Celtic Park: Club awarded money in councillor's absence. Pic: © STV
A Northern Irish ex-councillor has been ordered to pay Celtic FC almost £50,000 for hundreds of match tickets and season books that he ordered but failed to pay for.
Martin McManus ordered 500 Champions League and SPL game tickets, but failed to pay an invoice for them. He also owes money for 29 season tickets.
The club raised a court action against McManus last year, and both sides were due in court on Monday. However, McManus - a former Sinn Fein councillor for Northern Ireland's South Antrim district - did not show up, and a sheriff awarded the cash in his absence.
McManus is believed to be a representative of the William Orr Celtic Supporters Club in south Antrim. He will also have to pay the club's legal expenses and any interest on the money he owes.
Documents lodged at Glasgow Sheriff Court reveal the details of the money owed.
They say: "Mr McManus has purchased tickets from the pursuers for football matches held at Celtic Park since November 2002.
"In or around September 2008, Mr McManus ordered 350 three match package tickets for the UEFA Champions League. These tickets were for matches between Celtic FC and Aalborg BK on September 17, 2008, Celtic FC and Manchester United on November 5, 2008, and Celtic FC and Villa Real on December 10, 2008, at a total cost of £33,831. The sum remains outstanding.
"In October 2008 Mr McManus also purchased 29 season tickets for the 2008/2009 football season at a cost of £12,970. This sum is also outstanding.
"In January 2009 Mr McManus also purchased 50 match tickets for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League fixture between Celtic FC and Hibernian FC on January 24, 2009, at a cost of £1,255. This sum also remains outstanding.
"Mr McManus has been called upon to make payment of the sums sued for but has either refused or relayed to do so."
Sheriff Brian Adair awarded the Glasgow side £48,056 in the absence of McManus, of County Antrim, Northern Ireland. He had denied owing the money to the club but failed to turn up at court to present his case and the claim was awarded to Celtic.
The former councillor now has 14 days to appeal against the court's decision.
