With credibility, financial backing, and structure, such a scheme could turn frustration into significant and lasting influence.
The timing feels right
The timing feels right. The Celtic Trust on its own has admirable intentions but just doesn’t have the scale. All the supporters group going public with criticisms. The Green Brigade and Bhoys Celtic, supported by fans in their thousands, is sharpening its message. Many supporter groups and individual CSCs have added their voice. Shareholders are being encouraged to use legal avenues to challenge the board.
Celtic supporters on the road to Hampden. Photo: Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Each of these efforts has value. But together — if harnessed — they could form the backbone of something much more powerful, as was discussed last night. When you think of it the Celtic Trust is the perfect vehicle for handling all matters relating to supporters shareholding – with a huge number of supporter held shares effectively lost. They can assist in finding them and also in purchasing shares for the collective via this plan.
A properly run membership scheme could prevent supporters from being divided, dismissed, or ignored. It could force transparency, recycle stagnant leadership, and open genuine dialogue about Celtic’s future.
Is it time? Can Celtic supporters, scattered across Scotland, Ireland, and the world, finally come together under one banner to professionalise fan power? Could such a scheme take us from chaotic AGMs and angry statements to a sustained, organised challenge to the PLC?
Many believe the chances of the board engaging with the support are non-existent. But look at what Resolution 12 achieved—despite divide-and-conquer tactics, despite issues being kicked down the road, plus a few stabs in the back along the way and concerns acknowledged only to end up in the long grass.
Cetlic Chief Exectutive Peter Lawwell looks on during the Scottish Cup Final between Celtic and Aberdeen at Hampden Park on May 27, 2017. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Celtic played a long game, but they didn’t anticipate the determination of a handful of individuals battling for so long.
Now, imagine if tens of thousands of supporters pooled their skills, resources, and contacts. You start with communication; if that yields no results, you move to challenge. You play the long game, just as Celtic did with the Resolution 12 shareholders—but this time, the resources will be there to stay the distance, see it through, make it public and keep it there. To meet head-on the stalling tactics.
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It’s an interesting suggestion worth exploring.
I’m a shareholder and season ticket holder, first Celtic game was in 1969 and I’ve seen it all (well most of it). God protect us from “silent protests”, late arrivals, early leavings, match boycotts and all that nonsense. It’s hun-like behaviour, it feeds the media and it rebounds on the players and team performance.
We had a bad transfer window, and we’re pissed off with the management. All fair enough.
But we remain top of the league, we have a large well paid squad and we’re in Europe … does anyone really think all the radio pundits and the Daily Record genuinely give a stuff about Celtic? I’ve seen fans quoting Gordon Dalzell, Neil McCann and many more talking about BR, or Celtic, as if they care… are we mad ??
Above all else we’re in danger of letting theRangers off the hook
Bang on
I been a celtic saporter all my life and I love to help sacking another board thats not ready to back the team how are we ment to improve if they don’t back the team so how do I join & donate to the coz hail hail god bless Glasgow celtic 🙏 💚🤍🧡💚🤍🧡🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Having given up my season ticket a few years ago, due to these very issues, I am so glad to see the fans unite and start to wake up to the mis -management of our club. All I can say to M above is, ‘if you think that is good, you should try imagining that supercharged by what a board who knew what they are doing re football, could have achieved’.
As to the various means of protest, they affect the team a lot less than this board has, this demoralised squad and manager is not down to the supporters, but blame rests squarely with the board. Surely if a cause is worth while, it can withstand a little pain for the enormous potential gains?, and I don’t see the team being to fussed if a support arrives 30 seconds late and then backs them to the hilt, maybe even amplifying the effect of the support. So I think some people need to get a little braver, token protests are hardly like 50k giving up their season book, think a bit of perspective is needed, or do you think some stern looks will win the day?.
I can only speak for myself, but I would more than gladly pay £5 or whatever to back such a momentous movement, which has already given me such hope, after years of frustration.