Banners at Celtic Park

I have been a Celtic supporter for fifty years.There is no greater joy in my life when Celtic win, and no greater sorrow than when we lose. The first team I saw playing as a kid was the lisbon lion squad that Mr. Stein put together and since then I have watched all our great players.

I moved to Chicago a number of years back but my love of the club did not diminish, indeed it has grown. I spend tons of cash (if my wife ever found out how much, it would be the end of my marriage) to watch EVERY game on satellite and regularly travel back to Glasgow for the sole purpose of watching the team that I love. My loyalty to the club and its traditions cannot be in any doubt and I could discuss with the best of you the history of the club and the great players that have worn its colours.

Celtic suporters come from all walks of life but the one thing that unites us is the team and the club. We may have different interests and political views but Celtic brings us together.

That is why I am concerned about non-Celtic related banners often seen at games. People should know that they are making statements about controversial and complex subjects that might upset and annoy other Celtic supporters by foisting their political or other agendas on their fellow fans. I know first hand many supporters that share my viewpoint.

Let me make it quite clear that I do not object to anyone's right to hold or to voice their opinions. They are quite entitled to feel what they feel and think whatever they think. But they should conduct their protests and make their voices heard in a way that doesn't involve our team. I also feel pretty sure that I am part of the silent majority of Celtic fans that feels the same way.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that there is a small but loud and overbearing group of fans that seek to use Celtic's great name to advance their own interests and objectives. I hope they will one day understand that many fans do not share their views and are in fact offended by them, and that the club itself will take steps to curtail such behaviour.

Using the Club as the venue for expressing your own non-football opinions, especially those that are controversial and not shared by all , or even a majority of fans, is not in the tradition of those that founded and grew the club.


Hail Hail to all my fellow supporters !

 

here here buddy, feel exactly the same, its a football game not prime ministers questions.

 

Exactly how I feel, well put

 

Brilliant post williamf and agree with everything in it.

I cant really add anything to it, but yea, I full agree

 

Well said williamf ,ive been going since 1970 ,and i dont get all this polictal stuff showing by sections of the support ,im sure they got on the wrong bus its the one thats says downing street there looking for ,parkhead is no home for this .

 

And you have the facts to back that up do you :bbpd:

 

what's that?

 

Agree wholeheartedly mate banners are for gettin ripped into the hun or whoever we are playin or things like the Feher banner in benfica not to take sides in political affairs

 

"If You Know Your History"

 

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* the huns. . .Banners are for expressing what is right !!

 

was meanin as an exmple of what they are for

aint always 1 right way though mate

 

cheers mate

found some info and undertsand the point now

 

st.sixtus

 

well i agree to a point but sometimes its through sporting arena that the oppressed voice is heard! I know many people don't want the club used as a political agenda but sometimes its the best and only way for things to be heard and publicised. After all wasn't this the reason the club was born, to bring people together and give something to those who were oppressed some hope.

If we dont bring to attention the plight of the people who suffer injustest through banners ect then it might go unoticed, that aint the Celtic way.

I'm not trying to be some sort of IRA or sectarian guy so please dont slaughter me for this, I just feel its an important part of the club to be a voice for those that can't be heard and feel this should be something to be celebrated not divide people.