I am told that a forensically detailed report from some of the Requisition 12 requisitioners was sent to Celtic on Friday.
A source close to the action told me:
“The report puts Alistair Johnson in the frame. Celtic got it on Friday with a request to put to SFA.”
Now, in a totally unconnected development, several of the mainstream titles are running with this story.
I know from my own dealings with them that the SFA has form when it comes to stonewalling.
Regular readers here will know I have an ongoing situation apropos what the SFA knew in 2009 about the HMRC investigations into the original Rangers.
The people in charge at Parkhead had asked the R12 requisitioners for ” a smoking gun” on the UEFA license case.
Dear reader, they now have an entire armoury of recently used weaponry and so now should the SFA.
If Celtic has moved swiftly on the back of this detailed report (which I have a copy of) then they are to be commended.
However, it should not have taken until now since November 2013 to get here.
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I agree with the comments about Res.12, however we have just completed the treble treble, won the League Cup and are going for nine in a row. Plus we are cash rich. To continually criticise DD, PL and the board but not to recognise the recent achievements is to take a very blinkered view. Keep fighting for Res.12 but give credit where it’s due and be grateful for the position that we are in.
Yes his Name is Fergus McCann different story in his watch Re Jim Farry
Fan ownership is the only way Fans will get the Club we want and more importantly deserve.
It would be difficult to achieve this of course with current price of Celtic Shares but I do believe with our numbers POSSIBLE.
Failure to do so will only result in more of the same from men in suits who are all cut from the same cloth.
These guys are not tied to Celtic emotionally they are tied to Celtic financially.
This means every decision they take is taken with Finances at the forefront of their decision making process and not what is right for Supporters.
To change this way of thinking you first have to change Celtic and how it is run.
They have proven that with a sound Financial approach Celtic is a healthy business.
What they have also proven however that there is definitely more scope for squad investment because no matter how much money has been put into the Stadium and Surrounding area we currently have a large profit sat in the Bank collecting interest.
I firmly believe a similar approach to Finances could be maintained in a Fan controlled Celtic but with greater emphasis put onto squad investment and Charity than is currently the case and as a result Fans would be far happier with how things are being run.
I also firmly believe that a fan controlled Celtic would not have put up with many of the issues that have occurred in the past few years.
I firmly believe we do not need the likes within our Boardroom to make Celtic an even bigger Success than it is.
It comes down to numbers at the end of the day.
How many are willing to pay collectively would determine how much we would have to pay individually.
Failure to Change Celtic will simply mean a changing of the Guard and a continuation of the situation we now find ourselves in.
That is a Fanbase who have an entirely different mindset to a Board who’s only concern is how much they can make and how quickly they can make it.
If DD had any modicum of interest in what Celtic Supporters wanted he would be chucking some his own vast fortunes at the Club and making it as competitive as he could.
That simply isn’t the case.
Time he and his ilk moved on methinks.
As my username shows I live in Porto Portugal and almost all of the clubs here are run on the “Socio” scheme as are Real Barcelona and most of the Spanish clubs. This means that every “socio” pays his monthly fee and gets a vote in the Presidential elections every 5 years. The candidates also have to be “sócios” and they have to provide election manifestos such as big name managers or marquee type superstars.. the most recent elections in Sporting had around 4-6 candidates all with variety of promises .. one had Peter Shmeichel being promised as Director of football for example … the basic premise being that you are going to look after the club because you are a fan … you have paid at least the last 5 years dues to even be considered. Would this be the type of idea you had in mind ?
I think the German Bundesliga 50+1 System is probably a good start point.
https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/Bundesliga/german-soccer-rules-50-1-fifty-plus-one-explained-466583.jsp
I also think that each shareholder should have one vote regardless of how many shares they own.
This way you would negate the scenario that unfolded regarding Res12 in the recent AGM.
My way of thinking is that the a Club would replace the likes of Peter Lawwell with a Salaried Employee who has no control or leverage on how the Club is run.
His/Her job would be to concentrate solely on that area of their own job description.
I also think the Bonus culture should be done away with and perhaps based solely on performance on a Season to Season basis.
Total Transparency and focus on moving the Team forward whilst also putting greater emphasis on Charity rather than paying lip service to it as we do as present.
I think then and only then will you see an end to the disconnect a great many are now feeling towards a Board who whilst running a successful Business are constantly neglecting those that make it so.
It is not right that we go into a January Window with so much Capital sat in the Bank.
That money could have been invested into the Squad and some of it put to great use by the a Foundation.
I believe that if we all had the opportunity to take control and implement mechanisms that could create a better connect between Club and Supporters then the whole environment would benefit from a lift.
Even though this is a very successful period in our history there is a lot of bad feeling in the air.
Just imagine how that will manifest if this period of Success should now end?
I think it is certainly worth Fans considering the prospect of doing things differently at Celtic.
Historically our Boards have tended to look after themselves regardless of what you ,I or anyone else thinks.
That definitely needs changing.
It requires a change.
I disagree. I think the board have acted very much in the interests of the club. I think you are willing to put the club at risk by ignoring smart financial management. We would need the structure of football in the UK or europe to change before celtic could move up a level. You are kidding yourself on. I agree with fan ownership – but it’s got to be smart, not ill informed and irresponsible or it will defeat the purpose.
No I quite clearly stated that the current model could be carried on but with more focus on Squad Investment and taking the side forward rather than stockpiling Tens of Millions or Spending on extras like Disco Lights and Hotels.
The Blue print for Financial Success is already in place.
All you would need to do is employ suitable candidates with a great track record in the relevant Positions.
The Board act purely in the Interests of the PLC not a Club which in reality no longer exists.
Not in the truest sense anyway.
The concept of a Club was sold of a long time ago.
It is only deemed relevant when these seem people are looking for further financial input from the Customer/Fanbase through Season Tickets and Merchandising.
To suggest otherwise is frankly a bit naive Andrew.
HH
When the Klan get to hear that Johnson spoke to the BBC he will be binned as he has gone against all their principles by betraying them in giving this interview to them . You know how thick they can be he will probably be welcomed back with open arms just like their goalkeeper and a few others . The word DENSE does not even touch them over there .
Principles?.. WHAT PRINCIPLES?!!.. These “peepul” have no principles, morals, or scruples!! All they have is hubris, and a false sense of entitlement, allied to a faux superiority complex!!
Does anyone seriously think this latest smsm interest has been sparked by a worried Celtic Board? This will be driven by Ibrox forces unhappy with the unfurling shitstorm and infighting before the transfer window slams on income desperation. Scapegoating at its finest. This Rangers will stand or fall by their decision making both gone and yet to be taken. My personal request to Celtic is simply this, defend us when under attack and knock all talk of same club on the head. They are yet to win a top division title. Ends.
The Five Way Agreement puts the EBT big and small tax case and HMRC outstandings to bed plus associated registrations etc…..
Res12 rubs against the deal. It will never come to anything. DD has done a deal and will not allow his end of it broken.
DD in 2012 called the new club historical Rangers with a proud history. He probably got a completely non football business edge in the city on something.
For the support it’s called being sold out.
I’ve never been back or bought anything since 2012.
Whenever I start to question the Celtic board I am reminded of the immortal quote by the late “Mrs Merton” to Debbie McGee.
“What first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels.”
It is paraphrased into ” What first gave you the idea you could criticize the billionaire Dermot Desmond.”
Anyway here goes.
In an interview with the Daily Ranger in Oct 2012 (it is easily found) DD declared Rangers to be a great club with a great history and but for “other clubs” they would be still in the SPL and where they will be soon. I wager “Sevco” is a word that is banned in the Celtic boardroom. Peter Lawwell is basically the messenger we like to shoot.
DD has no desire to hammer a nail into the coffin of Sevco, let alone the final one.
I often wonder what DD would have done if the Sevco board had been the epitome of good manners that day instead of over celebrating their victory. Would he have allowed Ronny Deila to continue until it affected revenue streams instead of bringing in Rodgers right away.
What will it take for him to act this season, if Lennon appears to be failing. I don’t think the Sevco board will make that mistake again even if Gerard did.
The Celtic board are not singing from the same hymn sheet as the supporters and one of them is out of tune.
Let’s hope celtic really are getting serious on this. I can only imagine the (so far) wasted expenditure by the fans (for their ad in the Swiss newspaper) and the requisitioners (legal fees, etc). Nobody throws money away, so could this be that, finally, the celtic board have got the message that this isn’t going away any time soon?
Next step, surely, is to put the proverbial rocket up arses at Hampden – after all, they’ve sat on this for the best part of almost 2 years. The time for sitting on this is over – it should now be put in front of the Court for Arbitration in Sport (CAS), and let them decide on all this skullduggery, ripping up in the process the 5-way Agreement, the LNS report, and any other materials used to allow these shenanigans to go unchecked. After CAS has ruled on this, I fully expect individuals to be severely dealt with, such as Reagan and Doncaster, who should be removed from their respective positions within sport (I believe Reagan has another cushy number in the cricketing fraternity). Also, let’s have a clear out of the 6th floor, starting with Petrie and Rae, but including the Compliance Officer, who seems to think she is unanswerable to anybody. Disband the current refereeing structure, and replace it with one that, in the future, will deliver FIFA-grade referees that we as a nation can be proud of sending to all four corners of the world to officiate in a fair manner.
Lawwell is using this as a cheap stunt to get fans off his back. Bottom line is he has had years to do this and decides to press the button when the glare is turning on him.
There is no evidence to suggest Lawwell or anybody else from Celtic have done anything to take this matter forward.
The Celtic loss to Sevco at Paradise to make it two points ahead, with Sevco a certain three points game in hand, is disastrous.
Cue the good ole Res12 squirrel to keep the natives happy.
There’s a brass neck there presuming there’s still mileage in the Res12 squirrel to dupe Celtic fans.
You can indeed fool some of the people all of the time.
Many of us have got weary over the past 10 years of this meandering “histoire sans fin” and I abandoned hope of ever reaching a denouement a long time ago.
For it to go on for ever would be the next best thing, so hopefully the requisitioners will have the strength to keep it going.
Keep it going keep it going keep it going no surrender.
I don’t think anything will come of this as the 5 Way Agreement secret black book will be thrown in as a scare tactic and it will work . As above on a post Liewell will tell us he tried but got nowhere. The only way to get anywhere with this is as I have said before boycotting Parkhead itself. As long as those season tickets are purchased every season we will continue to get the middle of a doughnut result wise from this farce .
Scudmissile, I agree with your points completely, however I don’t think you should lower yourself to the Sevco or Rangers2012 level of referring to Mr Lawwell as Mr Liewell .
That ‘s just not right
Boycotting Celtic Park would play right into the hands of those who hate Celtic,if the member clubs of the SFA and the SPFL don’t support an enquiry into the corruption carried out by the old Rangers and those in authority in 2012 then the supporters should boycott all away games and Celtic should refuse to release players to play for the Scottish team until a full enquiry takes place.
I’m afraid I don’t agree with those who support fan ownership of the club,this would only lead to anarchy and disagreements
of epic proportions.I think that there should be some kind of fan representation on the board but people who think this board are failing in their duties only have to look back to the old board before Fergus and see what mismanagement and lack of ambition really looked like. For 5 years 1967/72 we were in top 3 of European football and that board allowed things to deteriorate so badly that by the end of the 70’s we were lucky if we were in the top 100. The present board had better waken up to the challenge from Ibrox and open up the purse strings during this month.
Keep up the good work phil an keep talking to us
Is Alastair Johnson’s mentality being called into question?
His memory certainly appears deficient.
Much more likely is that Peter Lawwell is becoming more than a little concerned about the unrest amongst large numbers of our support and the very real threat of a huge decline in season ticket sales , coupled with the possible boycott of home Scottish cup ties etc , nothing concerns money men more than the threat of losing considerable revenue , therefore he has to be seen to be at long last doing something , hence this article .
Quite agree.
Celtic NEEDS to be seen to be doing something with regards to the Res.12 issues.
But, after years of delays, and an unwillingness to be proactive – I fully expect Lawwell and the Board to accomplish absolutely bugger all.
[And probably as agreed with Hampden, in advance.]
Then Lawwell can hold his hands up to the support and say;
“I tried…”
Can’t help but feel pessimistic: a PR dance is going to be played out in the SMSM to appease those of us who want Res.12 justice – which won’t be delivered. 🙁
For me,the timing here is crucial.In all honesty it was getting very near tipping point.Walking away.
We ALL now know that given the chance ‘that lot’ would bury Us deep and have a wee jig on top of Our collective grave too.So,definitely let that colour any upcoming judgements Our Club has to make.For if the Club don’t they’ll regret not doing so for EVER.Carpe dium,but,with an eye trained well into Ours and Scottish Football’s Future.
If this isn’t dealt with and proper punishments meted out,new sfa,new rules of EQUALITY,well,I don’t think I was the only one for walking away from Unfair Footballing in Caledonia(UFC).
This Unfair and biased playing field has gone on way too long,(Since sfa’s inception)We can only hope this is the beginnings of a new start that is both honest and open for All.This is including the Lanarkshire Referees Association(LRA),the criteria for entry into that association is unacceptable and is in dire need of renovation or,indeed,totally rebuilding.
At last,We hope,good news from Celtic FC,delivered by the man I’ve come to trust on these matters.
Name any other single blogger who has more contacts and insight into Scottish football?
Thanks Phil,appreciated.🇮🇪
You’re correct in relating to the time lapse on getting serious. Celtic, and even all UK clubs, should have put a stop to the The Rangers enterprise long ago.
Has AJ infuriated Desmond again with his recent outburst?