Another insight: The Green Brigade What and who are the Green Brigade? The Green Brigade are Celtic ultras. We are lifelong supporters saddened at the passive nature of our modern home support and angered at the way we are treated as consumers by the PLC. In the style of European fans we want to bring colour, style, fun, originality and atmosphere back to Celtic games by backing our team for 90 minutes, on our own terms, and in our own way. On the issue of songs we feel that if a song does not have sectarian lyrics then it shouldn't be offensive to anyone. I'm afraid the logic of the last statement evades me. "Shouldn't be"?
So basically the GB are saying that they couldn't give a **** what the club think. A group which was given space that displaced people who'd had season tickets in that area for over 10 years. Good to know they're in it for the club and not just because they're attention seekers
The Green Brigade are very popular with both Neil Lennon and the players. The GB are a very positive group in Celtic Park. Too many people go to Celtic Park and expect the team to entertain them. Too many people, they are not worthy of the name fans or supporters, sit and wait for something to happen. As soon as some of the players slip or even God forbid make a mistake, then these people come into full voice to hurl abuse at the player for daring to make a mistake. Why do these people insist on becoming season ticket holders, or buying match tickets. These people are no use or benefit to Celtic. Compare these people to the Green Brigade who bring humour and song to Celtic Park. The Green Brigade lifts the players, makes them feel better and proud to play for Celtic. Funny the main detractors of the Green Brigade are they who come from Govan. These Govanites claim every time the Green Brigade open their mouths they offend. The only reason they are offended is because often they want to be offended. The Green Brigade may from time to time sing songs or lyrics that they would perhaps be better not. As claimed before it should not be difficult to iron out what is acceptable and what isn't. The one thing we don't want is quietness broken only by the barracking at Celtic players.
I'm not from Govan. "On the issue of songs we feel that if a song does not have sectarian lyrics then it shouldn't be offensive to anyone". Do you agree with that statement?
Superhoops - you're right about the moaning ****ers at CP. I've written about them for several years on various forums, the guys who sit back, arms folded, bitching about every player, seemingly desperate to be unimpressed by everything they see. The GB ARE fantastic in bringing colour to the ground. That said, they're in danger of undoing all the positive things they bring by refusing to back down on the issue of these songs. It just seems so pointless
Dev- Oh dear, "they need to know their place" - do you realize how patronizing that sounds and do you honestly think that addressing them in this way will help resolve the problem you do seem to have with them? They may number a couple of hundred, but they certainly create more atmosphere at games than the rest of the stadium put together! I take your word for it that almost all are teenagers and that fact alone may explain their over-exuberant behaviour. Do not most teenagers have a natural tendency to rebel against the norms of adulthood? Were you not once a teenager with a rebellious streak in you? (albeit maybe a very long time ago! LOL!) I would suggest that direct dialogue with them is even more important if they are mostly teenagers - as is the case with most teenagers the only way to educate them is to discuss things directly with them - not dictate to them. However, given, as you say, they have not heeded requests from the manager to desist from singing certain songs, and you do not think they warrant direct discussion, what is your solution?
Look folks, I have nothing personal against the GB, maybe dialogue is the way forward but they should be in no doubt that they are not the voice of the Celtic fans, neither is any other group, we all have our own opinions and rightly so. The GB have been treated well by Celtic, as has been said they were given a section of the stadium and fans who had some of those seats for years had to give them up for the GB. They are allowed to keep their banners inside the ground before match days to save them carrying them to the game then trying to get them past security and the police. They add a lot of noise to a match and a bit of humour, but it has to be Celtic who call the tune (sic) otherwise it will bring the club's image down in other people's eyes.
It isn't just them, I appreciate they are an audio and visual presence, but they don't set the tone for the celtic support.
Dev, I admit that I have little knowledge of the GB or indeed any other Celtic factions, but you seemed adamant that there was a problem yet equally dismissive of suggestions that dialogue was the best way of resolving it ....until now. I'm pleased to see that at least you have come round to acknowledging that dialogue may be the way forward.... reason prevails eh! LOL!
No I don't -for a start it's far too vague and badly thought through, but what's that got to do with resolving the problem with them as you see it? It's their statement and as you have pointed out, they are mostly teenagers so it's not in the least bit surprising that there may be some immature stuff spouted by them. That's where I come back to my point about discussing the matter with them as is the best way forward with all kids!
Dev I note you claim to have nothing personal against the G B. That is very magnanimous of you and I am sure the G B will be delighted with your approval. tell us what kind of supporter or fan do you really like. Would you prefer to go to the morgue like Celtic Park, the one we would have if we did not have the G B. You must remember the soulless state it was before the G B. Maybe Dev seeing you don't have any personal problems with the G B. You could tell us and them the songs and lyrics you would want to hear them sing. Also the songs and lyrics you don't want them to sing. Maybe you could organise some more singers to help the G B out.
I disagree with dev about the singing of songs but I think you have misrepresented him there. That is Med Dog like behaviour. Tackle his argument.
Ultimately whoever is singing IRA songs, be it GB or otherwise, and whether they be traditional folk songs or moronic 'P-I-R-A' chanting, is running the risk of damaging our support's / club's reputation by doing so. You can argue that people don't understand, don't want to understand, or deliberately misinterpret the meaning of the songs until you're blue in the face - but it really is that simple. And as far I can see, it's all completely unnecessary.
Not reading 11 pages of this but presuming we're listing our favourite Celtic tunes. So many to choose from, but any of the Ra 'political' ones are easily the best
