Books – Anyone But Celtic (2015)

Celtic Multimedia | Media | Players & Managers Biogs | If You Know The History

(review by Kevtic)

I’ve read most Paul’s books down the years, although for some reason I’ve still to get round to his last one The Asterix Years, so I know what to expect regards the writing and Paul’s style. It’s not to everyone’s liking but I like his call a shovel a feckin spade approach. He’s not afraid to say what he thinks and although you may not always agree you have to give him kudos for his passion and conviction and also for coping with the abuse he gets on what seems like a daily basis not just from the other side but even fans of our club.

That all said I came away from this book feeling a little disappointed. It’s advertised as a story about the culture that created the Lanarkshire Referees Association (LRA) and the majority of it is but it also has chapters on other areas. Lengthy pieces on Jim Farry, Campbell Ogilvie, discussion about Celtic’s current CEO and who may take over from him in the future and how Fergus rebuilt Celtic after 1994. These had a feel of padding out the book a little and came across as more like blog pieces which may well have been Paul’s intention. They were interesting in their own ways but were only loosely connected to the main story and felt a bit out of place. There are also quite a number of references to Paul’s previous books which is ok in context but it started to feel a bit like subliminal advertising after a while.

On the subject of the LRA the most interesting part is the connections between the different refs across the years and how some complete idiots have been allowed to referee football games in Scotland because of who they knew and no relation to how good a referee they were. Not exactly ground breaking stuff but to see the lines being drawn between them gives you an understanding of how easy it can be to manipulate the game. Some of the names will give you nightmares Don McVicar, Bobby Davidson George Cumming, Bobby Tait , Jim McCluskey, Hugh Dallas, Willie Collum and Euan Norris. All from Lanarkshire. Paul provides a history and explains the path refs take to get to the top and who they need to help them on their way. If your face fits you’re in if not you’d be as well giving up, regardless of ability.

I don’t think the connection between the masons and the orange lodge would surprise many and the part that a large number of refs play in that old school network. We’ve all read the stories about various refs and their extra curricular activities. I know some Celtic fans will still deny it but the majority of Celtic fans would accept the club has been the victim of institutional bias over many years from both the SFA and referees. It’s been clear in the last few years that the SFA is either incredibly incompetent or simply corrupt. Or probably both.

Overall the book is interesting as it brings a lot of the connections and groups into one place and I would imagine make a few people feel uncomfortable although maybe not as these people feel no shame or embarrassment. It doesn’t have the flow of Paul’s previous books and jumps about a bit too much for me but I like those who tackle the subjects that have been ignored for many years by the mainstream.

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 2252 KB
• Print Length: 214 pages
• Publisher: Love St 86; First Edition edition (1 Sept. 2015)
• Sold by:Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0130RHJI0