When Celtic were moving towards the brink of bankruptcy in the mid-1990s, the challenge to the families who owned the club was inspired by Brian Dempsey.
Other individuals supplied the credence, in particular Fergus McCann, who provided the money to buy the club, but Dempsey created the sense that something notable could be achieved. He was the figure who trawled round the supporters clubs and generated the momentum among the fans to press for change. Charismatic and, crucially, plausible because they saw in him a reflection of their own values, sentiment and background, Dempsey led the way.
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