Not Another Penny Driving Changes At Celtic

Two members of the Celtic Fans Collective will meet with John Paul Taylor and George Campbell on Tuesday.

Tellingly no-one from the Executive side of the club will be present, Previously Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay met with the Collective, in February Brian Wilson was there for the club.

To the suspicious outsider it looks like the Executives didn’t want to face any follow up questions on their previous comments to the one year old Fan organisation.

At the February meeting Wilson wasn’t aware of Nicholson’s promise in October towards a Fan Advisory Board.

Either the Chairman didn’t bother preparing for the February meeting, didn’t read the club published Minutes from October or the Fan Advisory carrot was just thrown in off the cuff by Nicholson.

None of those scenarios paint a picture of a club world class in everything that they do.

In their 12 month lifespan the Collective has made a big impact. Some would have preferred more impact but that will always be the case.

Highlighting the multiple faults of the club the Collective has made Celtic PLC very uncomfortable.

THE SUCCESSES OF THE CELTIC FANS COLLECTIVE

Last November the former Chairman was unable to fold an AGM. Many might suggest that was his intention.

Peter Lawwell and Tom Allison have resigned and not been replaced.

Brian Wilson is into month nine as interim Chairman. There hasn’t been a word of speculation over who might become ‘proper’ Chairman.

With the formation of Celtic Supporters Limited last October the corporate failings of Celtic are in the spotlight.

No longer can the club get their messengers to boast about being the best run and most admired club in Europe.

Admired? Yes in a strange sort of way by LASK Linz and Kairat Almaty. Added to the lengthy list of other European clubs grateful to enjoy a season in the Champions League courtesy of Celtic.

Celtic Collective, Nancy, Paradise — 7th December 2025; Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland: Celtic Fan Protest;

On Wednesday night along with news of their meeting the Collective discussed the future of the Not Another Penny campaign.

Some within the Collective want to suspend it and claim it as a victory and tool to use in future.

Others feel that it has played a significant role in getting Nicholson and his chums to recognise that every single income stream is driven by fans.

Only idiots would treat their income generators with contempt.

TO CONTINUE WITH NOT ANOTHER PENNY?

The Collective are looking for feedback from supporters on the effectiveness and future of NAP.

Even if NAP was suspended or dropped there is a significant number of fans that will continue to minimise their Celtic spending.

The Celtic stores across Scotland have witnessed a significant drop in footfall and spending.

Online there has been massive price cuts as Celtic and Adidas try to shift stock that had previously flown off the shelves.

Many fans have turned to alternative sources for merchandise.

Over the next week Celtic will publish their 2026 Annual Report.

The downfall in income sources won’t just be down to failings to reach the Champions League group phase.

Being humbled by Kairat Almaty six months after pushing Bayern Munich almost all the way for a place in the Last 16.

The Collective Minutes from the February meeting noted:

B. Fan Engagement
Advisory Board / Structured Engagement
The Collective referenced October minutes which included discussion of a Fan Advisory Board. Four months on, no structured engagement mechanism had been introduced.
BW confirmed consultation on supporter engagement structures would begin and committed to meeting again within one month to update on progress.
However, he did not commit to establishing a “Fan Advisory Board” specifically, stating that wording and structure remain under review.
PT noted previous the meeting with the club in which there was specific reference to the establishment of a Fan Advisory Board using this exact terminology.

Following this BW committed that the club would remain consistent and follow through on this with an offer to provide an update in a months’ time.
Kevin McQuillan and George Campbell confirmed research into other clubs’ models is underway.

Wilson wasn’t aware of the commitment Nicholson and McKay made in October to whatever they consider ‘Fan Engagement’ to be. Is it selfies with the CEO or tea, biscuits and contempt in a 15 minute meeting with approved Supporter groups such as the Affiliation?

During the February meeting Wilson committed to a follow up meeting within a month. He then broke off all contact with the Collective.

It was noted that Wilson spent part of the meeting doodling in his notebook.

WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES OF CELTIC- WHERE IS THE STRATEGY

The interim Celtic Chairman has more interest in his weekly SNP bashing column in Saturday’s Scotsman that contact with Celtic fans.

Having your interim Chairman constantly attacking the Government isn’t a smart move for any PLC. But not many PLC’s allow a Non Executive Director the degree of control that Celtic provide.

Or runs up constant profits with no investment plans as HMRC collect incredible figures in Corporation Tax.

With boardroom vacancies and simmering unrest Celtic badly need wins in their next two matches.

That will stem the anger but there is no way back to credibility or acceptance for the the silent suits that keep a cap on ambition. Ironically costing the club millions of pounds, the only item valued in the boardroom.

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