Menu Close

Celtic Diary Friday November 23: Why Fans Walked Quietly Away

Well, the footballs back tomorrow.

No doubt there’ll be a huge sigh of relief in the boardroom after the directors and CEO received a wave of criticism over their refusal to deal with the Resolution 12 issue.

If we cast our minds back to the death of Rangers, when we stop smiling its worth remembering that Peter Lawwell said it was a loss to Celtic in the region of around £10 million.

What we also remember was that in the immediate years that followed, there was a general decline in attendances, which it appears the media, the club and even some supporters put down to the lack of competition from the south side of Glasgow. Circumstances appeared to back the theory that Scottish football needed a strong Rangers, which gave credence to the actions, behind closed doors, of those who were determined to save them at any cost, by parachuting the new club, which we were told was the same as the old club-the smell certainly was-into as high a level of the league as possible.

Guys like the late great Turnbull Hutton were having none of it, and this idea died a quick death when other clubs were asked to accept the new world order, so new “rangers ” had to work their way through the leagues, a situation much more acceptable as there would be a bit of a cash injection for everyone everywhere.

Which made the glossing over of the truth a little more palatable. For some, anyway.

However, the fact that a large proportion of Scottish football fans were not watching their team in the top league saw a decline on overall attendances, as expected, simply because they still followed what they thought was their club.

We were led to believe by all the experts that Celtics crowds were down, forcing a large chunk of the ground to be closed, because Rangers weren’t in the league.

Yes, season book uptake was down, and only the arrival of Brendan Rodgers reversed that trend. It was not the arrival of “rangers “.

Here’s the bit everyone missed-including me- and it was only through reading the replies to the Diary yesterday, and looking through other bits and bobs , that the real reason for that decline, which was sold to us as missing Rangers, was a little more complex.

After the SFA spent years trying to save the Ibrox club, and the Ibrox club took advantage of their influence at Hampden, in the media  and in the banking world, which allowed them in turn to be granted licences they weren’t entitled to. loans no one else would have given them, and no one who was in a position to pose questions  could be arsed asking them, there was a quiet rejection of the corruption in Scottish football.

Supporters simply didn’t renew because they had seen what were previously described as honest mistakes become a sort of official policy. Rangers had been helped at every opportunity at every level to gain access to the lucrative champions league, because they needed the money, and many people, without fuss, simply stopped going to the football.

Sponsorship began to dry up, bookmakers excepted, as firms started to consider their image should the shennanigans be exposed…and tv money remained at a pittance, even to the extent where the league actually paid towards the cost of covering “rangers ” games in the lower divisions.

The outside world knew what had happened, and the Scottish football authorities were desperate to pretend it hadn’t

It wouldn’t do to have the press pick up on this, so it was all put down to the liquidation of Rangers, and the subsequent reformation of the club under new ownership was the way to save the game from the problems that Rangers and an incompetent and corrupt SFA had caused in the first place.

The former with their unique financial management, and the latter with their refusal to hold them to account, or at the very least let the public know what was going on.

As a result, fans quietly found better and more honest ways to spend their five hundred notes.

That process will be repeated-without a call for it-if nothing is done before renewal time.

No one wants to pay into a sport which is fixed, or has been fixed.

Why would we want to pay the wages of those who treat us with contempt ?

Now, it begs the question, is the refusal to investigate the implications of Resolution 12 a further part of this massively misdirected effort to save Scottish football ?

Do the Celtic board actually think that the need for a strong Rangers outweighs the need for an honest game ?

Probably, as they interpreted the drop off in season book sales as being down to a lack of those four “old firm ” games, which the media, and especially Sky Sports, tell us that are the only thing worth buying into Scottish football for.

The clubs, and the SFA , are trying to kick the whole issue over to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, in the hope that they will do a Nimmosmith, and deliver the “correct ” verdict.

These are disciplinary matters, matters concerning the abuse of rules and regulations, which have little to do with the functions of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which merely mediates on disputes between parties.

Which makes the moves to send this issue to them a little bizarre, unless the response required is that ” CAS can do nothing in this instance “, which in turn will be sold to the public as nothing anyone did was wrong, and therefore we can now move on.

Thats the only response CAS can give, as its not their job to rule on rule breaches.

Which suits those who perpetuate the status quo, and keeps them all out of jail.

 

In the meantime, more and more fans will walk away, less money will be spent and we’ll probably be told its all our fault, for harping on about wanting the rules to apply to everyone, like its some sort of game or something.

Scottish football is dying, a long protracted death with occasional bursts of remission, but the long term prognosis is poor.

 

 

But, the football is back this weekend, and Celtic face Hamilton, and today there’s a new feature in the diary.

Image result for audience participation

You can fill in this bit yourself, I really can’t be arsed with it any more.

Which brings me to the

Etims Knob of the Week 

Well, there’s two of them…

Image result for peter lawwell iain bankier

For failing to do their duty, not only on Resolution 12, but in other aspects of standing up for the club, these pair deserve to share the award this week.

Bankier duly criticised the support to give the media their story… thus deflecting from Res 12…

 

I agree with him, actually, but thats something that should have been dealt with after the airing of these tunes, and not used as clickbait for lazy hacks.

And they’ve only gone and sold our top man…

 

Caption competition from Wednesday…

Gerry November 21, 2018 at 12:27 pm · Edit · Reply →

Caption:
You may be a cat burglar but your stashing ability is brutal! 

today..

 

For a more balanced outlook on the AGM, you might want to have a look at this…

sentinel Celts

 

although the conclusions are similar, just with less swearing.

 

 

0 0 votes
Article Rating
183 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Monti
5 years ago

The Rebel songs will always be sung at Celtic Park, they always have been & hopefully will always be heard!

Sing them loud & proud Bhoys!

Graffiti on the wall….Graffiti on the wall….

5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Look I think some rebel songs should be allowed but they should be sung with the lyrics put down by the lyricist not bastardised to offend individuals.

bgbhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

*** war

5 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

Iancelt67 I wouldn’t worry about offending the bastatards ,the bastards annoy us regularly

bgbhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

I would say they would be sung louder when a united Ireland is achieved… cant forget the ward dead after all

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Charlie Saiz,
The songs aren’t sectarian!

Jinky
5 years ago

Monti

True, but its not the proper rebel songs they are referring to or were referred to at the AGM – more like the ‘adapted’ Beautiful Sunday and Levein DOB reference.

HH

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Jinky

Jinky,
He is though..

Jinky
5 years ago

‘Scottish football is dying, a long protracted death with occasional bursts of remission’
=====

Been reading this all my life. Nonsense. Actually a very decent product, if we can iron out the governance.

Quite amazing we have still prevailed to be the No.1 in Scotland given the odds stacked against us.

HH

Uralius
5 years ago

Caption: Splinter has to get the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles home in time for dinner.

PJGreenandwhite
5 years ago

Caption

Filing cabinet for #Res12 at Celtic Park found

Uralius
5 years ago

Caption: We are dragging the club into the gutter? Well you’re sliding the game in Scotland into the sewer!

Monti
5 years ago

To those on here who didn’t participate or read, ‘ Random thoughts ‘ the blog by the late Paul McConville, i’d recommend anyone to look at the archive threads on that blog.
It gave you everything you needed to know at that time, it really is astonishing the level of corruption here.

RIP Paul.

P.S. The comments section was a joyful place…..a few resident huns were allowed on for entertainment value.
Much to my delight.

Christina Young
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti I loved the Paul McConville blog, still do, it was astounding how much he was able to report on the disgraceful corruption in the Scottish game. Of course, we all know this is nothing new Celtic have been on the receiving end of blatant cheating and bigotry since their inception the difference nowadays is, of course, the Internet and social media. The former to obtain information previously hidden from us and the latter to provide a platform for discussing this and sharing information. Paul McConville, RIP, is a sad sad miss to us- he would have been right in among the Res 12 fight!

Monti
5 years ago

Ralph,
Keep your head up & continue to fight!

Christina Young
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

It seems you have seen the same as me here in this diary today that Ralph is very down I can see it in every word he writes today. Understandable of course even Brendan remarked today on the quietness of the support and the strange atmosphere. When your Chairman and CEO get more animated about the singing of a few bloody songs than they do about their club being cheated out of millions of pounds and the footballing authorities colluding with the club involved in the cheating – well what can you say?? No wonder heads are a bit down and we are a bit subdued. However, Ralph, like the rest of us, will regroup and get the bit between the teeth again. We have a heck of a schedule coming up so best we direct our energies to backing the team as noisily as we can, they need us, then after festive season we can take stock and discuss the way forward. I know Auldheid has asked for meetings so there is still stuff happening we just have to take a collective deep breath and do what us Tims do best – rebel and fight against oppression in all its forms!!

5 years ago

Getting paid large sums of money to cheat the Celtic!only in jockville!

D'Fhinnein Mick
5 years ago

RALPH

Grateful thanks to you for posting the link to SENTINELCELTS. As I don’t own the site,I had to be careful with the content of the article.

I’d like to think that it nevertheless expresses enough of what I really think,bar using the proverbial silver bullet on someone who IMO richly deserves it.

HH

D'Fhinnein Mick
5 years ago

CAPTION

The Childcatcher has a new hidey-hole!

D'Fhinnein Mick
5 years ago

RALPH

I don’t think that’s really James Forrest in a Juventus strip.

Oh wait,it might be-seems his willie is hanging out.

The real Anton Rogan
5 years ago

caption: Scottish football.

5 years ago

I think you got your answers on where the club stands with res 12 . Unless new faces enter the board it’s not going to change.
Not enough fans care as they are caught up with their own day to day problems. That’s not to say things can’t be achieved , unfortunately as the days week months and years go by the impetus dissipates. Could draw comparisons with the Hillsboro outcome but no one has died or lost loved ones and that took decades. I don’t want to put a dampener on anyone trying to push for justice but as the numbers start to drop in involvement it will drain the few who remain. That’s what they are hoping for.
The smaller clubs who should be backing this up feel too small to have a voice such is the goldfish bowl dynamic we have in Scotland or you have as I’m not there. You need international appeal, the millions of expats out there who can maybe have a view which you wouldn’t have living in Scotland

5 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

It seems to mec there is a murmur about Res 12 around every AGM but for the rest of the yr nothing happens & no pressure is put on board . Us fans only give lip service to Res 12 & we are very little better than Board .
If I could make a suggestion & if fans who have influence amongst us supporters could take on board & put into action I think Board would be forced to take action.
Obviously we love our club too much to not attend our games but we can hit the board in the pocket by spending no money in Celtic PK . Boycott Kerrydale Bar , but no programmes , buy no half time draw tickets , spend no money at Celtic PK bookies or food kiosks or Celtic shop or elsewhere .
Board would act within a month , we can show them fan power

TheJustWiseSage
5 years ago

caption: New Ibrox Experience Adventure Theme Park Opens!

5 years ago

Celtic ” A club like no other”.. BOLLOCKS..Fans like no other definitely, but a money grabbing, self serving corrupt PLC just like all the rest…Celtic was established to provide food for the starving, the most needy and poor, now it’s roll is to provide fkg heated driveways to rich and arrogant wankers…GOD BLESS BROTHER WALFRID+

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  KEIGHLEY BHOY

KB,
Quality delivery m8, well said!

D'Fhinnein Mick
5 years ago
Reply to  KEIGHLEY BHOY

KEITHLEYBHOY

I like your style,bud. I surely do.

Mike
5 years ago

As I see it there are two conflicting ways of looking at Scottish football governance, (confliction, that word seems apt.) the fact that we are in a poor league, while our neighbours down south soak up a never ending supply of monies. But whose product is better? when you pay your season ticket money you expect to see certain standards, but the very least you expect to see is an honest game. Football after all is a sport, a healthy past time, if the sport is thought to be corrupt you have absolutely no confidence in it. I have heard of many walking away, quietly, I watch the National game on the telly, because I have walked away like thousands of others from the National team, they give tickets away to children to make the numbers up. If as seems certain the Scottish game is corrupt, how will the supporters react to that, they will walk away. That is the prime reason that Res.12 must be followed through, to explore every avenue till we can explore no more.
As Celtic supporters we have to much emotional attachment to the club, that is why we need Auldheid to lead the fight till closure on Res.12 his detachment IMO is one of his strengths, we need his intelligence, knowledge and his detachment till the end.
Singularly as supporters we do not have much influence, so we need to collectively come together and to do all that we can to get action on Res.12 and to back the Resolutioners. The alternatives are the drift away will continue….
S
A

Monti
5 years ago

When we look at the job this board does on the financial side of things, they clearly know what they are doing, so i wouldn’t challenge them on that.
It just seems to be in every other department they are out of touch with the support.
It’s fucking heartbreaking to me that NO one on that board is going to fight years of being cheated, it’s fucking madness.
Do the board think the Huns would have accepted years of cheating by Celtic?

If the board don’t/won’t act, we need to force them to, time is up!

5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

The time is up … for me anyway. In the run up to the 2013 AGM, I decided that my support for the team would end if Resolution 12 was defeated as it would be final proof that my club was not only happy to go along with the cheating and corruption in the professional game in Scotland but was complicit in it. As the resolution was not heard, I held back in the feint hope that the club would at last take the lead in fighting the cheats.

I clung on to that hope for five years but the last AGM outcome has helped me make a decision I never wanted to make. From this point on I will pay no more interest in the rigged game in Scotland and I no longer count myself as a supporter of a team I have followed since the mid-sixties.

Good luck to the guys who want to continue carry the fight to the enemy which includes those traitors inside the Celtic boardroom but I have better things to waste my time on that won’t increase my blood pressure to dangerous levels. This may or may not be a flounce but it’s how I feel and everyone has to do what their conscience tells them. It’s my personal decision and I’m not asking or expecting any other supporter to follow suit.

I used to sing, “We don’t care if we win, lose or draw….”. Now I just don’t care…

D'Fhinnein Mick
5 years ago
Reply to  M6(ex)Bhoy

M6BHOY

I admire you for that,mate. I really do. I could never do it,which is pathetic.

5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Licence. 😉

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  The Cha

Licence

5 years ago
Reply to  The Cha

Me and Monti on the same page = you lose.

PS I prefer pernickety.

BroxburnBhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Spot on Monti. This Board have been fiscally very successful and that’s a major part of their job. They have done it well. That said they should have learned that few things on the way. We are essentially a club with Irish heritage and culture. The bozo who raised the singing question allowed Bankier to talk shite. The other thing they have learned is that CL money trumps “ Rangers” game money. So I am unable to understand their reluctance to address the whole cheating scandal. We can replace the money in Europe. It’s their job to stand up for Celtic. Until those cheated titles and loss of income are addressed they will have failed.

jpm 88
5 years ago
Reply to  BroxburnBhoy

CS

your post also highlights the difference between Celtic FC and the PLC

For Celtic ( fans , history , legacy ) these issues are of paramount importance :

for the PLC there’s nothing in it for them , no financial gain , no incentive .

jpm 88
5 years ago
Reply to  jpm 88

N.B.-that’s of coarse assuming they’ve been ” playing with a straight bat ” in the first instance e.g. the Res 12 question !

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Charlie Saiz,
Not convinced i miss anything about the board & it’s malfunctions.

jpm 88
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

CS

certainly if there was a strategy towards ” selling up ” then the last thing you’d be interested in would be flagging up corruption , past /present cheating or any form of controversy .

Personally don’t believe that’s the reason for Celtic reticence to take issues forward , but in truth – who knows ?

5 years ago

Caption
The year 2012 the rangers decide its time to surface the time capsule put here by the great bill struth. No point it being down there any longer cos we are deid

Mike
5 years ago

“Bits and Bobs, Blobs”… Walking away from Happiness, they are walking away from the National team, bringing in schoolchildren to fill out the crowds. No VAR, Plastic pitch’s, a bent game, there’s not an awful lot going for in Scottish football is there?
That is why Res.12 is so very important, as Celtic supporters we have a big emotional attachment to the club/team. That is why we need Auldheid to lead the fight on Res.12, one of his many strengths is his detachment, he can look at documentation objectively, intelligently and his basic honesty which clearly holds him back from making emotional accusations.
Singularly we as supporters do not have much influence, but collectively we can. We should explore as much as we can all avenues to make certain that the game we love so much is as clean as it can be, the alternatives are to turn a blind eye to the cheating, surely that is unthinkable….
T

Thomas Mccarthy.
5 years ago

Monti I followed Paul (rip) I remember you and Micky and your pal steerpike

Monti
5 years ago

TM,
Sure you contributed yourself Tam, many times!

HH

Tam the tim
5 years ago

The board of most clubs look down on the fans. They sit in their nice seats looking down on us with concealed contempt. You will never get near them because they’re surrounded by like-minded people. Just imagine, it doesn’t take much, match-day against the huns. All Masonic handshakes and how’s business, old boy. They’re a bunch of snakes, always have been.
HH

Mike
5 years ago

You just had to listen to the wails of anguish when “Rangers” exploded, was embalmed and died, “to big to fail, a Scottish institution” were some of the quotes. Scottish football needs a strong “Rangers” so its demise was felt through various corridors of power. How hard they tried to breathe life into the corpse, giving it CPR at every opportunity, as we all looked on laughing when we should have stood on the neck of the corpse and hastened its death. Now we have a bastardised game, a game not fit for purpose, when you look at the National game, how many have drifted away already? That is why Res.12 was so important, we are not interested in our club making huge profits, we are interested in looking at an honest game, not where the governess is tainted or for the benefit of one club with a criminal at its head. But yet, when January comes, new players arrive and we hasten our march to ten, who will care about what they are watching, will anyone care as the Huns are kicked down their bigoted hole, who will care about the titles and cups lost to the cheats, who will care about the billion pounds to the taxpayer, who will care as Scottish football is dragged into the gutter once again, who will care…

Devoy45
5 years ago

Caption: What Boris didn’t tell you: the ‘real’ Brexit.
Caption: New toilet facility at Ibrox.
Caption: Neil Doncaster’s new filing system for sensitive 2011-12 documents.

Best 11 for League Cup final:
Gordon
Lustig/Boyata/Benkovic/Tierney
Christie/McGregor
Forrest/Rogic/Sinclair
Edouard
We need to rest a few of these guys at Hamilton tomorrow.
“Let justice prevail though the heavens fall.” Michael Davitt

Jack the rack
5 years ago

Terrific stuff.

Songs glorifying armed conflict should continue to be sung until Ireland is united.

It is what our founder would have wanted. Oh wait …..

Spot on about the board. They’ve done EVERYTHING they can to get Sevco to the top division ASAP, including voting to have the newco parachuted into the top flight from their inception. Oh wait ……

bawsman
5 years ago

I had Sky, I binned that 6 years ago when we went down to about 3 games on a Sat at 3 o clock.
I had 2 season books (took my faither), binned them after giving the board 2 years to answer RES 12.
To be fair the Board, taking the soup has saved me an awful lot of money.
I drove or got the Blackpool shamrock bus to games.

Phaco
5 years ago
Reply to  bawsman

Are you my long lost twin brother by any chance. Hh

D'Fhinnein Mick
5 years ago

Ouch…

David Samuel Boyle
5 years ago

did e mail yesterday doubt u got was about ali mcoist and mother jesse also neil lennon being charged with criminal fraud 07 09 ref last will & testament asa david s boyle of ardnamore fracs qc of google dowse & co dalston lane london e8 formerly clintons last will was paid out to beneficiary who failed medical all handed over for gambling yet all banned from gambling in last will provision gambling ban was from 15th august 07 till 15th september 018 hence delay in going to court 10 bbc scotland gave neil lennon 07 rbs great western rd £51.000 each he squander and lost gambling was alleged match fixing going on old firm exact result of era? will come to light future court yours b-eppo

TicToc
5 years ago

DSB, I just hope you’re all right Pal. Ah couldnae make a lot of sense from your comment but it seems tae me yer a decent Mhan. WE NEED DECENT TYPES OAN THIS PLANET!
There’s always something fascinating on eTims…..Jimmybee’s stuff is always the best…..I don’t believe in any Deity shit but ah also think co-incidence is over-rated. 🙂
Jimmy’s piece wiz about “151”. Precisely what I paid in cash yesterday to the hotel.
Anyway, DSB, I really hope you’re safe and well.
It’s a seriously fucked up planet we inhabit but if ah can survive it, so too can you Pal.
Good Luck.
Vinnie.

TicToc
5 years ago
Reply to  TicToc

Oh and, BTW, I’m actually staying just off the Great Western Road (near Botanic Gardens) that you mention.
Anyway Pal, Good Luck.
I’m back oot on the lash soon, hence ah’ll no’ be able to see any response here, but Ralph’s got ma mobile number and you’re welcome tae get it an’ gi’e me a bell, if, fur nothin’ else, just tae huv a wee craic wi’ a fellow Tim.
Take care, Pal.
Vinnie.

van nicholas
5 years ago

Gave up 2 books myself due to the clubs failure to address the cheating, appalling treatment of the fans and failure to invest in the team. Was on the Dennistoun bus for a few years and spent some money following the club but they won’t see another penny from me until the issues are sorted. Bought myself a bike and now spend time cycling instead paying to watch a rigged game.

charlie
5 years ago
Reply to  van nicholas

on yer bike …….couldnae resist it he he

SteveNaive
5 years ago

I see late January…initial signing targets missed… fake news,the usual non targets names in the air and Celtic scrambling for the dross that will improve our first fourteen for the CL qualifiers. League Cup and top of the league is all the evidence the board need for those League 1 and 2 targets plus the usual broken down pan handlers from somewheresville.
My wish list… a really good goalkeeper, right back, centre half, and two, yes two players who will just score rather than come close.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  SteveNaive

SteveNaive,
We’ll sign an 18 year old from Man City on the last day of the window.

5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Very cynical.

Maybe it’ll be a 19 year old.

5 years ago

Josh rishon Aussie international right back playing in the A league good enough and will get snapped up he can defend great passer good enough to play in midfield as he is creative. I hope those who make decisions read this blog because this guy could be got cheap.

5 years ago

Risdon

Patrick Street
5 years ago

Police Scotland discover a new disguised escape route behind the Ibrox Directors box on the eve of the next Celtic game.

BroxburnBhoy
5 years ago

Caption: king comes up with new funding plan which looks a lot like the old funding plan- a short slide down into a bottomless pit.

5 years ago

No disrespect to anyone on here who aren’t season ticket holders. But the power is with the season ticket holders. The football was shite under Ronnie, Celtic v Ek thistle probably the worst game of football i have seen a Celtic team play.
My grandson was getting sick of it, and if he’s sick of it somethings seriously wrong. I told him it would get better but also told him we wouldn’t be at hampden anymore for cup final days.
No bother Granda he said i understand why you’ve told me often enough. Daft bhoy listening to his crazy old granda.
But Brendan came the feel good factor was back, it wasn’t them coming back that changed everything it was a board coming to terms with a support that demands a Celtic team playing a Celtic way.
The board take the GB make money off them but throw them under a bus at the drop of a hat.
The unforgettable displays against Barca and the pyro against hearts was something to cherish.
The money came in as they exploited the scenes onto canvas and mugs etc etc. The pyro gave the GB a shut down. Closed the section fuckin bastards.
We won’t be at Hampden cup final day, like we weren’t last season, but some things you have to do. The SFA is corrupt by attending the national stadium you buy into that corruption. The only way is to boycott the national cups of Scottish football only then will justice prevail.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Jimmybee,
Was it JUST the season ticket holders who got rid of the old board?

5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti no m8 i wasnt one either but it was different times.
Season ticket holders hold the key to cup games as without one you aren’t considered.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Jimmybee,
I hear ye m8!

5 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Jimmy I respect what your saying or anyone else who boycotts Hampden. I don’t know where you draw the line though, not acknowledging the game at all. I.e watching John Wayne movies instead . Or not parting with the money that will end up in the coffers of a corrupt and insipid organisation, by attending the game? Will Ralph give us a preview of the game? With some witty put downs of the SFA , or ignore the event altogether. If you’re going to be serious about change you have to up the ante with the protests I don’t know in what form .whats happened up to now isn’t enough

5 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Jimmybee,

Kudos you’ve sacrificed attending Cup Semi and Finals for your principles.

If there was more like you we’d rout the fuckers.

5 years ago

God Save Ireland
151 YEARS AGO today the trial, conviction and execution of three young Irishmen in Manchester caused a sensation throughout Ireland and Britain. The political reverberations were to continue for decades. The three men were William Philip Allen, Michael Larkin and Michael O’Brien – the Manchester Martyrs.

The framing and show-trial of these men, their dignity in the face of death and their defiance of British rule in Ireland re-inspired the Fenian movement, helped to push Charles Stuart Parnell into politics and pushed future British Prime Minister W. E. Gladstone into prioritising ‘The Irish Question’.

On 18 September 1867, Fenian leaders Colonel Thomas Kelly and Captain Timothy Deasy were being transported in a horse-drawn prison van through Manchester. A large group of Fenians attacked the van and succeeded in rescuing the two men.

During the rescue, police Sergeant Charles Brett who was inside the van, was accidentally killed when Dublin Fenian Peter Rice fired a shot through the keyhole just as Brett was looking through it.

There was a general outcry against the Irish in England. In Manchester, scores of Irish people were rounded up, many being assaulted in custody.

Five Irishmen were charged with the murder of Brett and were put on trial by a Special Commission of two judges at the end of October. Along with Allen, Larkin and O’Brien, the others charged were Edward O’Meaghar Condon, an Irish-American Fenian and an Irish Royal Marine Thomas Maguire, who had no connection with Fenianism.

The trial was conducted amid the highest security, with British military guarding the prisoners in transit and in the court, making it clear that this was a show-trial and these were to be regarded as highly dangerous men.

All five were found guilty of the murder of Brett and sentenced to death.

Michael Larkin told the court:

“I am dying a patriot for my country and Larkin will be remembered in time to come by the sons and daughters of Erin.”

Edward O’Meaghar Condon told the judges:

“You will soon send us before our God and I am perfectly prepared to go. I have nothing to regret, to retract or take back. I can only say: God Save Ireland!”

The cry “God save Ireland” was taken up by the other prisoners in the dock and it inspired a popular ballad that for many years was regarded as the national anthem and is still sung to this day.

Allen said in a written statement before his execution:

“It is well-known what my poor country has to suffer and how her sons are exiles the world over; then tell me where is the Irishman who could look unmoved and see his countrymen taken prisoner and treated like murderers and robbers in British dungeons?

“May the Lord have mercy on our souls and deliver Ireland from her sufferings. God save Ireland.”

Thirty-five journalists who had attended the trial wrote a petition to the British Government, calling for a reprieve for Thomas Maguire. They challenged the tainted evidence on which he was convicted. Thomas Maguire was reprieved – yet it was the same evidence that convicted the other four.

O’Meaghar Condon was also reprieved because he was a United States citizen and the British Government commuted his death sentence for purely political reasons.

That left Allen, Larkin and O’Brien for whom there was to be no reprieve.

On the night of 22 November, the three men in their cells in Salford Prison awaited execution the following morning. Outside, a mob of thousands gathered. Fuelled by drink and anti-Irish hysteria stirred up by the British press and politicians, they chanted and howled for vengeance. In stark contrast, the next morning Allen, Larkin and O’Brien walked with dignity to their deaths by hanging on the scaffold outside the walls of the jail.

It was one of the last public executions in Britain. It was also one of the worst.

The executioner, William Calcraft, botched the hangings. Allen died instantly but, unknown to the crowd, after the three fell out of sight through the trap door, O’Brien and Larkin were not dead. Calcraft ‘finished off’ Larkin and was about to do the same to O’Brien when the priest, Fr Gadd, stopped him. O’Brien died in the priest’s arms.

There were mass demonstrations in honour of the Manchester Martyrs in Ireland, the USA and wherever the Irish were exiles. Many monuments to their memory were erected in the following decades.

They also inspired poets. Perhaps the best tribute was written by a Fenian journalist and poet, John Francis O’Donnell, who actually witnessed the executions. Part of it reads:

There are three graves in England newly dug

In England there are three men less today –

Allen, O’Brien and Larkin – their brief sun has set,

To rise in God’s clear day.

I saw them, the unconquerable three,

Mount the black gallows for their country’s faith,

As with high heroic scorn for life they kissed

The frozen lips of death.

The thin, pale face of Allen, O’Brien’s gaze

And Larkin, fainting from the press of doom,

Seemed like the Trinity of Ireland’s trust

In that foul morning gloom.

’Twas over and they fell; one little pause

And the sun, battling with the mist, broke out,

And with a glory to November new,

He hemmed them round about.

The worst was done that vengeance could achieve

Or centuries of hatred fashion forth;

And England glared down from the scaffold rail –

The Hangman of the Earth!
Lest we forget

5 years ago

Boycotting has never happened. The problem here with fans is that having the moral high ground is enough though not high enough to boycott finals or any other games. Why should a day out watching the team rack up another trophy be boycotted. The fans didn’t cheat the team didn’t cheat we are playing Aberdeen who didn’t cheat. Both clubs are sound solvent and deserved their place in the final. I’m not getting this sufferance
Aberdeen and Celtic have fuck all to do with rangers cheating the issue should be isolated and dealt with accordingly in the courts. If that doesn’t happen we go on with our business in our league. We should lead by example like we did before the cheating. Isolate rangers in the best way we can by winning everything we hold the whip hand here.

5 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

You miss the point Ian

5 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

SFA cheats ? I don’t miss that at all their proclivity to let rangers away with murder, I get all of that. If we conform then their actions are justified and we are being compliant. I get all of that. My point is that we are a long standing football club with integrity and for five years we have rubbed rangers nose in it with such embarrassing degradation, call it karma or whatever,
We have done it with aplomb against adversity. Why should we compromise our own integrity with our absence at games? You think fans are going to stay home en masse ? To get a point across. Your place will be taken up by someone else. Res 12 doesn’t hold enough water to stop fans going to games. I’m being realistic here. The game will be a sell out

BroxburnBhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

I agree with Ian here. Needless self flaggelation by Celtic fans and Celtic FC is unnecessary. As many Celtic supporters as can be should see Celtic Win silverware. Wrongdoing was Oldco and Alledgedly the SFA. Let’s focus our efforts on blaming those actually responsible rather than the victims of the scam. That said Celtic Board should connect UEFA and ask for clarifications and investigation of what happened and what is happening now with Newco and debt.

5 years ago

God Bless the Manchester Martyers hanged this day 151 years ago God Save Ireland said the Heroes.God Save Ireland said them all.
Lest we forget.

5 years ago

Boycotting isn’t the way I meant to say

5 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

In saying that Ronny Delia’s efforts were boycotted by fans staying away in droves. It does have an effect. Pity the team is playing so well and odds on to take on more trophies and a chance of post Christmas games in Europe. Res 12 has to be embedded in the psyche of fans to have effect. It has to be simplified in explanation to idiots like me. Because football fans are more of the epsilon variety as opposed to alpha plus. Yeah All very well screaming cheats without asking yourself “wit did that dae again” Summarised fliers handed out to fans get some left wing students involved a good graphic designer. Facebook twitter everything whole hearted. No half hearted shit just saying like

5 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

Just looked no res 12 Facebook page. Not to say there isn’t but you’d expect there would be a few. I hate social media but it’s the doorway to the masses

Cartvale88
5 years ago

Banker and his crew are a joke, whether you agree or not about the singing his comment regarding ‘the gutter’ says it all, an arrogant prick.
On the other side of the coin at Ibrokes they wallow in the Orange, highlight everything that they think makes them ‘the Queens eleven’ politicise the poppy, Rememberance Sunday, and any other underhand thing to bring in the Queens shilling.
The Famine Song is sung at a semifinal, all part of the fun and jollity.
The board do not value the supporters and as others have stated I am getting sick to the back teeth with the pathetic yes men that control our club, As Monti states, it is great to be financially astute, but a football club is more than a business.
It is the dream and aspiration of a community.
If things do not change after sixty years I will do the walking away,

JAMIE MCAULEY
5 years ago

hi i think there should be crowd funding started up to take them all the way so they know we are serious about RES12 WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN GETTING AWAY WITH IS CRIMINAL AT LEAST

SteveNaive
5 years ago

Although just a football club, Celtic means more to us all than the sum of its parts. Great arguments on here for and against a boycott which is the only practical way to demonstrate our contempt for Scotland’s Shame. We can all wish someone, somebody would do something and we would all then get behind it. I’m not so sure we would though and it would fizzle out as the Board laughs on.Okay not on the same level but it has always taken a sacrifice to bring people together…Rosa Parks, Ghandi, Easter Rebels sure even that guy from Nazareth, started with him, then his 12 mates, now look. Not looking for a Thich Quang Duc but GB banners, as good as they are, are not going to do it. Even to boycott the first twenty minutes of the final…think of the coverage that would get. And yes, I do have ticket.

Devoy45
5 years ago

I disagree with any boycott that will hurt our boys on the pitch.
We are not at fault so any boycott should be used to shame the criminals not the victims and must be aimed in the right direction.

5 years ago

Lawell’s first utterance wasn’t about “losing” £10m, it was that we were a standalone club not subservient or beholding to anyone else.

The £10m was directed elsewhere, so whether he’s taken us, them or both as muppets, I don’t know.

I wouldn’t call him 2 faces, as…(I would insert the Wolfe Tones 4 Faced Old Clock but I don’t want to trigger Charlie S).

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  The Cha

I’d love to trigger him but i’ve de decommissioned my weapons…..cough.

5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

🙂

portpower
5 years ago

Caption:
Forrest is dropped to get measured for his moobs.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  portpower

What’s wrong with moobs like? Sure don’t i have two myself…

5 years ago

http://celticbynumberscom.ipage.com/passing-into-the-danger-zone/

Passes into the Danger Zone account for 36 Celtic goals this season. Therefore they are important. Who does this best?

Monti
5 years ago

Una quiet the now? Black Friday i suppose, 20% off her Louis Mutton handbag.

5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

He knows his chops.

Monti
5 years ago

Mike,
Were you out shopping today for a new tartan rug & matching baffies?

Monti
5 years ago

See the more & more i think about these fucking Disco lights, the more it gets on my tits.
I know the club were forced into installing new floodlights but do we really need the disco stuff?
Come on to fuck, it’s embarrassing.
This is Celtic Park not some fucking LA Galaxy type Hollywood pish!

Fuck sake min, we are needing to strengthen the team & we go & put Disco lights in?

What the fuck is going on?

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Weered,
I was born in ’71…….it all happened in ’71, men were taken by a point of a gun, REMEMBER we shall REMEMBER!

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Weered,
I think they are a waste of money m8, would rabrr that money went to the homeless & unemployed!

What the fuck do we need with Disco lights?

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

rather

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Put it this way, if i was the decision maker at Celtic Park, the fucking lights wouldn’t have got pit in, it’s that simple.
If the younger elements of the support want to see disco lights, fuck off to a disco!

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

While i’m on a rant, see these cunts that design the Celtic kit, fuck off & keep fucking off etc.

These Hoops on the socks are terrible, does anyone else agree?
How fucking hard can it be to design a Celtic strip for fuck sake?

Unbroken Green & White Hoops,white shorts & white socks!

There, fucking easy min!
It’s time for a revolution, fuck it!

5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Agree about the unbroken hoops but we’ve had hooped socks before, in the 60s and probably before that also.

I think they’re distinctive and look good, especially in the disco.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

🙂

Monti
5 years ago

In the middle of all this debating, point scoring and childlike (Charlie saiz) nonsense….can we as a support get rid of the board?

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Pulling yer leg son

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Looks like they are with the army cadets tho……ssshh sweep sweep 🙂

Follow us on Twitter @ETimsNet