The Celtic Trust was established in 1999 with the primary purpose of providing an umbrella organisation that, through the mobilisation of the combined shareholdings of ordinary supporters in Celtic Plc, would seek to assist Celtic to prosper on the playing field and financially, while also staying true to its historic roots as a social institution taking proper account of the community which it serves.
Arguments in favour of supporter representation on the Board
The Celtic Trust is a supporters' trust, an organisation established to represent the interests of small shareholders and supporters at Celtic.
It's Constitution as an industrial & provident society (a co-operative) gives each member one vote on matters of policy, and with regard to electing the officers of the Trust. Every year the Trust has to submit annual accounts to the Financial Services Authority (FSA). As an incorporated body it can own shares in its own right, and we do own shares in Celtic.
A number of our members have expressed concern about two songs which have been sung at recent matches by a very small minority of Celtic fans. The songs in question are both despicable and should never be sung by any decent person never mind Celtic fan. One song about Nacho Novo, sung to the tune of a hymn is quite simply offensive and unacceptable, the other song which is a personal slur on a woman on the basis of her family ties to a Rangers player is also sexist and vile. Celtic fans have many songs which we can sing with pride and we call on those who are shaming us by singing the two songs referred to here to stop.
The Celtic Trust has joined others, including Celtic and the Celtic Supporters Association in writing a letter of complaint to the SPL regarding the decision to extend the season. Give us your view by joining in the survey on this issue which can be accessed from this page.
The Celtic Trust intends to report the racist chants of the Rangers fans in which they advised us all to 'go home' now the 'famine' is over to the organisation Show Racism the Red Card. The continued treatment of 'An Gorta Mór' (the Great Hunger) as a matter for jokes and offensive songs is increasingly being found among Rangers fans and elsewhere. It should not be tolerated and should be condemned as racist and unacceptable.
We are very pleased to note the prompt response by the Sunday Herald to the complaints by ourselves and many others - including Celtic who met with representatives of the Herald to discuss the 'bead-rattler' article. Their unreserved apology and commitment to ensuring no repeat of this incident is very welcome. What this shows is that we can no longer close our eyes (or our ears)to attacks on the Irish Catholic community in this country. An immediate response to any racist or sectarian attack on any ethnic or religious group is required of all of us and the Trust will certainly be part of that response.
The Celtic Trust notes the press coverage yesterday (6/4/08) concerning payments made to John Reid, the Celtic Chairman, by a group of companies controlled by Dermot Desmond. One of the four main companies involved is Daon, a company involved in identity recognition systems, the use of which was promoted by John Reid in his role as a Minister. When the question of John Reid’s potential business use to the major shareholder was raised by us in meetings with Celtic and at the PLC AGM in November 2007, we were assured categorically and vehemently that no such connection existed and that Dr Reid was not associated with Mr Desmond’s other business activities. In his response to the AGM, a response which can now only be seen as disingenuous, Dr Reid denied the business connection and replied, "It appears it is now a sin to be a friend or associate to Dermot Desmond.” He was also reported as saying "I'm certainly not here as part of a business arrangement with Dermot" and "As a former Government minister I've had plenty of business offers since leaving the Cabinet but none from him."
Notwithstanding any potential breach of any Parliamentary code, the Trust now believes that this has the potential to damage the reputation of Celtic and that Dr Reid should immediately issue a statement explaining this matter.
The Trust welcomes the long overdue announcement that Celtic will no longer produce childrens' strips with the Carling logo on them. Since 2003 we have been campaigning continuously for the removal of alcohol branding from strips intended for children. Despite the limited availability of non-branded versions of the strips, it has taken till now, nearly 5 years later, for this decision to be taken. If it is the right decision now, it was right then. We are glad that children will now be able to wear the hoops with pride without having an advert for alcohol slapped across their chests and that parents will no longer need to fend off the demands of their children for "real" Celtic strips as worn by their heros.
SEASON TICKET ANNOUNCEMENT
We are delighted to hear the announcement today of the freeze on season ticket prices and the new deals for our young supporters. Our recent survey on season ticket prices showed an overwhelming support (over 80%) for a freeze and we welcome today's announcement.
PRAYERS AND BEST WISHES FOR TOMMY
The Celtic Trust is very concerned to hear that there has been a recurrence of the cancer which we all thought had been beaten recently by Tommy Burns. Tommy is a much loved and respected Celt and we wish him and all his family the very best in his second battle against this disease. We assure him of our prayers and support at all times.
WALFRID BADGES FOR SALE
The Trust still has a supply of Brother Walfrid badges at £1 each (discounts for bulk buy negotiable!). All money raised will go to the CSA's Walfrid's Wells campaign which supplies fresh water wells to communities in Nigeria who are suffering from the lack of easily available clean water. Contact us via the phone/email details on our contacts page.
Trust address to the AGM 2007
The founding and current trustees of The Celtic Trust remain, as they have always been, wholly opposed to sectarianism and bigotry. We support the Social Mission Statement of Celtic Football Club. As members of a community who have been at the receiving end of sectarianism, we are fully aware of the need to eliminate bigotry, and thus we welcome the launch of Kick out Bigotry today. Dialogue around this complex issue needs to take place in a calm and reasoned manner and the Trust is committed to participation in any such dialogue. As a first step, and in light of the wholesale misreporting and distortion of the recent comment of our Chair, we attach here a full BBC Radio 5 Live Interview Transcript 20/11/07
Arguments in favour of supporter representation on the Board
The Celtic Trust is a supporters' trust, an organisation established to represent the interests of small shareholders and supporters at Celtic.
It's Constitution as an industrial & provident society (a co-operative) gives each member one vote on matters of policy, and with regard to electing the officers of the Trust. Every year the Trust has to submit annual accounts to the Financial Services Authority (FSA). As an incorporated body it can own shares in its own right, and we do own shares in Celtic.
Trust calls on fans to stick to our traditional songs
A number of our members have expressed concern about two songs which have been sung at recent matches by a very small minority of Celtic fans. The songs in question are both despicable and should never be sung by any decent person never mind Celtic fan. One song about Nacho Novo, sung to the tune of a hymn is quite simply offensive and unacceptable, the other song which is a personal slur on a woman on the basis of her family ties to a Rangers player is also sexist and vile. Celtic fans have many songs which we can sing with pride and we call on those who are shaming us by singing the two songs referred to here to stop.
Trust joins chorus of complaints re SPL decision to extend the season
The Celtic Trust has joined others, including Celtic and the Celtic Supporters Association in writing a letter of complaint to the SPL regarding the decision to extend the season. Give us your view by joining in the survey on this issue which can be accessed from this page.
CELTIC TRUST TO RAISE HOLOCAUST CHANTS WITH SHOW RACISM THE RED CARD
The Celtic Trust intends to report the racist chants of the Rangers fans in which they advised us all to 'go home' now the 'famine' is over to the organisation Show Racism the Red Card. The continued treatment of 'An Gorta Mór' (the Great Hunger) as a matter for jokes and offensive songs is increasingly being found among Rangers fans and elsewhere. It should not be tolerated and should be condemned as racist and unacceptable.
SUNDAY HERALD RESPONSE OVER SECTARIAN JIBE
We are very pleased to note the prompt response by the Sunday Herald to the complaints by ourselves and many others - including Celtic who met with representatives of the Herald to discuss the 'bead-rattler' article. Their unreserved apology and commitment to ensuring no repeat of this incident is very welcome. What this shows is that we can no longer close our eyes (or our ears)to attacks on the Irish Catholic community in this country. An immediate response to any racist or sectarian attack on any ethnic or religious group is required of all of us and the Trust will certainly be part of that response.
TRUST STATEMENT ON JOHN REID'S BUSINESS CONNECTIONS WITH DERMOT DESMOND
The Celtic Trust notes the press coverage yesterday (6/4/08) concerning payments made to John Reid, the Celtic Chairman, by a group of companies controlled by Dermot Desmond. One of the four main companies involved is Daon, a company involved in identity recognition systems, the use of which was promoted by John Reid in his role as a Minister. When the question of John Reid’s potential business use to the major shareholder was raised by us in meetings with Celtic and at the PLC AGM in November 2007, we were assured categorically and vehemently that no such connection existed and that Dr Reid was not associated with Mr Desmond’s other business activities. In his response to the AGM, a response which can now only be seen as disingenuous, Dr Reid denied the business connection and replied, "It appears it is now a sin to be a friend or associate to Dermot Desmond.” He was also reported as saying "I'm certainly not here as part of a business arrangement with Dermot" and "As a former Government minister I've had plenty of business offers since leaving the Cabinet but none from him."
Notwithstanding any potential breach of any Parliamentary code, the Trust now believes that this has the potential to damage the reputation of Celtic and that Dr Reid should immediately issue a statement explaining this matter.
Click here for a report of our latest meeting with Celtic
Trust Welcomes announcement on childrens' strips
The Trust welcomes the long overdue announcement that Celtic will no longer produce childrens' strips with the Carling logo on them. Since 2003 we have been campaigning continuously for the removal of alcohol branding from strips intended for children. Despite the limited availability of non-branded versions of the strips, it has taken till now, nearly 5 years later, for this decision to be taken. If it is the right decision now, it was right then. We are glad that children will now be able to wear the hoops with pride without having an advert for alcohol slapped across their chests and that parents will no longer need to fend off the demands of their children for "real" Celtic strips as worn by their heros.
SEASON TICKET ANNOUNCEMENT
We are delighted to hear the announcement today of the freeze on season ticket prices and the new deals for our young supporters. Our recent survey on season ticket prices showed an overwhelming support (over 80%) for a freeze and we welcome today's announcement.
PRAYERS AND BEST WISHES FOR TOMMY
The Celtic Trust is very concerned to hear that there has been a recurrence of the cancer which we all thought had been beaten recently by Tommy Burns. Tommy is a much loved and respected Celt and we wish him and all his family the very best in his second battle against this disease. We assure him of our prayers and support at all times.
WALFRID BADGES FOR SALE
The Trust still has a supply of Brother Walfrid badges at £1 each (discounts for bulk buy negotiable!). All money raised will go to the CSA's Walfrid's Wells campaign which supplies fresh water wells to communities in Nigeria who are suffering from the lack of easily available clean water. Contact us via the phone/email details on our contacts page.
Trust address to the AGM 2007
Press Coverage Following PLC AGM November 2007
The Celtic Trust Board met on Friday 23 November to discuss the events and press coverage following the PLC AGM and subsequently released the following statement:The founding and current trustees of The Celtic Trust remain, as they have always been, wholly opposed to sectarianism and bigotry. We support the Social Mission Statement of Celtic Football Club. As members of a community who have been at the receiving end of sectarianism, we are fully aware of the need to eliminate bigotry, and thus we welcome the launch of Kick out Bigotry today. Dialogue around this complex issue needs to take place in a calm and reasoned manner and the Trust is committed to participation in any such dialogue. As a first step, and in light of the wholesale misreporting and distortion of the recent comment of our Chair, we attach here a full BBC Radio 5 Live Interview Transcript 20/11/07