"A decision was taken to refuse to publish an article from the CSA General Secretary in last week's Celtic View. As a result of this decision the CSA will not be contributing any further articles until we have an opportunity to consider our position on this matter."

After all the glamour and excitement of last season,
  particularly in our fantastic UEFA cup campaign, we
  were brought back down to earth big time by chairman
  Brian Quinn's statement on our financial position. 

  Taking in all that he said the most disturbing
  comments were that the fans should have no
  expectations of money being spent on players.  It is a
  case of sell before we buy.  This I have to say is one
  of the most arrogant announcements I have heard from
  any person holding a top position within Celtic F.C.

  It is totally unacceptable that he takes us for mugs
  along with the other members of the PLC board.  We are
  not unaware of the club's monetary position and
  understand there has to be some restraint.  Giving the
  whole hearted way the supporters have spent their hard
  earned cash in season books, filling the stadium for
  all home games in the SPL and Europe, supporting the
  half time draw, Celtic Pools and catering, buying more
  jerseys and other club merchandise from our official
  outlets in record amounts. 

  Adding to that the new black strip, the 3 game Euro
  package at plus an instalment on season books all
  at the same time it is a total disgrace that no
  funding will be provided for Martin O'Neill to improve
  the squad for the upcoming Champions League games. 

  After all the success of the team and our spending
  power which we give freely in overall support for our
  club and to appear not to understand and appreciate
  this is forgivable in the eyes of the supporters.  The
  PLC board should not take us for granted in dealing
  with our emotions on not supporting our ambitions or
  the manager and players to compete at the highest
  possible level. 

  We tasted the Euro experience and like it particularly
  our younger fans who never had the chance to see the
  team playing in these arenas before.  They have heard
  about the Lisbon Lions etc from their fathers or even
  grandfathers.  Now they have been to Seville and other
  Euro destinations they want more of the same and for
  Mr Quinn to be so negative in his approach beggars
  belief.

  The team's performances are what it is all about.  We
  have not won enough SPL championships etc to be
  complacent.

  Martin O'Neill has already giving us as many trophies
  in 3 years as we won in the 1990's so he should get
  complete backing in his efforts to strength the squad.

  One of the reasons getting new players was to reduce
  the average age in the dressing room.  Maybe we should
  look to do the same on the PLC board and get younger
  top class businessmen that meet the criteria of
  bringing new finances to the club and not totally rely
  on us and take the club onto meet the challenges that
  a major football club have on the way to be
  successful.

  I read with interest the pay off nearly ,000 to ex
  Chief Executive, Ian McLeod - no wonder we cannot find
  money for players.  It seems a high price to pay for
  such a short stay without seeing any real benefit from
  time in office.

  A lot has been written about the new facade for the
  front of the main stand and the new dressing room
  facilities etc which has to be admired so the club can
  hold European finals at Parkhead but it seems a catch
  22 situation when the PLC board will not give the
  manager funding to reach this stage. 

  Again there is a new format for away ticket
  allocations introduced for this season and like any
  new system it is having teething problems with our
  travel clubs. 

  There has to be more consideration about the problems.
   A lot of clubs are experiencing with ballots, second
  ballots and in the Patrick Thistle case, a public
  sale. 

  With our away games being televised with an early kick
  off it is not helpful to convenors who are trying to
  cut their losses getting to these fixtures so, if
  possible, some review could be put in place to look at
  these problems would be appreciated by all concerned.

  Probably the biggest fault is the club does not seem
  to be interested in our clubs for the first time ever.
   The renewal forms for season books did not include a
  section for supporters clubs making us all
  individuals. 

  Now I believe this to be extremely disrespectful to
  those fans that travel by coach in not recognising the
  hard work that convenors do in running clubs all over
  the UK and Ireland. 

  The powers at be keep telling us we are the greatest
  fans in the world, Martin O'Neill has said on a number
  of occasions how important the away fans are to the
  team, so hopefully the complaints and problems a
  number of clubs are having will be dealt with in a
  prompt and professional manner. 

  It would be rather amiss of me not to wish Brian Scott
  all the best for the future giving the club a great
  service for 25 years.  Good luck, Brian.

  Last but not least if Martin O'Neill has any doubts
  about our backing for him I can assure him it is
  firmly in place and we know who the guilty people are
  in not supporting you.

  Peter Rafferty