PO Box 306, Glasgow, G21 2AE, Scotland
Dear NTV,
The Scottish media were very quick to ask questions a couple of months ago of those in charge of Celtic - including manager Gordon Strachan - in the aftermath of the Hartson, Pearson 'what did they chant?' incident.
Which Scottish journalist do you think will ask a question along the following lines to Paul Le Guen: Mr. Le Guen, you are a French Catholic. Do you feel comfortable managing a club who are under investigation from UEFA on account of their supporters' anti Catholic chants? What message would you like to pass onto these 'supporters' to encourage them to desist from these offensive chants? Was the anti Catholic bias of the Rangers support mentioned during your interviews for the job?
Answers on the back of a small postage stamp.
What, we might ask, leads to the silence on this issue from the Laptop Loyal?
Keep up
the Good Work
J. PAXMAN
by e-mail
go figure
Dear NTV,
In issue 142, George of the Jungle gives MON's spending on transfers as £32.975m on players in. If you add up 'additions to intangible fixed assets' i.e. transfer fees paid for the years from July 2000 to June 2005 from the annual accounts the figure is actually £42.9m.
I agree completely with the thrust of his article. People should realise the amount of backing the Board did give to MON, and continue to give WGS in much more financially difficult times.
Yours etc.
KEN KINNAIRD
Port Seton
celtic tv
Dear NTV,
I was lucky enough to see Jimmy Johnstone play, and I'd like to thank Bertie Auld and Jim Craig for brightening up a very sad day on Celtic TV. The adventures and stories about Jimmy were brilliant. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Their accounts were down to earth and I felt as if they could have been sitting in my living room having a good chin wag. I'd like to say thanks for sharing the memories and giving us an insight to wee Jimmy and telling it like it was.
JAMES
McKERNAN
by e-mail
pirates are we
Dear NTV,
Pat Marrinan (NTV 142) is half right about our anthem. The boy scout image (below) shows Arthur Sullivan as co-writer of 'Hail Hail'.
The tune is from the overture to the Pirates of Penzance, composed by Sullivan. WS Gilbert wrote the libretto.
I write this just after hearing Chic Young eulogising Jimmy Johnstone. The best tribute we could pay to his memory is to move forward taking the positive aspects of our history with us and supporting the team in the right way.
Next year will be the 40th anniversary of our perfect day in Estoril. Wouldn't winning a European trophy be the perfect memorial to Jinky?
Yours in
(Numberless) Hoops
GURU PASSIT DHISWAY
shocking
Dear NTV,
I was just reading a story on the BBC website and found the following quote rather amusing:
'Rangers trust spokesman David Edgar talking about how rangers fans smashed the windows of their opponents team bus in Villareal, and later, surrounded the same coach (while their opponents were still on it) and started rocking the coach back and forth. 'It's a shocking incident, but only shocking in the context of Rangers fans who are unrivalled in their behaviour, both at home and abroad.'
Is he shocked that the Villareal players escaped with their lives? Shocked that the Villareal team bus was still driving when the hordes were finished with it?
Might be worth pointing out to this under-educated chap what club has been presented with a trophy from UEFA/FIFA for the good conduct of its fans (maybe he's a closet Tic supporter and it was a Freudian slip). Also might be worthwhile advising him that eating raw meat isn't good brain food, he should try some fish... on a Friday!
Can you confirm but I vaguely remember a trail of destruction wherever they go i.e. Germany, Canada, Newcastle, Manchester, Irish ferries, Ibrox (when they don't serve drinks with blue straws) etc. etc and I'm sure there are many more instances. Hopefully there is a worthy story in there somewhere.
J MURPHY
by e-mail
st. albans csc
Dear Not The View
After bumping into a few fellow hoops in a pub in St Albans on Sunday, we agreed it was ridiculous that a City of St Alban's size didn't have a Celtic club - so we've decided to start one.
The new manager of O'Neill's in the city is keen to host us and we are now looking to let people know we exist (there are only 6 of us at the moment, but it's only been 48 hours). Is there any way that Not the View would post this e-mail address as a contact for any of your readers who may be interested in joining us? It would be greatly appreciated as we don't have enough members yet to get a budget together for an advert in the local paper or anything.
The contact is Paul Hughes - stalbansceltic@hotmail.co.uk
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Paul Hughes
WILL YOU HELP?
Dear NTV
Stand Up Sit Down are two years old this summer and are just starting to make real and visible progress, unfortunately not in terms of forcing the authorities to deviate from their mantra 'we can't have another Hillsborough' but in terms of the support we're getting from fellow football fans.
With the help of supporters at West Ham and Manchester City - both financial and practically - we had two great Yellow Card the FLA protests that were fantastically supported as was the protest Spurs organised last season. From reading websites I know that there are very few clubs in the country who are exempt from ever draconian attempts to make supporters sit; many have been banned and clubs are being threatened with the withdrawal of their safety certificates meaning stands will be closed. We need to persuade the Government that rather than driving away supporters from the game they should be working with us to ensure that separate areas are introduced for those who wish to stand.
We recognise that some supporters don't necessarily want to stand but have to due to those in front of them doing so, our objectives accommodate the sitters just as much they do the standers; simply, believe strongly that we should be afforded choice. I'm also aware that many fans realise that nothing will change unless they are prepared to give up their time to work with other like minded supporters. Alone and as individual groups we stand the chance of lessening any impact we have. Combined we are stronger and therefore can wield more influence.
If, after reading this you do nothing more than sign our petition and become a member, you're making a contribution if you contact us with offers of financial and practical help you could make a difference. If you are interested in meeting with like minded supporters to discuss how we can further drive forward Stand Up Sit Down please contact us at info@standupsitdown.co.uk.
Thank you.
www.standupsitdown.co.uk