The more things change…
The appalling events in the Middle East – and the Green Brigade banner on Saturday – have served to create a divide between the Celtic board and some supporters. A club statement has strongly criticised the sign, saying Celtic “disassociate themselves from them”, adding that “political messages and banners are not welcome at Celtic Park.”
In reality, this is just the latest occurrence in a long running argument; Celtic’s fans and Board have not been in agreement on the issue of politics and football for decades, if such accord ever existed.
The most obvious modern divide – rarely discussed now – was Fergus McCann’s Bhoys against Bigotry campaign. Launched in 1996, these efforts tried to shift Celtic away from association with nationalist Irish politics.
The move was unpopular with many and helped foster the negative views that some supporters had towards Fergus McCann, even leading to him being booed when unfurling the 1998 League flag.
Like now, this was something which divided the support, and others associated with the club. Tommy Burns was part of the campaign and once commented that he had “noticed a huge reduction in sectarian singing at Parkhead” but in later years said he was not comfortable with the scheme.
However McCann’s crusade was also not unique in Celtic history. At various other times, Celtic officials – including Jock Stein – have quarrelled with fans regarding songs, banners and other political actions. Celtic’s greatest manager – of course from a Protestant background – often criticised political chants and gestures.
After the Ibrox disaster he remarked: “This terrible tragedy must help to curb the bigotry and bitterness of Old Firm matches. When human life is at stake this kind of hatred seems sordid and little.”
He also used his programme notes to counter the actions of some Celtic supporters. In 1974, Stein wrote that:
“In recent weeks we have had a revival of songs and chants which are offensive to all decent people attending football matches. Celtic Football Club have frequently condemned this intolerable behaviour and past warnings have had some effect, but only of a temporary nature.
“It is now our intention to weed out the persistent culprits with the help of the police so that all decent Celtic supporters, as well as visitors and neutrals, can attend games at Celtic Park without embarrassment.”
The use of the programme to deliver warnings to Celtic supporters was a fairly common occurrence. It can be found in multiple programmes going back to the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
In fact, divisions between the club and some supporters go back much further than this. The famous Celtic ‘brake clubs’ (the earliest form of supporters’ club) often faced criticism over their songs, rowdiness and violence, actions which regularly ended up in the courts.
Legendary manager Willie Maley was scathing of such supporters. In the early-1920s, he opined that: “The war fever is dying out of men’s blood. I feel sure that by next season we shall be rid of the brake club hooligan, against whom all sporting men’s hands should be turned.”
He then went even further, describing those fans as being “The greatest blot that has ever soiled Scottish football.” Strong language from the club’s longest serving manager, certainly much less restrained than this latest Celtic statement.
The issue of Celtic’s political connections is complex, especially as the club has aged. In its infancy, the links were obvious, including Irish politician Michael Davitt’s role as club patron, and committee men who were involved in nationalist politics. But this has long since ceased to be the case.
It is the nature of supporters to be more militant than any club official, and this was true in Celtic’s early days right up to the modern era. It is therefore inevitable that Celtic’s Board will one day again come into conflict with fans, in much the same way other clubs do with theirs.
What is unclear is what – if anything – will happen next. Celtic’s actions today are presumably motivated by varying pressures, including personal opinions, the split which exists among supporters (on the banner and its specific message) as well as pressure from sponsors and other organisations.
Whatever your views on this, it is unfortunate – though not new – when such divides are evident at the club. But in the grand scheme of life, Celtic’s rows matter not at all when compared to the awful tragedy unfolding in the Middle East.
“In view of the illegal & treacherous invasion of Czechoslovakia by Russian, Polish & Hungarian forces & in support of the Czech nation, we, the CFC, do not think that any Western European Football Club should be forced to fulfil any football commitment in any of these countries”
— Celticunderground (@celticrumours) October 9, 2023
Matthew Marr
Follow Matthew on Twitter @hailhailHistory
Come and join The Celtic Star live at the Kerrydale Suite at Celtic Park during the International break…
John Hartson will be just one of many special guests at a huge and unique Celtic Star event to be held in the Kerrydale Suite at Celtic Park on Thursday, 19 October 2023. Tables for 10 at £180 or individual tickets priced just £20 for this special evening can be purchased now via Celtic Star Books.
Meanwhile here’s Matt Corr talking about his latest Celtic Star book on The Celtic Exchange Podcast…
Majic, Stan and the King of Japan is out in Friday 20 October and is available to order now HERE.
The Celtic Star presents a night with John Hartson and Stephen McManus at the Kerrydale on Thursday 19 October…
There’s no Celtic action for a few weeks due the latest international break, but you can still come along to Celtic Park on Thursday 19 October – on the anniversary of Hampden in the Sun, Celtic 7 Rangers 1…to join The Celtic Star team live in the Kerrydale with special guests John Hartson and Stephen McManus as we launch Matt Corr’s new book ‘Majic, Stan and the King of Japan’ which tells the story of Gordon Strachan’s first season at Celtic and we’ll have the trophies Celtic won that season there too!
There’s live music from the wonderful Boolavogue and many more Celtic guests coming along which we’ll start to announce tomorrow. Tickets are selling fast so get yours now, just click on the image below and we’ll see you in the Kerrydale. it’s going to be some night and a great Celtic fix during the international break!
Join The Celtic Star at the Kerrydale on Thursday 19 October when we celebrate the launch of Matt Corr’s new book Majic, Stan and the King of Japan which tells the story of Gordon Strachan’s first season as Celtic manager. We’ll have the trophies that the Celtic team won that season plus well delighted welcome our special guests John Hartson and Stephen McManus, both stars of that Celtic team.
And we have other guests to be announced later this week plus there’s live music from the wonderful Boolavogue. Tickets are selling fast for what is sure to be a wonderful night of Celtic conversation and music and you can order below…
