The Celtic Fans Collective have released the full minutes from their meeting with Brian Wilson last week.
The day before Celtic’s Europa League defeat to Stuttgart, the Collective met with Brian Wilson, the club’s interim non-executive Chairman. CEO Michael Nicholson was not present.
The Collective’s full minutes are available here, and highlight the points of discussion and disagreement at the meeting, which also included Supporters’ Liaison Officer JP Taylor and two other Celtic chiefs.
67 Hail Hail examined three major talking points from the meeting: the position of Nicholson, the reinstatement of the Green Brigade and Fan Media being re-allowed access to club press conferences.
What did you make of the statement released by Celtic in regards to the protest? 🏟️
Let us know below 🔽
Celtic Fans Collective meeting with Brian Wilson: major takeaways
Michael Nicholson’s position as Celtic CEO
These are the points cited by the Collective as to why Nicholson should not remain in position as Chief Executive:
- Three major appointments (Tisdale, Nancy, Hargreaves) viewed as detrimental 2 of which have been relieved of their duties.
- Repeated recruitment failings across windows.
- Poor management of managerial transition.
- Growing supporter boycotts and withholding of spending.
- A breakdown of trust and credibility.
Wilson responded by “expressing faith” in Nicholson, adding that he “considers his performance this season acceptable.”
He went on to insist that the situation surrounding Brendan Rodgers’ departure was managed internally and that responsibility lies with the board collectively, rather than solely Nicholson.
READ MORE: What Callum McGregor told teammates about Celtic Park crowd at Hibs clash
The Green Brigade’s ongoing ban from Celtic Park
These were the Collective’s arguments regarding the Green Brigade’s lock-out from the stadium:
- Their absence has negatively impacted atmosphere and team performance.
- The situation is contributing to wider supporter disillusionment.
- Two distinct issues appear to have been conflated:
- Stadium management / Safety considerations.
- Allegations relating to incidents at the AGM.
- The approach taken amounts to collective punishment
Wilson said that he had met with the Green Brigade the previous week and that “dialogue is ongoing.” He said that “progress had been made on one strand, with another strand more complex”.
He conceded that the group’s presence would have a positive effect on the team, also stating that Head of Security Mark Hargreaves does not hold a veto on the decision.
Should Celtic lift the bans on the Green Brigade and Fan Media? Let us know in the comments.
Bhoys Celtic call on the board to end the Parkhead bans.
Celtic fan media access
Regarding the ongoing denial of access for fan media organisations at club press conferences, the minutes state: “It was noted that fan media were originally welcomed by the club as a means of broadening engagement and diversifying representation beyond mainstream press coverage.
“The Collective expressed concern that recent restrictions appear to coincide with increased criticism of executive decision making.”
Kevin McQuillan, Celtic’s head of commercial operations, said that the club were underway with a “fresh communication strategy.”
Both McQuillan and Wilson said that they didn’t know who made the decision to deny fan media access, and there was no commitment to reinstatement or any review timeline.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
