Welcome to Episode one of our new flagship podcast ‘The Future is our focus’. I’m Gerry and I’m delighted to be joined by today’s panel Pete and Dom. Welcome guys from This Land of Make Believe…
“So, let’s explain why we’re doing this show for you all today. As we know there has been gentle murmurings of discontent from the Celtic support, perhaps a feeling that not all is rosy in the garden of Paradise and we thought a You Tube video would be a way to put the connect back into disconnect and let you all know why you don’t really feel the way you might think you do. Would that be right guys?”…
Dom– Spot on Gerry
Pete– Remember and mention the tap and the tickets.
Gerry – So shall we perhaps deal with the whole Eddie Howe saga; I’m sure fans will need an explanation for that one chaps?
Dom – That’s not my job yet. Peter?
Pete– I pure telt ye Gerry the future is our focus – clue’s in the title man. Does that question pertain to the future? Naw. Park it. Tap, tickets, tap, tickets, tap, tickets. Jeez.
Gerry – OK let’s deal with some of the future issues. Let’s take both you guys first. How is the job sharing working out and who is doing what as we enter a phase of a new chief executive?
Pete – Well I’m the Chief executive and Dom is learning the ropes by shadowing me.
Gerry – Right so Dom what are you doing to learn about the shift in responsibilities between the SRU and a (cough) top level football club?
Dom – I got my Mum to send me some of her Kay’s Catalogues and I’ve been getting stuck in Gerry.
Gerry – Not sure I follow Dom.
Dom– I’ve been watching briefs like Peter told me.
Gerry – Peter?
Pete – He’s got a watching brief, a watching brief! Christ you’re a slow learner Dom.
Dom – Thought I was showing initiative. I’ve been doing this for two months Peter why didn’t you tell me?
Pete – Tickets Gerry, remember the tap?
Gerry – OK so let’s touch on that Future is our Focus is the new soundbite and I think it’s great so I do. We have season tickets out for renewal…
Pete – and approximately 325,000 on a waiting list, that’s a promise not a threat you understand?
Gerry – Absolutely Peter a very good point, as I was saying season tickets up for renewal a new away kit out this very day and the fans have been rewarded as well with a £50 voucher..
Dom – and if you don’t use the voucher, we’ll use the money for the rebuild. Isn’t that right Peter?
Pete – That’s my bhoy. You stick with me Dom. 100% that daft voucher idea wasn’t mine. John Paul Taylor kept saying ‘ throw me a bone, give me something to work with’, we were also a bit worried the lad was frazzled and may not turn up for work, so the board decided £50 – voucher – no cash see what we did there – was better than any of us having to do a shift speaking to the pleb…sorry the valued custome…sorry support. Oh, and there’s £2.12 off a stadium tour, but it would be considerate to return the favour and leave a wee donation on the collection plate if you do take up that offer. Fair’s Fair folks.
Gerry – Ok so this The future is our focus, who came up with that one.
Dom – That’s me Gerry I’ve got this. The thinking is easy. The Board all seemed worried about this whole podcast, communication thing, bit scared of things coming up, uncomfortable things from the past. So, I thought let’s only talk about the future and everyone liked it. I thought focus went well with future too, it kinda tells you straight the past is the past let’s look to new horizon – like me – and we can consign the past to the history books.
Gerry – Makes it easier for me too Dom, thanks. No awkward silences and easy questions. Brill!
Gerry– So the big question around the future – apart from season tickets and a shiny new away kit on sale now folks – is the future structure. What is the plan?
Pete – Well we think the best clubs have two for every position so the plan is prior to the Champions League qualifiers to have two covering every key position.
Gerry – The fans will be delighted to hear that, Peter. So, what is first guys? A replacement for Broony and experienced holding midfielder, or new faces at right back we certainly need to address that?
Photo: Jeff Holmes
Dom – Don’t ask me. First I’ve heard of any of this.
Pete – I think we’ll be starting with the foundations Gerry, the spine all good clubs are built on.
Gerry – So we’re talking goalkeeper first?
Pete – We have two numbnuts
Gerry – Yes but both are shall we say, not so good.
Pete – And that’s why we have a third. Conor Hazard, Belt and braces my good man.
Gerry – errmm OK so where do we start?
Pete – Chief executive.
Gerry – We’re going to have two chief executives?
Dom – Whit?
Pete – Yes two chief executives.
Gerry – Help me out here Peter, have we started interviews for a new chap to help Dom?
Pete – No need. I’ll be doing it.
Dom – I need to see my contract.
Gerry – I thought you had announced your retiral?
Pete – I did.
Gerry – so if you retire you can’t be Chief executive?
Pete – That is right. I will be honouring my decision to retire from the Chief executive role on 30th June.
Gerry – So you won’t be Chief executive then?
Pete – Absolutely not I will retire from that role as promised. I will however start my new position as Joint Chief Executive on 1st July, alongside Dom McKay. The future is our focus.
Dom – I wish I hadn’t spent two months reading catalogues.
Gerry – Won’t that need board ratification, even an EGM?
Pete – Ha Ha Ha. Good one Gerry. No, I am the Board, I’ll push it through I’m sure.
Gerry – Are you concerned about fans reaction Peter?
Pete – Who? Oh, aye well remembered. Have you mention the tickets and taps Gerry? Running out of time here.
Gerry – Ok folks what an exclusive we have for you today on The future is our focus podcast. The most successful CEO in Scottish football will be starting a new job on 1st July – you may want to renew that season ticket today and buy that new top, it is sure as hell going to be a successful season ahead!
Pete – Excellent work Gerry. Good boy.
Gerry – So carrying on with the two options for each position. Once the two chief execs are in place what is next guys. Centre half?
Dom – That would make sense wouldn’t it Peter?
Pete – Naw we have hundreds. Chairman.
Gerry – We’ll have two chairmen?
Pete – Yes
Gerry – OK I assume Ian Bankier will be remaining and I guess a restructure is a big job to oversee. Do we know who the new Chairman will be?
Dom – Naw don’t say it Peter!
Pete – That would be me.
Gerry – And does Ian Bankier know this is happening?
Pete – Of course he will Gerry. Tickets, taps Gerry clock is ticking.
Gerry – Can we have some of the thinking behind this one please Peter?
Pete – Certainly. I think the support need the reassurance of having someone with knowledge of the club to assist through stormy waters. Ian is a nice lad, pliable but shy. I’ll have some free time, with Dom able to do my admin work, so I’ll be there to lend a hand to the second most important role in any Boardroom (after Chief Executive) the Chairman. I put this out for consultation and received very positive feedback.
Gerry – Who did you ask? Supporters?
Pete – Absolutely, Dermot , my son and that blogging pal of mine. All three are big fans, of me and the club.
Gerry: OK and after the two options for Chief executive and Chairman – Then do we look at the playing squad?
Pete – Think the time is up Gerry, perhaps we can return to that another time?
Gerry – Yes indeed our time is up. I hope you enjoyed the first of our The Future is our focus podcasts. We’ll be back next week Dom and Peter I take it?
Pete – Aye Gerry I’m sure we will soft lad. I think that’s more than enough communication for the time being. Dom might though?
Dom – I’ll see what my lawyer says.
Gerry – On that note we’ll bid the support adieu and thank you for joining us live on The Future is our Focus – we may see you next week.
Pete – Did you say Live Gerry? This is live? You flaming idiot. Gonna get that cab to pick me up round the back? Pronto. Dom you head out the front and cause a distraction. Tickets and taps folks, that’s the takeaway!
Niall J
