Illustrating the very high regard the business community and people of Barcelona hold Celtic fans, one of the city’s top restaurants, Cinc Sentis have donated lunch for two towards our annual charity causes.
I am assured by our resident food critic (WDH), Cinc Sentis is a fabulous dining experience. The auction has just gone live – so get a low bid in early – and ends Sunday. If you’re heading to Barcelona next week, or anytime thereafter, get your eBay bid in here.
Many thanks to Cinc Sentis and WDH.
Read lots yesterday about the vast majority of people in Scotland missing the ‘Old Firm’ games. Trying hard to inoculate myself against any “bravado” I really don’t see this. The edge we used to feel when going into the final minutes of a game needing a goal is no longer there, but I’m really not sure that edge is healthy or necessary.
More than this, I don’t know a single fan from another Premiership club who regrets the liquidation of Rangers, or feels their life is enhanced by the presence of Celtic. Everyone is aware of the harsh reality – we spoil the league.
We do, of course, sell copy, as did the liquidated lot.
CQN Annual:
Sean Fallon biography:
782 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- »
With the sad passing of Nelson Mandela it is only natural for those of us, now of a certain age, to reflect upon our experiences in arguing against apartheid.
I was brought up in the Gorbals in the 1950/1960s with a father particularly outspoken about the world’s injustices. His visit to Derry with Clyde Football Club in the summer of the late 1930s had reinforced his observations learned on the streets of Bridgeton where he attended Sacred Heart school. When the B Specials came into public view during the civil rights protests of the 1960s I was already well aware of who they were and what they were about.
Sharpeville in May 1960 created my first real awakening of the evils of apartheid however many people , I recall, seemed confused about the issue. Imperialist and colonial sentiment ran deep within the UK population – and yes that included many Celtic fans. Despite their experiences of discrimination which we all knew to be the case this sentiment did not entirely spread naturally to black Africans. Let’s be kind and just leave it at confusion. Imperial ideology ran deep. The debate seemed to be an agreement that repression and killing was reprehensible but the key question was about the ability of black native Africans to manage their own affairs ( without, of course, the intelligent god gifted skills of white people ).
In the mid and late 1960s Civil Rights movements in the USA and Ireland had caught the imagination and living in Glasgow inevitably there was heated debate. Looking back I feel that something had happened ( perhaps it was the JFK election and killing ) because virtually everyone I knew from a ‘ Celtic’ background supported Civil Rights. We sang ‘ we shall overcome ‘ with great gusto. We knew what Rangers Football Club represented and perhaps it was just my own political awakening but things had changed- changed utterly.
When I bought my first home on the south side of Glasgow my neighbours were nice respectable god – fearing people who had relatives living in Rhodesia. They tried explaining to me how I was misguided and ill informed. Blacks were inherently lazy and they would steal goods from their relations rather than work hard. I recognised these signals because it was oft said of the immigrant Irish Catholic population from which I had sprung in Glasgow. Eventually in the early 1970s these relations arrived back home ( they headed off to Ibrox to see their beloved team ) and I have the distinctive memory of a rather heated exchange with them. We white western liberals had no idea what these hard working folk had to endure was their line.
I was now working as the token Tim in a Glasgow city centre white collar occupation. They were all Rangers men. One day the conversation got round to a house sale in Newton Mearns and the proposed purchaser was , I believe, an Indian who was a surgeon at Glasgow’s Victoria Infirmary. The general idea was that the property would not be sold to him however if he was the highest bidder then there would be a general collection to make up the shortfall from impacted neighbours. It sounded all so southern states. It is true and it did happen. They believed that a medical coloured man buying a house in the Mearns would be the thin edge and house prices would fall.
These were fast moving times, more people like me were being employed and old ideas challenged.I recall a good Celtic man working in the Glasgow Stock Exchange being outraged at the plan to change St George’s Place to Nelson Mandela Place. The South African Consulate was there so it was a well aimed blast at the Apartheid regime.That sparked lots of debate but in that white middle class conservative office Nelson Mandela was a terrorist. Had to be Maggie Thatcher had decreed it so.
I had moved to London but on my return to Glasgow I was now a relatively important senior person.
Nelson Mandela came to Glasgow in 1993 and our company received an invite to be at the lunch. My then CEO was a member of the Conservative Party and they had boycotted this lunch so he followed their instructions and simply did not turn up. He confided in me that afternoon that he had considered asking me to attend in his place but decided against it.
I am back in London- a City of many peoples, races and tongues. However the ideological fight to have people accepted for what they are rather than stereotypes has a long way to go.
Nelson Mandela is a historical and towering giant. He was a beacon of light and an exemplar to many. I just wish on that rainy, windy Glasgow day that I had had the opportunity to shake his hand.
Nelson Mandela RIP.
TALLYBHOY
One or two of them did their best,but the seriously intellectual debate was beyond them.
Just no helping them,I’m afraid. They are what they are,as they themselves proudly proclaim.
Tallybhoy….
Whenever I read Follow Follow, it reminds me why I’m glad to live around 200 miles from the’
‘Welcome to Scotland’ sign on the M74.
GARCIA LORCA
Had you attended that day,it may well have affected your future with that company.
I doubt you would have cared.
Carlos the Jackyl – don’t you mean Dr Jeckal?
Terriorism – I can just see it now, bands of wee dugs with guns and bombs threatening all those who don’t share their views.
On the subject of “Terriorism” doesn’t anyone on FF see the hypocrisy of decrying Nelson Mandela as a terrorist whilst supporting the same set of fans who send letter bombs, threaten to burn down other clubs grounds and threaten anyone who dare say a word against them or worse still, publish a book or something?
Terriorism, the Sevconians know what they are talking about!!
Tallybhoy
10:11 on
6 December, 2013
He covered his back by stating in 2006 (he took his time) that Tory party opposition to sanctions was wrong. A truly modern politician (ie a two-faced, self-serving scumbag).
Seriously….
I don’t think the Orcs realise how they are viewed by the wider community outside of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
I really don’t think they do.
They are reviled everywhere I know.
tallybhoy – blue sky and sunshine on the Costa Clyde but probably not a good day to be a brass monkey.
garcia lorca –
fine writing, sir. Hope your brother Jimmy (former colleague of mine) is doing well.
Gracia Lorca,
Thanks for that post.
Really enjoyed readiong it.
Mucker
NelsonMandela CSC
Tallybhoy,not sure abut the whole country but Glasgows southside is currently dry,bright and cold,a lovely winters morning.
Kevjungle
That must be strong stuff your on. Glad the weather has died down. Yesterday you were hallucinating and in bad way ;-)
HH
Mrs Tally has a shop at a secret location somewhere on the Clyde coast. Do not want to divulge its exact location on here – hun lurkers.
BMCUW knows where it is, but he is sworn to secrecy!
Well, anyway, it was partially flooded yesterday – she’s not happy. She was told by the previous tenant that this was a fairly regular occurence. The owner of the property did not!
Lawyer’s letter on its way!
HH!!
Morning all.
Just back on line. Cold but bright down here. No real signs of the ole storm.
No way do I miss any game against that liquidated lot. I gather we will probably have to face some impostors claiming to be them at some time in the future. They can get along without my presence I’m sure.
Hope we geta chance to play football this evening and, if so, that we run up the ole 5-0 win.
Thanks to all for the weather updates.
HH!!
blantyretim.
You are so lucky,Haven’t had any breakfast yet, and still don’t feel like eating, up since 5.15am 4 xmugs of espresso down the neck, I’ll need to eat something so as I can take my injection.
Weather is ok dry clear, mild.
TALLYBHOY
Crystal ball of no help?
Give ’em hell,bud!
Tallybhoy…..
Mrs. Ryecatcher’s dining room floor got rather wet when her favourite big eejit left the patio door open last week , when he got fu’ of cider then took his wee dug a walk.
Was expecting a lawyers letter but we both agreed never to divorce as neither of us wanted custody of the weans haha.
ShesstillquitefrostyCSC
I’m Neil Lennon (tamrabam)
09:37 on
http://www.ianfraser.org/gavin-masterton-and-the-riddle-of-charlotte-18/
Old tim…..
Espresso by the MUG?
You must be flying higher than a Dixie Deans penalty v Inter Milan.
Tony, did you say ‘mild’? Where the heck are you in Bonnie Scotia? It’s baltic in EK, even if Jobo is elsewhere and can’t tell you.
Off oot to fix my greenhouse which got battered yesterday and I’m wrapped up for the Arctic.
Weeminger…. spot on
Ryecatcher .. when you get a hold of her favourite eyjit you should give him a slap… bad enough he is in your house drinking your cider……… :)
“Apartheid was wrong.
Terriorism is wrong.
Most right thinking people don’t consider that two rights make a wrong”
///////////////
Pond life excel intelectually again……..can’t even get their wrongs right!
FinkingpeepilCSC
Robcfc…
Happens all the time mate.
Wake up lots of Monday mornings just knowing that some eejit has consumed all of my cider over the weekend.
monaghan1900
10:11 on 6 December, 2013
OH DEAR……this is priceless
——
“Apartheid was wrong.
Terriorism is wrong.
Most right thinking people don’t consider that two rights make a wrong”
Oh dear thank The Lord we have CQN and not the ” debate / logic” of FF
ryecatcher @ 10.28
Seriously….
I don’t think the Orcs realise how they are viewed by the wider community outside of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
I really don’t think they do.
They are reviled everywhere I know.
—————————————————————-
All the more reason to let them do their stuff (including their “offensive” singing. The more they do it, the more the rest of the civilised world is repulsed by their behaviour and under-cuts the “whataboutery” policy which the scottish MSM deploy to try and divert attention away from them.
Ah gerrybhoy u beat me too it pal!!!
Gracia Lorca
Thanks for a great read.
You have reminded me of an incident in the late 60s when an indignant neighbour came to our door asking my mother to sign a petition in protest at an Asian family moving in nearby. Needless to say the neighbour was told, politely, where to go. The Asian family moved in and proved to be very nice neighbours. And MEGA successful in business.
From @StMiley
Trying to get this removed http://t.co/eSx4iUyxJ3
Too late Jim McColl.
Too late Gordon Smith.
Too late Malcolm Murray.
Too late Paul Murray you have all shown yourself up for what you are.
Mocking child abuse isn’t funny I’m just glad you lot aren’t involved at my club.
Ryecatcher.
Going to Barcelona tomorrow morning,so tidying my house before I go.I know what espresso does to the system, at the moment I’m hoovering all the carpets,mopped the kitchen,and I am a wee bit high.but I feel good.
Ryecatcher… that happens to me too mate… we should maybe start a therapy group or forum or something like that….Call it Cider quick news ??
garcia lorca
Thank you for that fine post.
HH
Gerry
Aff oot to a meeting in Manchester.
If any eejit steals my cider when I’m oot ….then I’ll just buy some more.
William Ernest Henley
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
——————————————————————————
Dungeons smiled daggers in my heart
Sleep brought hope , we n’er did part,
Brewing strong hate for freedom’s gate
An eye for an eye and a life for a life
The pain, the torture, a brother,
but I lived for my people, I saw my people,
So not for me
Not in my one, my only, life
A Key let the sun in,
I made a choice,
History of hostage; and torture; and slavery; and chains;
I left to the shadows of the bars of my cell,
did I hate, did I hate, did I hate?
To hate the past is to live in hate.
Tomorrow is free if your dreams are free.
Or forever be a slave to hate, bigotry, and sad fate.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
MHARK67 prayin for OSCAR KNOX
10:54 on 6 December, 2013
Ah gerrybhoy u beat me too it pal!!!
Aye but this is that rare elusive case of where 2 rights certainly do make a wrong!
OnourpartanywayCSC
;-)
Gerry
I am the Captain of my Soul
ryecatcher
Wummin eh?!
A few years ago I came home from work in the early hours of the morning. We had only moved in a few days before.
She had warned me – under pain of death – not to let Lyle the cat out. I went into the kitchen to get a beer from the fridge and opened the back door to go out for a smoke. Lyle decided to join me – and promptly buggered off!
“Oh feck!” I thought.
I then spent the next week driving through Troon looking for him. She made my life hell!
Found him a week later – he had found his way to our previous house which was over a mile away. Think he prefered it there!
HH!!