games with less than 20 folks attending.
Full houses are great but they are not, will not and never will be a prerequisite to me enjoying my day out.
HH.
Auldheid
As a customer I’ll agree with the first part of your reply :-)
Auldhied
“I saw a news item once where a guy had four ferrets down his trousers :)”
Exactly you can’t see the ferrets por cierto
Auldheid
15:25 on 4 March, 2014
Philbhoy
15:22 on
4 March, 2014
Has anyone ever seen Kitalba/GCT AND HT and TD67 in the same room?
———————-
I saw a news item once where a guy had four ferrets down his trousers :)
………………………….
PMSL!