Club pulls plug on republican singer at Celtic function

Nov 29 2011 by Denis Brown, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

A CONTROVERSIAL Irish Republican singer has been red carded from entertaining Celtic fans at a Perth private function.

The decision to pull the plug on the Tulloch Institute Club gig was made by the club’s secretary, John Ramsay, who found himself in the eye of a storm after agreeing the performance.

While hosting football supporters visiting the Fair City for St Johnstone matches is a regular occurrence at the Tulloch – and a welcome boost to declining income – live music is not generally a feature.

However, members – some believed to be Rangers fans – launched a protest when they got wind of the private function show for Celtic supporters by the controversial Podgie, from the band Shebeen, on December 18.

Although the Tulloch’s secretary did secure assurances that no “dodgy songs”, such as pro-IRA anthems, would be part of the repertoire, this did not placate objectors.

One member who spoke to the PA – a 59-year-old Muirton man who stressed he had no allegiance to either Old Firm team – described the booking as “highly inappropriate”.

He said objectors recognised that hosting visiting fans was good business practice, but agreeing to let the singer perform, even though it was a private show, was a huge mistake.

“Judging by the two dozen texts I’ve had about this matter today, a lot of people are up in arms about this,” he said.

“We’ve been told that there will be no dodgy songs sung and that the entertainment will be monitored, but how on earth do you stop a hundred odd fans charged up with drink from chanting sectarian songs?”

He said a YouTube search revealed that while Podgie and Shebeen covered classics, such as Bob Marley’s Redemption Song, other songs were offensive, such as one about former Rangers player, Nacho Novo, being shot by the IRA.

Another number in Shebeen’s canon include ballad, Songbird, a tribute to H-Block prisoner Bobby Sands.

“At a time when Scottish football is trying to rid itself of sectarianism, I think the Tulloch was badly advised to take this booking,” he said. “I certainly will not be through the door again if it happens and I have been a member for 35 years.”

The spat spilled onto the Tulloch’s Facebook page, with management confirming “a single musician with an acoustic guitar” would play for Celtic fans at a private function.

“We have asked for, and been given, assurances that this ticket-only event will not contain any offensive material,” read the statement.

But less than 20 minutes later, George Law posted: “Sad, sad day for the Tulloch.”

In response, the club posted: “It was a sad day when we subscribed to Sky Sports for £15,000 a year and no-one came out to watch the football.

“It was a sad day when event after event is not supported, from comedy clubs to bands.

“It is indeed a sad day when we can’t fill the hall on a matchday with members.

“It might not be such a sad day, however, if the club survives for the foreseeable future, where many have already closed their doors and been condemned to the ever growing list of memories, of what were once great pubs in Perth.”

Mr Law said while he did not wish the club to fold, anyone who believed the booking would not be controversial was deluded.

Although the besieged part-time secretary, Mr Ramsay did not return calls, a friend called back in an effort to defuse perceived controversy and spike any story.

“It’s just a couple of Rangers fans with an agenda,” he said.

“But John’s since spoken to Podgie and he says he’s not doing any dodgy songs, just stuff by Bob Dylan and Bob Marley, and some Celtic songs.”

However, a few hours later, the same pal called back to report that Mr Ramsay had decided to red card Podgie from playing the function.

“He feels like he’s in the eye of a storm and he told me that he should never have agreed to it in the first place,” he said.

A post on the club’s Facebook page now reads: “There will now be no music in the hall on December 18. But Celtic buses, like those of every other club, are still welcome to book in and use our facilities prior to the game against St Johnstone.”