The heat was suffocating, it was 35° and city was heaving. On the long walk out of town some enterprising locals were selling water or cola to the increasingly dehydrated caravan of people. I passed a few, not willing to succumb to extortionate opportunism, but soon gave in.
I walked into an orange tree earlier that day. Caught between taking directions from a policeman and setting off in a new direction I’d overlooked the towering obstacle a yard in front of me. There’d been a spring in my step, I must have bounced into the bark. Trees are hard. I fell.
The return journey was made in the cool of the night. For the first few miles we were a uniformed flow of humanity but eventually the crowd thinned. We walked through residential streets with locals at their doors and windows. They applauded as we passed. Few of us are ever part of something substantial enough that uninvolved observers openly applaud you. Such memories endure.
I’d an early rise and a long drive with a full car ahead the next day. The bedroom was packed, floor space was given over to spare bedding, the hotels must have shipped mattresses in from a hundred kilometres radius, so with the others in the bar, I took myself off for a shower.
I met a German couple in the elevator. “Are you disappointed?” the woman asked. “No, we played well and were beaten by a good team.” It was the perfect answer. These people must have been horrified when they noticed the throng which would dominate their trip, but they’d become part of the story, part of the throng. The answer was honestly given, although disappointment would come later. I went on, “We lost a minor cup final nine years ago, that was real disappointment”.
I surprised myself by what my memory spontaneously threw up when asked about disappointment. Looking back now, that minor cup final is no more than a touchstone, and indicator of where we were before the Generation of Domination got underway. It’s lost its power to inflict negative emotion. If I met the German couple once more I could again tell them I wasn’t disappointed with that day in the blistering heat. It’s one of my proudest memories, and we soon learned we were beaten, narrowly, by a great team.
This, my friends in Celtic, is what you call a journey.
I spoke to fan liaison manager John Paul Taylor yesterday and mentioned I’d not renewed my season ticket yet. I promised him I would today and that I’d pass the message on. Deadline is tomorrow, after that people can ask for a move into your seat. Consider yourself reminded! We walk the next mile of the journey soon, with hope in our hearts, as always.
Many thanks to those who donated to Mary’s Meals yesterday, and to Magners. The money raised in one day alone will feed over 30 of the world’s poorest school children for a year.
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BMCUW 08:19…
No worries pal. Going to source a copy of the book of the movie, which, in my experience is usually better than the movie of the book! Aye?
Regards & Hail Hail
TBM
Saltires en Sevilla (@wee small hours)
Such an apt analogy!
Events of last week have increased the stench, impossible as that may seem!
GER57
I hope you used the widely-circulated direct phone numbers!
But CONGRATULATIONS on buying yer ticket,mate!!!!!!
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
09:37 on
22 May, 2015
Oops.
SSE got it right. The council cancelled the payments then took me to court for non-payment!
I attended,but it didn’t get as far as the courtroom when I showed the officials my raft of mails. And pointed out that my employer,the local paper,was rather interested in their incompetence.
Heyho. I blame Direct Debit.
——————————————————
The Direct Debit scheme madates the business to collect. If they didn’t then that’s their problem! :-))
Just read TGASL article there , lol, he has lost the plot, I have visions of cups of tea in the parking lot again, mark my words.
natknow
09:30 on 22 May, 2015
….because the SFA didn’t want the currant bhun hordes anywhere near the stadium to riot, as usual …..and, of course, our fans couldn’t, therefore, be allowed to attend either (for fear of us retaliating) ….. and some Celtic supporters want them back ……most English, Spanish etc Clubs don’t want them anywhere near their stadiums, but some of us want them back from the deed….sad, really….
67heaven..,
Our custodians and guardians want them back
Hello again all you young rebels.
It’s with a heavy heart that i post today on learning of the
passing of another fine Celtic man, Ernie Hannigan.
Ernie was a long standing member of the Perth CSC in
Western Australia, a kind compassionate man who was
instrumental in the raising of funds for needy and deserving
causes as part of the Celtic ethos.
A very good footballer in his own right who played and
starred for Queen of the South and i believe scored a
winning goal for Preston against Tottenham in a english
cup tie, his career took him to the U.S where he played
for New York Cosmos before retiring to Oz when he
joined the Perth Supporters club.
Our own club in Mornington held a fund raising day last
Sunday for Ernie and his family after hearing of his illness
but sadly he has now passed on.
Maybe some of you guys knew him and would would like to
pass on your condolences through our CQN blog as i know
some of his friends and family visit here.
God bless you Ernie and R.I.P.
H.H Mick
RIP Ernie Hannigan
67Heaven .. CHALLENGING THE LIE ..I am wee Oscar…… Ipox belongs to the creditors
09:42 on
22 May, 2015
natknow
09:30 on 22 May, 2015
….because the SFA didn’t want the currant bhun hordes anywhere near the stadium to riot, as usual …..and, of course, our fans couldn’t, therefore, be allowed to attend either (for fear of us retaliating) ….. and some Celtic supporters want them back ……most English, Spanish etc Clubs don’t want them anywhere near their stadiums, but some of us want them back from the deed….sad, really….
—————————————————————————-
Cheers mate. I was under the impression it was the clubs who had decided to place the limit on tickets. I’m guessing the SFA didn’t actually come out and say that?
GASL says that he already lost £20m in old Rangers
Wasn’t there an article posted on here that showed that it was one huge money laundering scam and that he got his money back?
Surprised that SMSM have not scotched that lie from tricky Dicky
charliemac,
£17M was returned I’m sure their accounts showed the repayment
Good win for the young bhoys last night. I like to see them getting into the winning habit.
“Now if you look at Rangers , even in terms of the financials, we are in an incredibley strong position.
We have shareholders who can fund it and it has virtually no debt.
How many clubs in the world don’t have debt?
For any football club our balance sheet is incredibley strong.
We are one of the strongest clubs in the world financialy.
How many clubs are sitting with £5m of interest free debt and that is all they’ve got”
Now there is a possibility that at some point yesterday crystal methamphetamine played a part in this, I don’t know the man but, ffs, lol
Hebcelt.mon the ST front i do not intend to go to any games, nor buy any merchandising etc. my wife is a bit concerned about this given how much she knows I love Celtic. But I think there is a very big principle at stake here.
Regarding your definition of corruption I’m sure you are strictly speaking and legally speaking correct. However to collude in the 5 way agreement, to stand and say nothing while king is passed as fit and proper, to participate in the attacks on Celtic supporters. It disgusts me.
NATKNOW
Aye,but it makes us consumers lazy. DD set up,job done.
Besides,I don’t want to fall out wi the council. I might need their help one day. Till then,a coupla grand a year is a small price to pay. (Aye,right)
All debt free, loaded wi money, and begging fat arse to take a drop in his wages,.
I’m missing something right?
In Embra and on my mobile which is running low on battery.
Canamalar (and others) who are not renewing. I have a lot of sympathy for the way you feel about Sevco and our Board’s lack of action or perceived lack of action.
I have already renewed my Season ticket and would have done so no matter what happens. At the end of the day it boils down to we, the supporters, and our relationship with the players on the park wearing those famous, beloved Hoops.
I don’t really care about the Custodians. I would like them to do better but if I boycott, I am missing out on watching the team I love and as far as I can see, I am directly affecting the strength of the team by withholding my money.
For as long as I can remember, Celtic fans have been at odds with the custodians of their time. When we won the European Cup, we were run by the same families that in later years took us to the brink of extinction.
We all know that Sevco, SFA, mibs, SPFL, Judiciary, Christine Graham et al are a bunch of cheats who are out to do us down but that is all the more reason why we as Celtic supporters should stick together, get right behind the team, get to the games and make those who would do us down eat Sh@&e and great dollops of it at that.
If our custodians made a public stance against the cheating (remember there are another 40 clubs who could also make a stance but haven’t) they would be ridiculed by the smsm. Their words would be twisted, misrepresented and we would be portrayed as the bigots.
I hope you will all reconsider and get out and support Celtic – if you can afford to.
THEBARCAMOLE
Usually the case,indeed. I might follow your example. Though that film did sound good…
Canamalar 09:54 on 22 May, 2015
Thanks
And I don’t really expect the SMSM to do their job and report on this -:)
Weeminger I have found my decision not to renew incredibly hard. My hope is that, if enough people do it it will force change in the CP boardroom. If change comes and we act ethically around these topics the support will rally around the flag and return in numbers (a bit like the sand people).
Canamalar
09:28 on
22 May, 2015
No. I know I rambled in that second but the point I was making was that by opening up the way I started today illicits responses from people that indicate they’re completely reconsidering their relationship with the club and in a sense if it even exists for them anymore.
Seriously I shan’t be calling anybody hypocrites. Go with your heart. It’s the right decision for you (not that you need any backing up from me or anybody else).
“How many clubs are sitting with £5 million interest free debt, and that’s all they’ve got?”
That’s only because yer not Rangers, Davie son!
NegAnon2
10:01 on
22 May, 2015
Absolutely, but it’s a risk. I don’t know if it’s fair to criticise others (and I’m not accusing of that) who feel that risk is too great.
My view is that the club is on a bit of a knife-edge. On the one hand money is so tight, they do need to chase every penny. On the other hand, it’ll kill the club for a good portion of the fans.
Personally I’d take a stand on their allocation etc – treat them as any 1st time participants in the Premiership. Lose the money, keep the fans.
MELBOURNE MICK
Ernie Hannigan.
He sounds like a fine man,who lived a life most of us could only dream of.
He sounds like a fine fitba’ player anaw,another thing most of us could only ever dream of.
R I P
‘Cos if you were. . .
http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/rangers-administration-full-list-of-creditors-1-2325870
http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/celtic/1321105-celtics-average-wage-bill-is-25-times-higher-than-ross-countys/
For all the PL rippers have a gander at this to get the rage-o-meter going today.
LB
theoriginalsadiesbhoy,
I see your using the same emotive language the board love to see in fact a wet dream for any plc board, “withholding my money” how sick is that.
beatbhoy
10:08 on
22 May, 2015
“How many clubs are sitting with £5 million interest free debt, and that’s all they’ve got?”
That’s only because yer not Rangers, Davie son!
————————————————————————
It’s easy for them to declare they are debt free – they just refer to debt as “investment”. When things don’t suit the hun they just change the meaning of the words.
When the going gets tough? I renewed , never in doubt, the SFA are bent, we all know that, it’s not celtics fault, I’ll be there and I won’t be alone, I don’t get the not renewing thing to be honest, I love my club dearly as many in here so, but to walk away from them? I could never do that, ohhhhh I know we get the ….I love Celtic too, it’s a matter of princables, really? Well good luck with that, and it’s your choice, I’ll be enjoying myself while all you that love them sit waiting for a Celtic defeat to say….I told you so….tims? Hmmmmmmm
tonydonnelly67
09:58 on 22 May, 2015
All debt free, loaded wi money, and begging fat arse to take a drop in his wages,.
I’m missing something right?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Absolutely brilliant, honestly …….. Let the ‘spin’ begin …….. Their level of gullibility is astounding …… Hahahahahahaha……
If they don’t get into SOME stock exchange like ISDX ?, they’re up S… Creek without a paddle….
Weeminger
My biggest bug bear is why not just keep ST price the same as the last two years for weans?
Since liquidation, child season tickets have been at a set price which covered all home league games. Now that there’s a possibility of Newco being promoted, the same season tickets only cover 17 games as opposed to 19 with the option of buying tickets for the other two games at a yet to be confirmed price.
It’s wrong. If Celtic believe that this is a new club, and I believe they do, then they should show that by their actions. There’s no need for public statements or shouting it from the rooftops. All Celtic need to do is set the price regardless of who is in the SPFL next season.
Oh and don’t give them an allocation of anything more than 2,000.
TBM/ BMCUW
Exception to the rule being ‘The Godfather’, unless I read a really bad translation!
Sorry to hear about Ernie Hannigan , RIP
Can remember when Ernie played on the wing
for Q of S , the early 60’s when i was a lad.
He was i think a born and bred Doonhamer and
very much the darling of the team and as such
was held in high esteem with the crowd .
Condolences to all his family
KTF
RIP Ernie.
Morning all.
An unexploded WW2 bomb has been found at Wembley.
Smsm to run a story that Luftwaffe bombers were guided in by local Irish and Italian fifth columnists leaving the lights on in pubs and fish n chip shops.
HH!!
weeminger
10:10 on
22 May, 2015
NegAnon2
10:01 on
22 May, 2015
Absolutely, but it’s a risk. I don’t know if it’s fair to criticise others (and I’m not accusing of that) who feel that risk is too great.
My view is that the club is on a bit of a knife-edge. On the one hand money is so tight, they do need to chase every penny. On the other hand, it’ll kill the club for a good portion of the fans.
Personally I’d take a stand on their allocation etc – treat them as any 1st time participants in the Premiership. Lose the money, keep the fans.
—————————————————————————
Given that 2,000 people turned up last night to watch the you cup final (and they could probably have sold another 6,000 tickets at least) how many do you think will not renew with the prospect of the 1st team playing sevco next season? I’m not convinced there are as many people out there who will not renew on the basis of principle than we might imagine?
Natknow
Yeah, I’d forgotten ‘administration’ and ‘liquidation’ were synonyms.