13 Apr 2021 14:13:28

This is probably the hardest thing I've had to write on here since I started and I have spoken to a few people for advice about what to do. I'm not going to name names - you know who you are - but I get a lot of emails and messages on here that I don't post up offering me money to help me out or telling me I should be doing this and that to make money for myself which I am not comfortable dealing with.
When I talk about my health problems and struggles it's a therapy for me - I'm not looking for sympathy and I'm certainly not looking for money off anyone - and so that all of you know that it's OK to be not OK and we're all here for each other.
Whenever I've raised money for charity you guys went above and beyond raising £1000s of £s for the Hamilton Foodbank AND when my wife and her sisters's done the Alzheimer's Memory Walk for their mum just after she died (we never forgot about that one even if a lot of you did - no pun intended btw) and there's posters that have donated to charities on my behalf. For that me, my family and everyone involved can't thank you enough.
Now I'm not asking anyone for money, there's absolutely no pressure to give anything and we'll never charge people to view or listen to our content - I remember someone who shall remain anonymous messaged me to ask how much it cost to subscribe on Youtube - so I have set up a Paypal link HERE and IF anyone wants to donate money I will use 100% of it to improve the tech for streaming etc.
It was Ed001 that suggested if I am not comfortable taking money for myself then use the kind offers to improve the product I (we) are trying to give you all.
I have spoken to Paul and Chris about this and they are fine with it, I also told them I would happilly show them the money flow so that people know I'm not at the madam.
Any feedback on this is very welcome either on here or you can mail me at ed007 [at symbol] live.co.uk.

I feel REALLY uncomfortable doing this so don't be shy in giving me your opinions lads.

God Bless🙏
Ed007 (Mark)

1.) 13 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 15:08:11
There are very few sites that I use now as my time is limited after the birth of my Son but I always have come on here for a read a few times a day. That is down to you Ed and also the other regular posters like Buzz, Tim etc. I feel you should get something for the time you put into this but get why you'd be uncomfortable. The alternative you've suggested sounds good to me. It's great the site is now growing and anything that can be done to keep that improvement going is a good thing 👌.

{Ed007's Note - Thanks for that, BB, I noticed your posts had dropped off and belated congratulations on the new addition to the family.}

2.) 13 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 15:59:43
For all the Auld Fogies out there like ME, please be warned what button to press when replying to ED007, I TRIED to make a donation, but instead I ended up asking HIM TO SEND ME MONEY ha ha
If it works I may send requests to Nicola Sturgeon next lol.

{Ed007's Note - I would have kept that to myself if you hadn't mentioned it on here - aye right! 😂😉 And for the record no it wasn't Tim that asked how much it is to subscribe to Youtube

3.) 13 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 16:22:25
More than happy to donate ed.
We all know you do a great job and never take a penny so credit too you.
I would even be happy to pay a membership monthly fee of £5-£10 for eg.

{Ed007's Note - Thanks, Raymundo 👍 I'm not setting any parameters mate, people can give as much or as little as they want as often as they want.}

4.) 13 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 16:32:15
Just to echo what bigbubs said above. Since I've had kids I've had to stop going to the games after going for the best part of 20 years. Luckily I found this site not long before i had to give up my season ticket. Coming on here and reading the messages and reading through the live chat and now listening to the podcast is as close as I get to the "match day experience "
Keep up the good work Ed 👍.

{Ed007's Note - Thanks, PK.}

5.) 13 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 16:44:59
Top man Ed. I, like many already do, think that you deserve something more 'material', let's say, out of doing what you do for us. But if that's not what you want, then cool. Good idea with improving the tech for the podcasts though. I've only had chance to catch a couple but I'm glad they're now audio only as that works better for me. I hope you're enjoying doing them and it's taking your mind off other stuff. Take them all the way and get it out there. Massive respect by the way for talking about your mental health problems in the past. Some of what you've said really hits home with my own heed so I admire your openness.

{Ed007's Note - Thanks very much, Jim, I really appreciate it mate 🙏

6.) 13 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 17:59:14
Ed. I just want to put my tuppenceworth in. I am not kissing yer bum here. You have had a lot of plaudits recently and quite rightly so. I think you do an amazing job! I hope I speak for a lot of the people on here when I say that what I love is your honesty. You NEVER come across as cheeky or aloof like some of the other eds (No, I won't name them) . You are a diamond mate, and your work is indeed appreciated. This site is my go to in the morning. HH and GB!

{Ed007's Note - Thank you so much for that, CB 🙏

7.) 13 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 18:33:08
I'm another one who had to give up my season ticket after the kids arrived. I might not post too often but I read the site a couple of times a day and have really enjoyed the podcasts so far andI'd be happy to donate to help improve the equipment for them. Keep up the top work Ed pal.

{Ed007's Note - Thank you mate, I really appreciate all the kind comments 🙏

8.) 13 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 18:45:00
About fkn time 😉 this site is like no other and all of that stems from the effort you put in mate to engage with us posters. The podcast is another extension of the effort you put in to further give us all more engagement with each other and be a part of something. It’s only right that we can help contribute to making it what it can be 😘.

{Ed007's Note - Thanks for that, Welshy and for all the help and encouragement over the years. 🙏

9.) 13 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 19:15:19
On a side note those who have no books or ever want to go to games when we’re back I always have spares. Join the discord page and any game yous want go to post and let me know. I will warn you it’ll be in standing near that pesky green brigade 😂.

{Ed007's Note - You can join the Discord HERE
- I will warn you Welshy's a mod on it 😁 - and you can find links to everything on our Linktree HERE.

10.) 13 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 19:45:23
What other ed tells everyone their first name? This is what I'm on about. The absolute honesty/ humanity/ humbleness. Fantastic! Great job, Mark!

{Ed007's Note - I'm blushing now but I suppose that's better than filling up like earlier. There's a few folk know my second name as well, Robroy's been to my house AND met Yoda 😁 Most people already knew my first name through email and I couldn't take any more of Paul keep calling me Ed on the podcast lol.}

11.) 13 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 19:18:57
Ed I think u do a brilliant job on here and in your community, I do think u should be rewarded by money but if your happy enough to get your dues when it’s all over then I’m sure ul be rewarded handsomely. I’ll be donating what I can whenever I can, this is the only Celtic site I use regularly I’m glad I found it and I’m very happy to help in any way I can. By the way u shouldn’t be uncomfortable asking us to donate u donate half your days to this, probably more now the podcast is going. Thank you 🙏🏻.

{Ed007's Note - Thanks, Steph, thanks very much mate. God bless 🙏

12.) 13 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 19:55:33
Might take u up on that sometime welshy 👍👍.

13.) 13 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 20:11:09
we are the celtic family ed we are all here to help buddy you work hard to keep this site going for us mate. will sort a wee donation out on Friday mate keep up the good work.

{Ed007's Note - Thanks very much mate and thanks again for last night 🙏

14.) 13 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 20:56:10
Great idea Ed, I will happily donate as soon as I can.

{Ed007's Note - Thanks, Jon.}

15.) 13 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 20:58:49
you definitely deserve some reward with the work you do and time you put in mate while i struggle for time for the podcasts the site is a must read at least a couple of times a day and I'm more than happy to contribute.

{Ed007's Note - Thanks, Liam. You can listen to the podcasts on audio only platforms like Spotify and Google Podcasts if that's any use to you mate. You can find all the links on our Lifetree HERE.

16.) 13 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 21:12:13
thanks ed.

{Ed007's Note - 👍

17.) 13 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 21:37:08
Ed I am on another site and on there you can donate 5 pounds as a one off payment, that gets you gold status and you can view parts of the site that none contributers can't. You could maybe do something like that.

{Ed007's Note - No way Marco mate, I (we) will never put out any content that people need to pay a single penny for and I know there was a few folk emailed me about Patreon which is also a no go for me as well I reckon.
This isn't about making money for me - Youtube will take care of that #YTMillionaireBy50 😁 it's about me being able to improve the things I do for all of you which realistically I would never be able to do without a lottery win and I don't even do it lol.}

18.) 14 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 22:41:21
I only signed up to the site a week ago after a recommendation from Ice Man, who I know personally.
Really enjoying the site and happy to donate 👍 keep up the great work.

19.) 14 Apr 2021
13 Apr 2021 23:47:16
About bloody time, Ed.

Any way of chipping-in without using paypall? (Long story)

Bank transfer mibee?

{Ed007's Note - Thanks, Cav. Drop me an email at ed007@live.co.uk and we'll see how to do that if you want to.}

20.) 14 Apr 2021
14 Apr 2021 13:26:46
I don’t post much but have been reading the site for years as my daily routine. Keep up the good work mate. Donation well deserved HH.

{Ed007's Note - Thanks, Nicky. 🙏

21.) 15 Apr 2021
14 Apr 2021 14:13:35
I've been reading this site for years Ed. A few years back I was going through some tough times. And you where very kind to me about a post I put up when I was at my lowest. So I'm happy to donate to the cause Garfield I mean Ed 😂.