The Celtic Season Ticket Alliance is now close to being up and running.
Initially announced by Lord Willie Haughey in February, the initiative will see £2 million invested in the club for every 10,000 season ticket holders who put their name to the alliance.
Backed by Hoops icon Paul McStay, Haughey intends to reach an agreement with Celtic that will see match-going supporters given a voice in board matters.
As always with anything new, it needs a bit of explaining – the man behind the idea has explained it.
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Willie Haughey confirms launch date for Celtic Season Ticket Alliance
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show on Thursday, Haughey said: “We are ready to launch it now, and the thing will go live on April 17 when people can apply.
“I can exclusively reveal tonight that Paul McStay will be the Celtic legend and ambassador who is fronting up the Season Ticket Alliance.
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“When this is set up, I hope I don’t have to talk about it again. From everyone who joins, we’re going to pick five trustees and one of those trustees will be the chair.
“Until that point, Paul will be the chair and the spokesperson for the club.
“I believe that we can set up an alliance as a conduit for discussions with the board. I know other people are trying to do that at the moment, but I believe this will do that, and that is something that will appeal to the season ticket holders.”
Designed to give match-going fans a say at executive level, the Alliance could potentially invest £10 million in the club if 50,000 season ticket holders pledge.
Crucially, signing up will be free. Haughey is not looking for anyone’s money.
The McStay family have a long affiliation with Celtic, though Paul – widely regarded as one of the club’s greatest-ever players – has largely kept a low profile in his post-playing days. His presence in this initiative speaks volumes.
Gorbals-born Haughey is well-known to the Parkhead board as an owner of more than 350,000 shares, and has been in dialogue with Dermot Desmond since the launch of the Alliance.
It will be fronted by Paul McStay…
Shares in the name of the Alliance would be gifted to the trust, instead of being owned by Haughey himself.
The scheme is open to all season ticket holders regardless of location (corporate, directors’ box, or standing sections), with each individual having equal rights within the alliance.
Based on current valuations, a £10 million investment would represent approximately a 5.26% shareholding in Celtic.
While this does not grant control, it is intended to provide a “seat at the table” for organised fan dialogue.
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