Dermot Desmond pays tribute to 'enormous' Celtic contributor as board member steps down after 25 years
The Scottish businessman announced he would be stepping down for the club after a quarter of a century
Celtic’s major shareholder, Dermot Desmond has led the tributes to departing board member Tom Allison upon the announcement of his retirement.
A lifelong Hoops fan, Allison joined the board in 2001 and has since made an ‘outstanding’ contribution to the club. Over the past 25 years, the 78-year-old has had several roles behind the scenes at Parkhead in what has been a largely successful period for the club. He will now follow in the footsteps of former chairman, Peter Lawwell, who also left the club earlier this season after over two decades.
Allison’s main role at Celtic was as Senior Independent Director - a position he has held since 2005. He was often spotted on matchdays sitting in the director’s box with fellow board members. Away from football, he made his fortune from Clydeport, a vital Scottish port network, which would later become Peel Ports and has since dabbled in the energy and housing sector. Following his retirement, a number of key figures at the club have paid tribute.
Tom Allison retires after 25 years on Celtic board
After the announcement was made public, Allison told the club’s official website: “It has been my great pleasure to serve on the Board of Celtic for nearly twenty-five years. The transformation of our Club over that period has been enormous and it has been my privilege to be part of that journey. I wish our Club and our supporters every success in the future.”
Celtic’s non-executive director, Desmond was one of the first to pay tribute, stating: “Tom has made an enormous personal contribution to Celtic. He has been a key advisor to me at all stages and brought his wisdom to the many challenges which arose over the years. Tom is a person of vision, and he has brought that vision to all his endeavours.”
Interim Celtic chairman Brian Wilson added: “Tom joined the Celtic Board at a time of transition, and the Club has continued to benefit from his business expertise and wise counsel throughout the intervening years. All of us who have known Tom as a friend and colleague deeply appreciate his contribution and extend our best wishes for the future.”
Celtic release statement on Tom Allison retirement
A club statement read: “Celtic Football Club today announced that Tom Allison has retired from the Board of Celtic plc. Tom, a leading Scottish businessman, has been a lifelong Celtic supporter and gave nearly twenty-five years of service to Celtic.
“Since joining the Board, Tom has made an outstanding contribution to the development and success of our Club. Tom joined the board of Celtic as a non-executive director in September 2001, under the Chairmanship of Brian Quinn. At that time, he was chief executive of Clydeport and later oversaw its integration with Peel Holdings, of which he became chairman.
“He has been widely recognised for his contribution to business and charity over many years. Tom brought all his expertise and experience to bear on his role at Celtic and has been its senior independent director since 2005. The Board of Celtic thanks Tom for his contribution and we wish him well in his retirement.”