26 Jul 2013 17:43:27

The Green Brigade find ourselves disappointed to hear that Celtic Football Club has deemed it necessary to release a statement which we feel unfairly demonises our group as well as the Celtic supporters who sit in our section in 111. Following amicable discussions held behind closed doors it seems entirely counter-productive for such a statement to be released.

The group held discussions on Wednesday night with representatives of the club and outlined our position regarding the safety concerns that have been raised in Celtic’s statement. It was made clear that the Green Brigade were not responsible for any pyrotechnics which were used during the match against Cliftonville at Celtic Park and had no knowledge of any fan’s intention to use them. We accept that it took place in our section however and as a group we will strive to deal with the matter and have warned fans on our website against such behaviour in 111. We also demonstrated our willingness to work with the club regarding the mosh pits and crowd surfing which is concerning the safety team. It is however worth noting that the claim made regarding 131 broken seats is an exaggeration. Several of our members visited the empty section on Wednesday night following the meeting, and whilst it was evident that there was accidental damage, 131 broken seats appeared to be an embellishment. While this damage is regrettable it is totally accidental and simply a product of our sometimes boisterous style of support – intentional damage would not only be idiotic but it would not be tolerated.

A key safety concern mentioned was that of overcrowding. The group has worked with the club previously on this issue and urges those who do not have tickets for our section to stay away. We do our best to self-police the area in this regard however that has proven increasingly difficult, as Celtic this season had refused to allow us to control who has tickets for our block. If we do not know who has tickets for the area, and given that the stewards have proven their incompetence in this matter, it is extremely unfair to lay sole responsibility for this matter at the feet of the group. We have repeatedly requested that we have a regular stewarding team with whom we can build up a working relationship with in the hope that this will help with the issues raised.

Whilst the representatives of our group were willing to discuss the concerns that the club had, the club were extremely hesitant to discuss some of our concerns regarding the continual harassment of Celtic supporters. The Green Brigade have demonstrated a willingness to work with the club which is why we find it regrettable that the club have chosen to publicly castigate our section, and by doing so have invited the media to attack the Celtic support once more. At a time when Celtic supporters are being routinely harassed, intimidated and dragged through the courts we feel that this should hold greater priority than concerns over lateral movement.

It appears that Celtic Football Club are far more eager to publicly attack Celtic fans than they are to defend them.

1.) 26 Jul 2013
The gb need to act to the rules and not put a bad light on Celtic and our worldwide knowgde of great fans and great club. Gb are a great addition to Celtic and dose make us standout more but need to food rules and not get out of hand, for it would be of no matter if they go cause it is Celtic fc that we are and want to stay! Leave the negative stuff to lesser clubs and stop with all the hard done by our own club. The board is keeping the tradition of Celtic alive, smoke bombs and wild behavior is not us and ruins the game! we are a classy club and one that others should follow to see how a club should be.

2.) 26 Jul 2013
Aw dear, what a shower of cry babies!

If the Club did not make the statement, how is the other 20/30 odd thousand at the game supposed to know the Club had addressed the situation?

Defend them, what defence does a fan(s) have for contravening UEFA's safety's regulations in a UEFA competition? ~ Mrs E

3.) 26 Jul 2013
To The GB poster. I 100% appreciate the noise and atmosphere you bring to match days, great craic, inventive and usually funny but also believe you are getting a bit above yourselves going by this post. Asking for your own special stewards? Referring to 111 as your block? Really? It's not your's, It's Celtic's stadium and they allow you to party there, however, like a drunk mate at a party, its fun to watch for a while, but when he starts taking the piss, getting above himself and embarrassing you, it's time to have a strong word. Celtic have always had a good reputation, great atmosphere and loyal fan base, long before and long after the GB. The club are completely right in issuing a statement about this given the media attention and bad publicity it has generated, not so sure you have the same right to then attack the club for trying to project a profession reaction to what could cause us serious trouble with UEFA. Fraserbhoy

4.) 26 Jul 2013
There's 2 sides to every story but the gullable will believe everything that the celtic board & manager say, the GB have every right to let people know there version of events, I don't agree for a minute with everything that goes on in section 111 or some of the GB antics ie: flares, fireworks, moshing but there are fans from other sections entering 111 while the inept stewards stand about with there eyes fixed straight on the GB to see who they can either harass or have thrown out, without the GB celtic park would be a morgue but with there flares and fireworks all they are doing is bringing the club down and giving the pro sevco scottish gutter press all the ammo they need to print more negative fabricated exclusives as they call them.
dhman

5.) 26 Jul 2013
Some silly statements from the op. The club had no choice but to make a statement. They have to be seen to be doing something. The green brigade are fans and do not have to be consulted on everything the club says or do. As for the broken seats you have to take responsibility accidental or not you are at a football game not a riot.

Ian

6.) 26 Jul 2013
While I agree with the GB's assertion that Celtic do not seem to back us up on a lot of things this statement worries me. I posted the other day that there was a school of thought that these guys seemed to think they were more important than they actually are.

To want to control 'their' section I find slightly disturbing.The fact that Celtic are prepared to actually let them contribute to discussion is more than fair to my mind.If this mindset continues it will lead to a split in our support, something we really don't need. green jhedi

7.) 26 Jul 2013
@6), I agree. Disturbing that 'they' think they own 'their section'.

The GB doesn't own a section. The fans in sect111 can quite easily be given dispersed tickets to all over the stadium.

Numerous Broken seats is vandalism not accidental. So that's lies. They are also very dangerous as is moshing and body surfing.

8.) 27 Jul 2013
@7 section 111 was giving to the gb. They can be clowns sometimes but they're the pulse of celtic park okay the Irish patriotic stuff is quite annoying I'm scottish Irish but I am more proud to be scottish than having Irish heritage I hate the fact the gb moan at people who fly scottish flags Scotland is one of the most respected countries throughout the world proud Scotsman I think if we get independence then a lot more scottish flags will fly it's annoying people from around the world think we are a team from Ireland IMO.