I thought I might share my experience of today’s AGM in the light of some of the comments on Celtic Noise. I have being to the AGM for years – back to the days when you had to sit in the Celtic End outside and the Board were gathered in a theRangers styled marquee. Man there were some lean years!
I am not a corporate moneybags – you don’t have to be to own shares in the club you love. Obviously if you are then you can afford loads more and that gives you more influence and power – e.g. Dermot Desmond.
The average shareholder can attend the AGM, they can vote on resolutions, they can hear first hand from the Board and the manager – plus ask questions. Your opportunity to drive real change is, of course, limited.
Let me just say that I am no fan of the current board set up – almost exclusively white, male and advancing in years. Fresh ideas and impetus are desperately needed. The Chairman got a bloody nose today and, although he will survive on block votes, I hope this spurs him into begin the process of his departure and replacement by someone new and progressive. I have never been that impressed with him in public – he is not in the same league as Brian Quinn, John Reid or, of course, Sir Fergus.
I did think he lost it a bit after his public humiliation – said some dumb things – and got no support from his colleagues. Michael Nicholson was bland and, much as it will pain many to hear, does not carry the authority or strength of Peter Lawwell.
The Q & A was very direct and tough for the top table – Ange must have wondered what was going on! The Club’s woeful record on recruiting was directly put to them – specifically us arriving at every CL Qualifiers stage weakened without new bedded in players or stuck with ones who want to leave.
Poor refereeing and the treatment of the club by the SFA and specifically the Scottish Government was put to them and the Chairman agreed we had been shamefully dealt with. His point was, not unreasonably, its hard for one club to challenge a Government – even a tinpot one like Holyrood.
Those suggesting the Celtic Trust are not to be trusted or somehow phoney should take their courage in their hands and put that to Jeanette Findlay’s face. I am not a huge fan of her often politicised approach – but don’t doubt for a second her integrity – or her love for Celtic.
A classic Celtic PR blunder – this year of all years – was once again the non-appearance of Dermot Desmond. Him showing some bottle or concern for the club’s supporters might have been well received.
A very eloquent and well researched question was put around why we have the same board members year after year – some have been in place since 2000 or earlier.
One very interesting question was around the allocation of away tickets. This is now a closed shop with only those who go every week getting them – including those who occasionally embarrass the club with their protests and behaviour. It got a poor response from Michael Nicholson along the lines of we look at this all the time and you come to the Fans Forum.
What? I have supported this club for 50 years – at home and away when I could. The away option is closed off to me now – which is unkind and unfair. Away games are an exciting change from the norm.
So it was not the normal AGM which starts with a jolly video reel of us winning all the cups the previous season and us all getting our picture taken with them and a beaming manager.
It was clear Ange commands huge support and respect from the supporters and came across very well – today – as he always does. The rest was as hostile as I have seen – last year’s performance all round was dire and reflected here. The Chairman at one point said that if players don’t want to give 100% then you won’t beat other teams – which is true – but he, his board and his manager were in a position to address that – that is their job after all.
All that blether – it was touching to go outside and see all the Bertie tributes – reminding us that managers, directors, players, chairmen – and yes fans – come and go – but there are some special ones who leave a real benchmark for how we should all behave if we truly love our club.
Martin Leadbetter
Sack the Tory scum board. Today.