The Celtic End Campaign Launched to Transform Celtic Park

Earlier this week David Potter mentioned the difficulties some supporters experience on match-day at away grounds and at Hampden Park due to the what seems like the entire Celtic support at these games opting to stand throughout the match.

READ THIS….‘Sit Doon, Sit Doon for Celtic’ – Why Hampden Needs Designated Sitting Areas

David suggested looking at designated sitting sections to be introduced at Hampden and it would surely not be too difficult a thing for Celtic to look at, maybe taking one section of the allocation and reserving that for supporters who don’t want to or are unable to stand for the entire match. This in particular might be something that the older Celtic supporters would appreciate and it’s certainly a valid point and it’s important that the matter has been raised and can be considered going forward.

However it’s not only older Celtic supporters who would like to see some changes in the way we watch games and this time the focus turns to Celtic Park and an new campaign to re-instate The Celtic End to the stadium, re-naming the Jock Stein lower The Celtic End and making it an all-standing area of the ground to include the Green Brigade, Bhoys Celtic and the large number of supporters who would like to stand to watch and enjoy their football at Celtic Park.

A new website has emerged – thecelticend.com – and its mission is to “Raise Celtic Park to the next level”. The website explains that this is “a fan initiated campaign to transform The Celtic End into a safe standing section” and they have produced a video where they make their case. Here’s a flavour of what this new campaign is saying…

What is The Celtic End? The Celtic End is a campaign to turn the traditional Celtic End of Celtic Park into an iconic stand famous for its vocal and visual support of Celtic. The best possible example we can give you of this is Borussia Dortmund’s famous ‘Yellow Wall’.

Borussia Dortmund fans show their support in the ‘Yellow Wall’ with scarves prior to the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Muenchen at Signal Iduna Park on October 08, 2022  (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Why is this needed? Most iconic stadiums and clubs have famous, traditional ends which vociferously and colourfully support their team. Sadly, Celtic Park lacks such a stand. The current standing section holds 2,700 with a similar number on a waiting list. Bhoys Celtic currently occupy the opposite corner and are growing in number. On European nights, most of the Lisbon Lions end will stand. At Hampden, the entire goal end – and usually more – will stand. Given the option, we believe tens of thousands would choose to stand at matches and we believe this would transform the atmosphere in Celtic Park for the better.

07.11.2012 Glasgow, Scotland. Green Brigade pre match display in action during the Champions League game between Celtic and Barcelona from Celtic Park.

What is our aim? The only solution, which caters for all and importantly produces the best stadium atmosphere, is one large, united standing section. We believe the natural place for this is the traditional Celtic End. Although our vision is of a full stand (lower and upper), the lower stand is the natural starting point.

Who is The Celtic End for? The Celtic End is for everyone. While the ultras may lead the singing from behind the goals, the stand is big enough to cater for all types of supporters who wish to stand. And if you don’t wish to stand, you will enjoy the noise and colour generated from the The Celtic End, from the comfort of a seat in another stand.

It’s worth mentioning that The Celtic End was the area of the stadium were the young team always gathered and were the singing and atmosphere was at it’s most enthusiastic, long before the Jungle became the place to be for all that sort of madness! Now of course it’s in the North Curve and more recently over at the opposite corner of the stadium.

The Jungle

One logistical difficulty with this plan would be the corporate seating area in the Jock Stein lower stand so perhaps a more realistic option would be to make this happen in the Lisbon Lions lower, but then that maybe makes it all too close to the small away section.  And if the ticket allocation is ever restored for the Glasgow Derby matches this would be a huge issue.

Maybe a solution would be increase the North Curve standing area into the lower North Stand and the Lisbon Lions lower at each side of where the Green Brigade are currently housed? It’s certainly worth having these debates and it’s worth noting that both suggestions mentioned this week actually work well together as they would provide more appropriate facilities to different sections of our support depending on their own needs.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

1 Comment

  1. Patrick O'connor on

    I am 73 years of age and my brother and I presently have our seats of many years in the Jock Stein stand. If this came about we would have to relocate to another seat or give up our season tickets. What’s fair about that?