Fergus McCann’s takeover of Celtic Football Club stands as a pivotal moment in the club’s history, marked by financial turmoil and uncertainty. In 1994, as the club teetered on the brink of bankruptcy, McCann, a Scottish-Canadian businessman, stepped in with a bold vision and determination to rescue the beloved institution. His astute financial acumen and unwavering commitment to the club’s heritage and values proved instrumental in steering Celtic away from the precipice of collapse.
Amidst the tumultuous period leading up to Fergus McCann’s takeover, hundreds of Celtic fans took to the streets outside Celtic Park, armed with banners and their voices raised in protest against the board’s perceived mismanagement and lack of ambition. Clad in the club’s iconic green and white, they formed a passionate sea of supporters, united in their demand for change. The protests served as a poignant reminder of the deep-seated bond between the club and its supporters, whose unwavering loyalty and fervent passion would ultimately help shape Celtic’s destiny.
Sack The Board! Celtic 1993-94 | Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert
A series of photographs by Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert on the near bankruptcy of Celtic FC and subsequent takeover by Fergus McCann.
A limited edition A5 zine containing 40 black and white photographs across 44 pages.
“The game is over, the rebels have won!”
Brian Dempsey, 4th March 1994.
In the backdrop of McCann’s takeover, Brian Dempsey and the rebels played a crucial role in pressuring the existing Celtic board, often referred to disparagingly as the ‘biscuit tin board’, to cede control. Their discontent stemmed from years of perceived mismanagement and lack of investment in the club’s infrastructure and playing squad. Dempsey, alongside other influential figures within the Celtic community, rallied supporters and shareholders alike, demanding accountability and change.
McCann’s shrewd management not only stabilised the club’s finances but also laid the groundwork for future success, ushering in a new era of hope and promise for Celtic Football Club.
Sack The Board! Celtic 1993-94 is a series of photographs by Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert on the club’s near bankruptcy and subsequent Fergus McCann takeover. The limited edition A5 zine contains 40 black and white photographs across 44 pages.
In 1993, Celtic were in financial free fall. The banks were lining up to call in their loans, and the vultures were circling.
The football was no better. Five long years since their last title triumph, life at Parkhead was a gloomy, desperate affair, lived in the shadows of the resurgent Rangers.
Something had to be done, to turn the tide, and so the great Glasgow revolution began.
The twists and turns of a tumultuous season saw despondent fans take to the streets, venting their fury on the club’s owners, and demanding change.
Businessman Fergus McCann and former board member Brian Dempsey were trying desperately to rescue the club. Dubbed the Rebels, they finally triumphed on March 4th, 1994, with plans to stabilise the club’s financial affairs and regenerate Celtic Park, igniting a new chapter for The Celtic Football Club.
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