After writing a piece on our European season for the forthcoming CQN Magazine I read the excellent contribution from SFTB this morning. It is only natural that we live in the moment but for the last 70 years of the 20th century Celtic fans, more than anyone else, viewed each day in its historical context.
Older generations would have had little choice but to keep their history alive during the lost decades between the mid-20s and mid-60s. 7-1 and the Coronation Cup, each magnificent and modest in their own way, were the highlights, while the legend of Jimmy McGrory more than anyone established what was known as the Celtic Way.
Then came Lisbon. In an instant, all that history was eclipsed. New heroes, one of whom recalled to me he was told Celtic would amount to nothing with him in the team by a ‘fan’ a few years earlier, changed everything, but for this most historical of clubs, the inheritance was not all positive.
If Jimmy McGrory established Celtic as a remarkable goal-scoring team, the incessant attacking that afternoon in Lisbon cast an unattainable shadow. It proved Celtic could win the European Cup by playing fabulous football but set a template we were cursed to attempt to follow.
The rules of the off-field game have changed often since those days, no more so than this season, when Celtic grew from a team who were penned into their own penalty box by HJK Helsinki, who needed a goal to knock us out of Europe in August, from a team the Turin media were joyous when Juventus beat home and away. Thoughts of ‘Maybe we could win this” have since emerged in Turin.
I’ve loved every minute of this season, from the last minute header in Moscow to the last minute header in Dingwall. Adding context to it is a joy for one of our tomorrows.
[calameo code=000390171160c3bf6ac7a lang=en page=119 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
893 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
Dear, dear, dear.
Where’s the Cellic this morning ?
tumbleweed, tumbleweed, tumbleweed…..
…ach well…away off oot to watch
The Quiet Man and enjoy the company of
the BEST community of fholk that the Dear Lord
has ever put on this earth :o)))
Happy Days – CSC
Off oot
Starry Plough
Spartans have been in the Game long enough to know that irrespective of the remarkable work they do, there wasn’t a hope in hell of them being able to persuade the SFL clubs to back them over Sevco, and little point in wasting money and energy making a fuss.
Few people know but… Spartans raise around £500,000 each year to support their community engagement activities. This is an extensive series of social programmes targetting excluded kids, hard to reach groups, unemployed, people with learning disabilities, minorities and so on, using football to engage disadvantaged people in education, inclusion, addiction/misuse and social betterment projects. It’s a remarkable set up, and a wonderful story.
Despite being located in leafy Barnton, Spartons have 3 of the top 10 most deprived wards on their doorstep, and the work they do in this respect eclipses that of most football clubs in the country.
At the last round of open applications to SFL – to replace defunct Gretna – the majority of SFL1 clubs backed Spartans. They received no votes from D2 ar D3 clubs.
Why?
Because Spartans currently feed players into senior football, supporting the squads at teams such as Stenny and East Fife etc.
Annan on the other hand, being remote and small, offered no meaningful competition in terms of player recruitment or prizes. (Or so they thought…) It was a self-centric decision by the D2 and D3 clubs.
If Spartans were a senior side, the direction of player movement would be reversed. With their not-for-profit model, community betterment ethic, and sparkling new Ainslie Park facility, the likes of Albion Rovers and East Stirlingshire would likely be remaindered in early course.
With the top 12 in the SFL joining the 2×12 set up, the decision on whether to go for a 2×10 or 1×18 set up at the bottom end of the structure falls to the part time and community clubs.
The strong sense I have is that they will vote for the money, as they always have. That means they will vote for 1×18 as it means they will all get another bite at the Sevco cherry, which includes meaningful TV revenue in addition to ticket sales.
The resurrection of the Colts teams idea is, in this context, most likely an attempt by Longmuir to get them to accept a 2×10 format, thus allowing the Sevco team to be seen to move up a division. Remember, Sevco’s interests are entirely financial as well, having planned a 25% increase in season ticket prices for D2 football next season – that’s about £2.5M revenue to Chuckles and his pals.
By playing up the long term financial benefits of having Celtic and Sevco colt teams in D3, Longmuir may be attempting to mitigate the short term impact of losing another sook from the Sevco nipple.
What is likely to happen though is that the clubs vote for 1×18 this time around – it’s worth about £100K to each club, and considerably more to Queens Park – and once Sevco reach the SPL2, they’ll change to a 2×10 and thus, they’ll be able to gorge on cake next season, and still have it later.
For Spartans, it means that in addition to being dinged in 2000 in favour of Elgin and Peterhead, 2002 in favour of Gretna, 2008 in favour of Annan (when Gretna folded), and last year (unofficially) in favour of Sevco, they’ll continue to be excluded next time in favour of ‘Colt’ teams.
One trusts that they have the patience to wait until a functioning pyramid is introduced, and the talent to finally win their place, at which point they will at last get the chance to rectify a few historical insults and settle a few scores. (Not that the people at the club think that way)
BTW: Do I get a prize for over-use of dietary allegories in that reply? :¬)
Comfortable collective @11.26
So, Fat sally is absolved of all blame for “thems” shoite players! That’s one myth I’m happy for the MSM to perpetuate!
Sally must stay!
HH
The Battered Bunnet
Excellent points regarding Spartans.
They should be in the senior ranks. Bring plenty to the table. Edinburgh should have more than one club in the leagues with Hibernian being from Leith of course.
LB
the battered bunnet
11:43 on
13 March, 2013
Good analysis. I feel for Spartans and can see the benefits to Celtic youth development.
Unfortunately it links us and this new team together. The present Sevco still do not really qualify for any league due to their lack of accounts. Wonder how this would progress if we said we were not interested.
Hail hail bhoys
I have received a reply from the ASA regarding thems radio advert claiming to be the most successful club however as you can see from the copy I have posted below the ASA has taken the position that if I don’t provide them with a link to said advert or hard copy by the 19 th of march then they will ASSUME that I no longer want the matter auctioned!!!!
So to cut a long story short does anyone know where to start looking or has a link already because it seems to me a convenient way for the ASA To avoid carrying out their bloody job
Here is their reply…………
A13-224602/EH. ASA Enquiry.
Dear Mr Xxxxxxxx
THE RANGERS FOOTBALL CLUB LTD
Thank you for contacting the Advertising Standards Authority. I’m sorry to learn that this matter has caused you concern.
Before we’re able to take a decision on whether or not to pursue an investigation of your complaint under the Codes, we need to see a copy of the ad to which you object. We’re currently locating the radio ad, but are you able to send us a copy of the newspaper ad to this email address at all?
The ASA’s effectiveness depends on resolving complaints fairly and swiftly. So that we can conclude this matter as soon as possible, we should like to receive your response within five working days of the date on this email. If we don’t hear from you by 19th March we shall assume you don’t wish us to proceed with your complaint. However, if you would like more time please let me know.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Emily Henwood
Complaints Executive
Direct line 020 7492 2184
Advertising Standards Authority
Mid City Place, 71 High Holborn
London WC1V 6QT
Telephone 020 7492 2222
http://www.asa.org.uk
Follow us on twitter: @ASA_UK
Legal, decent, honest and truthful
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and the Advertising Standards Authority (Broadcast) Ltd will use the information you have given us to deal with your complaint. If your complaint falls under the remit of a different regulatory body, we will normally pass it on to that body. If you are seeking suppression from an advertiser’s database or have not received goods or a refund, we will pass the details of your complaint to the advertiser so it can take action.
The information contained in this electronic correspondence and any files transmitted with it is intended for the addressee only and may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the addressee please delete this message and notify the sender; you should not copy or distribute this message or disclose its contents to anyone.
An anti-virus system is in operation and our systems are regularly scanned for known viruses. ASA/CAP accepts no responsibility for any subsequent viruses attached.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Any help appreciated bhoys
mhark67
See the Leeds cyclists will passing through your neck of the woods on Saturday morning.
TBB
As a season ticket holder at Spartans as well as CP, I would hardly describe their location in Ainslie Park as ‘ leafy Barnton’, but everything else you say is true.
Their set up is a model for the way forward for like teams and they would thoroughly deserve incorporation into the new set up. They are gentlemen from top to bottom and would be a credit to senior football.
Attending their home games is a welcome relief from the daily farce of Scottish Football.
embramike
It’s more a reflection on how they are viewed than precisely where they are located.
The SPL’s panel visited Ainslie Park in 2008 as part of the application process. It comprised the chairmen of 4 current SFL clubs. One of them said, when touring the extension to the building: “You can’t have a balcony overlooking a football ground. That’s not the Scottish football way. It’s cricket or something.”
Parochial and short-sighted doesn’t cover half of it.
Ooops
SPL Panel = SFL Panel.
Apols
Leftclictic,
Don’t mind at all – I think that Gerontius deserves to be better known. BTW hope you enjoyed it.
The Battered Bunnet
Don’t know why reading your reply made me kinda hungry!! Subliminal programming by BB!!
I didn’t know that about Spartans, sounds like exactly the kind of club we need to be in our set up..
Thanks for the breakdown, the shameless continue to polish their own shoes..
Dedicating the lucky 888 to everyone having a bet at Cheltenham
I see Turnbull Hutton shares my view on the motivation behind ‘colt teams’ in the SFL, while a Binos Director this morning has suggested “the timing isn’t right”. cough….
new article posted.
1 GODSMEJUDGE
2 THE NEW ONE
3GOULANES
4 SIZING EUROPE
5FIVEFORTHREE
6 RUACANA
.
SydneyTim..
Re; Sunday..
Will be back in Sydney Fri Avro.. Cruise Sat Night.. Cheers Sat Night..
Sunday.. ? I have been asked to go on the Parade I think..
But I’m traveling with Girls.. Think Tabelling with 4 Wives.. Jeezo I’m Demented.. :-((
Summa of HenryTheFourthCSC
1 GODSMEJUDGE
2 THE NEW ONE
3GOULANES
4 SIZING EUROPE
5FIVEFORTHREE
6 RUACANA
7REGAL ENCORE