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Details
Title: Paradise Lost – “The Struggle for Celtic’s Soul”
Author: Michael Kelly (ex-Celtic board member)
Published:
Synopsis
The true story of what happened behind the scenes at Celtic Park, the home of Celtic Football Club. Founded in 1888, it was owned and run by three family dynasties, one of which has been in power since the early days, the Kellys.
Review
(by joebloggscity)
Before any of you switch off, I personally believe that enough time has passed for a fairer assessment of this book. The book is written by previous Biscuit Tin incumbent Michael Kelly, who at one time was also Lord Provost of Glasgow initiating the highly successful “Glasgow’s Miles Better” campaign.
The book comes from his point of view in the tussle for control of Celtic during what was one of the darkest periods Celtic has ever endured in all manners. Taking in that the club was brought to its knees (8 minutes from administration according to David Low) he hardly has any right to take any moral high ground, but taking in the vilification that he had to endure from the media and sections of our support, any valid points he had were drowned out, and unlike his colleagues he did come forward to make statements be it in print or in the media (although yes he hardly did cover himself in glory at some of these attempts).
Taking in the book, various points concerning the media, the “Rebels”, the players and the support are just plain paranoid (as can be much of his rants) but on the other hand he does make fair criticism of the treatment he received, the media’s angle to the club’s general business in comparison to David Murray and even his own board colleagues. He provides the belated facts and corrections on various issues that arose in the period, and gives his reasons (right or wrong) on why he did as he did. On the other hand, some sections will make you cringe, for example his unnecessary criticisms of Paul McStay come over as petty and childish.
This isn’t the place to go into further depth on the book’s issues, but all I’d say is that it is only fair to read his view on it whereas we have only been spoon fed the “Rebels” point of view (one or two themselves having shuffled off to wherever). The book depicts a stubborn, sanctimonious old man at many points, yet it can also show an intelligent bloke behind the whole facade, which raises the question of why he went down the route he did.
Nevertheless, a book to read (only if you want to know more about the period) although never take all of it at face value, as if we did go with all he says we’d never had Fergus McCann, but as I’ve said countlessly here already, it does deserve a fairer hearing. (JBC)
Product Details
- Paperback: 160 pages
- Publisher: Canongate Books Ltd; First Edition edition (Sep 1994)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0862415063
- ISBN-13: 978-0862415068
- Product Dimensions: 21.2 x 13.6 x 1.8 cm