Latest news with #MCTCC
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Celtic can't control them': Furious locals hit out over unofficial title party
FURIOUS locals have hit out at Celtic over the unofficial title party in the Trongate today. A group representing the local community has claimed that the club 'cannot control' its fans and slated the '11th hour' statement they made on Friday. A spokesperson for Merchant City and Trongate Community Council (MCTCC) said: 'Once more, streets in the centre of Glasgow were taken over by thousands and thousands of Celtic supporters and turned into a No Go area for residents, businesses, and traffic, including emergency services and public transport. 'An historic monument, traffic lights and a subway station roof were climbed upon. Flares and firecrackers were set off. Normal life in and around Glasgow Cross and Trongate was brought to a standstill. "Several hundred police did their duty at great cost to the public purse. Glasgow City Council cleansing staff faced the massive task of clearing up the mess - yet another expense to taxpayers. Furious Glasgow locals hit out over unofficial Celtic title party (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) 'At the 11th hour, Celtic Football Club issued a statement the previous day asking their fans not to congregate en masse, noting it would be an unauthorised gathering. "While we are grateful that, at long last, the Club spoke out, at least 15,000 fans ignored the belated appeal. READ MORE: LIVE: Hundreds of Celtic fans take over Glasgow cross for title party 'It is clear Celtic cannot control its supporters when they take to the streets. We repeat our request, made two years ago, that should there be another such occasion the Club organises - at its cost - its own celebration at Parkhead, the Emirates across the road from the stadium, Glasgow Green or any other venue of its choice. 'This cannot be allowed to happen for a fourth successive year. We shall be reviewing Saturday's events with Glasgow City Council, the police and our Scottish Parliamentary representatives, and will continue to press for urgent actions by all parties involved." READ MORE: 34 pictures from Glasgow Celtic title party celebrations Today, May 17, thousands of revellers gathered as Police closed off roads and the historic Mercat Cross building was breached with people climbing on the roof. 'It is clear Celtic cannot control its supporters. (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) Police chiefs previously hit out at Celtic and council bosses for 'failing to organise a title party fan zone'. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland said: 'Our preference was for an organised event or fanzone which would cause far less disruption, reduce levels of antisocial behaviour and improve public safety. READ MORE: Glasgow roads closed by cops as Celtic title party starts in Trongate 'Police Scotland requested this be considered with our partners, including Celtic FC and Glasgow City Council, as part of planning discussions. 'Unfortunately, this option wasn't progressed." 'This cannot be allowed to happen. (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) However, Glasgow City Council claimed that police chiefs had never asked the local authority to organise an event. A council spokesperson said: 'We have been clear, this season and in previous years, that we would support any effort made by our football clubs to organise safe, sustainable celebration events for their supporters. READ MORE: Measures taken to prevent bus shelter incidents at Celtic Trongate title party 'We know from our discussions that an organised event is also the strong preference of Police Scotland. However, there has been no request from them for the council to organise or host such an event.' In 2024, the local authority was forced to fork out a whopping £73,032 to repair Mercat Cross after the unofficial Celtic title party took place. The historic Mercat Cross building has been breached with revellers climbing on the roof (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) At the event, attendees were pictured climbing buildings, bus shelters, and traffic lights. Some were also spotted setting off pyrotechnics and drinking. After crowds left the event in the Merchant City area, stickers, graffiti, flags, and litter were left behind. The entire cost of the clean-up mission was expected to amount to over £100,000. Locals living in the city centre called on Celtic's top boss to urge the club's supporters not to repeat 'disgraceful anti-social behaviour' at the event this year. In April, Calton and Merchant City, and Trongate community councils wrote to Hoops CEO Michael Nicholson, saying while they understand fans want to celebrate the occasion, at the end of the last two football seasons, they have "created havoc for people, businesses and visitors in and around Glasgow Cross".
The National
04-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Glasgow locals fear inflammatory mix over Celtic title party and march
Thousands of people are expected to join an Orange Order parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day on Saturday, May 17 - the same day it's believed thousands of Celtic fans will gather in the Glasgow Cross area to celebrate the team's Scottish Premiership win. Merchant City and Trongate Community Council (MCTCC) are now calling for the County Grand Lodge of Glasgow to hold its VE Day parade on another day as they fear having both events on the same day "risks making a bad situation even worse". READ NEXT: Anas Sarwar blames SNP and Tories for Grangemouth job losses (Image: Newsquest) A spokesperson said: "Making it the same date as the anticipated Celtic celebrations risks making a bad situation even worse. "Residents and businesses in and around Glasgow Cross are already concerned about serious disruption following the Celtic-St Mirren match. "Police are likely to have their hands full just dealing with that." The Glasgow Times reported earlier this week around 2500 people are expected to take part in the VE Day parade with more following alongside. VE Day is celebrated on May 8 each year, and events in around Glasgow will take place on the weekend of May 10/11. The Orange Order parade takes place a week later. (Image: newsquest) The lodge members from across Glasgow and Orange bands will assemble at Wishart Street, near Glasgow Cathedral before travelling down High Street, along George Street, Montrose Street, Cochrane Street, St Vincent Street and Renfield Street before crossing over the River Clyde. They will then travel along Paisley Road, Paisley Road West, Harvie Street and Brand Street before ending in Lorne Street. The outward parade is due to start at 9.45 am. On the same day, Celtic fans are likely to congregate in the afternoon for an unofficial title party on Trongate after their game against St Mirren which kicks off at 12.30pm, meaning the two events are unlikely to overlap. Last year, around 25,000 supporters gathered in Merchant City bringing the area to a standstill, following similar events which have taken place in the city centre since 2021. MCTCC and Calton Community Council previously said residents, businesses and visitors to the area had been left 'terrified and intimidated' by the display and this year have written to Hoops CEO Michael Nicholson asking him to urge supporters not to repeat the 'disgraceful anti-social behaviour' seen in previous years. The MCTCC spokesperson continued: "The presence of tens of thousands of Celtic and Orange Lodge supporters in the city on the same day is an unwelcome and possibly inflammatory mix. "We call on Glasgow City Council and the County Grand Lodge to get together to arrange for the parade to take place on a different date." A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said discussions will continue up until May 17 with plans reviewed if its deemed necessary. They told the Glasgow Times: "Both planned and potential events to be held on the same day will have been carefully considered as part of the multi-agency meetings to review future processions. "There is a presumption in law that processions can take place, unless there is a reason to intervene – and these reasons are quite narrowly defined in the statutory framework. "Ultimately, a local authority requires credible evidence to take such a step – usually by way of intelligence from the police about a risk of disorder or a threat to public safety. "Discussions with event organisers, Police and ourselves continue right up to the event or procession taking place and plans kept under review, to be able to adapt to changing circumstances." The Glasgow Times previously reported that at a high stakes a meeting in Hampden Park on Friday, March 28, MSP Kaukab Stewart brought together community councils for Merchant City, Trongate and Calton and representatives for Celtic FC, Rangers FC, the SPFL, Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council in a bid to avoid the 'disruption' seen in previous years. Residents were given the opportunity to tell clubs about their experience of anti-social behaviour from unofficial parties in Trongate and George Square, which have seen thousands of pounds worth of damage caused. However, despite agreements "more should be done" to encourage fans not to gather in the city centre, no plans were put forward ahead of this year's expected gathering.
Glasgow Times
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow residents fear 'inflammatory mix' over title party and march
Thousands of people are expected to join an Orange Order parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day on Saturday, May 17 - the same day it's believed thousands of Celtic fans will gather in the Glasgow Cross area to celebrate the team's Scottish Premiership win. Merchant City and Trongate Community Council (MCTCC) are now calling for the County Grand Lodge of Glasgow to hold its VE Day parade on another day as they fear having both events on the same day "risks making a bad situation even worse". READ NEXT: Orange Order to hold Glasgow VE Day 80th anniversary parade (Image: Newsquest) A spokesperson said: "Making it the same date as the anticipated Celtic celebrations risks making a bad situation even worse. "Residents and businesses in and around Glasgow Cross are already concerned about serious disruption following the Celtic-St Mirren match. "Police are likely to have their hands full just dealing with that." READ NEXT: Glasgow residents ask Celtic to urge fans against 'disruption' The Glasgow Times reported earlier this week around 2500 people are expected to take part in the VE Day parade with more following alongside. VE Day is celebrated on May 8 each year, and events in around Glasgow will take place on the weekend of May 10/11. The Orange Order parade takes place a week later. READ NEXT: Fans excluded from top level talks about Celtic title party gatherings (Image: newsquest) The lodge members from across Glasgow and Orange bands will assemble at Wishart Street, near Glasgow Cathedral before travelling down High Street, along George Street, Montrose Street, Cochrane Street, St Vincent Street and Renfield Street before crossing over the River Clyde. They will then travel along Paisley Road, Paisley Road West, Harvie Street and Brand Street before ending in Lorne Street. The outward parade is due to start at 9.45 am. On the same day, Celtic fans are likely to congregate in the afternoon for an unofficial title party on Trongate after their game against St Mirren which kicks off at 12.30pm, meaning the two events are unlikely to overlap. READ NEXT: Plea for 'respect' as no plans in place for expected football celebrations Last year, around 25,000 supporters gathered in Merchant City bringing the area to a standstill, following similar events which have taken place in the city centre since 2021. MCTCC and Calton Community Council previously said residents, businesses and visitors to the area had been left 'terrified and intimidated' by the display and this year have written to Hoops CEO Michael Nicholson asking him to urge supporters not to repeat the 'disgraceful anti-social behaviour' seen in previous years. The MCTCC spokesperson continued: "The presence of tens of thousands of Celtic and Orange Lodge supporters in the city on the same day is an unwelcome and possibly inflammatory mix. "We call on Glasgow City Council and the County Grand Lodge to get together to arrange for the parade to take place on a different date." READ NEXT: Private talks ahead of Scottish Premiership win celebration in Glasgow A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said discussions will continue up until May 17 with plans reviewed if its deemed necessary. They told the Glasgow Times: "Both planned and potential events to be held on the same day will have been carefully considered as part of the multi-agency meetings to review future processions. "There is a presumption in law that processions can take place, unless there is a reason to intervene – and these reasons are quite narrowly defined in the statutory framework. "Ultimately, a local authority requires credible evidence to take such a step – usually by way of intelligence from the police about a risk of disorder or a threat to public safety. "Discussions with event organisers, Police and ourselves continue right up to the event or procession taking place and plans kept under review, to be able to adapt to changing circumstances." READ NEXT: Clean-up cost revealed after Celtic fans' title celebration in Merchant City The Glasgow Times previously reported that at a high stakes a meeting in Hampden Park on Friday, March 28, MSP Kaukab Stewart brought together community councils for Merchant City, Trongate and Calton and representatives for Celtic FC, Rangers FC, the SPFL, Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council in a bid to avoid the 'disruption' seen in previous years. Residents were given the opportunity to tell clubs about their experience of anti-social behaviour from unofficial parties in Trongate and George Square, which have seen thousands of pounds worth of damage caused. However, despite agreements "more should be done" to encourage fans not to gather in the city centre, no plans were put forward ahead of this year's expected gathering. The County Grand Orange Lodge of Glasgow has been contacted for comment.
The Herald Scotland
03-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Glasgow residents fear 'inflammatory mix' over title party and march
Merchant City and Trongate Community Council (MCTCC) are now calling for the County Grand Lodge of Glasgow to hold its VE Day parade on another day as they fear having both events on the same day "risks making a bad situation even worse". (Image: Newsquest) A spokesperson said: "Making it the same date as the anticipated Celtic celebrations risks making a bad situation even worse. "Residents and businesses in and around Glasgow Cross are already concerned about serious disruption following the Celtic-St Mirren match. "Police are likely to have their hands full just dealing with that." Around 2500 people are expected to take part in the VE Day parade with more following alongside. VE Day is celebrated on May 8 each year, and events in around Glasgow will take place on the weekend of May 10/11. The Orange Order parade takes place a week later. (Image: newsquest) The lodge members from across Glasgow and Orange bands will assemble at Wishart Street, near Glasgow Cathedral before travelling down High Street, along George Street, Montrose Street, Cochrane Street, St Vincent Street and Renfield Street before crossing over the River Clyde. They will then travel along Paisley Road, Paisley Road West, Harvie Street and Brand Street before ending in Lorne Street. The outward parade is due to start at 9.45 am. On the same day, Celtic fans are likely to congregate in the afternoon for an unofficial title party on Trongate after their game against St Mirren which kicks off at 12.30pm, meaning the two events are unlikely to overlap. Last year, around 25,000 supporters gathered in Merchant City bringing the area to a standstill, following similar events which have taken place in the city centre since 2021. MCTCC and Calton Community Council previously said residents, businesses and visitors to the area had been left 'terrified and intimidated' by the display and this year have written to Hoops CEO Michael Nicholson asking him to urge supporters not to repeat the 'disgraceful anti-social behaviour' seen in previous years. The MCTCC spokesperson continued: "The presence of tens of thousands of Celtic and Orange Lodge supporters in the city on the same day is an unwelcome and possibly inflammatory mix. "We call on Glasgow City Council and the County Grand Lodge to get together to arrange for the parade to take place on a different date." A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said discussions will continue up until May 17 with plans reviewed if its deemed necessary. They told our sister title, the Glasgow Times: "Both planned and potential events to be held on the same day will have been carefully considered as part of the multi-agency meetings to review future processions. "There is a presumption in law that processions can take place, unless there is a reason to intervene – and these reasons are quite narrowly defined in the statutory framework. "Ultimately, a local authority requires credible evidence to take such a step – usually by way of intelligence from the police about a risk of disorder or a threat to public safety. "Discussions with event organisers, Police and ourselves continue right up to the event or procession taking place and plans kept under review, to be able to adapt to changing circumstances." It was previously reported that at a high stakes a meeting in Hampden Park on Friday, March 28, MSP Kaukab Stewart brought together community councils for Merchant City, Trongate and Calton and representatives for Celtic FC, Rangers FC, the SPFL, Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council in a bid to avoid the 'disruption' seen in previous years. Residents were given the opportunity to tell clubs about their experience of anti-social behaviour from unofficial parties in Trongate and George Square, which have seen thousands of pounds worth of damage caused. However, despite agreements "more should be done" to encourage fans not to gather in the city centre, no plans were put forward ahead of this year's expected gathering. The County Grand Orange Lodge of Glasgow has been contacted for comment.
