As a Celtic supporter of some 49 years I have shared the good times and the bad times with my fellow supporters, the triumphs and the tragedies. The ecstacy of lifting Europes biggest prize in 67. The agonies of losing out in 70 and 03. The Euphoria of Nine in a Row, the depression when our nine was equalled, and many, many more memories both good and bad.
As Celtic supporters we are members of a Worldwide family, and as a result we become ambassadors of that family. Whilst on our travels we should do nothing that would besmirch the good name of the Celtic Family, but should endevour to enhance further that good name. As Celtic supporters everything we do comes under very close scrutiny. No matter where you go you will always find people who will try to discredit and blacken the good name of the Celtic Family through the actions of the supporters. We should be under no illusion that because of our past good conduct and supporters awards that we are beyond reproach.
Footballs governing bodies are only now, after many years, beginning to tackle the problem of sectarianism and racism that has blighted the beautiful game for decades, with particular attention being paid to Scotland and it's inherent bigotry, which nearly spelled the end for Glasgow Celtic.
Glasgow Celtic are a football club that is very proud of it's Scottish/Irish Heritage, and indeed has fought to keep that Heritage, none more so than in 1952. For those Celtic supporters who do not know. In 1952 Glasgow Celtic were threated with closure unless the removed the Irish National Flag from Celtic Park. This came after trouble at the Old Firm game of 1st January. The Majistrates Committee of Glasgow Corporation called a meeting with the SFA, Scottish League and the Referees Committee. The upshot of this meeting was that Celtic should be told to "Refrain from displaying in their ground on match days any Flag or Emblem which has no association with this Country or game". Mr Robert Kelly Celtic's Chairman at that time, fought this decision tooth and nail, and as such the proud symbol of our Irish Heritage still flies proudly over Celtic park alongside the Saltire.
This sadly, is not the only time that a major Scottish Institution has threatened my team with closure, as most off you will recall, in 94 we were just minutes from going out of existance because we had accrued a debt of somewhere in the region of 18-20mil with our bankers. We were saved from extinction at the last minute by the intervention of Fergus McCann and friends. Fergus left us with a magnificent stadium and a sound financial footing to proceed into the new millenium.
It makes no difference to most that Celtic have always been a Football Club where a players Colour, Creed or Religion has not mattered. This is also true of the supporters. Just look around you on match days and see the mixed support. No matter what Celtic do there are still those in authority who would like nothing better than to punish the slightest indiscretion by us. The UEFA and FIFA guidlines are now forcing the Scottish Football Authorities, (who for years have previously turned a blind eye to the incessant bigotry pumped out by some clubs and their supporters) to start punishing the guilty parties.
As Celtic supporters we must ensure that we give those same authorities no reason to punish our family. It is our duty to ensure the good standing of our club, so when the Board of Directors off Celtic Footbal Club ask us not to sing song's or chant's, home and away, that can cause damage to Celtic, we must accede to the wishes of the club, and indeed the majority of supporters. To those supporters that ask "what about our identity and heritage" I ask you to look up, and you will see our identity and heritage proudly flying over Celtic Park. It is my opinion that anyone who goes against the wishes off Celtic Football Club in regards to this matter, does not have the best interests of Celtic at heart, and does not deserve to be called a Celtic Supporter. If you Love Celtic as much as I do, you will do nothing to hurt Celtic.
Hail Hail
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As Celtic supporters we are members of a Worldwide family, and as a result we become ambassadors of that family. Whilst on our travels we should do nothing that would besmirch the good name of the Celtic Family, but should endevour to enhance further that good name. As Celtic supporters everything we do comes under very close scrutiny. No matter where you go you will always find people who will try to discredit and blacken the good name of the Celtic Family through the actions of the supporters. We should be under no illusion that because of our past good conduct and supporters awards that we are beyond reproach.
Footballs governing bodies are only now, after many years, beginning to tackle the problem of sectarianism and racism that has blighted the beautiful game for decades, with particular attention being paid to Scotland and it's inherent bigotry, which nearly spelled the end for Glasgow Celtic.
Glasgow Celtic are a football club that is very proud of it's Scottish/Irish Heritage, and indeed has fought to keep that Heritage, none more so than in 1952. For those Celtic supporters who do not know. In 1952 Glasgow Celtic were threated with closure unless the removed the Irish National Flag from Celtic Park. This came after trouble at the Old Firm game of 1st January. The Majistrates Committee of Glasgow Corporation called a meeting with the SFA, Scottish League and the Referees Committee. The upshot of this meeting was that Celtic should be told to "Refrain from displaying in their ground on match days any Flag or Emblem which has no association with this Country or game". Mr Robert Kelly Celtic's Chairman at that time, fought this decision tooth and nail, and as such the proud symbol of our Irish Heritage still flies proudly over Celtic park alongside the Saltire.
This sadly, is not the only time that a major Scottish Institution has threatened my team with closure, as most off you will recall, in 94 we were just minutes from going out of existance because we had accrued a debt of somewhere in the region of 18-20mil with our bankers. We were saved from extinction at the last minute by the intervention of Fergus McCann and friends. Fergus left us with a magnificent stadium and a sound financial footing to proceed into the new millenium.
It makes no difference to most that Celtic have always been a Football Club where a players Colour, Creed or Religion has not mattered. This is also true of the supporters. Just look around you on match days and see the mixed support. No matter what Celtic do there are still those in authority who would like nothing better than to punish the slightest indiscretion by us. The UEFA and FIFA guidlines are now forcing the Scottish Football Authorities, (who for years have previously turned a blind eye to the incessant bigotry pumped out by some clubs and their supporters) to start punishing the guilty parties.
As Celtic supporters we must ensure that we give those same authorities no reason to punish our family. It is our duty to ensure the good standing of our club, so when the Board of Directors off Celtic Footbal Club ask us not to sing song's or chant's, home and away, that can cause damage to Celtic, we must accede to the wishes of the club, and indeed the majority of supporters. To those supporters that ask "what about our identity and heritage" I ask you to look up, and you will see our identity and heritage proudly flying over Celtic Park. It is my opinion that anyone who goes against the wishes off Celtic Football Club in regards to this matter, does not have the best interests of Celtic at heart, and does not deserve to be called a Celtic Supporter. If you Love Celtic as much as I do, you will do nothing to hurt Celtic.
Hail Hail
Comment on this and much more in our messageboard.