Not Another Penny – Effective immediately, immediately effective

Following widespread agreement among its member groups at last night’s meeting, the Celtic Fans Collective this morning announced the launch of a new campaign — “Not Another Penny” — effective immediately…

Not Another Penny' campaign from Celtic Fans Collective
‘Not Another Penny’ campaign from Celtic Fans Collective

It is a bold and direct response to what many supporters view as years of neglect, complacency, and contempt from those running Celtic Football Club.

In announcing the campaign, the Collective cited repeated failures in Europe, an archaic transfer strategy, a boardroom resistant to renewal, inflated ticket pricing, unfair distribution, and a stadium increasingly in need of investment. They also pointed to the club’s underperforming academy, an underfunded women’s team, and even a playing surface unfit for the kind of football Celtic should be known for.

These, the Collective argue, are not isolated concerns, instead, they are symptoms of deeper dysfunction. An out-of-touch boardroom, a lack of challenge at the top, a self-congratulatory culture that confuses financial prudence for footballing success, and above all, a leadership team that continues to hide behind the tired corporate slogan that Celtic aims to be “world class in everything we do.”

Michael Nicholson, Chief Executive of Celtic FC
Michael Nicholson, Chief Executive of Celtic FC looks on from the stands prior to the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic FC and St Mirren FC at Celtic Park on May 17, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The reality, as many supporters see it, could not be further from that.

The Collective’s decision follows the well-documented meeting held last week between club executives and supporter groups, a meeting that, while civil, left fans deeply disappointed. The tone of the discussion, the evasiveness of key responses, and the general lack of accountability confirmed what many feared, that genuine fan engagement is still viewed by those at the top as a box-ticking exercise, not a shared dialogue.

The Collective’s statement pointed to the club’s public communication on 6 September 2025 as an example of that disconnect, a statement described by many as insulting and emblematic of a board that has lost touch with the people it represents.

The Celtic Board
Peter Lawwell, Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay applaud during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park on August 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

In that context, “Not Another Penny” is not a rash emotional reaction. It is a measured escalation, a calm, deliberate, and entirely reasonable attempt to exert pressure where it might finally be felt, the balance sheet.

Going forward, supporters aligned with the Celtic Fans Collective have committed to – No more merchandise purchases. No more food or drink at Celtic Park. No more stadium tours, restaurants, bars, or club-run events. Nothing beyond a match ticket.

The campaign will be reviewed on 3 February 2026, giving the club ample time to respond, re-engage, and show meaningful change.

Celtic supporters at Hampden
Celtic Supporters at Hampden Park during the 2024 Scottish Cup Final between Celtic and theRangers. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

Until then, as the Collective states clearly – “Not another penny.”

This campaign is not about withdrawing support for the team or the manager, far from it. It is about drawing a line between supporting Celtic on the pitch and funding a boardroom that refuses to be accountable off it.

Previous protests have been criticised for risking distraction during matches, a concern many supporters share. This approach is different. It avoids that criticism while targeting the structures that the Collective argues have failed the club, namely, the executive leadership and its metrics for ‘success.’

Celtic supporters
Celtic supporters shows their support at full-time following the team’s victory in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Semi Final match between St Johnstone and Celtic at Hampden Park on April 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

If widely supported, this campaign will directly impact the club’s key performance indicators, internal revenue targets, and commercial relationships.

With the Christmas retail period now getting underway, traditionally one of the club’s most profitable windows, sponsors and partners will likely be paying close attention. And when those same sponsors start asking questions about falling engagement, empty kiosks, and flat sales, perhaps the board will finally listen, if not to the supporters themselves, then to the corporate voices they’ve long preferred to prioritise.

Because that’s the reality, every sponsorship deal, every partnership, every line in Celtic’s commercial reports is underpinned by the paying supporter. Without the fanbase, there is no global brand to sell. Yet, time and again, those very supporters have been treated as little more than an afterthought, an irritant to be managed rather than a vital community to be respected.

Celtic Supporters at Hampden
Celtic Supporters at Hampden Park during the 2024 Scottish Cup Final between Celtic and theRangers. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

This boycott is, in truth, a sensible and proportionate step from a Collective that has tried dialogue, reason, and respect, and found the door still half-closed.

No one is being forced to participate. But for those who have reached their limit with the board’s intransigence, “Not Another Penny” offers a clear and focused form of protest.

It recognises the importance of supporting the players and management while challenging the club’s leadership to do better, to modernise, to engage, and to act like the world-class organisation it so often claims it aims to be.

Celtic supporters at Hampden
Celtic supporters at the 2024 Scottish Cup Final against theRangers at Hampden. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

Celtic’s board can no longer assume that loyalty equals silence, or that history guarantees obedience. Supporters have found their collective voice, and with that comes real leverage. This campaign marks the next chapter in that growing movement, and the message is both simple and resolute. Not another penny — until change begins.

The ball’s in your court Michael.

Niall J

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Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie - Putting on the Style both by David Potter
Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star
Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties
Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

About Author

As a Bellshill Bhoy I was taken to my first Celtic game in the summer of 1987. It was Billy McNeill’s return to Celtic Park as manager and Celtic lost 5-1 to Arsenal . I thought I was a jinx, I think my Grandfather might have thought the same. It was the finest gift anyone ever gave me when he walked me through Parkhead's gates.

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3 Comments

  1. If thats the approach being pursued then fine.

    We were/are in danger of derailing our season due to the mood around the club and supporters are contributing to that.

    So if this can go almost unoticed, except by the accountants and the club Executie, then maybe we can look at getting back up ahead of steam together with the players and manager.

    Just on the meeting, sounds like a lot of the supporters reps there were out of their depth.

  2. I’d like to see the Celtic Collective start a “Change.org” or even “Go Fund Me”.
    Perhaps raise a little cash to hire professional representation to work at their instruction, but at the very least build a demonstrable base of fan support for the “Not a Penny More” initiative.
    I now live in the US and get EL games on Paramount+ as well as some SPFL games. I’m going to suspend my Celtic TV subscription, and there will be no Xmas merchandise purchases!
    I would happily divert a portion of that to help fund a professional campaign for change.

  3. Very sick of this on

    Do you all realise how ridiculous you all sound. Had enough of the crap on this website. Been on a waiting list for 5 years for season book, I’ll gladly take yours Niall J or anyone else who can’t stop a crying 😭