Opinion: The Buck Stops with the Man at the Top, Ian Banker must follow Peter Lawwell out the door

For me Mr Bankier is no better than one of the Kelly mob from years ago. He should take responsibility for the last year’s shambles and resign. We used to have decent men in charge like Fergus, Brian Quinn and – yes – John Reid – regardless of political views he was a ball breaker and a winner.

Ian Bankier comes across as little underwhelming and a bit patronising – seeing the same board each year at the AGM, unchanging and ageing, does not inspire any confidence. In fact, Peter Lawwell was the only one who ever really spoke or answered direct questions and I was always sure that he knew what he was doing. Dermot Desmond never attends – which I think is disrespectful – and rude to shareholders.

Just one glaring example of chronic misjudgement of the supporter’s/shareholder’s views under Mr Bankier is the continuing use of Parks of Hamilton for our team coaches – using more than ever now – 6 at a time! Surely there are other coach companies who would love our business – rather than profiting and advertising the business of a director of our major rival.

READ THIS…Celtic Football Club Supporters’ Update

The current lack of communication and engagement – or evidence of anything happening re managers, coaches, players etc is shameful and arrogant. We have Aberdeen and (the)Rangers signing new players – when they need them much less than we do. We have actually become a laughing stock – recruitment, Dubai, PR etc…I know it’s not the popular view but of all the current board members, I think Lawwell will actually be the biggest loss – which says something about the impotence and abilities of the others!

Ian Bankier is just a nodding dog – hiding behind Peter Lawwell and making the very rare public statement or appearance – and even then, saying nothing of substance. Any respectable multi-million private business at Celtic’s level would have put in place boardroom changes long ago after the failures of the last year to 18 months. (Longer when you consider our European decline and associated loss of income).The buck stops with the top man – a new chair and refreshed (& smaller) board would help to give the club the impetus and direction it needs – if that doesn’t happen then I seriously fear for our future.

Martin Leadbetter

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor David Faulds has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

3 Comments

  1. Couldn’t agree more, there should have been mass resignations/sackings at boardroom level after such a nightmare season, not one has shown any regret or made an apology to the support.

  2. Seppington on

    He can take the rest of that shower of parasites with him. Utterly useless to a man as far as I can tell, none of them seem to bring anything of value to our club. Our board is like the House of Lords in it’s uninspiring decrepitude, but at least some of those old fuds kark it and get replaced every now and again!
    Celtic needs swept clean from top to toe, get rid of the leeches of the board and any player at any level who is only looking out for themselves. I don’t want leftover loan players at the club , just sell off most of the ones we have out on loan (they might well be “good enough” but their attitudes stink) unless they haven’t had a real sniff at the first team (ala Luca Connell). Little twitter twats like Oko-Flex can get their P45s too.
    If we could start with a full new top team squad I’d be ecstatic, frankly. I can’t bear to look at any of the current lot for one minute longer, they are the embodiments of failure.

    Can you tell I’m somewhat scunnered with the whole thing?

  3. Haya all this is the last time i am a coach driver over 40 still going well i will let everybody into a wee secret {ha ha } celtic -rangers -hearts and the s.f.a. Scotland team and the hangers on dont Pay a penny thats right not one penny Dougie Park has directors boxes in all of the above stadiums free of course ,,, so if Dougie has anybody who is wanting to take in a game at any stadium then there is no charge for the box and the wine and dine the parties , and going the other way the said above teams want coaches for their teams then parks Do not get paid ,,, and just in case anybody wondering about the Hears dougie parks dad old dougie who started the coaches was a director of the hearts thats where that connection comes from way back years ago ,, plus Dougie was only named after a park over in Hamilton also i would like to add celtic would need to buy a few coaches a safe place to carry out work on them drivers mechanics cleaners fuel insurance etc-etc. so think about it the football clubs get no a bad deal ,,,,,,,,,,, swings and roundabouts . hail hail .