|
|
|
HANDS OFF THE HOOPS |
THE ARTICLE BELOW WAS TAKEN FROM THE WEBSITE OF
THE CELTIC SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATION
OPEN LETTER TO THE PLC
The following letter was intended for inclusion in the Celtic View of February 28th in reply to the previous week's article which was advertised as "THE GREAT STRIP DEBATE". Far from being a debate which i understand usually takes place between two parties, a two page spread was handed over in the Celtic View to a fan to toe the party line. When the HANDS OFF THE HOOPS campaign contacted the View we were told we would be given the right to reply (something we should not have had to ask for). We complied with deadlines as set down and were dismayed to find that our article has not been included despite promises of a right to reply. One thing that this website has always stood for is FREE SPEECH with comments untouched no matter what the viewpoint is.
TODAY THE CELTIC VIEW STANDS ACCUSED OF CENSURESHIP. We have not fought previous boards and the Pravda Celtic View of old only to turn full circle and stand back as a section of the fan's opinions are censured. Our opinions WILL be heard and it is shame on the PLC once more that they continue to treat the fans with contempt and deny us FREE SPEECH.
An Open Letter to Celtic plc
Dear PLC Board
In our experience, it can only be at Celtic that a crisis can by snatched from the jaws of success. No one needs reminding of the change in fortunes at the club over the last twelve to eighteen months. With genuine optimism prevailing, hope for the future inspired by the O’Neill revolution, from whence would be thrown the spanner into the Parkhead works? Well, would you believe it, such fuss over a jersey!!
Well, reading the Celtic View last week would certainly have conveyed such an impression. Is it that simple though? Well, from our side, not so. ‘Our side’ being the combined forces of the Celtic Supporters Association, the Affiliation of Registered Celtic Supporters Clubs and the Association of Irish Celtic Supporters Clubs. Many will have concluded that we have nothing better to be doing with our time, that instead of getting behind the club at this critical time, we are playing into the hands of our enemies, namely Rangers FC and the assorted anti-Celtic media. That is what the club have insinuated. In these times of political correctness, the club would never of course be so blatant, but that is how they wish to portray us. Read the comments of our detractors on the clubs official website to witness the fruits of this spin. Of course, there are many comments in agreement with our stance, but the falsehood has taken root.
So who are we, the ‘woolly-headed, flat capped sentimentalists’ who have taken a course to deliberately disrupt Celtic while on a crest of a wave. Take away the organisation structures, the committees and the titles and you will recognise us. Ordinary Celtic supporters. Our CV’s confirm it. We love Celtic. Period. We are no different from anyone else.
Through our endeavours with organised Celtic supporters clubs however, we like to do just a tad more. We try to make things better for our fellow supporters. We are in the service of our fellow supporters. That is our vice. The hassle and frustration, the joy and satisfaction we find in devoting all our free time to the support of Celtic and the service of our fellow Celtic supporters.
So if the anonymous club spokesperson is ‘disappointed that we cannot support the club at this time’, tough. We support Celtic not a PLC board, PR department or merchandising operation.
All that said, what is our argument regarding the proposed new strip? Three arguments actually, tradition, commercialism and incompetence and we will make the case that the PLC board have committed violations with regard to the tradition of the club, have sold the soul of the club (for a very cheap price might we add) at the high altar of commercialism and compounded the farce by sheer incompetence.
Tradition being our first concern, was the front from which your attack on us was launched. We are out of step with the modern world of football, us ‘woolly-headed sentimentalists’. You have wheeled out esteemed descendants of the clubs founding fathers to lecture us on how tradition changes and how we should get back into step with them, the enlightened. Well, that rumbling noise you hear is people turning in their graves, shouting "shame on you". Those very same forefathers who passed on to us this tradition, not to tinker about with it for our own selfish ends, but to nurture it, to cherish it and in time, pass it on to our children. That’s all that is expected of us.
What is wrong with tradition anyway? We love the Green and White Hoops. Hoops that have been the historic symbol of the club since well before we were born. The mere sight of the Hoops emerging to the field of play has stirred Celtic supporters ever since they were first sported, and will continue to do so forever more. The famous Hoops, colours that say to us, this is the mighty Celtic, our team. What’s wrong with them, the Green and White Hoops? And by the way, who gave you (the PLC board) the right to meddle with them? You see, that’s just the point, we weren’t even asked.
Tradition. It means everything to us. It meant everything to us while we suffered the misery of the last ten years and will mean just as much when we are rewarded for our dedication in the years ahead. Tradition is a constant. It has withstood feast and famine throughout the turbulent existence of Celtic FC and will prevail. So long as we have the courage to defend the essence of what the club stands for. Tradition, don’t talk to us about tradition. You haven’t got a clue. So our bhoycott will diminish the bounty of riches you plan to make available to Martin O’Neill for the Champions League campaign next season? The commercialisation of Celtic, for which everything is up for sale, is actually a master plan to fund the managers transfer kitty? And our ‘woolly-headed sentimentalism’ threatens that? Well, again, the figures just don’t add up, do they? Being very generous, we calculate that selling 100,000 of the new ‘horizontal stripes’ at £50 a pop will reap £5 million. Is this what the managers war chest next season will amount to? Is this really the best you can come up with? However, if our bhoycott gains popular support and the sales are disappointing, you can always blame us if the manager is disappointed with the cash you provide for him. Tell him ‘it was the supporters fault, they didn’t buy enough new jerseys!’ Let us tell you something, to play with the big boys you must act like the big boys. This requires funds in the region of £40-£50 million. Martin O’Neill deserves no less. There is a catch though; YOU must find the ways to raise that cash. That’s your job. We buy the season tickets and follow the team wherever they play. That’s our job. Go on, we dare you. Give the manager the backing he richly deserves, because if he is disappointed and leaves us, we’re betting you won’t have a clue what to do
Finally and most damning of all is the incompetence of this whole fiasco. The incompetence has been alluded to throughout, but we met FOUR times to discuss this issue to no avail. What is apparent to us is that if you could turn back the clock, you would sanction a proper hooped strip and all would be well. You acknowledged that it was a mistake not to seek consultation with fans, but will still go ahead with the launch of the hoopless strip. You acknowledged the design was a mistake, but will still go ahead with the launch of the hoopless strip. And despite our warnings that it would NOT be bought by the most important people of all, us, the fans, you will STILL go ahead with the launch! Absolute madness and why?
Simple. It will cost £1 million to do otherwise. £1 million is the price of your incompetence. It seems we have far more money to spend on incompetence than we have to spend on players.
Can we suggest, in one last desperate plea, that you listen to the pleas from the fans? Don’t gamble on launching a strip that might sell, give us a strip that preserves our proud traditions and will sell, in fact we guarantee that it would be a best seller!
Yours in Celtic
Eddie Toner
General Secretary
Celtic Supporters Association
PUBLIC MEETINGS
The first of two public meetings that attracted almost 800 supporters was held on Saturday afternoon at the Clanbrassil Hotel, Dundalk.
A crowd of nearly 500 supporters packed in to the hotel to listen to the speakers explain why the supporters groups have united to stage this campaign.
Joe McGrattan of the Irish Association gave an excellent update on how things were progressing, each of the speakers took it in turns to give their views on why this important issue must be pursued.
After the speakers gave their views the meeting was opened to the body of the hall, again the speakers who voiced their opinions were really excellent. Not one person in the hall put up any objections to what we are trying to achieve. All in all a very worthwhile exercise was greeted by rapturous applause from the assembled crowd.
If the PLC of Celtic think that this is a trivial matter then they have most certainly not got their thinking caps on.
The second public meeting took place on Sunday afternoon prior to the Hibs league match. Again a large crowd gathered to hear the thoughts of the representatives from the three official supporters groups and Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld.
As with the meeting in Dundalk not one person in attendance gave a hint of objection in what we trying to achieve.
After the meeting flags and leaflets were distributed to be displayed at Celtic Park for the match against Hibs.
We await the next step in our campaign to SAVE THE HOOPS
PRESS CONFERENCE : PRESS CONFERENCE : PRESS CONFERENCE:
A second press conference took place last Friday evening 23rd February 2001 at the Europa Hotel in Belfast.
In attendance were representatives from the three supporters groups together with Lisbon Lion Bobby Murdoch.
A report on the press conference taken from the Irish News is featured below.
Lisbon
Lion adds support to shirt boycott
By
Neil McKnight
Lisbon
Lions’ legend Bobby Murdoch last night gave his full support to Celtic
supporters in their “Hands off the Hoops” campaign.
The former midfield maestro met a host of Celtic fans at the Europa Hotel
in Belfast, who are outraged that the traditional hooped shirt will be
changed later this year.
The Association of Irish Celtic Supporters Clubs formally launched their
opposition to the change – and confirmed they will back their Scottish
counterparts in a boycott of the new shirt to be introduced on St
Patrick’s Day.
Bobby said Celtic is wrong to change the kit because it would go against
the tradition and heritage of the club.
“I’m disappointed because we’ve achieved all our great success
including the European Cup with teams wearing the hooped strip.
“I can’t understand why they have broken that tradition because it
means a lot to a lot of people and especially the fans,” he said.
Around 500 Celtic fans from across Ireland will stage a rally at the
Clanbrassil hotel in Dundalk at 3.00pm tomorrow “to unite the widespread
support to show that they are behind the Hands off the Hoops campaign.”
The original green and white hooped shirt was first worn on 31 October
1903 for the first game played at the new Hampden Park.
Most supporter’s clubs are “dismayed” by the club’s decision to
introduce a new design and as a result “will be breaking 98 years of
tradition”.
Joe McGrattan Campaign Spokesman for the AICSC said he was willing to
compromise and asked Celtic to keep the present strip until a new one was
introduced, or to use the “striped shirt” for away matches or even for
Cup finals.
“After 98 years of tradition there’s no need to change the strip.
It’s the home strip that matters and we don’t want to see it changed.
PRESS CONFERENCE : PRESS CONFERENCE : PRESS CONFERENCE:
The official launch of our HANDS OFF THE HOOPS campaign took place in McNEILL'S BAR TORRISDALE STREET, GLASGOW prior to last night's game against Motherwell.
Representatives from the three main official supporters groups as well as Celtic legends Bertie Auld and Bobby Murdoch explained to the press just exactly why we are embarking on this campaign.
There was a full compliment of media correspondents in attendance including Sky TV, BBC & Radio Scotland, Scottish Television and all the major newspaper groups.
Eddie Toner the general secretary of The Association gave an excellent overview of the way things have developed over the past few weeks.
This is the first in a serious of events to launch the campaign with other Celtic personalities lending their support.
The campaign has gathered momentum since the first press release on Monday 12th February 2001.
A further press conference is scheduled for Belfast's Europa Hotel on Friday evening at 8pm.
This will be followed up by public meetings in The Clanbrassill Hotel, Dundalk on Saturday at 3pm and The Association's headquarters in London Road, Glasgow on Sunday at 2pm.
Leaflets will be handed out to supporters on Sunday as they make their way to the crucial league match against Hibs.
We ask that everyone who backs us on this issue wear their hooped tops at the Hibs game and remain standing after the huddle to show the PLC we mean business.
We would also encourage you to sing out :-
STAND UP IF YOU LOVE THE HOOPS
We have been overwhelmed with messages of support on this issue and the PLC board should take note that the supporters will not walk away with their tails between their legs.
When the Lisbon Lions sit at a press conference and say it's a sad day when the hoops have been broken you know how deep the feeling is with this so called Celtic home kit.
Former Celtic players Paul McStay & Peter Grant have been in touch to offer their support in our campaign.
Further updates from the meetings being held over the weekend will be posted as soon as possible.
|
|
The Evening Times newspaper's VOTELINE this week asked if:
CELTIC SHOULD KEEP THE HOOPS IN THEIR NEW STRIPS
THE FANS TURNED OUT IN FORCE TO VOTE DOWN ANY CHANGE WITH 89% PLEADING FOR THE STRIPS TO STAY AS THEY ARE
HANDS OFF THE HOOPS
Celtic’s
off field activities have been well highlighted in the press this week
with the BHOYCOTT of the new strip
going ahead and the alarming news that the club are £26 million net in
debt.
We
can now be assured that the PLC will once again be looking for us to dig
deep into our pockets to help out with this debt only days after kicking
us in the teeth with the hoopless strip fiasco.
We
will be announcing the next step in our BHOYCOTT
campaign over the next few days.
We
will be looking for backing from all the supporters who have been in touch
with the various supporters groups over the last few weeks as we show the
PLC that we are fed up being taken for mugs.
Talk Radio had an excellent debate on the merits of the HANDS OFF THE HOOPS campaign and the programme made very interesting listening. Of the people who phoned the programme 97% of them were in favour of scrapping the HOOPLESS KIT.
If
you really care about the traditions of OUR
club then this is your chance to stand up and be counted over the
next few weeks.
If we lose this fight then the PLC board will see it as their chance to do whatever the wish with OUR club.
Visit our daily rants section and the Association 's site at http://www.celticsupporterassoc.co.uk/ to see some of the reaction we have had to this fiasco.
PRESS RELEASE
HANDS
OFF THE HOOPS!!
STATEMENT TO CELTIC FANS EVERYWHERE
12
February, 2001
The Celtic Supporters Association
the Affiliation of Registered Celtic Supporters Clubs and the Association
of Irish Celtic Supporters Clubs wish to issue the following statement to
Celtic fans everywhere.
Subsequent to various meetings held
at Celtic Park over the last few weeks involving our representatives and
officials of Celtic FC, the club has recognised the unprecedented negative
reaction of the Celtic support with regard to the proposed launch of the
new home strip in March. In addition, the club has recognised and accepted
that they have made a serious mistake in agreeing to the production of the
strip in its current format. Despite our strongest objections, the PLC
Board will proceed to release this new strip on St. Patrick’s Day.
On the grounds of financial, legal
and production process commitments with their supplier and sponsor Umbro,
the PLC Board have advised that despite the fact they have made a grave
mistake in the redesign of the club colours, the launch will proceed as
planned.
The new home strip, where the most
beloved symbol of the club, the world famous and universally recognised
green and white hoops have been sacrificed at the altar of commercial
greed, is TOTALLY unacceptable to us.
98 years of unbroken tradition has
been ditched by those unaware and uncaring to the feelings of what the
green and white hoops represents to Celtic supporters everywhere. This
abomination is NOT the jersey worn by Quinn, McGrory, Tully, Johnstone,
McNeill, McStay and Larsson. Two years short of a marketing and sales
windfall ‘100 Years of the Hoops’ the PLC Board has again confounded
us by incompetence and insensitivity.
We are confounded by the belief
amongst the marketing experts on the Board that a strip that heralds a
departure from tradition will match or even outsell a version that is
faithful to the design that was first embraced by the club in 1903. How
gullible are we?
We cherish and uphold the heritage
and traditions of this great club. We will NEVER accept dilutions of the
heritage and traditions.
With five weeks to go before the official launch we are calling on Celtic fans everywhere to take the actions necessary to communicate clearly to the PLC Board that we will NEVER patronise the sacrilege of that which we hold most dear, our beloved Green and White hoops. We are also calling on the manufacturers UMBRO to recognise our concerns and the negative impact this will have on their products. We will NOT buy this new strip. We are the fans and we are the customers. We demand respect. Our heritage is NOT for sale. STAND BY THE HOOPS.
BHOYCOTT THE NEW HOME STRIP.
Eddie Toner, General Secretary:
Celtic Supporters Association.
Mick Dinning, Secretary:
Affiliation of Registered Celtic Supporters Clubs.
Michael Kelly, Secretary
Association of Irish Celtic Supporters Clubs.
HOOPLESS KIT LATEST
Representatives from the three supporters groups the Affiliation, the Association & the Irish Association met with Celtic manager Martin O'Neill and Celtic's chairman Mr Brian Quinn at Celtic Park early this morning.
The meeting lasted for over an hour and the outcome is that yet another meeting is planned for next week. This will be the fifth meeting between the supporters groups and Celtic Football Club. Further updates will be posted after next week's meeting.
HOOPLESS KIT UPDATE
A further meeting is planned with Celtic officials for Friday 02nd February 2001. Any updates from the meeting will be posted here as soon as possible after the meeting.
NEW KIT RUMPUS TAKES A
NEW TWIST
The HOOPLESS new kit rumpus
that has seen hastily arranged meetings between Celtic FC and the main
supporters organizations looks set to take a new twist.
Celtic FC issued a
statement on Friday afternoon to the Affiliation of Registered Celtic
Supporters Clubs and The Celtic Supporters Association which fell well
below the simple changes we had asked for.
We had asked Celtic to
delay or even postpone the launch of the HOOPLESS kit but we have been
told that due to financial commitments by the club that it would be too
late now to stop the launch of the kit on the 16th March 2001.
Once again the supporters
of OUR club are being totally sold down the river, we are always praised
to the highest for our undying love for the club, but an unknown person at
the club has given the ok to UMBRO to manufacture a home kit without the
HOOPS.
Whilst we would never do anything to hamper our best chance in years to lift the League Championship and the other trophies on offer, we believe that the club have once again ignored the wishes of fans of OUR great club.
The club have backed us
into a corner on this one and we must come out fighting for the right of
every Celtic fan who wishes to see the HOOPED jersey restored NOW
We now await the reaction
from all the supporters groups before we can announce our next step.
Watch this space