Celtic – Youre Barred! but in a Good way!

KERRYDALE ST BAR

One of the laughable jokes I heard earlier from PLC board supporters was Peter Lawell and the board did this to meet our demands i.e. the introduction of a pay bar at Celtic Park for the ‘commoners’.

The cynic in me also thinks it might just be a nice wee earner and fair play, a good ‘win win’ if both parties benefit albeit on Champions League its closed to the higher echelon of customer called ‘Corporates.  

I would like to see better catering facilities, stewards who stop smokers in the toilets and getting a lift into the upper north stand might help. I am not referring to the executive club entrance where last year v Juventus I had to strip off and show my double hernia scars from an operation 4 days previous to get admission. “Where’s your letter” was the official club blazer response, “Well see when I came out of an emergency operation I never quite had the time to arrange that in time. Maybe the sight of my overweight chest, scars and all made them realise climbing nigh on 500 steps to my upper north seat might be a struggle. Anyway I digress, I’m an old malcontent,

So pre match I visited Kerrydale St Bar, Beware if you are not in by 1.15 pm you are not getting in as its only open to 800.  On first view it is not really my place, I usually hit the Gallowgate but my mates were getting off buses from Belfast and Donegal and one from Bishopbriggs albeit I know it’s really Auchinairn (sorry George but true, snobbery still alive and well in Glasgow). They all liked the lunch/beers/music.

As a thrifty Gorbals born bhoy £4 for a pint, fiver for a magners and the same for some small food portion is just too much for my wallet. That and endless queues that could be easily solved in lean sigma (process improvements to those not familiar with buzz words) e.g. one person pours pints and just hands them over after topping them up rather than bar person taking the order, walk to taps, pour drinks one at a time, take money, walk to cash desk at back. 25 minutes I waited in a queue and 10 more once I was served. If that was the pubs at Glasgow Cross the staff would be out on their ears. Maybe the living wage would improve matters!

It was almost full by 12.30, the Irish buses tend to take the tables early doors so there literally is very little room to plonk your feet with folks jostling past continuously and growing bar queues that further prevent movement.  In reality the punters are more curries and chips than prawn sandwich brigade and I have to say through gritted teeth generally it was ok.  

Compliments all round, staff were friendly enough, even the dreaded green blazered stewards. Kids were welcomed, there is a bookies and I hear sometimes even drink promotions that give away free pints.  

So PLC board now I’m back on board with you as a ‘Consumer’ so why not now apply for more bars, open one in the North Stand next and give me the ‘Product’ I deserve off and on the pitch!

Gorbals Diehard

( Ed- heres a wee video too from someone else who tried out the bar…)