Dato: 3. september 2005 00:30
Når me fyrst diskuterer kva Hansa kunne vorte, her er kva celtic har gjort. Tvilar sterkt på at leiinga i bat al jonen har makt til å få noko liknande gjennomført på stadda. Diverre.. (Henta frå kjernen.com, og ps, det er laaangt, men særs interesant)
Legg særleg merke til instrumentspørsmålet..
Question & Answer first published in the celtic View.
What are the aims & objectives of the new Singing Section?
It has become obvious that the atmosphere at home games is not what it could be with almost 60,000 celtic fans in the ground being outsung by one man and his dog in the away end. The loss of “The Jungle” has meant that we have no traditional part of the ground where the singing starts and where the atmosphere is created and this is what we mean to address. We intend to get back to the days when we were the 12th man, we want to re-ignite the passion of the celtic support in a visual and vocal manner and we want to breathe new life into celtic Park. celtic matches are unique in world football in that our support travels from four different countries, Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales. No other team in world football can claim this. Therefore visiting celtic Park from all over Britain and Ireland should be a cultural experience, not just about the 90 minutes.
So how will this be achieved? Where will the Singing Section be located and what will it be called?
The Singing Section will represent celtic’s heritage, culture, tradition, pride, humour and deep devotion to the Club we love. It will act as a catalyst for the rest of the ground to join in and will bring back not just the fervour but also the colour to Paradise. The New Jungle was the obvious name and the only name that gives us that historical and spiritual link to the days when we got right behind the team from beginning to end, win, lose or draw. The designated area will be in Section 141, in the lower Jock Stein Stand towards the North Stand. Much thought and debate has gone into the best location and Section 116 in the Lisbon Lions Stand was also considered as there are not so many season ticket holders in that area which would mean less of a problem with relocations in and out. However we would have faced the problem of moving the Singing Section for Old Firm games, which was not practicable. The traditional celtic End did not have this problem and after letters were sent to all season ticket holders in Section 141 asking for their views, it was agreed this would be the best way forward.
What is the capacity for the New Jungle and what was the feedback from season ticket holders in the area?
The capacity is 1184, which is a good start, as we must walk before we are able to run. The feedback from season ticket holders was positive. The following is a breakdown ;
Do you think a Singing Section is a good idea?
95% Yes, 5% No
Do you think Section 141 is a suitable location for the Singing Section?
76% Yes, 24% No
So if for example there are season ticket holders in Section 141 who do not want to participate, will they be offered the chance to relocate to another part of the ground?
Yes, no-one will be forced to participate against their wishes and we currently have a database of season ticket holders who want to move to the New Jungle. From what we have so far, anyone who wants to relocate will have an opportunity, subject to availability, to move to another area of the stadium. To do this, they should contact Mark McCullagh at the Ticket Office once they receive their renewals.
How much are season tickets for Section 141 and will Concession holders, Parent & Child holders and Special season ticket holders be able to apply?
Season tickets for Section 141 range from £410 to £445, which is near the middle of the price range for season tickets. Unfortunately only fully priced season ticket holders will be considered for the New Jungle, there are family sections in the ground but unfortunately 141 is not one of them.
What happens if there are a surplus of fans wanting to move in against the number of fans who want to move out?
Obviously we may have to look at creating a waiting list for the New Jungle and there may be a “bedding in” period when those in Section 141 may need time to see if they want to stay in their present location. Again, seats will be subject to availability.
So where did the idea of a Singing Section at celtic Park first come about?
The idea of a Singing Section is of course not a new one as anyone who has travelled to away European matches will testify. Indeed we have had a Singing Section at celtic Park for decades, it was called The Jungle. The possibility of a Singing Section was first mooted when the CSA were given an exclusive interview with Peter Lawwell for our website. Peter gave his backing to the initiative and it has been put to the top of the agenda at Working Party Meetings since then. The New Jungle will be run by the fans and has the backing of the team, Manager and Board at celtic Park. It will be a prime example of how the Club and the fans can work together.
What about the songs that will be sung? Surely we are making a rod for our own back with the Media waiting with baited breath for the first Republican song to be struck up from the Singing Section giving them plenty of ammunition to wrongly label us sectarian?
We have made it perfectly clear at every stage of this initiative that the celtic support must have the right to express our Irishness in colour and in song, however we accept that this must be done in a non antagonistic and non threatening manner. The celtic Supporters Association abhors sectarianism and we have faith in the celtic support that we will stick to the many Club songs and atmospheric Irish Folk songs that can offend no reasonable individual and give no one any ammunition to attack us. Let’s concentrate on the positive rather than the negative.
But what happens if the New Jungle is taken over by fans with the intention of bringing back “The Rebel Songs” to home matches?
We have been informed that the New Jungle will be treated in the exact same way as any other part of the ground and that Republican songs and songs which promote or endorse any political organisations, songs or chants which are racist or sectarian, will not be accepted and this is covered in the terms and conditions of all season tickets, condition number 15.
Will the area around the New Jungle be heavily policed and stewarded any different from any other part of the ground?
No, obviously a great deal of trust and responsibility will be placed on the celtic fans in the area not to do anything that will embarrass the Club and we have faith that we will not let anyone down. We want to create a celtic community amongst the New Jungle. We all remember that tremendous camaraderie that existed in the old Jungle and it’s that kind of pride that we want to recreate.
How will you foster that camaraderie?
Obviously through working together at the games, the New Jungle will build up an atmosphere of it’s own and many in that section will get to know everyone else. We aim to set up a specially dedicated website to the New Jungle where supporters can visit and share ideas etc. We will also be holding Meetings and social events to keep everyone up to date and build up that feeling of being part of something special. A membership scheme and even a supporters Club are a couple of ideas that could develop out of the New Jungle. Nothing will be left to chance and the New Jungle will be run professionally by a committee elected by the support who’s responsibility it will be to come up with fresh ideas, involve the support in every step of the way and foster that camaraderie. Already we have a few exciting ideas and we welcome any suggestions fans may have. The first big social event will be announced shortly at celtic Park to welcome the New Jungle. This will be a chance to come up with ideas and get questions answered as well as to formally elect a committee and a conductor, whilst at the same time enjoying a beer or twelve together.
What about flags and banners? It’s very noticeable that celtic Park has lost a lot of it’s sparkle through the lack of colour and the days when Supporters Clubs would bring their banners to the ground seem to be unwelcome now.
We are currently involved in a separate debate where it is hoped that an agreement will be reached in time for next season whereby banners which conform to all safety issues that are thrown up will be allowed in. “Licensed banners” will ensure that Supporters Clubs will be guaranteed that their banner is allowed into the ground and we hope to have news on this development soon. Within the Singing Section, flags will be a major part of creating an atmosphere and we are looking at ways of maximising this.
Will the Singing Section have the kind of “Tifos” or fan displays that are so popular in the likes of France, Spain and Italy?
Yes, definitely. This is another thing we will be organising with theme days, streamers, banners, flags etc all part of making the New Jungle not just another Singing Section but the best Singing Section.
And who is going to pay for all this? Will the costs spiral down to the already hard-pressed season ticket holder?
No certainly not. We are here to fight the fans’ corner not look for ways to increase season ticket prices. The Club have accepted that there will be a small financial outlay and obviously we would be looking for sponsors to help out. The large displays we see at grounds like the Nou Camp where a card is placed on every seat to spell out “Champions” for example when raised, could have a sponsors name on the back, the actual Section could have a sponsors name on it and merchandise promoting the legendary Jungle, new and old, may be popular and could raise finance. Whatever cash comes in we would be looking to keep in the pot to finance the best tifos etc for big European nights and Old Firm games.
What about musical instruments? Will they be welcome?
We won’t be going down the road of a brass band, like at other grounds, however from our feedback so far the most popular instrument suggested is the bodhrun, a small drum which is practicable and can create a great background beat to some songs without being too over the top. A few bodhruns dotted about would be better than having to sit next to the guy with a trombone! We will also be looking for a conductor to help keep the singing going for 90 minutes and we are currently in talks to resolve all these issues including flags and banners and further information will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.
Will the issue of the choice of music being played over the tannoy on matchdays be addressed?
Yes, we have already asked on our website that fans get in touch with their suggestions. One idea we have at the moment is that a different Supporters Club picks their favourite soundtracks for every home game. We have also saw how well the big screens can be used to show footage for the likes of the Willie Maley song and this is something that could be developed.
When will the New Jungle be in place and is it open to all season ticket holders?
Everything will be in place for the start of next season but we are hopeful of having a trial before the end of this season, complete with the best display of colour celtic Park has ever seen at the final home game of the season to greet the Champions 2005. The New Jungle is open to all season ticket holders, as stated previously we have Section 141 with almost 1200 seats which are currently occupied with existing season ticket holders so satisfying demand will be difficult.
Finally, if I want to relocate to the New Jungle how do I go about it?
You can contact any of the Supporters Groups to put your name down. Contact the CSA at
brendan.assoc@ntlworld.com or the Association of Irish CSC’s at
johngallagher7@btinternet.com
Also if there’s anyone out there who has any ideas or would like to assist in any way get in touch as we will need volunteers.