{"id":15740,"date":"2020-06-10T09:50:53","date_gmt":"2020-06-10T08:50:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=15740"},"modified":"2020-06-10T09:50:53","modified_gmt":"2020-06-10T08:50:53","slug":"celtic-diary-wednesday-june-10-peter-says-no","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=15740","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Wednesday June 10 : Peter Says No"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u00a0With Celtic now having decided to enrol Bob Geldof as the face of this summers financial drive,<\/div>\n
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\u00a0and as ever, the support being asked to dig deep into finite resources to keep the lights on during the current period of uncertainty, one wonders if the board, or perhaps the wealthier shareholders, could be persuaded to take a bit of a hit themselves.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0After all, if supporters are asked to pay disproportionate sums for a product they aren’t actually going to get, surely it’s only fair that those who have made money from the club do their bit as well ?<\/div>\n
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\u00a0Some people have an emotional investment in Celtic , as well as a financial one, but at the top of the tree, emotion doesn;t come into it for some, and they have made a few quid down the years from their investment.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0What follows are a series of emails between a supporter\/shareholder and John Paul Taylor, who is blameless in all of this, and it has to be emphasised that he does a fantastic job and is above criticism for any and all of what you are about to realise.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0Which merely concludes what the diary said yesterday, Celtic are a club just like any other…..<\/div>\n
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1) Sent to JPT, Celtic SLO, on 04\/May 2020.<\/div>\n
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Hello Mr Taylor,<\/em><\/div>\n
I sent 2 emails to “<\/span>ce<\/span>l<\/span>t<\/span>i<\/span>cv<\/span>i<\/span>e<\/span>w<\/span>@<\/span>c<\/span>e<\/span>l<\/span>t<\/span>i<\/span>cf<\/span>c.<\/span>co<\/span>.<\/span>u<\/span>k”<\/span><\/span>, as this was listed to contact Celtic SLO, on 24\/25<\/em><\/div>\n
April. I’ve had no response.\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
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I’ve since spoken to someone who gave me the address to which this is being sent.\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
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The 2nd, and main email, is below and with a self-explanatory attachment.\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
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Please would you forward the attachment, if this has not already been done, and advise <\/em>accordingly.<\/em><\/div>\n
Thanks and regards,<\/div>\n
***Name and address redacted***<\/div>\n
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Attachment:<\/div>\n
“<\/span>F<\/span>o<\/span>r<\/span> th<\/span>e<\/span> a<\/span>tte<\/span>n<\/span>ti<\/span>o<\/span>n<\/span> o<\/span>f<\/span> Pe<\/span>te<\/span>r<\/span> L<\/span>a<\/span>w<\/span>w<\/span>e<\/span>l<\/span>l<\/span> a<\/span>n<\/span>d<\/span> D<\/span>e<\/span>r<\/span>m<\/span>o<\/span>t <\/span>D<\/span>e<\/span>s<\/span>m<\/span>o<\/span>n<\/span>d<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Celtic PLC Dividends\/A Club Like No Other\/Covid 19<\/div>\n
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\u00a0 In light of current affairs, specifically the Global effects of Covid 19, I, as a life-long Celtic supporter and Celtic PLC Shareholder would like to offer a suggestion which I hope you will fully consider.\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
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\u00a0 As well as being tremendously helpful for the club it has incredible Public Relations potential globally. A real force for good which could pay long-term ‘dividends’ and in which we could be seen to lead the world of football in this time of desperate need, which is set to get worse.\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
\u00a0 I suggest that NO DIVIDENDS shall be payable to ANY party during this year. This will help the club’s balance sheet.\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
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\u00a0Furthermore I request and suggest that, in fact, there should be an optional negative dividend applied this year, i.e. that shareholders whom have benefitted over the years shall return something to our Club to be used specifically for charitable purposes for those whom will be hardest hit and least able to look after themselves amongst our supporters.\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
“We’re all in this together” according to our Government, hence that approach has to be SEEN to be done by “all”. For the avoidance of doubt, “all” in this context is more pointed towards the richest in our unequal society but does not overlook the generally rich nor the better-off-than-most types we have. <\/em><\/div>\n
\u00a0We’re ALL in this together, aren’t we? Or is that more of Johnson’s bluster?<\/em><\/div>\n
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I’m retired and live on the State Pension supplemented by a small personal pension but I’m happy to ‘kick this off’ with a personal pledge of \u00a325. All of our shareholders could be invited to do something similar if they can afford to. This action, in terms of Global PR, would be noted and hopefully emulated by other football clubs throughout the world but they’ll remember where it all began, as will all the potential beneficiaries and the wider public too. <\/em><\/div>\n
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We may even attract more supporters globally but we’ll definitely be able to say we truly are A Club Like No Other with pride<\/em><\/div>\n
and proof.\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
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It remains to be proven from whence the Covid 19 emerged, except to say the centre of Wuhan seems agreed by all. Whether that is finally proven to be the Level 4 laboratory or the ‘wet’ market may take a lot more time and investigation. One hopes that one day “the truth will out”. <\/em><\/div>\n
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Meantime at Celtic PLC I revert to my opening comments. Open and honest publishing of the cancellation of dividends, the effect of the ‘pay-back’ by way of negative dividends and the invitation to all our shareholders to participate will go a long way to enforcing our supporters’ view, and our marketing department’s joyful use of the term “A Club Like No Other”.<\/em><\/div>\n
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I’m sure our players would like to be involved here too.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
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\u00a0 Please give this suggestion serious consideration regarding both the good it would do and the PR potential and please advise me of your conclusions.<\/em><\/div>\n
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Thank you.<\/div>\n
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With hope and kind regards,<\/div>\n
***Name and address redacted***<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u00a0That seems a fair enough request, there would be massive praise and respect if the major shareholders put something back….<\/div>\n
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\u00a0 \u00a02) JPT’s reply of same date:<\/div>\n
“ Hi *******(redacted)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Thank you for your email, I will of course pass this on as requested.<\/em><\/div>\n
This is the \ue01erst email I\u2019ve received from you so my apologies that you\u2019ve not had any prior acknowledgement.<\/em><\/div>\n
Best regards and keep well.<\/em><\/div>\n
JP”<\/div>\n
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3) My email of 2nd June:<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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“ Dear Mr Taylor, you may recall I wrote to you (email) over a month ago (24th April)\u00a0 <\/span>but I believe you only received it when I changed from sending to “celticview” to “jptaylor”.\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
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Anyway, much as I thank you for YOUR reply (initially 4th May) I’ve yet to receive ANY response from either of the 2 intended recipients, Peter Lawwell and Dermot Desmond.\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
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In this regard, if I may, can I ask you to you confirm that you forwarded my email to both of these men?\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
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I’m minded to write to Mr Desmond directly but I feel it’s a matter for consideration by both.\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
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Please advise if any headway has been made.\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
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If we want to behave as “A Club Like No Other” we need to evidence that consistently.\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
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Thanks again for your earlier replies and keep well; this (Covid-19) is far from over, regardless of what politicians and their ilk may infer.\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
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********(redacted)<\/div>\n
(contact details provided on earlier emails re this subject)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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4) Reply from JPT same day:<\/div>\n
” Hi ***** (redacted)<\/div>\n
Thanks for your follow up, your note was passed to the Finance Director so I’ve just chased him up <\/em>on it.<\/em><\/div>\n
I’ll be in touch as soon as I have a response.<\/em><\/div>\n
Best regards and keep well.<\/div>\n
JP<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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5) My email, still 2nd June:<\/div>\n
“That’s really good of you to respond so quickly John, but my request to pass it to PTL and DFD was for a reason.<\/em><\/div>\n
It could NOT go anywhere without their agreement hence putting it via a (junior) 3rd party would at best delay and at worst be lost.<\/em><\/div>\n
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I trust you understand from my wording that this is important to me and many other world-wide Supporters of our Classic Club.<\/em><\/div>\n
So, I ask again, please introduce this to the initial, intended recipients and ask for a response at their earliest convenience explaining that a month has elapsed already in this regard.\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
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I’m okay with going direct but I felt it was proper to go via your good self.<\/em><\/div>\n
Thanks for all that you do.”\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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6) JPT’s reply still 2nd June:
\n” Hi ***** (redacted)<\/p>\n

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That\u2019s no problem at all, just to offer some clarity, the FD is a very senior position at the Club and converses daily with the CEO who equally is in regular contact with Mr Desmond.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Please be assured that your request has been discussed and I\u2019m fairly certain that both men have been made aware of the request.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

As I\u2019m sure you appreciate there is a lot going on at the Club right now and with only few staff not on furlough, things are taking a bit longer than they would normally.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I hope this helps offer some context and clarity.<\/em>
\nBest regards
\nJP”<\/p>\n

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7) My email of (still 2nd June):
\n“ John Paul, I really do appreciate and am extremely grateful for your efforts.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I hope our leaders see value in this promotional idea of The Celtic Way (Brand).\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

To offer genuine aid to those most needy whilst amplifying “A Club Like No Other”, I just see winners all round.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Thanks again for your incredibly rapid response to any query I’ve raised.<\/em><\/p>\n

Thanks again,
\n***** (redacted)
\n8) JPT’s reply: 3rd June:
\n” Hi ***** (redacted)<\/p>\n

Just as a follow up to your initial note now have a response for you, I hope this helps clarify:<\/p>\n

Dear …………<\/p>\n

Thank you for your email along with your constructive and selfless suggestion. The club and Celtic FC Foundation very much shares your ethos and outlook and you may have seen some of the great work the Celtic FC Foundation has been doing to alleviate the challenges imposed upon some of the most vulnerable in society as described in the article below:\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.celticfc.net\/news\/17932\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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As you may be aware the preference share dividends paid each year are payments that we are obliged to make in line with the terms of the preference share instrument. As a result the club does not have the latitude to decide whether to make this payment to the shareholders or not, as it is a contractual obligation and payment that we must adhere it. It is always open to the beneficiaries of these payments to donate them back to any charitable cause and the club would always support such a gesture.<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank you again for taking the time to write and I wish you all the best in these challenging times.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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John Paul Taylor<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Thats a no, then.<\/p>\n

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And ask for the look at what we do with the Celtic foundation, it’s worth noting that is mostly supporters money.<\/p>\n

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You’ll note that there isn’t even a compromise suggestion that they will ask major players to return the dividends as a donation to the Foundation, or to the club, which would suit everyone.<\/p>\n

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Hiding behind the rules never sits well with me, and all they have to do really is ask thise who benefit to consider , well, nit benefitting until all of this is over.<\/p>\n

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To make supporters pay for a product thats not there is fundamentally wrong, and whilst each one will respond after taking into account their own circumstances, to do this behind the veiled threat of missing the ten in a row season is kind of unsettling, as it places our club firmly in the same camp as any other club, which is not why we support them.<\/p>\n

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The disappointed sharheolder\/supporter wrapped up the discussion with a final email…..<\/p>\n

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9) My response 5th June:
\n” Dear John Paul,
\nThank you for your response and the way in which YOU have handled my enquiry.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I’ve got to say I’m very disappointed that our leaders didn’t take this initiative on board. It could have made a Global statement about our club and its leaders and shareholders and helped a large number of individuals who’ll find themselves in dire straits.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I understand how preference shares work; my suggestion was to get THOSE shareholders to put something back.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I’d also suggested the club could encourage others, like myself, to help those in need in this specific way.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I’m also fully aware of the Celtic Foundation and the good work it does. But again, my suggestion was intended to be IN ADDITION to it at this unprecedented juncture.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

So, in a nutshell, I’m grateful for YOUR assistance but find the overall response somewhat weak and hugely disappointing.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I may propose this to other football clubs and see how they feel but I really wanted Celtic to lead what could have conceivably grown into a mammoth effort from the football world for the betterment of, potentially, millions of lives.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Thanks and regards to you and yours, and don’t let your guard down against this pandemic.<\/em>
\n***** (redacted)\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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And as a summation, he adds….<\/p>\n

For the record I’d like to say that JPT (Celtic FC SLO) was absolutely terrific with his responses and seems to genuinely understand where I was coming from.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0I also understand that Celtic FC will get quite a few suggestions from our supporters. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0However, I still feel that Mr Desmond and Mr Lawwell could offer something by way of a sacrifice from THEM for a change instead of grasping everything they can from our wonderful supporters, and also to invite world-wide shareholders to help, if they are able, too. I’m a bit down about this, but not OUT.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The supporter had a great idea, and had it been taken on board by the board, even by merely suggesting that major shareholders put something back, the image of a club like no other would have been strengthened, we would have had a genuine case to state that we were all in it together, but sadly, Celtic today isn’t the Celtic of old, and we have become more of a business than a club, which is okay to an extent, but we really need those in charge to be of the same mindset of thise who support, and until that happens, we have no moral right to claim we are a club like no other.<\/p>\n

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In other news, another CEO who has a lot more passion about his club, albeit mostly misdirected, is about to be cited on diesrepute charges.<\/p>\n

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Which should keep us entertained for a few days.<\/p>\n

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But not as entertained as this new outlook from a club steeped in bigotry…..you’ve got to hand it to the guy who took this job on….<\/p>\n

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ChacePR is proud to project-manage Rangers Football Club’s Everyone Anyone diversity and inclusion campaign. Supporter Richard MacDonald, who is part of the initiative, has released the following statement about his attendance at a Black Lives Matter event at the weekend.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Seems like they’re making sure that they are in tune with at least one of the requirements of obtaining a UEFA licence, to actively discourage racism, and hoping no one notices the financial failings that they hope to blame on Covid.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0Bizarrely, he then claims that his speech at a Black Lives Matter demo was him talking through his personal hat, and not his “rangers” hat, though we can be sure he is talking through his hat, as they say….<\/div>\n
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“I attended and spoke at Sunday\u2019s Black Lives Matter demonstration at Glasgow Green in a personal capacity on behalf of my mixed race family and not as a representative or spokesman for Rangers Football Club.\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
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“In response to an interjection from the crowd which referenced Rangers FC, I responded with a phrase which with hindsight, I would have reacted to differently.\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
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Oh ho…looks like he’s already made an arse of it…. in the eyes of the less tolerant bears…<\/div>\n
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“I should have said \u2018society has to change\u2019 and we can all do better and given recent events in America, I am sure any fair-minded individual would agree.\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
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“I know some fellow supporters believed I was being critical of Rangers. Again, that was not my intention and I was actually trying to communicate my support of the club\u2019s highly positive EA campaign.\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
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“Rangers is a club for everyone and anyone and totally opposed to all forms of discrimination. “I am honoured to play a role in a campaign that promotes such lofty principles of tolerance, inclusion and togetherness.\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n
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“I trust this statement clarifies my position and puts an end to the matter.” Richard MacDonald Tuesday June 9, 2020<\/em><\/div>\n
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\u00a0so, what happened…?<\/div>\n
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From the Sun…<\/div>\n
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RANGERS’ anti-racism campaigner told the Black Lives Matter demonstration in Glasgow that the club “needs to change”.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0They did….in 2012…<\/div>\n
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Oh, sorry, I got the wrong end of the stick there, please, carry on…. what did he say ?<\/div>\n
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\u00a0“I was born in 1968 and right now I Can’t Breathe.<\/em><\/p>\n

“I can’t breathe with emotion here today to see so much support, it’s unbelievable.<\/em><\/p>\n

“Rangers as an institution has to change and I’m there to help it change.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00a0Actually, he meant “society “, or at least thats what the club\/company have told him to say.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0Thats because the club\/company would like society to change, to change back to the one where white protestant superiority holds sway, and catholics and Irish should be seen and not heard.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0Actually, not seen and not heard.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0It’s all a bit tricky for some in Scotland.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0One the one hand defiantly calling out prejiducial behaviour against blacks whilst ignoring the hatred shown routinely to Irish.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0We still have a long way to go, and you have to hand it to the Richard Macdonald, he really has got his work cut out.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0If he were to call out the Ibrox board and stand by what he said, there’s a new statue and street name up for grabs, as he truly would be a visionary.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0Although if he did that, he might also get an idea how things were in Alabama for those who were seen as outsiders a hundred years or so ago.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0Good luck and best wishes to him.<\/div>\n
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It’s a hell of a job he’s taken on.<\/div>\n
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And I’m still astonished that Celtic want to perpetuate the Old Firm brand, even if they see us as the good guys in this “battle “.<\/div>\n
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Why do we want to be associated with that club, and why do we actively support their deeply entrenched bigotry, as well as theiur more recent behaviour of cheating and lying ?<\/div>\n
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\u00a0We hear they’re having a bit of trouble with their new kit people….as this “genuine ” extract shows….<\/div>\n
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\u00a0Meanwhile, some time ago the Diary mentioned a somewhat outlandish tale about a Scottish football club\/company stealing water from a nearby church, a story so bizarre it could not have been ignored, even of only for comedic purposes.<\/div>\n
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Apparently, the club\/company, which is not as solvent as others, had come up with a way of saving money on their water bills by not having any, and had sourced free water by siphoning off that of the church.<\/div>\n
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Not holy water, of course, as that would have seen their premises disappear in a violent burst of steam.<\/div>\n
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Anyway, the story was dismissed out of ahnd as being the product of a fertile and quite probably drunk imagination.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0However, with talk of a new development roughly where the re routed pipes would have been. are moves underway to give the church it’s water back ?<\/div>\n
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\u00a0All very silly, and there is no suggestion that any club\/company would not pay their bills as they became due….<\/div>\n
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\u00a0The last caption competition was on Saturday…..<\/div>\n
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Sancheto<\/em><\/div>\n