With the bets off on who will win the SPL and SKY wanting a slice of the party action on April 1 against St Johnstone ceremonial matters are being debated.
Celebrating the title tends to come in three parts these days, there is the actual clinching of it on the park, or perhaps off it this season, the trophy presentation then the flag day at the start of the following season.
Who should be involved in the different ceremonies has sparked quite a lot of debate on-line with the name of Fergus McCann at the head of most debate. The Anglo-Canadian is still something of a mystery figure to Celtic supporters, sticking to the letter of his deal, coming in for five action packed years then returning to Canada and barely having any contact with the club.
In July 2010 he turned up in Boston for a pre-season friendly, in 2005 he returned for the unveiling of the Brother Walfrid statue but retains a very much hands-off approach to all matters Celtic after his stint re-shaping the club
On Twitter, there was a tongue in cheek comment about how it would be great to have Campbell Ogilive unfurl the league flag at Parkhead next season. I have to say that is of course, if we do actually win it. Mr Ogilvie, who was a director at Ibrox when they had an open sectarian signing policy and a powerful man in the SFA, is sure to get a lovely warm reception at Parkhead – we’re a club open to all.
I suggested that perhaps Fergus McCann would be a better option – if the club could get him and if he wanted to. Or what a relative of Tommy Burns or someone else connected to the club?
There’s a few reasons as to why I think that it would be good to bring back Fergus and there are also a few reasons as to why others might not want him near Parkhead again.
I am of the opinion that it would be nice to bring back ‘the bunnet’ and give him a thank you, round of applause and show appreciation for the fact that he put his money where his mouth was and was the man who put up the money to save our club.
Now, I don’t want go into much detail about the history of Fergus simply because I don’t know a great deal about it, I was 11 years old when Fergus took over the club but I know that he said he would build a team capable of challenging for Scottish honours, he rebuilt the stadium and stopped the club from going out of business.
As far as I am concerned, I wouldn’t have had a team to support if it wasn’t for his actions.
When he was under pressure to spend more money and to keep up with Rangers spending, he was strong enough to say no and run the club within our means.
He was also one who introduced ‘Bhoys against Bigotry’, I could go on but I just feel that he done so much for the club that we should get to show our appreciation.
I remember during the unfurling of the flag the season after stopping 10 in a row, that some fans were booing Fergus so I have to assume that the fans who did this will disagree with what I am saying here? If so, why? I can’t understand that view at all so would like to hear what folk have against him.
Yes, some folk, including me were upset to see Wim Jansen leave just a few days after winning the league. Of course, we will never know the full ins and outs of that story but is it maybe that Wim felt he couldn’t work with what Fergus was allocating as a transfer budget ? If so, then given the Rangers FC (in adminstration) situation, it’s safe to say that Fergus was correct to keep strong control over the purse strings.
After saying that I think it was a good idea, I have also been reminded that Fergus was the one who brought us Jock Brown to the club, can we ever forgive him for doing that?
If nothing else, it got Jock off the telly so I can maybe forgive him.
If I had one criticism of Fergus, I think that he may have been around for too long. He said that he would be there for 5 years and the last season, not a great deal happened so maybe all his work was done in 4 years so should he have went earlier?
Should he have spent more money to build on the league win. Should he have done everything in his power to stop Wim Jansen from leaving?
Should Fergus have brought in a better manager than Dr Jo Venglos after Wim Jansen? There’s a few things that some may argue he could have done, no body is perfect and I’m not saying that Fergus was but for me at least, the good outweighs the bad with him.
It also could well be that I am just clinging to the past and we should be looking forward and leaving Fergus where he currently is, in the history books of the club.
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I think only with the objectivity of time can we see how important wee Fergus was/is in the history of our club. I resented him at the time for driving out first Tommy and then Wim, but I think most Celtic fans who booed in ’98 would now admit that we were wrong to do this.
The contrasts between Fergus and the Whyte Knight are startling – he put his money in and kept his promises – and I think this year would be a fitting time to make up for ’98 by asking him to unfurl the 2012 league flag.
Bring back the Bunnet for the flag day party. When you look at whats happening a Greyskull and the tangled web they have enmeshed themselves what they would give for a few years of playing second fiddle to the ignominy of having to go inti administration.
The Bhoy from Croy put his money where his mouth was and pulled the club out of a hole. It’s time to let him know that we appreciate this while he still shuffles upon this mortal coil. Unlike Tommy Burns who has sadly departed. I don’t think that a reletive of Tommy’s is the answer, it’s just not quite the same as having the man himself there. And i’m sure Tommy himself would agree to have Fergus furl the flag for saving the club he so dearly loved.
Bring back the bunnet and God Bless you Tommy Burns.
‘Thats the reason, they are there, and they are always there, and God Bless each and every one of them”
(Tommy Burns 1988 on the Celtic support after winning the double, when asked why the Celtic support were so special.)
I agree. At the time of the flag unfurling in 98, we were a support battered, brusied and insecure following years of problems. However the treatment of wee Fergus was shocking, and it is only with hindsight and the ability now to draw comparisons with “them” that the narrow minded people within our own support can truly see what he did for us.
He did it with his own money, with no backing of our government or any other nationalist institutions, and got ridiculed along the way by the media. It would be a timely opportunity to let everybody show their respect for saving our club.
Maybe if he had allowed tommy burns to spend a bit more money the huns wouldn’t have even got to NIAR. His transfer deals and personal skills were an embarrassment. He was a mercenary who was only interested in making as much money as possible.
Fergus was a business man, pure and simple. The plan he executed was a business plan which was swift and hard.
Many fans disapproved of his ways because he was tough and did not appease them or the club staf. He challenged everyone who he came up against – the SFA, Macari, Burns, the old board, UEFA, etc, etc.
Fergus did exactly what he set out to do though as you have rightly stated, Steven1888. He turned the club around and set them on their way for the next owner(s).
Although in need of some upgrading (hopefully from the Commonwealth fund) the stadium remains his legacy. I always felt that the North Stand should have been named in his honour and that may well happen in the future, but I also felt there may be some resistance to this by some supporters.
As a supporter myself, I too felt upset by a lack of funds for Tommy Burns at times. However, he did provide the three amigos – something not trumped until Larsson, Sutton and Hartson came along (the former being purchased during McCann’s era).
Unfurling the flag would not be my choice, particularly as he was booed by many fans. Not the only top man to have been subjected to that by some Celtic fans I might add.
‘The Fergus McCann Stand’ awaits him, but we might have a wait on our hands…
Great article, great shout!
I posted something similar (tho not as well written) on an article in Celtic website.
I realise this will be contentious but Fergusis in the same category as Walfrid and Jock.
We would not be here without him.
He did the right thing not the popular thing. He got dogs abuse for it but did not falter. He shafted Farry and the SFA.
Together with Jock, he is responsible for the demise of the evil empire.
I for one would love to see him back for one of our many party days, he should take a bow on the centre spot.
I’d name the north stand after him.
He deserves it fully.
You know what, this guy was never invited to help Celtic, he invited himself, he first and foremost knew the size and possibilities of Celtic firstly as Celtic supporter and probably just as keenly as a businessman.
He gave us the opportunity to put our money where our mouths were, which resulted in a British record for sales from a shareholding in football.
Fergus, is up there with Stein and Walfrid, he did something for this club that many could not, so thank you to him (and us) we all saved the Club we all love.
Now look across the city to the club with a sectarian signing policy that spent someone else’s money to keep ahead of Timmy, juts because of their hatred of us, the EGO of SDM and being afraid of there own fans.
I was upset with the removal of Tommy as he had us playing the best football in my time but we must acknowledge what Fergus did for us.
He left the club in a financial and strong business footing, a club that did not pander to people who did not understand the commercial contraints of running football in Scotland (you and me) and a club that would survive for the next 100 years.
cast you eyes to Govan, where they think it’s all over, well it is now!
Jelly and Ice Cream anyone
Bring back Fergus for flag day and on that day name the North stand after him.
Ave allways been a fan of “The Bunnet” and a love your post plain and simple and straight to the point , Fergus is a Legend and deserves the North stand named after him and deserves to unvail the flag in a season that will prove everything he done at a time of there dominence, although hard at the time was correct. Hail Hail The Bunnet
its has to be campbell ogilvie for me,the irony is to much to ignore, with john yorkston haudin his jaicket`.
Fergus was not liked back then but his plan for Celtic shows that he seen us the way we cannot, as a successful business. This has proved to be the right way,as we can see from the way things are at Ibrox, and he is due an apology from a lot of Celtic supporters. Bring him back for the unfurling of the flag and I’d even name a stand after him. He saved us from doing what Rangers are doing. He deserves the biggest bowl of jelly and ice cream.
There are many things fergus got right but in the end he still made a large profit from the club, when he really didn’t need it, I think thats what rankles. He cut corners with stadium – all those bloody pillars but it is a huge leap forward from what we had. He also sought to have a full stadium – something lawell and co would do well to understand.
I could not and still don’t understand the booing of Fergus.
He saved our club ,stood up to the SFA ,and gave the club back to the fans. McCann stated at the outset that he would stay for only five years, with the objectives of placing the club on a firmer business footing and returning the league championship to Celtic Park.
He did exactly what he said he would do.
As an ex-pat in Montreal who met the guy when he came to our club for the first game when we formed in 1995. I liked the man, and even if he himself would not admit it he was “Celtic minded”.
He did what had to be done , brought in Wim and with his backing ,Wim brought in the likes of
Lambert,Rieper, Burley and some dude called Larsson . He stopped the hunz 10 in a row.
If I remember correctly Henrik also left us after doing exactly what he said he would do , cannot see him being booed :-).
A stand named after him is the least that should happen.
Bring Back The Bunnet is an excellent idea, he deserves the acknowledgement.
HH
Brother Walfrid and co. started a football revolution in Scotland on behalf of the poor and week to raise funds…
The Tri- Colour Green, White, Orange which represents his Irishness also represents peaceful co-existance .. That is symbolic with WHITE in the middle..
Overlooked by many who have never thought of reading into our GREAT HISTORY as an institution..I AM BEGINNING TO LIKE THAT WORD INSTITUTION.. Overlooked by the unionist media during our dark days with the Kelly clan.
Back to THE BUNNET. With much respect I use that quote fellow Celts.
It saddens me that before leaving he was booed by a section of the crown at the unveiling of the League Championship flag..
I shall bring to the attention of all who read these comments some who existed then are members of the Green Brigade present day..
They were wrong back then by booing Fergus and wrong over recent seasons with their add-ons. I am more that pleased to say they have learned .Slow but sure they now represent our club in a better manner than before.. I thank them for what was a BIG, BIB step t take. Not always easy to change a mindset made up of many years by some of certain age group..
Fergus McCann was up their with Brother Walfrid in our clubs history fellow Celts.
As was rightly said THE BUNNET and the BHOYS AGAINST BIGOTRY began with this little man in stature but massive in what he did during the 5 year era he promised..
THE FERGUS McCANN Stand would be fondly accepted by myself, and yes others who came through that era..
Political motivation I loath when only half truth is told…for persons own political ends .. Much of that on Celtic Cyberspace at this moment..
I did notice that a Michael Kelly topic in a national newspaper was destroyed by many, many comments . I was proud to be a Celt when reading many of the submissions..
I say Fergus for the freedom of Glesga and a rousing welcome at the unveiling of the 2011/12 League Championship Flag.
My words above were necessary due to many slanderous and inept comment regards what a politition has supposed to have said..
Fergus was humiliated back then by those who have had much to say recently .. Similarities .. YES.
THE BOYS AGAINST BIGOTRY stance the BUNNET STARTED
was rebelled against by the uncouth Celts that didn’t seem to realise the show and fight put our club in advance of any institution in Scotland that numerous decades of mainly Labour polititions had shut their eyes to and only opened when counting votes..
Fergus you were a hardy wee man with morals not normally seen in football anywhere.
Remember the Cadette court case anyone when Farrell resigned.. SFA … Aye the wee many was threatened by EUFA rules etc etc… The Case when heard was won and over in 1 hr going by memory.
Hail Hail …
David, I was at the game where he was booed. The background to it is important.
Fergus was eager to generate additional revenue & knowing the background of our ‘one nation many cultures’ country he looked to ‘de Irish’ the clubs identity. Booing him was wrong but that was why.
Next time he addresses the crowd at Celtic Park he made mention that the tricolour would always fly and we would never lose our identity.
He received a rousing reception. The vast majority in the stadium were embarrassed at the previous events & it was comforting to hear that our identity would remain unaltered.
Hi Gerry,
The add-ons that has been debated over recent months didn’t go down well with the BUNNET in his day..
That was what he wanted to change not our Irishness Gerry.
A stadium that Bhoys and Ghirls with their young children could attend with festival atmosphere. Not the add-ons.. Indeed he mentioned this on occasion and hoped one day it would compare to a sporting day out in the USA.
You are correct regards the embarrassment the vast majority felt.
The travelling Irish fans took umbrage and foolishly let not only themselves down but our Club and our magnificent support.
All in the past but has to be honestly said Gerry.
Reading the comments I believe that is the case.
Sometimes we have views that change in time as in the case of THE BUNNET.. The North Stand would be a perfect reminder of his days at Celtic to be named after him..
As some have said I don’t actually think he would wish the North Stand to be dedicated to his name.
Funnily enough he was quite a shy man who hated publicity which made him an extraordinary wee man.
Hail Hail Gerry and fellow Celts
Add ons were a different matter, agree they embarrassed him.
He wanted rebranding to reflect a more Scottish identity.
He had gone so far as to speak to some big hitters on the corporate side of our support, he got blunt rejection. That was reflected by the support, project shelved & statement subsequently made about the tricolour over Cektic Park.
Couple of points here;
1. Fergus made a profit from the club? How did he do that exactly? Fergus bought an amount of shares when he arrived, at the end of his 5 years he sold that shareholding for the market value. No money taken from the club there. Also the value of those shares would be dictated by how well he did his job. He stuck his chips on the table and spun the wheel, the fact that he walked away well rewarded at the end was well justified as far as I am concerned.
2. You can’t compare the football people and the people who organise the structure of the club. For me Fergus is number 3 in the ranking of those who organise the club; Walfrid is number 1 because he thought the thing up, John Glass is number 2 because he made it happen and Fergus is 3 because he kept the pulse going.
3. He has been approached about doing thise before (I think it would be a great idea) but he has always said no. My understanding is that Fergus would prefer not to be remembered at Celtic, he did his bit, helped the club and would prefer to drift into the background. Not my view. I would name the north stand after him.
Fergus is a Celtic hero. All the complaints about him were motivated by morons like Keevins saying “Rangers are spending big, why not Celtic?” and ramping people up in the hope of a cheap headline, which they duly got when he unfurled the flag. Similarly when he left the press were the ones moaning about the amount of money he made, twisting the story to make it appear as if he was talking money from the club.
That today we have a professional minded, responsible board can be traced back to his ethos for running the club.
All those who complain about us being careful with our cash should do more than just laugh at Rangers, they should view those events as a warning about what happens we you don’t deal with the real world.
spot on Andy, even better than the one i did lil 😉
Good craic Andy …
I remember taking a friend to lunch at Celtic park.
Fergus greeted us on arrival and was generally walking around asking diners if they were enjoying their lunch etc.
He had a fearsome reputation at the time his catchphrase seemed to be ‘not one thin dime’ but I was struck by how courteous and humble he was as we chatted briefly.
listen, after all that we have been through and the glaring media agenda against the club, I have to be honest and say that ANYONE who does not want the man who saved our club back is an idiot.
Fergus saved Celtic.
That’s it. It’s that simple.
The media agenda against the wee man was horrific and there were alot of daily rec*rd reading fans who believed all the sh*te that was written about him.
he was no whyte knight because he SAVED CELTIC.
every media story made him out to be Saddam Hussain.. quite literally.
The truth is the wee man flew in, saved the club, built paradise, invested in the club, stopped ten in a row, ousted Jim Farry and left us with no debt.
He is the only man to have made money in football.
The media do not like Fergus because he saved Celtic.
As for the Irish boys who took offence by the bhoys against bigotry campaign then is it not time to look at the bigger picture and let it lye!
You would have nothing but memories and years of hurt if there was no Fergus.
God bless him.
If memory serves me correct Celtic won the league in fergus 2nd last season, this was a title that had to be won to prevent them from doin 10 in arow, part of the reason for some fans anger ( not me ) was that it was our first chance at a shot at the champions league, we didn’t strengthen and lost out to Croatia Zagreb.i believe that under normal circumstances fergus would have liked to have won the league in his last season and then moved on with his head held high and being able to say to everyone he had achieved everything he said he would , as I said we HAD to win that title and due to circumstances that was a year too early for fergus.as for the raising of the flag you can certainly add my name to the “bring back the bunnet ” campaign .
Peter, yeah that was part of it, but it was also linked to the whole Jansen vs Jock Brown thing. the appointment of Jock Brown didn’t go down well with most of the support so the press knew they had an open door of attack there which they used. Jansen made it clear he wasn’t hanging about for long even though he won the league, so you had a clear good guy (Jansen) vs bad guy (Brown and Fergus) thing going on.
It was possibly the one thing not handled well during his time because he didn’t invite Jansen to the flag day, instead he was a guest of Dempsey.
Jock Brown proved to be a big distraction in the media for some time after that, even though the job he was doing at the park was good. For anyone who disagrees with this I have a couple of simple questions for you;
1. how many contract disputes did we have prior to Jock Brown (a practising lawyer) drawing up the agreements?
2. how many contract disputes have we had since Jock Brown got a hold of our contract situation?
The answer to question one is of course loads, from Di Canio’s tax allergy (how topical) all the way back to Paul Elliot’s house our contracts were a disaster.
the answer to question 2 is zero. That’s what you get when hire a professional lawyer to go over your contracts.
My door is always open to Fergus and Mr Quinn their stewardship and record has no peers. Recognize them both.
Great article and good posts that followed. I was deeply sadened when they were buying and winning, but because I was in business working offshore back then I fully understood his position. As a 42 yr old Celtic fan having grown up at Celtic Park, before moving to Canada in the late 80s, I never knew nor heard of this guy coming in to save our club, so what if we walked away with 3 times that money he used to buy the club, its a lot better than just taking all the fans money and leaving a club bankrupt and ready for liquidation within the next 6 months.
They way he was treaded that day, still makes my stomach churn, I honestly could not understand why our fans were doing this, we all cannot fully understand what is going on in someone elses mind.
I do hope he is invited back for the first game next season, where our main stand is re-named the McCann Stand.
He brought us two things that will stay with me forever, the new stadium, I wepped the first time back to Scotland after it was built, and Henrik Larsson, second time I wepped when he scored the second in Seville, what a trip that was. coming from Canada three days after my son was born.
Anyway name the stand after him and the piestall after CW…
GodBlessUsAll we deserve it, for what we have been put through.
Finnharp
Hail Hail