The last month of the ’26 season brought me to Glasgow 4 weeks in a row; I would hazard a guess that I never did that previously in my 57 years  crossing the Irish Sea to see this institution of a football club we all love so dear.

First up was ‘the Rangers’ and a flamboyant victory which ended their interest in the title race; next up was the would be champions who soon found out that to be champions you play till the end until the fat lady sings and the final whistle proclaims it.

The following week was the cup final and a more relaxed Hampden in the sun and an unlikely double achieved and I spent the rest of the week golfing at Musselbrough.

In early June I caught a red eye flight from Dublin to Glasgow and after breakfast in George Square made my way out to Parkhead for the first ever conference by Celtic supporters for Celtic supporters. I met up with a friend Gerry Morton from Moodiesburn, he is originally from the Garngad and took our seats in the Kerrydale suite where we met up with a young guy from Armagh Conor Feehan who, like me had travelled over on an early flight from Belfast. The next 4 hours provided a fascinating and interesting observation on all things Celtic.

The conference was organised after the sad passing of 3 iconic Celtic writers and we had a minute’s applause for Pat Woods, Tom Campbell and David Potter who wrote for More than 90 Minutes and this website for many years and recorded many episodes with Andrew Milne for the Celtic Soul Podcast.

Between the 3 men they  wrote a plethora of books on Celtic. The conference was formally opened by David Watt, University of Glasgow and he introduced the speakers; Dr Joe Bradley, Edinburgh University and author of the Celtic Minded books; Dr Michael Connolly, author of the definitive life story of Brother Walfrid; Dr Margot McCuaig, documentary filmmaker; Matthew Marr of Celtic Glasgow walking tours; Stephen Murray, Celtic Wiki and last but not least a man unlike the rest of us got the opportunity to don the famous green & white hoops, Tosh McKinley.

The idea for the conference was the brainchild of Professor Jim O’Brien,  Dr. Joe Bradley University of Edinburgh, and David Watt University of Glasgow and it gave the conference an academic feel to it although the talks and response from those attending was based on our working class roots and not in anyway elitist or condescending.

Dr. Joe Bradley talked of how the Irish Catholic community suffered sectarianism and only in the late 20^th century has been accepted into mainline Scottish society. He observed how the Scottish media couldn’t accept the sight of 80,000 fans in Seville carrying the flag of the Irish Republic not the Saltire.

He alluded to the abuse Aiden McGeady received at every ground in Scotland because he played for the Republic, the abuse not dissimilar to the racist attacks in Belfast recently. He also referred to the whole aspect of Celtic’s history that originally we were a Catholic Irish club and that’s how we are identified but we embrace all cultures and religions and would never accept sectarianism in the modern era.

Dr. Michael Connolly talked about the origins of the club with Brother Walfrid the main figure in our history. He had delved deeply into research at several universities and uncovered some fascinating written documents in the special collections area about the influence of the Marist Brothers in Glasgow and beyond. The Sligo roots of Andrew Kerins in the little village of Ballymote were looked at and how he just escaped the poverty laden years post An Gorta Mor.

His faith and commitment brought help to the Donegal Irish and others in the 1880’s. There is a magnificent statue to Walfrid in the village at Ballymote just beside the train station, definitely worth looking it up on your travels.

Dr. Margot McCuaig detailed her past involvement in film making and how she presented documentaries on Lisbon Lions but her main focus which definitely caught the attention of the mostly male audience was the role of women in the history of our great club. While football was always a male dominated sport for the first century it definitely opened up to everyone in the late 20^th century and within the Celtic support we have a large percentage of female fans who love the club and travel across Europe in support of ‘their’ club.

Margot pointed out that all books written about Celtic over the years had male authors. She challenged this and suggested that there was no reason why women couldn’t contribute in similar fashion. If there were any old fashioned male chauvinists in the audience they remained silent as Margot received very warm applause as she described how old grannies, their daughters and granddaughters were every bit as much Celtic fans as the males in the old tenements in the Gorbals back in the day and while they mightn’t have gone to the game they lit a candle and said a prayer to someone and soaked the men with holy water as they left for the game.

Matthew Marr gave a great talk on his walking tours around Glasgow and told of the many places with connections to great Celtic players of the past and other places with a Celtic connection. He surmised that most fans would walk by places in the city without knowing that they had this connection with history.

Finally Stephen Murray highlighted his involvement in social media and especially the Celtic Wiki site. His group understood that in the modern era they had to embrace the internet era and get the Celtic story up front on Facebook, LinkedIn, X (and especially now with the advent of AI, Chat GPT etc we need to be out there or risk getting lost in the tsunami of social media.

Celtic Wiki has a massive collection of Celtic related information and amazingly 60,000 photos posted on the site. Unfortunately sites like X are owned by arseholes like Elon Musk and have the chance of becoming dangerous if used in the wrong way. But we have to move on.

Celtic were the first club with a weekly newspaper and that gave us our Celtic info for 50 years but like the newspaper industry in general it went into decline so now social media is the only way to attain our up to the minute Celtic news. The Celtic View now only comes out 4 times a year. With this in mind it is fantastic to see More than 90 Minutes and other Celtic fanzines still publishing print editions on a regular basis.

The conference moved along nicely and after a welcome coffee break we had a Q & A session and some interesting questions directed to the panel and also thrown open to the floor. At each table there were also discussions taking place and a certain buzz around Kerrydale.

One interesting aspect I thought was the unity of thought among those in attendance as you know the great Brendan Behan once said; ‘the first item on any Irish organisation’s agenda is the split’. I say that facetiously as there appeared to be unity in the room and plans and suggestions for the next conference in ’27.

As the recent song for the 130^th anniversary goes; ‘Celtic did it first’; the conference was a first, just like our victory in Lisbon, our club newspaper, the first manager from the southern hemisphere and hopefully in 2031 the first 10 in a row!

Paddy was born in Belfast with Donegal and Tyrone parents. He spent the 70’s in Long Kesh. He has been going to Paradise since the Benfica game in Nov. 1969. He lived in Donegal for 30 years but now lives in Galway. He returned to University at 50 and became a secondary school teacher of history and English.

The Celtic Fans Collective are keen to encourage more supporters to participate in the process of establishing a new democratic committee. If you, or a representative from your organisation, would be interested in getting involved in this, please let them know. The success of the Collective will depend on supporters from across the fanbase helping to shape its future.

FAQs

Is the Celtic Fans Collective just a protest movement?

During last season, frustration among the Celtic support reached levels not seen since the 1990s. This led to a range of protest actions, many of which were organised by the Celtic Fans Collective.

While those actions reflected the mood of supporters at the time, we recognise that constant protest is neither desirable nor sustainable among members and the wider Celtic support. Above all, fans want to enjoy following Celtic and backing the team.

Our ambition is to be a strong, effective and united supporters’ organisation that represents fans, holds the Board to account through meaningful engagement and scrutiny, and campaigns on issues that matter to supporters.

Protest remains one of the tools available to us, but it is not our purpose. We will use it only when circumstances leave no reasonable alternative.

I’m not involved in a CSC or a fans group – can I join the Celtic Fans Collective?

Independent supporters make up the vast majority of the Celtic fanbase yet currently have little opportunity to have their voices heard. If you’re not part of a recognised supporters’ club or fans group, there are few opportunities to engage with the Club collectively or have your say. Celtic Fans Collective offers an avenue to change that.

By joining the Collective, you become part of a democratic organisation that represents supporters on the issues that matter most and holds the Board to account where necessary.

The more supporters who stand together, the stronger that voice becomes.

Whether it’s ticketing, supporter engagement, policing, governance or any other issue affecting the fanbase, a strong Celtic Fans Collective ensures independent supporters have a voice that the Club cannot ignore.

Why should my CSC join the Celtic Fans Collective?

CSCs have always been an important part of Celtic’s history and supporter culture. Yet supporters’ clubs have faced increasing challenges in recent years. Fans have been hit by rising ticket prices, significantly reduced ticket allocations and opaque distribution processes. On matchdays, supporters have also had to contend with policing and operational decisions that have had a detrimental impact on the matchday experience. Unaffiliated CSCs, in particular, have been left with few opportunities to engage with those making these decisions.

There are existing and well-established organisations representing CSCs that continue to do excellent work. Indeed, two of these organisations are represented within the Celtic Fans Collective and continue to operate independently. The Collective is not intended to replace them or diminish their role. Instead, it exists to create a democratic union of supporters’ organisations, fan media, independent supporters and organised fan groups, bringing together every part of the support to campaign on the issues that affect us all.

Every CSC retains its own identity and independence while benefiting from the strength of that wider movement. Together, we can speak with a stronger voice, hold the Club to account more effectively and give ourselves the best opportunity to improve the experience of supporting Celtic.

I run an independent Celtic fan media platform – why should I join the Celtic Fans Collective?

Independent fan media has become an integral part of many supporters’ experience of following Celtic. Whether it is informing supporters, encouraging debate or holding the Club to account, the fan media scene at Celtic is thriving. Despite this, Celtic FC continues to exclude fan media from engagement with the Club, leaving outlets with no formal route to contribute to discussions affecting supporters.

Celtic Fans Collective has consistently called for Celtic FC to end its exclusion of fan media. We believe supporters benefit from a diverse, independent media landscape and that constructive engagement between the Club and fan media is in everyone’s interests. We will continue to campaign until the ban is lifted and fan media is recognised by the Club as a legitimate part of Celtic’s supporter movement.

By joining the Collective, your platform becomes part of a democratic organisation bringing together supporters from across the fanbase while retaining its own unique identity and editorial independence.

With fan media representatives on the committee, fan media will have a direct role in shaping the Collective’s work and strengthening the campaign to end the Club’s ban, while ensuring its perspective forms part of wider engagement with Celtic FC and other relevant stakeholders.

I run an independent Celtic fan media platform – why should I join the Celtic Fans Collective?

Independent fan media has become an integral part of many supporters’ experience of following Celtic. Whether it is informing supporters, encouraging debate or holding the Club to account, the fan media scene at Celtic is thriving. Despite this, Celtic FC continues to exclude fan media from engagement with the Club, leaving outlets with no formal route to contribute to discussions affecting supporters.

Celtic Fans Collective has consistently called for Celtic FC to end its exclusion of fan media. We believe supporters benefit from a diverse, independent media landscape and that constructive engagement between the Club and fan media is in everyone’s interests. We will continue to campaign until the ban is lifted and fan media is recognised by the Club as a legitimate part of Celtic’s supporter movement.

By joining the Collective, your platform becomes part of a democratic organisation bringing together supporters from across the fanbase while retaining its own unique identity and editorial independence.

With fan media representatives on the committee, fan media will have a direct role in shaping the Collective’s work and strengthening the campaign to end the Club’s ban, while ensuring its perspective forms part of wider engagement with Celtic FC and other relevant stakeholders.

Who decides what the Celtic Fans Collective does?

Every member of the Steering Group will have one vote, regardless of which organisation or group they represent. No organisation has a veto or additional voting rights. Representatives are accountable to the supporters who elected or nominated them and will be expected to consult those they represent on significant issues.

The purpose of the structure is to ensure that no single organisation can dominate the Collective while recognising the contribution that existing supporters’ organisations have already made. Ultimately, the Collective will be guided by democratic decision-making and by the views of its membership.

Is the Celtic Fans Collective trying to replace existing supporters’ organisations?

No.

The Collective exists to bring together existing organisations alongside independent supporters within a democratic structure. Every participating organisation retains its own identity, independence and ability to campaign on issues affecting its own members. The Collective provides an opportunity for supporters to work together where there are shared interests while respecting the independence of each participating group.

Celtic FC needs urgent change – can the Celtic Fans Collective deliver this?

There is no doubt that Celtic FC requires urgent change, with significant personnel change and a fundamental shift in culture needed if trust is to be rebuilt between the Club and its supporters. Celtic Fans Collective was established in response to those concerns. However, most supporters also recognise that meaningful and lasting change is rarely achieved overnight, and that a large, united and representative supporters’ organisation has far greater influence than individuals or groups acting alone.

Our preference will always be to engage constructively with Celtic FC, presenting evidence-based proposals and advocating on behalf of our members. Where the Club is willing to listen, we will work collaboratively to improve the experience of supporting Celtic. It is in the interests of both the Club and its supporters for trust to be rebuilt and unity to be restored.

However, constructive engagement must be matched by accountability. Where the Club fails to listen or act in the interests of supporters, the Collective will use a range of democratic campaigning methods to apply pressure and drive change. This may include public campaigns, media engagement, supporter consultation and, where members believe it is necessary, organised protest action.

Ultimately, our influence will be determined by our membership. The more CSCs, independent supporters, fan media and fan organisations that stand together, the stronger our collective voice becomes and the greater our ability to secure meaningful change for Celtic supporters.

Is the Celtic Fans Collective trying to replace existing supporters’ organisations?

No.

The Collective exists to bring together existing organisations alongside independent supporters within a democratic structure. Every participating organisation retains its own identity, independence and ability to campaign on issues affecting its own members. The Collective provides an opportunity for supporters to work together where there are shared interests while respecting the independence of each participating group.

Celtic FC needs urgent change – can the Celtic Fans Collective deliver this?

There is no doubt that Celtic FC requires urgent change, with significant personnel change and a fundamental shift in culture needed if trust is to be rebuilt between the Club and its supporters. Celtic Fans Collective was established in response to those concerns. However, most supporters also recognise that meaningful and lasting change is rarely achieved overnight, and that a large, united and representative supporters’ organisation has far greater influence than individuals or groups acting alone.

Our preference will always be to engage constructively with Celtic FC, presenting evidence-based proposals and advocating on behalf of our members. Where the Club is willing to listen, we will work collaboratively to improve the experience of supporting Celtic. It is in the interests of both the Club and its supporters for trust to be rebuilt and unity to be restored.

However, constructive engagement must be matched by accountability. Where the Club fails to listen or act in the interests of supporters, the Collective will use a range of democratic campaigning methods to apply pressure and drive change. This may include public campaigns, media engagement, supporter consultation and, where members believe it is necessary, organised protest action.

Ultimately, our influence will be determined by our membership. The more CSCs, independent supporters, fan media and fan organisations that stand together, the stronger our collective voice becomes and the greater our ability to secure meaningful change for Celtic supporters.

 

The SPFL fixtures came out last week and the big talking point was that Celtic will play their first game of the season on Monday night. The date is the 03 August and the kick off time is 7:30pm. If my memory serves me right this will be the first time I have seen Celtic play on Monday night and the kick off time is also a first for me.

The kick off time is to accommodate Irish Celtic Supporters who have a boat to catch and sometimes they would have to leave Celtic Park before the final whistle to make the sailing home for night games.

Flag Day has now become Flag Night and Dundee will be the visitors. Although the fixtures are out there are only a few games that Celtic fans who travel by air to games can book. History has thought us that any game can be changed to suit television and if Celtic do not qualify for the Champions League and are playing in the Europa League it means more Sunday games.

The traditional  Saturday 3pm kick offs can be few and far between. Celtic released a statement an hour before the fixtures were announced explaining that they had made representations to Police Scotland and the SPFL but were told that the Police were unable to support the fixture which coincides with other events (The Commonwealth games and DJ Calvin Harris at Hampden).

Celtic’s opener will be shown live on Sky Sports as will the following week’s game away to Kilmarnock which is down for a 1:30pm kick off at Rugby Park. Again away games are a lottery for tickets and you are taking a chance when booking flights for games that you may or may not get a ticket for in the ballot.

The first Glasgow Derby v the rangers is also confirmed for Sunday 20 September with a noon kick off time also live on Sky Sports. Apart from these games everything else is down for a Saturday 3pm kick off. The only games which should not to be changed are midweek games with the first coming up on Wednesday 02 September when Aberdeen visit Celtic Park for a 7:45pm kick off.

Click Link for full fixtures list and remember fixtures are subject change if you’re planning on booking flights or hotels.

https://www.celticfc.com/fixtures

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