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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AlbertKiddCSC
Thanks mate.
LB
Auldheid, JimTim
That was indeed BRTH, although bigot was not a word he used I don’t think.
I’ve also worked in the Ticket Office, so I know for a fact that some things have taken place that were unfair for the wider fan base while favouring other fans. It was an unfortunate side-effect of what was happening at the time but required for business purposes
——————————-
Fatcats.
‘Required for business purposes’ …
Well thats alright then. Screw the wider support.
FFS.
HT,
My bhoy and myself took a food bag to the game that day.
After stoatin about and asking stewards where the collection point was…I was met with blank looks.
Eventually we found it situated outside the main gates at the ll stand.
I couldn’t say if the gb were designated to stand outside the stadium grouds or not but it did seem strange at the time. HH
moonbeams wd. kano 2000 \o/ supporting neil lennon 29.9%. champions. c’mon wee oscar.
16:17 on 4 March, 2014
TonyDonnelly67
I’d suggest it is lemmings like your good self that are more dangerous to our club!
MWD
__________________________
And you can sunset all you like, your opinion of me is none of my business.
leftclicktic We are all Neil Lennon
16:20 on
4 March, 2014
Phil needs help
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/help-required-2/#more-4442
………………………………..
donation sent ….bhoys like Phil should always be helped ….he has given us some wonderful Huntertainment ….braw
traditionalist88
16:21 on 4 March, 2014
I’ve also worked in the Ticket Office, so I know for a fact that some things have taken place that were unfair for the wider fan base while favouring other fans. It was an unfortunate side-effect of what was happening at the time but required for business purposes
——————————-
Fatcats.
‘Required for business purposes’ …
Well thats alright then. Screw the wider support.
FFS.
___________________________
Another one in with more accusations and no proof, and only he knows his agenda.
kitalba
13:49 on 4 March, 2014
You don’t half make some ridiculous statements at times, I’m afraid
I shall let you all get on with your ole interminable squabbling and pick up the thread again after my ole Lentlurk.
At CQTen I hope to renew ole acquaintances and make some fresh ones.
There’s plenty on here still pining for Marten. They are weasily recognised as stoatirs. It’s hard to tell them that the MONgoose is cooked. Don’t blame me, I’m meerkat the messenger. I otter not badger them. Ermine, I mink that it’s ferret good reason that they beaver on in that regard.
Auldheid . Apologies I thought it was you . I certainly had a debate with one of our learned posters regards it . Can’t remember who .
Livibhoy
I once believed that Celtic were my life, then like you, I married and started a family (of one!)
I was a season book holder until my wee girl reached 7 years old.
I was then and still am self employed and often work Saturday mornings, so going to the game after work meant not seeing my family until sevenish in the evening.
I made the choice to spend more time with my family so gave up the season book.
However, the wee one has a decent interest in Celtic and I’ve taken her to a few games and she has never watched us lose.
She also has a healthy interest in the Celtic Superstore where a few bob has been spent!
Sadly we have not been this season at all as I disagree with the polis taking our pictures on the way to the turnstyles.
Still there is nothing better than the wee one cuddling up to me on the sofa, Celtic scarf on, watching them on the telly.
I do hope one day I will return and that it is in the not too distant future.
We’ll see!
kitalba
15:25 on
4 March, 2014
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?
================
I did not address it because I do not understand it.
You will have to elaborate and I’ll have a go.
Re- CQN bookclub, earlier.
A Confederency of Dunces being discussed on R4, “A good read”.
Superb.
Jimtim
From context it would be BRTH who knows the name, so probably him.
tonydonnelly67
In fairness I think that sort of thing happens at every football club.
It’s unfortunate but this is the world we live in.
Celtic have rakes of empty seats and many corporate seats empty and never think to look at their database and say to themselves this guy has had a a season ticket X amount of years let’s make his day in a few weeks and invite him into the lounge. It will be half empty anyway. Let’s invite another 50 like minded people and give them a day out that will ensure they are back next season. They have alreday paid for their seat anyway. All they would be getting free is a padded seat and the comfort of a lounge before during and after the match. I think our whole supporter experience and the way the fans who have been there through thick and thin could be better looked at.
It’s a business and it is reliant on the paying customer. Other businesses do loyalty cards and build up bonus points etc. Celtic should break the mould and do something similar. We have wonderful facilities that half the paying public who go to the stadium regularly have never seen. That sounds crazy to me. If it is not being used get people in to use it. People are being employed to man it anyway.
LB
Sftb,
You deserve pelters for that one ;)
TD67
You are answerable to Paul67 whose blessed blog this is.
Oh….and you are answerable to, err, your God.
Livibhoy @ 15.02
You sound like a right proper Bhoy
HH jamesgang
setting free the bears supports Res. 12 & Oscar Knox
Only Artur Boruc the Pole Cat was missing there (well the wolverine too but I’m buggered if I can fit that in, unless we give Leigh Griffiths that accolade?)
A wolverine is a stocky and muscular carnivore, more closely resembling a small bear than other mustelids. The wolverine has a reputation for ferocity and strength out of proportion to its size, with the documented ability to kill prey many times larger than itself
onydonnelly67
14:29 on
4 March, 2014
turkeybhoy
14:13 on 4 March, 2014
Celtic,as a club ,did nothing to promote the “Food Bank”organized by the GB.No mention on the week leading up to the collection,no mention on the matchday.
If anyone has proof to the contrary,please let us all know.
________________
No no no no, please no twists on the story, show me proof Celtic hindered it, get it, that means got in the way of it.
Tony,I have never said that Celtic tried to “Hinder”the food drive.My point is that Celtic,because of their ongoing disputes with the GB,did not promote or advertise the “Food Bank”in the week leading up ,and on the day of the game.In anyones view this should seem petty and not what the club should be about.
Get donating to Phil`s site , Bhoys. We need journalists like Phil and journalists like Phil need money to keep reporting. It`s in Euros but don`t let that put you off .
JJ
Doc. No doubt you are right my friend , I couldn’t,t find my post to check . Anyway time that company were challenged .
LiviBhoy – God bless wee Oscar
16:35 on
4 March, 2014
That is so good I’ve sent it in.
Tony Donnelly all 6’s and 7’s
I will sunset away. lollol
If my opinion of you does not matter why the need to answer?
MWD just asking likesy.
tonydonnelly67
16:25 on
4 March, 2014
traditionalist88
16:21 on 4 March, 2014
I’ve also worked in the Ticket Office, so I know for a fact that some things have taken place that were unfair for the wider fan base while favouring other fans. It was an unfortunate side-effect of what was happening at the time but required for business purposes
——————————-
Fatcats.
‘Required for business purposes’ …
Well thats alright then. Screw the wider support.
FFS.
___________________________
Another one in with more accusations and no proof, and only he knows his agenda.
=================
No proof?! We have a former ticket office employee telling us the rank and file Celtic supporters were inconvenienced unfairly, that he agreed it was unfair but clearly some ‘fans’ are more important than others.
My opinion is these fans deemed more important do a good job of being there for the big European nights and few other occasions.
Thats what I was reacting to. Now who knows this may have been some years ago but yet again, your naievete in being unable to grasp that there may be occasions where the club could do things better is incredibly short sighted.
Seems to me that TD is simply saying that he is perfectly happy with Celtic and all who sail in her. He doesn`t like it when Celtic supporters are critical of Celtic because he believes that the critics do not have sufficient information to air those views as facts.
Is that standpoint such a bad one? Does he deserve the vilification he receives?
We are Celtic supporters……
JJ
philbhoy
16:38 on 4 March, 2014
TD67
You are answerable to Paul67 whose blessed blog this is.
Oh….and you are answerable to, err, your God.
____________________________
And neither of the two have I dissed when I’ve been on here EVER, I know how to behave in people’s blogs, lurking Huns take note, GIRUY .
Club were certainly almightly happy to take credit from the local Church of Scotland minister after the foodbank collection was such a success.
I contacted the Guru JP via twitter to ask why the club was not promoting this jopint adventure between themselves and the GB in the lead up to the collection. Was told he’d find out but no reply. Also contacted Tony Hamilton who said initially it was not his job but later advised, after I pointed out to him that he had an important role considering his new position at the club, that he would look into it. Nyada!.
Not heresay. But unless i am a big fat liar and I think I can count on those who know me to know that I am not, our club did nothing to help promote this worthy cause. All because they ar big girls blouses and thriough their toys out of the pram.
MWD
Auldheid
I misse out the Wolverine for the reasons you highlight.
I also missed out the Tayra, known as the tolomuco or perico ligero, for the same reasons, whilst happily incorporating unrelated species like meerkat and mongoose because they could be used.
Falling Attendances
From the nags gob nothing to do with Peter Ronnie absence of GB or financial austerity
Plain and simple the reason my season ticket has remained unused on occasion this season is bored shitless with the product
How much of a crowd do you think that they could muster at racecourses around the country if on the majority their business days they were running one horse races with no competition whatsoever
DBBIA,
Haste ye back. The blog is a much poorer place without your unique contribution. Enjoy the CQN10.
JJ
Vilification!
C’mon. He’s a big boy. if he is going to have a go at thosoe who are critical then he canny panty wet when he gets critiqued.
MWD
MWD
:But unless i am a big fat liar and I think I can count on those who know me to know that I am not,”
Well I will certainly vouch for the fact that you are not a liar…….as for the two adjectives? Hmmmmm…..?
JJ
tonydonnelly67
16:25 on
4 March, 2014
traditionalist88
16:21 on 4 March, 2014
I’ve also worked in the Ticket Office, so I know for a fact that some things have taken place that were unfair for the wider fan base while favouring other fans. It was an unfortunate side-effect of what was happening at the time but required for business purposes
——————————-
Fatcats.
‘Required for business purposes’ …
Well thats alright then. Screw the wider support.
FFS.
___________________________
Another one in with more accusations and no proof, and only he knows his agenda.
_________________________________________
So we have eye witness testimony from someone working in the ticket office of practices “unfair on the wider support”. Someone characterises this attitude as “Screw the wider support” and is then accused of making accusations without proof and having an agenda.
This is staggering. You have accused someone of making accusations without proof. Yet you offer up as proof of your accusation a post that contains the proof you claim is lacking meaning that you have just made an accusation with no proof.
Only you know your agenda I suppose.
Turkey Bhoy
Let’s stick to the original post everyone seems to be missing for some reason or other?
______________________
13:46 on 4 March, 2014
hamiltontim is praying for oscar
12:02 on 4 March, 2014
timaloy29
11:58 on 4 March, 2014
It has been claimed that some within Celtic deliberately attempted to scupper the Food Drive by the Green Brigade.
Certainly after initially stating that the club would highlight and support the initiative they renaged on this, sadly.
In my opinion that’s ‘questionable credentials’.
____________________
HH all,
Doc/CRC, dream team is in and I for one think it’s a brammer.
Going to watch my bhoy play tonight. Albion Rovers warming up for Sundays Scottish cup quarter final against the team one league above them.
Having already knocked out Motherwell from the Prem and Stenny (same league as Sundays opponents) I think a cup upset is on the cards.
Unfortunately the Bhoy is currently on the bench but will be playing tonight for some much needed game time. I have no doubt thems tactics will be to deploy elbows to take the keeper out early doors (well I hope thats wot happens, God forgive me)
Well anyways here’s me dreaming ma Lhaddie will singlehandedly knock them oot the cup. How sweet would that be. Hahahaha
Before I go get your BEANIE HATS ordered from here hatsfrompat@celticquicknews.co.uk
need to be ordered before Friday to guarantee delivery at the big CQteN night.
HH PB1888
setting free the bears supports Res. 12 & Oscar Knox
Well if you were going off species why did you swerve the aardvark ?
and my frog.