Opinion: Faithful Through and Through – Fine but shouldn’t be exploited

Jock stein once said “football without fans is nothing”, sadly it’s now been replaced with ‘balance sheets without fans is nothing’…

Photo: Jane Barlow

Celtic are in the coming days expected to release their yearly financial results and it’s anticipated that it will paint a very healthy picture indeed, and don’t be surprised if the bank account hasn’t got an incredible £100m in there gathering gold dust for the PLC shareholders.

That’s all well and good for the money men, but to us ordinary supporters it will be yet another kick in the teeth. We pay good money, season after season, whether it’s through purchasing season tickets, Champions league packages, or merchandise purchases, we contribute a very healthy portion to the clubs coffers.

That ever swelling bank balance wouldn’t look as healthy if it wasn’t for the contributions of the fully committed Celtic support. The ordinary working man and woman, so Jock Stein was right all those years ago when he proclaimed “football without fans is nothing”.

Photo: Jane Barlow

Perhaps it should now read as “ balance sheets without fans is nothing” for that’s all our current owners care about, that ever growing bank balance which secures them a healthy dividend when it comes to dishing out the bonuses or giving jobs to their boys.

In a similar way to the fat cats of the energy companies who charge over the top prices from the hard pressed public, but still have the nerve to release record profits, they get richer at the expense of those less fortunate. That’s what our club custodians seem to be doing and it stinks from the high heavens.

Celtic v Kilmarnock – Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell and CEO Michael Nicholson during the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park on Saturday February 17, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

We part with our hard earned cash year after year, but get shortchanged in return. They are laughing at us, make no mistake. Perhaps it’s time we started to take action against those cashing in on our naivety. Then we’d hold the aces, it’s time we remembered that. Being faithful through and through is fine but where has it’s got us?

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

About Author

An ordinary everyday Celtic supporters hailing and still residing in Govan in the shadows of the enemy. I’m a season ticket holder. I Witnessed my first Celtic game in 1988 and have attended when I can ever since. Growing up in the 90s I witnessed Celtic at their lowest, and now appreciate the historic success we enjoy today. I enjoy writing about this wonderful football club and hopefully will continue to do so. I’ve always been a keen writer and initially started this a hobby. My ambition is to one day become as good an author as my fellow Celtic Star colleagues.

1 Comment

  1. Very difficult fr fans to give up their season tickets. However action could be taken by a boycott of domestic cup games, European packages, club merchandise. Might have an impact on the money men if their bonusess were affected in this way.. Also, a native of Govan.