[Official TC Thread] Fan Consultation Meeting Debrief- 10th September 2025

As mentioned, I thought it appropriate to give a debrief following the meeting tonight. Firstly, I feel fortunate to have been able to go along and thanks to everyone for the well wishes beforehand and after. Although we are probably not going to be the most influential party within this potential movement, we are all on here because ultimately we want the best for Celtic and regardless of where we are in the world or our influence, deserve a voice.

That was a point made at the meeting tonight. Everyone deserves a chance to input.

Anyway, there was a lot spoken about and it is quite difficult for me to summarise everything. I've split up into sections below to try and help and if people have specific questions or queries over whether a topic was covered, please ask in here and I'll try and recall/answer best I can.

Intros/Agenda

The night was well organised. Agendas next to every seat and I would say a huge well done to the GB/Bhoys/North Curve and everyone involved in organising. Was professionally done in such a short space of time. Although, admittedly, no conclusions were reached, but that wasn't expected at a first kick off meeting.

The meeting was chaired by Eddie Tonner. Former CSA secretary I believe. John Paul Dykes from ACSOM did an intro as well as going round the room when inputs were being given. Jeanette Findlay from the Celtic Trust also present and Paul Quigley from FAC. Mac and Luigi from the GB spoke on a number of occasions.

Part 1 Survey results:

The first half of the meeting opened up with 'Mac' from the GB discussing the fan survey results.

The results of this look pretty damning against the board, I've posted my own version complete with scribbles below. Ignore my handwriting. However the GB did reiterate that this is quite a simple survey with not a huge amount of depth to it so further research will be needed. E.g. how many fans who answered are ST holders or regularly attend games OR hold shares etc. This all needs dug into. However, with over 38k responses in 3 days, it shows where the fans are at right now and regardless of the position of those who have answered, the results are unanimous.

Part 2: discussion of survey results/open floor on objectives and potential actions

Following the results, the floor was opened for people in the room to pose queries regarding the results and in general to encourage suggestions and debate around the immediate and long term goals of this movement and what steps can be taken.

Now, there was a * of a lot of chat at this point so I'm highlighting a few key points I noticed:

- The spokesperson for the Irish Supporters Association was very passionate in his wording, following his attendance at the meeting with Nicholson and Co last week. He said everyone left that meeting "disillusioned" and with a real amount of shock at the way they had been dealt with and the answers given. One clear example he gave was, following a rant to Nicholson about the level of fan engagement, Nicholson said something along the lines of "that's a great point, I've actually got fan engagement highlighted in a note above my desk in the office and it's something I've been meaning to progress". Those weren't the exact words, before the daily record quote me, but it was along those lines. In short, he's obviously well aware its an issue but can't be arsed doing anything about it.

The vast majority of the room agreed towards the removal of Nicholson, Mckay and Lawwell. However there was a lot of discussion regarding the best way to go about this and a number of people present suggested that Dermot Desmond should be the main target. A number of discussions were had with regards to how easy this would be to achieve given his status and financial power. In general it was broadly agreed that to begin with it would be best to focus on the 3 names mentioned and take things from there, hopefully with a fan advisory board in place in the near future to ensure future appointments would come in with a clear remit that the support would have a say in.

- Most in the room agreed that we must use podcasts and fan media to our advantage and to spread word across the fanbase

- Jeannette Findlay was keen to point out the fact that circa 20% of shares are currently owned by 'normal' fans and it is worth trying to mobilise them

- A lot of chat about boycotting merchandise and forcing Adidas to get involved if this gained enough traction. Something most agreed with but, again, no real clarity on how we would take this forward as a fanbase. Yet, anyway.

- A member from the celtic underground focused in on the fact that we need to go at the board (specifically Desmond) from a corporate governance perspective and even suggested hiring Lawyers to do so. This was largely rebuffed by most of the room. Not that it wasn't a valid suggestion but realistically in order to get change, everyday fans are not going to be involved in this. Doing something along those lines would need to be done by a select few who could fund such an action alongside public displays of protest and a wider movement. The gentleman also seemed to suggest focus was placed on Lawwell, Tom Allison and Brian Wilson as non executive directors.

- Regarding the boycott of games, again, mist people agreed that a visual show of distain is needed particularly to take advantage of the media attention this would gather. A couple of people disagreed on the basis that this would harm the team However this was largely overruled, with Eddie Toner passionately stating that those doing the most harm to the team currently are the people we are here to seek the removal of. Which gained significant applause.

- Interestingly, the GB noted that they carried out a survey on 10 supporters buses. 7 out of 10 voted AGAINST a boycott of the Europa league games, 2 undecided and 1 for. A member of the Bishoptown CSC on the other hand, said that of the 56 members of their CSC, only 4 were now still on the HCTS.

I think these two examples show that despite us all aligning in terms of the hatred towards the board and wanting change, how we are actually going to ENACT that change as a fanbase will take some time to work out. But broadly the meeting tonight showed that there is a hunger to make things work. We are never going to be in a scenario where every single person agrees on the correct action.

From my perspective, I take the point that we don't want to harm the team. Ofcourse. We all want to see celtic win and do well on the park. But if we simply do nothing visual or show our distain for those in charge, and if they're allowed to continue as they currently are operating, we won't have much of a team to cheer about in the next few years. That's just my view, anyway. It might take some short term pain for long term gain.

Conclusion:

This is just from my perspective. I personally thought it was a great meeting and was heartened to see as many people there in person and virtually. It really reminded me how vast the fanbase is and a mix of ages and backgrounds there too.

However, as good as that is, it also feeds into my main takeaway from tonight. This ain't gonna be easy.

Although most in the room did agree broadly, the chat was a bit messy at times and it is clear that a more concise, singular voice will need to be established. Particularly if the Celtic board are to even begin to pay attention. There's so many avenues open for us to go down and I think the immediate next steps need to be focused on establishing short, medium and long term goals.

The meeting concluded along such lines, stating that in the short term, a late entry to the game on Sunday by fans will be taken. E.g. fans to enter the ground 10 mins late and GB to set banners across the empty seats beforehand, before supporting the team and making as much 'racket' as possible during the remaining 80 mins. Most fans agreed this was a better course of action than leaving early when the game could be in the balance.

Further short/medium and long term goals will be established in time. At the end of the meeting 12 volunteers were gathered to join a steering group led by those who chaired and organised the meeting tonight. I didn't put myself forward (yet).

The steering group details will no doubt follow soon.

I think overall, the meeting was a good start and it definitely feels like this has proper momentum. That was the main theme from it, there was a buzz and a general feeling that action has to be taken and this can't simply fade away if the Huns lose a few games and we go on a run. Tonight was only a start, no conclusions and a bit of a mess at points, aye, but the point is we are doing something as a support and in about 10 days, so much has already happened.

If I recall anything further once I've slept ill update this. Apologies for the long read and my awful handwriting below (wasn't the two pints honest) it was fast moving! As mentioned elsewhere they have my contact details so if future meetings are set I'll hopefully be able to attend and if not, someone else in my place. Cheers.

 

No worries. Was a pleasure to go tbh.

I agree. I think it's needed as there's just too many voices at present but I expected nothing less from a concept meeting.

The fan advisory board is something we can push for early doors as well.

 

Not surprising in that case..