Grey Men In Suits
Morning,all.
Yesterday at the AGM went as expected then. That’s what happens when you allow people to build a controlling share of a company and then allowing them to appeal to regulatory watchdogs that they shouldn’t be forced to table an outright bid for the company. Votes at the AGM will almost certainly go in their favour,the ordinary shareholders left with the crumbs of being permitted to voice their frustrations once a year while the people in charge snigger at them.
While it was a pleasure to see the re-election of Bankier and Wilson being denied on the initial vote from the floor,there was never any doubt that the proxy votes-including our notoriously absent landlord-would carry the day.
I’ve had a look at the official site for members of the board,and taking Nicholson out of the equation as he was only officially appointed yesterday after eight years at the club,there are six board members with 81 years on the board between them.
Celtic PLC Board Of Directors | Celtic plc Investor Centre | celticfc.com
Add in Lawwell-who hasn’t gone away-and that is nearly a century of grey men in suits,plus a recent addition of the fairer sex,running the affairs of our club. This is far from good governance by any company,and various bodies recommend a refresh of personnel around five years in any position. Indeed,most of us are of an age to remember the days of the Politburo in Moscow,when the attendees looked like they had been warmed up after a few years in a mausoleum.
Anyone who attended yesterday will have had flashbacks-although I expect the suits were of a better cut.
While I commend everyone who attended yesterday in order to make their displeasure plain,I can’t help thinking that we are pissing into the wind. We simply don’t have the clout to make our presence felt. The board can simply sit there stony faced and not GAF about a word that is said. Even the vociferous complaints about a potential appointment of a certain police officer fell on stony ground,and if they won’t listen to us on this matter then it is clear that they have no intention of GAF about any of our opinions.
The grumble about the appointment of Walsh for Saturday? Not our problem,we don’t run the SFA. No,and they don’t utter a word of criticism about it either. The non-appearance of DD? Not a problem,he’s told us how to vote anyway. The various resolutions about governance? We will leave that to the proxy voting system,see how it goes.
Spoiler alert-went the way of the board,as you might expect. I could go on…
Banging our heads against a brick wall isn’t how I envisioned life as a Celtic supporter to be. But it’s become a situation that I’m well used to over the last few-MANY!-years. This will not change under this current board,or under this current ownership structure. We might be used to it,but it doesn’t mean we have to like it.
Yes,it is true that all we can do is howl into the wilderness even as we are ignored. But awareness of the situation is becoming wider,many more are questioning what is going on,how certain things have been allowed to come to pass. And it’s not just the refereeing fiascos,not just the financial mismanagement from the soo’side. It’s not even the utter shitshow that was last season,or THAT imminent appointment.
It’s the contempt with which we are being treated by this board of incompetents which is rousing the ire of the fans on so many fronts. Their own Ratner moment will come,but bloody hell it has been a long wait already.
++++++
Above article by BMCUWP
Bobby, (from previous article) 1957.
I remember probably about 1960, all the boys in the school went into the ‘Drill Hall’ where one of the teachers had one of those old reel to reel projection things, a big white screen, and we were treated to the 7-1 game.
When I went to high school, the same thing happened with our winning the European Cup. We (the boys) all watched it replayed in the ‘Assembly Hall’.
I don’t suppose that would be allowed nowadays, even in a ‘Tim’ school! LOL 🙂
JIMTHETIM53
Those three fellas I mentioned from our meeting in Clydebank six months ago? All of them were at THAT European Cup Final in 1960?
They were all there in 1957 as well.
Spawny basterts…
So are you,I’ve never seen footage of the 1957 final. Mind you,my Dad has never seen proper footage of 21-5-79-he was at a union conference at the time-and being there is my payback!
The three lies that are the foundation of Scottish football:
1. Rangers – We’re the same club/we were relegated.
2. Celtic – We never saw the 5 Way Agreement
3. Celtic fans – There is nothing Celtic fans can do.
MIKEINTORONTO
Point three-we will keep chipping away. Little acorns.
Money talks. Bullshit walks. Simple.
Great comment. Hard to argue with any of it.
BMCUW
.
Re the 4-2 game on the 21st of May 1979. Clutching our precious briefs, dated from the New Year’s postponed game, me and the old man sauntered up the Gallowgate on a beautiful spring evening, looking forward to the title decider.
If the Celts won, the league was ours. A draw or better suited the Huns. Sitting in our seats in the front of the main stand-directly on the 18 yard line-we had a perfect view of Alex McDonald’s half volley in the ninth minute. FFS, can this evening get any worse, I thought…not daring to venture such an opinion aloud, in front of me da. As it turns out, it could. Just before half-time, Johnny Doyle was sent off, for an off the ball kick at Alex McDonald.
And so, onto the 2nd half. The game ebbed and flowed. Celtic equalised, then went 2-1 ahead. Our joy was short-lived however when the Huns equalised 2 minutes later.
And then, with 5 minutes remaining, big Colin Jackson scored an o.g. Bedlam ensued. Then in the final moments, Murdo, with the last kick of the ball clinched the title.
For some reason or other, the old man decided to take us to the toon, via London Road.
At Brigton Cross, there was carnage. Huns fighting wae Huns. Huns fighting wae the Polis. Hun polis fighting wae the Huns. Hun polis fighting wae each other. Twas grand to see.
As Dean Martin sang:
“Memories Are Made of This”.
Aye canny beat the Old Firm
I was at that game
I never thought you’d be a junkie
Come to your
What school did you go to
Who scared you
Best fuckin night shift ever ha ha ha
BMCUWP
Here you go
As someone once said:
“The best way to take control over a people and control them utterly is to take a little of their freedom at a time, to erode rights by a thousand tiny and almost imperceptible reductions.
In this way the people will not see those rights and freedoms being removed until past the point at which these changes cannot be reversed. “
Never a truer word.
The above led to World War carnage, but equally applies to the more mundane minutiae.
The Fighting Men from Bearsden left their Labradoodles, Hot Tubs and expensive Man Caves for the day – and ventured to the East End to put some manners on the Board.
The Fighting Men from Bearsden discretely sealed the windows of their metallic grey hybrids and put ‘The Rebs’ on at mature levels…To prepare for the anticipated clash with Denis O’Brien, Nick Train and Dermot.
The Fighting Men from Bearsden losing track record includes, Boris, Brexit and 55 Titles. They’re clearly not to be messed with. Even by a billionaires with an uncanny knack for ducking and diving.
That uncanny knack was brought to the fore in The Kerrydale Suite.
A few chords of Glen Daly and The Fighting Men from Bearsden broke rank. Half “belted oot” the tune while the other half burst oot greetin for their Mammies.
The Fighting was over.
The votes had already been counted.
Stock Market Rules had defeated The Fighting Men from Bearsden.
“Ach well, there’s always next year. Who’d you think we’ll get in January? Japan looks good.”
The Unrepentant Fighting Men from Bearsden slithered back to Bearsden to walk those Labradoodles before teatime.
They’d done their bit for the Cause. They’d booed an Aunt Sally or two.
The scene at Celtic Park is reminiscent of the scene that confronted Moses when he descended Mount Sinai with the two Tablets of Stone.
The Israelites worshipping the Golden Calf is uncomfortably similar to the way many justify supporting the team and not the PLC. The support are deluding themselves and are falling into the Golden Calf trap.
The Golden Calf being – 9 in a Row, Treble Treble and eternal conflict with “The Huns. ”
The Golden Calf is Old Firmisim.
Idolatry at all costs…A Culture, Cause and Calling.
Just cynical marketing tools. Used to justify and legitimise the misery of the Golden Calf addiction.
Many supporters have no trouble in recognising the horror of addiction in a poor soul languishing in a shop doorway.
They are just blind to the extent of their (our) own addictions.
Dermot and Co know this of course.
That’s why they bang the cultural drum and use subservient minions to foster division.
Division through character assasination, dishonesty and ongoing conflict/fear.
Unfortunately addiction to things like Celtic don’t bring what we’re looking for. Infact the opposite is guaranteed.
Addictions result in ;
Pain, misery and regret.
The Old Firm genie is out the bottle. It’s really up to the individual to put that cork back in that bottle.
No matter what Committee you start. Whatever ownership model you have.
Old Firmisim in any guise means misery.
You all know this.
Not a penny more. Or continue with the miserable pursuit of short-lived, happy hormones, via the drug of Old Firmisim?
Before the dawning of any light there’s usually a period of protracted anguish.
Hopefully the tempting lustre of the Golden Calf looses it’s appeal as the cycle of pain becomes more intense.
TGM
The two cheeks of the same arse model that rules Scottish Football is inbuilt into the structure.
This symbiotic relationship is self serving , has been since the advent of Oldfirmism.
Only issue is one party to this duopoly is weaker 49% to 51% , and therefore as junior partner sucks up.
Ps
Where the actions of the senior partner significantly influences the other.
CFC,
100%…It finances the whole pyramid (cheeky Masonic reference).
It needs to be seen for what it is.
Perpetual second class.
There was some poetic licence in the above.
No insult to Bearsden intended. It just fits too easily with it’s twin in South Armagh.
Till Later
TGM
I’ll give you a cheeky one back- In the kingdom of the blind the one eyed man is king.
Partners in crime but obviously not equal partners as the treatments meted out since the joint venture started are significantly different.
The fostering of the “We arra peepul” self entitled Hun versus the downtrodden but at times uppity Fenian personae is a music hall act perpetuated for the best monetary gain possible in a third rate theatre.
Insularity, and a lack of worldly sophistication, breeds contempt and it will be ever thus til we reach maturity in a wider marketplace.
CFC,
The treatment meted out within each is also unfair.
It’s inter and intra exploitative.
It’s a progamme that cannot provide any meaningful happiness.
“Treatment’s meted out significantly different.”…
Sure…All the more reason to call out the whole charade.
Stop putting our hands into the fire.
Stop allowing the past to dictate the Present.
The past has gone, it’s vanished.
The Present the only time that matters.
Have a good day everyone.
TGM
We are calling it out but no one is listening.
They don’t have to.
It’s a charade for a reason – an organised pretence to fleece the customer.
The opportunity for change was there at season book renewal time.
The board were handed a comprehensive victory.
While Celtic has such an emotional pull the boardroom robber barons will continue unabated.
Yesterdays farce of an AGM continued in DD’s desired tradition.
All things come to pass and eventually it will happen but unless there is a dramatic financial change yesterday’s Celtic Groundhog Day will continue for the foreseeable future.
I agree. They will eventually get their comeuppance. They’re are a risible bunch. The superiority complex of Bankier and Wilson in particular shine through. Imagine Bankier feeling superior to anyone. A lifetime of cosseted privilege and the very definition of beta. Wilson is just a relic from a bygone age.
Of course they all channel the spirit of the absent moustache. A world class shit by any measure.
I would say they’re every bit as bad as the crooks that have ran the the various incarnations of the huns over the past 20 years, but actually they’re much worse.
Gombeen Man
Enjoyed that. Though I saw a bit too much of myself in the description (except I am of the not a penny more camp).
Too bad it’s Bearsden Cross and not Cross Bearsden, which would have been perfect.
Hi Big Packy,
I haven’t been on for a wee while so I was very sorry to read that Joan and her Mum were poorly. Very best wishes to both of them for a speedy recovery and once again Packy, take good care of yourself
Very good article Bobby but where do we go from here. Money is the only thing that board listens to and they know the emotional ties bhoys have. Some bhoys sitting in there dads seat even though he’s been dead for years and so on.
As you know I was going to give up mine after, what 17 years, but daughter said she would also give her’s up because going to football without her dad was not the same.
These gits know these situations exist and exploit accordingly.
Prestonpans bhoys
Very good article Bobby but where do we go from here. Money is the only thing that board listens to and they know the emotional ties bhoys have. Some bhoys sitting in there dads seat even though he’s been dead for years and so on.
As you know I was going to give up mine after, what 17 years, but daughter said she would also give her’s up because going to football without her dad was not the same.
These gits know these situations exist and exploit accordingly.
—///—///—///—///—///—///—///
Great item Bobby and most of what has been said by all the replies covers how I’ve felt about this Bòrd and situation.
How can any organisation have a ‘show of hands’ voting system … declaring preferred intentions…then revert to a second method of voting when things don’t go their way in the room … and then continue to claim to be listening, or even remotely caring about what folk actually want?
How can any of these charlatans turn up next day, or next week?- the entire South Stand should stand up and turn their backs on them… those in the wee Executive Suites Corporate dining rooms paying top dollar, won’t say much ( there are good exceptions) and mainly they will just adore the patronage and reflected self-importance. Those types won’t act. They think differently.
It’s the reply by PB (above) that cuts into a significant part of the heart of the matter.
This Bòrd will have done their market research – we often joke about Cambridge Analytics style research – this is almost certainly commissioned before decisions are made at (Above) Bòrd level. I.E. By the actual owners of the club. It’s doubtful any of the existing Executive members have the nous or smarts.
It’s becoming really clear that significant concerns folk have about ‘losing’ their ‘perch/pitch/seat’ if they decide to ‘take action’ by withholding ‘up front’ payments every Spring… aka Season Tickets… is a huge part of the emotional leverage Bòrd are utilising.
Whatever happens with regard to change at Celtic – there must be some form of declaration and guarantee that ‘come the day and come the hour’ the default seating positions ( at a predetermined date) will be honoured and restored under an new Executive management model.
In short -you and your family & mates will all be guaranteed that existing seats from 21/22 Season Ticket will be fully restored to you. Anyone buying those seats meantime will go to the back of the queue… rightly so!
After the Revolution.
The Gombeen Man @ 08.01am .
Excellent summary of yesterday’s farce.
The subsequent replies were spot on .
I’m still addicted, but I will fill he pockets of my pal that owns the pub , when I watch Saturdays game in the boozer , rather than attend the game.
Can we still call it a game ? Or sport ?
Where’s the next World Cup being held ?
Sad state of affairs that Celtic PLC are just a mirror image of the hypocrisy that exists elsewhere on planet fitba .
My long post just got lost while trying to clean a smudge on phone.
There’s no good clubs left. Just clubs slightly worse than each other.
It’s my opinion the suits think they are saving ‘us’ from ourselves,,Scottish football needs a ‘helping hand’ to become competitive.
If FFP, honest refs, real fixture computer etc weren’t in the equation, Glasgow Celtic would naturally sweep all in front of them.
This would lead to a collapse of ST sales at Ibrox as they dont do eternally second best, a superiority complex insists on that.
As such, the suits can file away the underhanded as a necessary evil, and they won’t change things for the above reasons.
It’s a SCAM folks, pure and simple.
Any connection with it ends right here, passed over not passed on.
Garry loved that team and it was fitting his image graced the big screen when the time came.
Keep mine as far away as possible.
Have a wonderful day of Thor.
ANGELGABRIEL et al
While it is impossible to support our board,I still think it is impossible for most of us to stop supporting Celtic. We have supported Celtic as long as we have drawn breath,and unless something earth-shattering happens-and let’s face it,we’ve already coped with plenty-I can’t see that changing.
I support the intent of every single fan who has withdrawn their finances from the club,they are to be admired for their stance. Sadly,I have to be honest and admit that I doubt I can do the same. In spite of everything.
https://etims.net/?p=17289 One More Round….
BOBBY
Starve them out$$$$$$$$$$
Germany increasing Covid restrictions, hope Bhoys travelling over this week won’t be affected.
HI EVERYBODY, and jim of course😎 just a wee update on wee joans mum, she is in hospital at the moment no visitors allowed ,think i told,jim, she cant keep anything down not even water, they are going to put a camera down her throat tomorrow, but as she is so frail, no sedation, but as ive discussed it with joan and her sister barbera and barberas husband jeff ,if they find cancer or something what is the outcome, they cant operate she would not survive the operation,,when wee joan phoned her about half an hour ago, she just said pray for me,,,,what can you do or say, let me say this to all on sentinel celts, you have been a godsend ,every one of you you know who you are, would take me weeks to thank you all in person, but ill get round to it eventually,,god bless you all,
BIGPACKY
I think the best wishes of everyone on here are with you and yours.
HH
BOBBY, thanks pal it means a lot.👍
Big Packy
What Bobby said … we are all rooting for you.
BP
HOpe all goes well.
On less important matters, I see Sevco have announced Van Bronkhurst as their manager. I’m a bit surprised in that they cant have much money to spend, and I thought he would have other (better ) offers. But, again, may be he sees the SPL as a stepping stone to the EPL..
I watched his team in Holland, and they played decent football (and a similar style to what Sevco currently play). Cant say I really know how much of that he inherited versus how much he built, but, just based on the style of play, I think he could do a decent job for them. And it may mean that they dont suffer so much from losing their coaching staff mid season, as they might otherwise. But, I expect that they may have to try to sell somoene in the January window.
timhorton
There is the crux and the dilemma right there.
It is not that simplistic.
How long would it take for supporter sanctions to bite?
How many would support such an action, over a prolonged period?
What is the minimum level of operating capability
for the club to effectively function?
(Albeit losing competitiveness.)
What is the underlying core support no matter what Board transgressions are identified?
Who benefits most from internecine strife?
A glib sound bite does not address structural obstacles.
I am not suggesting acquiescence to the Board, but I would require a strategy before going “all in”.
Big Packy
We have never communicated but I feel your sense of helplessness.
I have a 96 year old parent in similar circumstances.
You are never alone.
God bless you all Packy. Take care buddy.
CFC
That is really striking at the heart of the matter. How to starve someone out if they have c£20m in the bank and access to c£30m of credit,plus a willingness of major shareholders to pony up rather than be faced down.
Btw Packy, I got my Flu jab on Monday and also the Covid booster jab. Knocked the stuffing out of me for a couple of days. I’ve never had any reaction or side effects before.
back to normal now thank goodness. 🙂
BMCUW
A war of attrition usually results in a Pyrrhic victory.
No supporter would want that. No money man either.
Across the negotiating table ; What are the fundamental requirements of each party and how best does detente serve these?
This was response elsewhere about the ineffectiveness of Resolution 12 (indeed all resolutions) and only supporters withholding finance would work. It saves me setting out my position on grey suits.
I know that Pxxxxxx but whilst Res12 was resisted by Celtic in spite of PL encouraging it (want to see his duplicity that started it?) and not supported by the CST in spite of appearances to the contrary, it has exposed the true nature of our national game and laid to rest the idea Celtic are the good guys against the rest.
They are not, they are part of the rest.
It (Res12) whilst not its purpose has provided information to those who wanted to be informed and did not want to be part of the rest about what the true nature of what they are supporting. They have withdrawn their support.
As regard Resolution Road it was initially the ONLY way to make The Board accountable.
However having gone down that road it is clear now it’s a cul de sac.
That brings the raison d’etre of CST into question especially when they changed their members adopted resolution that gave Celtic a much easier ride than they enjoyed yesterday.
Part of the original that was omitted suggested Bankier had hard specific questions to answer that could have required his resignation or throwing PL under a bus, so what is the point of any resolutions if those putting them forward cannot be trusted?
A new approach needs to be taken that harnesses the financial power of all of the support, not just shareholders, one that earns the respect from the Board.
Res12 was but one train on what is turning out to be a multi train journey.
Last word on bringing the support together from a John Powell book. ” The Secret of Staying in Love? Communication.”
Any new approach has to provide the means of communication.
A bigger version of any blog/group where there will always be differences of opinion but more of agreement and it is the areas consensus that the support, if they participate in large enough numbers , can agree on what needs raised with best legal advice on tap on how best to do it.
A credible threat coming from a source respected by The Board and supporters needs to be created.
A boycott would not be required if the threat of one was made real and who knows what response would be made on any issue held in an atmosphere of mutual respect?
CFC
Indeed. Yet peace talk are unlikely when there is no trust on either side,no “grey” areas but only black and white,not listening,blah blah.
Honestly,this is a shitshow so easily avoided yet virtually impossible now to rectify.
Man Utd are the latest EPL club to set up a ‘Fans Advisory Board’ with elected supporter representation 🤔
JTT53
What do you make of this 1 from Mudford n son’s
Mumford & Sons – The Cave / MumfordAndSonsVEVO