Resolution 11 was today defeated at the Celtic AGM with the voting resulting in just For 2.82% supporting the Res 12 follow-up and the against votes totalling 97.18. This was not a surprise but what it does is show the extent of the challenges that will face The Celtic Trust as they set about achieving their goal of fan ownership for the club.
Celtic Chairman Ian Bankier spoke about Resolution 11 and outlined the reasons why it was not supported. “We’ve taken professional advice and engaged with interested shareholders.
“We understand our duties to shareholders. The requirement to consider the views of the shareholders has been at the forefront of the mind.
“Peter Lawwell raised this matter with the SFA in 2011 and 2012, before resolution 12 was raised in 2013.
“The matter has been reviewed by the board on a regular basis. I’ve reviewed this matter and I’m satisfied that at no time has anyone at the club mislead shareholders on this issue,” Bankier stated.
The claim by CEO Peter Lawwell at last year’s AGM that he had never seen the so-called 5 Way Agreement appears to be the continuing position of the Celtic PLC Board. Maybe they should explain if Lawwell has not seen it then why not given that it allows one club – the one sitting ahead of Celtic in the league – to operate under a bespoke set of rules designed exclusively for them.
The response to this from Auldheid was immediate: “How Bankier can say Peter Lawwell is not compromised is astounding without an explanation of Peter Lawwell’s denial of sight of 5 Way Agreement at 2019 AGM. Both Lawwell and Eric Riley knew the content of 5 Way Agreement before the 2013 AGM yet Lawwell insisted requisitioners use SFA to establish the facts. Deliberate or mistake?”
How Bankier can say PL is not compromised is astounding without an explanation of PLs denial of sight of 5 Way Agreement at 2019 AGM. Both PL and E Riley knew the content of 5 Way b4 2013 AGM yet PL insisted requisitioners use SFA to establish the facts. Deliberate or mistake?
— Auldheid (@Auldheid) December 14, 2020
“The club called on the SFA to hold an independent review. The SFA declined to hold such a review. The club remains of the view that an independent review is the best way forward. In May 2020, the Scottish FA decided not to process proceedings,” Bankier added.
“We all agree this situation is disappointing. Since 2011, the rules of the Scottish FA, SPFL and UEFA have developed and evolved. The rules as they stand today are considered to be fit for purpose. As members of the SFA and SPFL, we are one of many clubs who fully expect those rules to be applied fairly and transparently.
“The club has engaged with the relevant authorities as appropriate. The board will continue to act in the best interests of the company and will provide an update when possible.”
Last week The Celtic Star carried an important interview with Auldheid in which he points to the role that he hopes that The Celtic Trust will now adopt in taking these matters forward on behalf of the Celtic support. If you missed that you can catch up below…
READ IT HERE...Hod Carriers’ Legacy and The Celtic Trust’s Burden of Res(12)ponsibility
And speaking about Peter Lawwell, the Celtic PLC Chairman Ian Bankier had this to say at today’s AGM:
“Peter Lawwell stands out for me. He’s a natural decision maker. In terms of time, you never have any time. Everything is moving fast, and you need to make it right. Peter has an exceptional ability to do that. Everything he does, he does in the best interests of Celtic.
“In terms of the future of the club, we continue to do what we’ve been doing for the last decade. We are the custodians of this great club. Short-term pressures have come on, but we have to think of the longer game. Looking directly straight ahead, we need to get back to where we should be and we must do our very, very best to win this league. Everybody wants the same thing for Celtic and that’s where we stand.”
