|
Celtic Supporter's Association
Inaugural European Convention
Benidorm 2006
The Celtic Supporters Association would like to thank all our fellow Celtic fans for their magnificent support at the
European Convention in Benidorm last week. Once again youhave excelled yourselves, another first for the recordbooks. The
massive support in and around Benidorm providedgood natured and colourful hullabaloo for visitors and locals alike, not to
mention a roaring trade in the Benidorm Bars. All without a hint of trouble, Maria Jose, Tourist Officer for Benidorm Council
was thrilled with the weeks proceedings and hopes to welcome us back soon. The Local Mayor Senor Fenoll praised the behaviour
of the Celtic Support and highlighted the links between Benidorm and Glasgow. Billy McNeill said " it was a privilege
to be chosen as Guest of Honour, once again the Celtic support have enhanced their reputation, you never let us down".Fellow
guest, Mrs Agnes Johnstone praised the CSA for coming up with the idea for the Convention and said " I can't thank the
Association enough for bringing me here, its been a fantastic week among the supporters". Friday night in the Melia Hotel,
a quiet night quickly arranged by Social Convenor John Andrews, a small gathering of guests and committee?Aye right! That
wee guy Word O'Mouth has a lot to answer for. More than two hundred fans crammed in to the bar to hear the First Lady of Celtic
Song, the one and only Tricia Ferns. The CSA Benidorm Banner as backdrop to the European Cup, Tricia giving full voice to
the Celtic Song, accompanied by big Billy, Agnes Johnstone and Yogi Hughes and a cast of thousands. Money can't buy that
kind of emotion. Thanks Tricia you are our bright and shining star. The highlight of the week for the CSA was the Gala Presentation
Dinner in the Benidorm Palace on Sundayevening. Over one thousand supporters sat down for a magnificent meal which was only
topped by the sensational show which followed. The show opened with a fantastic laser show culminating in the CSA crest flashing
across the stage before a video presentation of some of Celtics greatest games was played during dinner. Post dinner witnessed
an extravaganza of laser and smoke, strange forms emerging from the mist before bursting into brilliant light on stage, the
passion, and colour of the Flamenco dancers had the crowd drawing breath before roaring out their appreciation.One major talking
point to emerge from the show was " Owen Archdeacon you ain't no dancer." The comedian with the camera nearly stole
the
show, closely followed by the other three supporters dragged up onto the stage, the big man with the flowers had us falling
off our seats. Well done to you all.As for the magician and his glamorous assistant, we can only say
"Pure Magic by the way"The finale drew some gasps around the hall, especially when the guys spotted the beautiful
girls and their somewhat revealing costumes, or perhaps that should be lack of costumes? The Girls were stunning but there
were many admiring glances from the Celtic Ghirls for the male dancers and their tight pants! CSA President Gerry Madden,
then made a short speech and a presentation to Martin McHugh of the Benidorm No1 CSC and thanked all their members for their
assistance and cooperation in making the CSA Inaugural Convention a reality. The lights dimmed, the hall filled again with
a mist, Compere, Joe O'Sullivan, reads out a poem. Living the dream, our team, our dream, our captain, Hail Caesar ! Hail
Caesar ! Hail Caesar ! Slowly, magnificently, from below the stage big Billy rises with the European Cup held aloft. Thunderous
applause rends the air. Billy McNeill the greatest ambassador our Club will ever have.
Following the presentation from Gerry Madden, Billy thanked the CSA for choosing him for Guest of Honour and applauded
the fans for their support through many years. He was then encircled by the fans in search of autographs and pictures or a
quick word. Apology's to anyone who missed
out at this time, Billy never refuses, however the Committee had to get him back to join Liz in order to continue with
the show. Benidorms' own Irish Rovers took to the stage accompanied by Tricia Ferns and had the fans dancing in the aisles,
on the tables and especially on the stage when the entire audience, over one thousand people, joined the Rovers on stage to
sing the Celtic Song, followed by Walk On.As a finale it would have been awe-inspiring, except for one thing, the show billed
to end at 02:00 was still going strong an hour later ! Many thanks to Vincenze his daughter Joanna and all the staff for their
patience, good humour and more importantly their invite back next year. As the hall emptied and the crowd drifted away into
the approaching dawn there was quiet satisfaction for the CSA Committee. Yet again our fellow supporters had
shown Europe how to party in style.
On to Monday evening and the closing ceremony at the Village.A warm sultry day gave way to a hint of rain, the first black
spot of the week. Some forty thousand euros of fireworks standing in the rain,
would it turn into a damp squib? Not a chance, the noise and colour filled the entire horizon and seemed endless. A fitting
end to a glorious week. It would be remiss of us not to mention the problems experienced by the support and the traders at
the village. The village was originally the
concept of the Benidorm CSC and as such would have enhanced the entire programme of events. Their idea was to offer a
variety of music, entertainment, sport and fun throughout the week. The idea was put to the CSA Committee who agreed to leave
the concept under the management of the Benidorm CSC. The original venue shown to the CSA last October
was much more central to the beaches of Benidorm and would have been more accessible for everyone. However a local consortium
known as the Celtic Pub Company was brought on board due to the costs involved in setting up such an
event. Further funding for the Village saw the involvement of Benidorm Convention SL.The CSA had no involvement either
financial or managerial in the village other than to offer advertising space on our web page.The Celtic village at Foities
Football stadium, was a twenty minute bus
ride away .from most hotels and this had an adverse effect on visiting the village.We are sympathetic with all who
were involved with the village either as traders,
musicians or customers. The organised layout of the tented village and the first class stage set were exceptional.
However we believe the organisers either overestimated the numbers who would attend every night for a week or underestimated
the alternative competition facing them in the bars and nightclubs in the town.Following an emergency meeting on Thursday
morning the organisers decided to
cancel the entrance fee to the music arena in order to salvage something from their week. Refunds were offered by way
of vouchers which could be exchanged for food, drink or other merchandise within the village. This proved less than satisfactory
to most people who wished a cash refund.
We have been informed that cash refunds will be made available from,Celtic Convention S.L.03500 Benidorm
Alicanti Spain Finally we would wish to thank Billy McNeill and Agnes Johnstone as principal guests, The Benidorm Civil
Authorities, Cambuslang Travel our travel partner, the members of Benidorm No1 CSC, particularly Jim and Frank who organised
the transport for our guests throughout the week and most importantly, all the Celtic Fans who gave us their support in organising
the Convention and travelling in such numbers to join us in Benidorm.
We would appreciate feedback from everyone who travelled on any issue arising from the week or its events.
CSA/PR Office
Despite denial and opposition in the press to our recent statement, we are pleased to note that the Lothian & Borders
Police took effective action in the vicinity of Tynecastle on Sunday.
A greatly increased police presence immediately outside the main stand and at the railway bridge prevented any outbreak
of trouble at these flashpoints. Both areas were identified in our statement. Thankfully the police take more notice of our
concerns than the press. We would thank Celtic for raising the security issue on our behalf with the relevant parties.
In the Sunday Mail, Gordon Waddell, claimed that as we were the only people afraid to sit in the same stand as the Hearts
thugs we should look at ourselves to see where the problem lies. Our statement made no such reference, our legitimate concerns
were due to previous incidents at the areas identified. The fact that Rangers also complained about the situation appears
to have eluded his journalistic skills.
As things turned out perhaps we should have been more concerned about the racist abuse dished out to one of our supporters
by a section of the Home support. But surely bigotry is confined to the West Coast? It must be a mistake or an unfortunate
error, these guys were only clearing their throats in the general direction of our fellow supporter.
Mr Waddell also takes Gordon Strachan to task, for daring to suggest Celtic players will play in two meaningless end of
season friendlies. Naturally they would be better off flying half way round the world and back to play in “ two
meaningless friendlies” He suggests that the players international future may be at risk if Scotland cant take them
off to Japan. Thankfully he isnt the International manager. Imagine Scotlands Player / Young Player of the Year deemed surplus
to requirements unless hes on that plane. Perhaps Mr Waddell should look at the twists in his own reporting to see where
the problem lies.
CSA / PR
AN E-MAIL FROM CYBERTIMS
an issue arose at the recent Hearts match that we feel needs further action.Prior to the game,and rightly so, the CSA
issued warnings about the behaviour of the Hearts supporters but one of our members,a 19yr old asian guy known as "AJ",throughout
the course of the game was subjected to constant "monkey chants" and nazi salutes.Despite celtic fans requesting
police assistance the stewards at the game took no notice of this appalling behaviour.Later as he waited in edinburgh train
station he needed police assistance then to protect him from a group of Nazi saluting,chantingh Hearts "supporters".We
feel that this sort of behaviour needs to be highlighted and we wonder if there is some way of making an official protest
to Hearts.Strange isnt it?We hear a great deal about Sectarianism and the Old Firm while this lot seem able to behave any
way they want and get away with it-no longer.We are all sickened and disgusted at what happened and have sent off e-mails
to various newspapers/journalists/tv programmes in an attempt to raise the profile of this issue.So if the paparazzi get
the treatment so do you! Seriously we think it,s time the club made an official protest about this sort of behaviour which,as
we-the fans-all know, is rife at Tynecastle.
Yours
Tony druggan
Cybertims
AND A FOLLOWUP FROM COMEONTHEHOOPS
Theres hope yet
Hearts fans have responded swiftly in response to the treatment of the Celtic supporter who was subject to racist chants
and taunts during last weekends game at Tynecastle and we applaud the right minded Hearts fans for their actions. A spokesperson
for a Hearts supporters group said today
"I appreciate fully that this experience may well have put a major, and understandable, loathing for (hopefully only
a section of) Hearts' fans in a fan of another team who has been picked out not because he supports another team, but because
his skin tone is darker than another's, and we just hope that not only at Tynecastle, but within Scottish Society, we can
take a much firmer stance to ensure that all Scottish people, visitors to Scotland, and people seeking a new life in this
country, whatever their ethnic background may be, much, much more can be done to educate and eliminate this conduct.
To that end I would have great delight in extending an invitation to this gentleman to join Myself and some friends at
the next visit of Celtic F.C. as my guest, and see that there is a major part of our famous old club that is steeped in a
history that the mindless and unwelcome portions would so well to read about and see that we do not, and have never, stood
for this kind of behaviour.
The offer is not made lightly, I have concerns that he may feel inclined to avoid the ground like the plague in future
(and I wouldn't blame him), and indeed that our own fans may again let us down, but I hope not.
| GOD BLESS TOMMY |
|
| OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU |
TRIBUTE TO A LEGEND
You Can Still Purchase This Years Rally Programme Price £2 contact Jim Forrest 0141 631 1571 or e-mail him on jimforrestcsa@yahoo.co.uk
FOR ALL THE LATEST CELTIC NEWS CLICK ON THE LINK http://www.newsnow.co.uk/newsfeed/?name=celtic
|
