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The Lawwell Papers

A drunk approached one of our readers in a bar, and handed him some scribbled notes. It took Timposter a while to decipher them, or make them up, but could they really be the musings of someone high up at Celtic Park (No chance-Ed )

Welcome to my world

Transfer windows they come, they go.

I’ve seen them all. Dealing with greed/gluttony/avarice that comes in the shape of Agents and their mercenary clients, the players.The outcome is always the same.

Blame Peter Lawwell!

I’ve heard them all, Peter Liewell, Sharp Dressed Man (SDM), heated Driveway Productions, Duplicitus Maximus. PAH.

Water off a ducks back.

Seldom, if ever, do you hear my name connected with a Transfer Window in a positive light.

Victor Wanyama, Virgil van Dijk, Dembele anyone?

Nah thought not. More likely my name is used in conjunction with the likes of Derk Boerrigter, Marvin Compper or the ones that got away like the Hibs pair Stephen Fletcher and John McGinn. Well I wasn’t going to let the likes of that masonic rat Rod Petrie get the better of me.(More on him later)

Welcome to my world.

This is the world I live in.

A world where we, Celtic, exist in a hostile environment.

The whole of Scottish Football is against us. SEVCO(Zombie Huns), SFA/SPFL(which defect is all the clubs), Scottish Establishment, be it Govt/Local Govt, Police Scotland and Scottish Society by and large with its inherent anti Irish racism.

We compete in a league in a small country that is dominated by our neighbours south of the border in the form of the EPL and because of this our financial well being is limited. This means we live off breadcrumbs in comparison to the EPL TV and media revenues.

My primary task is to ensure the financial well being of Celtic and from this base provide the wherewithal for a strong team to prosper and succeed by competing and winning trophies on a regular basis.

How is this achieved ?

By extracting the maximum revenues from the fans (shutup and hand over your cash). This fanbase is truly world wide and is also used to maximise revenue streams from TV/Media and this can be enhanced by the qualification to European competitions with the lucrative market that brings via global TV exposure (and the huge revenues that can bring) and the selling of match day experiences via ticketing and merchandising that can can bring. We also can save and raise money by investing in our in house Academy Development.

Intelligent investment on the transfer market can bring us much needed revenues. This is not a straight forward strategy with its successes and failures. All these revenue streams, as well as being spent on players, also goes to support the structures that surround this. Stadium, training facilities, Coaching/Development, Media, Merchandising, Marketing, Administration and not forgetting the reason we came into being, The Celtic Foundation. This all provides me with difficult choices.

Living within a manageable budget.

Winning trophies and qualifying for European Football.

Dealing with the aforementioned hostilities from SEVCO and its follow following hordes, SFA/SPFL, SMSM.

There are unwelcome commercial realities that I face.

All of the Scottish establishment and TV companies demand that a team playing out of Ibrox exists. They all want to exploit the money that comes from them via TV subscriptions, match day tickets and media rights. At the same time I have the Res12 guys in my face equipping me not only with the smoking gun but the bullets, the DNA and the paper trail to destroy the.

Well not this BEAR. No f*cking way. I’m not going to be the one attacked by ALL those hostiles above. I’m going to sit on it for as long as it takes because their demise will come by their own corrupt sectarian bigoted hands in the form of the career criminal Dave GASL King.

I’m going to sit back and let events take their inevitable course to ruin for them. Them and all their corrupt enablers including those guilty parties at the SFA, especially that rat Rod Petrie)Told you id come back to him).

Then and only then will I indulge myself in a quiet self satisfying moment of contentment.

No Gloating in the Gloamin for me but I wouldn’t stop others. Veni Vidi Vici So as I calmly look out from my office window, in a moment of reflection, pondering over the FACTS. A top quality coach under contract in his owning words, loving his time at Celtic, having secured a double treble and one trophy in the bag on our way to a treble TREBLE, still in Europe after Christmas.

Still in the midst of a transfer window having secured 3 quality players already and  more still to come in.

How do I feel?

To steal a phrase from Larry David. Pretty good. Pretty pretty pretty pretty good.

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corrib04
5 years ago

Pretty much nailed it Ralph.

Steff L
5 years ago

Oh dear!
How many reasons did you have to be Lawwells propaganda monkey. Was it £2.3m?

Desertbhoy
5 years ago

So it’s a case of battles, wars and ultimate victory.

Satisfaction! … but at what cost and where does that leave us?

Honest hoops
5 years ago

Great article Ralph..My dad (god rest his soul) gave me a piece of advice as I entered the big world of employment and I still use to this day..he said to me; never let anyone perceive you as a fool..or open your mouth and prove it…;)

5 years ago

Load of shite ! Dermots little helpers are good at conning Celtic fans and helping the deid cheats and sevco and raking in millions for themselves.Done nuttin and watches the SFA knobs like Bryson and Doncaster get rich cheating Celtic

iancelt67
5 years ago
Reply to  tully
iancelt67
5 years ago
Reply to  iancelt67
Calum Fox
5 years ago

Hooray!!

A piece with substance! A piece on Celtic which touches on the outside influence that affect US! Not a piece on them that remotely relates to Celtic!

Knee jerk- rattle – cheer! That’s always been the way!

Form dip – blame the board
Injuries – blame the board
Title won- manager is a god! Il deal with the board later!

If you truly want to scrutinise a board, scrutinise every part, not just the monopoly and pandemonium of recruitment!

I salute this piece!

Take note James Forrest……

BroxburnBhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  Calum Fox

Well said easy to blame for anything considered bad yet much of the strength of Celtic today the Boad and Peter Lawell are responsible for after Dermot Desmond invested with the Bunnet ( who was universally disliked and criticized when he was actually running Celtic ). Without the Bunnet and Desmond there would be no Celtic as we know it today period. Whether we like or dislike that it is absolutely true. Lawell is part of that successful rebuilding of the club from almost bankrupt to financially very stable and almost debt free. Are they perfect, no they are not and occasionally shit happens. It’s easy to pick on light shows and hotels and heated driveways etc. under Desmond and Lawell Celtic have thrived and strengthened. Transfers to read continuous here are easy and why are we not getting what we want – well transfers in the circumstances of today are very difficult and that is reflected in our situation. Small league, smaller money, Less attractive to established proven players. Unfortunately big money in football is the norm now – our players are paid in the tens of thousands
per week yet no mention of their heated driveways or riches? Only Lawell gets that acclaim. So I agree criticize him for some things and equally praise him for others. He’s earning the going rate for leading a club like Celtic

D'Fhinnein Mick
5 years ago
Reply to  Ralph Malph

RALPH

You’ve put your own name above the article,not that of TIMPOSTER. I’m glad you clarified it though-I thought PL had found thirty pieces of silver down the back of the couch,and decided not to spend it on players.

Needless to say,I disagree with virtually all of the above,btw.

Monti
5 years ago

Lawwell out & take those fucking lights with him!

Bgbhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Leave our lights alone

D'Fhinnein Mick
5 years ago
Reply to  Bgbhoy

BGBHOY

You might be able to borrow them in May!!!

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Bgbhoy

Pish

Cartvale88
5 years ago

IT seems to skip the point about his remuneration, always unbelievably good whilst he builds sand castles in his mind.

Monti the lights, light up the night and highlight his new purchases, as last night.

Christina
5 years ago

Well, well,well – very interesting piece and much to discuss for those interested in such matters 🙂
It is indeed an indisputable fact, that we swim in a shark-infested cesspool here in this ‘great wee country’ – -a little hillock of shamrocks surrounded on all sides by big jaggy thistles, a bastion of (PERCEIVED) Catholicism & Irish nationalism in this proudly staunch Protestant land. Given the strength of the forces railed against us (ie everyone else) it is indeed a wonder we survive, much less succeed, in this environment! It has been my belief, that the venerable Fergus, having observed this first hand, determined to build a fortress against which the forces of darkness would not prevail. This involved some painful re-structuring and no little sacrifice as those of us who lived through those difficult years can attest. He set up a strong corporate governance which would always act in the best interests of the club ie in the existential and fiscal well being of Celtic FC! This does not require popularity with the support – it is nice when it happens but it is not a necessity in the long term strategic planning for the club’s health and survival. Whether we like this or not this is what has been built into Celtic’s governance and continues to be passed down through each board to the next. People who, few of us, are familiar with some we would struggle to identify either by name or job description. This, too, is not accidental it removes the risk of ‘tiresome’ emotional decision making and instead concentrates on fiscal well-being. Any CEO appointed by such a Board would, of necessity, carry out their duties in line with these views and aspirations. Present incumbent being Peter Lawwell. We are all aware of Peter’s performance in the role so no need to reprise this except to say that he may be many things but I don’t think stupid is a word I’ve ever heard used about him. He knows the forces we are up against here and he knows how deeply ingrained is the prejudice against our club and all that we are perceived to be. Witness Res 12 where he has dipped his toe in the water and decided it was probably not smart to venture any further, preferring instead to let this cheating club carry on stumbling around drunkenly, in deep debt, whilst we sweep all before us and lift all the football honours available. This, of course, brings more resources into our club and raises our profile while our erstwhile ‘rivals’ struggle just to survive. The fact that they, currently, have a white-collar criminal and gambler at their helm only adds flavouring to the mix…and sells tickets!Shows the Celtic Board in a good light too – what’s not to like? TRIFC will go the same way as their predecessor or will continue in their weakened state for some time to come – either outcome fine by PL! Peters job is to secure the best financial outcome for Celtic FC in all of his dealings with players, agents, sponsors, merchandisers etc etc and, with the ‘rangers’ pretty much out of the picture he has had quite a good run at things – hence his rather large bonus.
His dealings with Brendan are really his only challenging times I suspect. I have heard it said that Brendan himself has a bit of the old-ego thing going so when these two butt heads, there are going to be bruises. Brendan has popular support and is a formidable opponent, Peter has Board support and one would have to say is the least likely of the two to leave. This may well all be resolved over the next week to the satisfaction of both parties -we can but hope Brendan prevails where it matters but we have to accept PL is carrying out Board instructions -even if these are contrary to fans demands! If Brendan does not prevail then he may leave then, I think, PL may very well have a battle to fight!

Christina
5 years ago

Oh well another post bites the dust I fear!

Doc
5 years ago

The drunk in mirror scribbled a letter:

Dear “Peter Liewell, Sharp Dressed Man (SDM), heated Driveway Productions, Duplicitus Maximus”.

You seem confused about transfer windows, your job is to support the manager you appointed by acquiring/moving on the staff he wants, an admission that you would disregard what your manager wants as to not let someone ‘get the better of you’ is an admission that you can not do your job. That you would let personal pride stand in the way of your managers wishes and the success of the club. Almost everyone has to deal with/work with folk they don’t like and they do it, why can you not? So what if Petrie get’s the better of you once or twice? Your job is to make sure you get the better of him on the pitch, where it counts, not the boardroom.

We have ‘secured quality’ loan transfers from bigger clubs but they will end the second one of the loanees gets badly injured as the refs let our opponents get away with all sorts. Relying on this is building a house on sand.

Yes we are in Scotland and have to deal with the realities of that, you could remedy the situation or just complain about it, it certainly should not be used as excuse as to why standards should be lowered for you. If only clubs from a country which borders England could be in the English league then this problem could be solved… oh wait, that can happen, I am sure you are working so hard behind the scenes on that.

As for the finances, generation of income has been first class, we have a turnover nearly twenty times larger than our nearest domestic rival and more than a lot of our European opponents. It is the spending, or lack of it, which is the problem, despite the fiscal Grand Canyon that exists we are only a point ahead of Killie and we fail against smaller opponents in Europe.

Intelligent investment but without the intelligence, we spend a few millions on a player with the hope of selling them on for a few millions more, rather than spending more to ensure the we get the CL money which is much more than any transfer fee we are likely to get. We spend money on stadium and training ground improvements but without ring-fencing it to protect from Corporation Tax, more money down the drain.

R12 is not about rangers, they are in liquidation, it’s about standing up against cheating and corruption at the SFA. You won’t let Petrie get the better of you during a transfer or two, but you let him get the better of you in his SFA role due to your refusal to take action.

As for sitting back and letting sevco implode, well that is not going to happen, there are at least 50000 of the most gullible people in the country ready to throw good money after bad to keep the Big(ot) Hoose open. GASL will do what he needs and then leave and when he does who will takeover? That is when we could be in bother, especially as the SFA, who you will not stand up to, have appeared to ignore FFP rules for sevco.

‘Veni Vidi Vici’, when you took over we had won a treble, just played in a European final and were ranked 28th in Europe, we are now ranked 47th. Is this conquering, are we treading water while others improve or is it two steps forward and three steps back?

While you may feel pretty good (so would I if had the same wage), it is clear that all is not good. We are not fulfilling our unique potential, we are not seeing the financial dominance reflected on the pitch and we are not standing up for ourselves with the authorities. Lastly, having to be publicly shamed into paying a living wage, considering our roots, was a disgrace.

Yours sincerely,

A Celtic man.

BroxburnBhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  Doc

He took over when the club had overextended itself by spending more than we had to reach that European final. We are still paying off that debt today. That kind of spending was unsustainable – they tried it over the city from us and they died.

Doc
5 years ago
Reply to  BroxburnBhoy

How would things be today if we sold Larsson at the earliest opportunity, if we didn’t sign Sutton, Hartson, Lennon or Joos? I doubt we would we have won without our top players and our stadium would have emptied Deila-style, that means rangers would have won the league almost every year, they would be on about 15 in a row. Would they have folded if they had all that extra CL money?

The spending was necessary to prevent another nineties in perpetuity.

SFA unfit for purpose
5 years ago

Complicated issue.
It appears clear that someone other than the manager is signing players. so far so good.
My main concern with all this is simple.
When Brendan signed up , was this explained to him.
If he was told that he was the man to pick the targets , then Houston we have a problem.
If i remember rightly , Balotelli was signed at liverpool without brendan being involved.
Its all well and good if we make some profit through these project signings , but if it costs us our Best manager in 40 years will it be worth it.

Mike
5 years ago

By all means put all the blame on the monkey, he can take it, he gets a huge amount of nuts for taking the blame, but what about the organ grinder, where does he fit into the scheme of the things, after all the monkey is only doing what he’s told to do.
The Celtic support has always had just cause to raise suspicions about the custodians of our club. From disputed attendances, to the coal lorry running around Parkhead carrying our European hero’s. To pie in the sky promises about Cambuslang, we could have done with a few disco lights then, to illuminate the shady goings on. Who can forget John Kean’s selfless act saving our great club, or the business acumen or strong mindset of the “bunnet” BTW he had more friends than enemies, supporters never questioned his heartfelt desire to give the support what they deserved, well perhaps except the team they craved. If the PLC. is a business, then it is a successful business, but its first and foremost a football club, Celtic F.C. carrying the dreams of a World wide support, dismiss them at your peril. It is a successful football club, but its a limited success. Oh it does brilliantly the board with £SP but its not just about money and that is where the waters get murky. You pay the football manager a huge sum to do his job, but then the monkey starts to interfere. Instead of just counting his nuts, the monkey starts buying players or not, when he should be buying the players the manager wants or needs to meet the supporters asperations. Then ego’s collide and the professional manager leaves. So then the monkey brings in another manager, one that is cheaper and one that he can control better. The supporters dreams get mangled. All the while the organ grinder is still detached, still immune to blame, avoids criticism and scrutiny, happy in the knowledge that the monkey is getting all the stick. Sporting integrity gets forgotten in the scramble for £SD. Its a fine line to judge, but they are masters at judging just how far they can go…

Charlienich
5 years ago

Some of the comments are longer than the art
and,with only another 40 years of life I couldn’t be arsed reading yhem

5 years ago

Lol

alan
5 years ago

does lawell do a good job? yes.

does that mean we have to like him? no.

is he over paid for a club whose fans think its a charity? yes.

is he over paid for running a profitable PLC? probably not.

interesting take on RES 12. are we better off letting the New Huns die on the vine, rather than be the ones who take the blamed for killing them? maybe so but that ignores that that is not what REs 12 is about.

he might be a tight fisted Tory wanker but he is our tight fisted Tory wanker and I would have him over the alternative any day.

doesn’t mean I have to like him though.

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