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All the Best, review by SFTB

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

The latest football book from the ever expanding CQN publishing stable is a long awaited blast from one of the many world class players who were part of the Lisbon Lions of 1967. Celtic’s best ever left back has collaborated with Alex Gordon, a vastly experienced sports writer, to produce a rollicking tale from a football life that was full of adventure, just like Tommy’s own playing style and that of the team that made him famous.

Entitled “All The Best”, the title reflects the fact that Tommy offers these wishes to all his readers, that he is giving of his best in the writing of the book just as he did on the field, with candid comment and surprising views, but, mostly, because Tommy has taken the stable diet of the football memoir- “Who were the best players that you played with and against?”, and taken this to another level

He has listed nine “Best Of” teams in the course of the book: the Lions (of course), Tommy’s best Scotland teammates, the best Celtic players apart from the Lions, a World Football 11 Tommy’s played against, his best teammates from both Nottingham Forest and Dundee, as well as two generations of great Celtic players Tommy has watched as a spectator.  There’s even a nod to his time as Albion Rovers’ manager.

Now, those of you used to the lazy format of a football book where not much thought, insight or honesty goes into the exercise, will be very surprised at the level of honesty, brutal in some cases, that goes into the pen pictures of those selected and some who just missed out. Tommy turns an honest spotlight on himself, you find yourself nodding your head in agreement, once you’ve recovered your breath, that is.

For this is a breathless read of a football life lived to the full. The forthright opinions on managers, even those he admired, are very revealing about the amount of dishonesty involved in football. You will be astounded at how these world class football players conducted themselves. If you are expecting to find tales of clean living, utmost professionalism on and off the field, and modern collegiate management, you will be very disappointed in this book. However, if you are looking for searing honesty, interspersed with several hilarious tales, then this is the book for you

It is not the polite memoir of a senior citizen glossing over the bad behaviour of his younger days, it is the “warts and all” tales of a more innocent time, when despite the absence of modern techniques, Scotland managed to rule the world and produce a Golden generation, for a brief period of time. Some of the opinions expressed are candid to the point of scurrilous-ness but the humour that is present in every chapter and every pen picture takes the edge of some of the more boorish behaviour which is recounted. There is no hiding place in sport. Everyone has an opinion and is keen to share it. Add booze to the picture and bad behaviour will inevitably follow,

It is fair to say that, even though I thought I was well acquainted with the details of Tommy’s life and career, there were many incidents that I was hearing about for the first time. Tommy’s description of one of his early team mates at Celtic who made life difficult for him will, first of all, shock you and then have you biting the carpet with laughter. His tale of transfer negotiations with the legendary Jim McLean and with a Ranger’s Director will also have you smiling broadly as Tommy does not miss and hit the wall.

From the Foreword by fellow Lisbon Lion, Bertie Auld, through to the final section, where Tommy fields some cheeky questions from the posters on the Celtic Quick News site, genuine laugh out loud humour is not far from the surface. This is a very funny book and captures the banter that still flows between these football legends.

It is a difficult task to combine such humour with frank honesty and then to maintain readability. In the 12 chapters of the book, you will find details which surprise, shock and amuse you. If you are a Celtic fan of a certain age, you will smile in reminiscence as long forgotten events are re-lived from an insider’s perspective. If you are a football fan at all, you will get an insight into the world of football from the 50s to the 80s from a practitioner and into modern football of the past 3 decades from an informed observer. If you just like to read a good book, this one will make you laugh out loud at many points.

Tommy Gemmell gave all his best for Celtic and Scotland while he played there. He continues to give us all his best in this publication. This is the best football memoir I’ve read in a long time. I am still remembering pieces and chuckling as I type this.

For a short period only you can add to the bundle Tommy is dedicating and signing (below) from the button at the bottom of the page.


Select Maiing Destination




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  2. Morrissey the 23rd on

    Teuchter ár lá @ 00:06

     

     

    I was posting about that subject in here a couple of days ago after @CelticResearch tweeted about it.

     

     

    It wasn’t me who posted the Japanese programme in here. I stole from someone in here and posted it on Twitter: 23:35 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Djveu2ilaRk

  3. WeefratheTim on

    Just popped in for a mo, can’t sleep. Cannot believe the …….l friggin music…..l who TF are we signing this close season? Answers on a postcard.

  5. Teuchter ár lá on

    Morrissey

     

    Thanks mate – thats the one.

     

    I seem to recall you mentioning something about your astonishment that the poster even found the clip.

     

    Hail Hail

  8. Morrissey the 23rd on

    Teuchter ár lá @ 00:29

     

     

    That’s right. I did.

     

     

    I’m not sure what I posted about the TV subsidy scam. I post a lot. Far too much.

     

     

    Anyway. Now that I checked all my usual sites, it’s time for breakfast. It that the time already?

     

    I really must find a life.

  9. Teuchter ár lá on

    Murdochauldandhay

     

    I think it was twitter thing I saw, but that will do just grand mate.

     

    Don’t tell anyone where I’m going to get the story :-)

     

    Thanks bud.

     

    Teuchter

  11. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    I’ve just watched the incredible program on BBC 2 about the battle between Thalidomide victims and the Distillers group, and their ongoing fight with the German pharmaceutical company who produced the drug. Quite incredible and compelling viewing. Another despicable cover up and failure of our justice system.

     

     

    The German company are still refusing to accept any liability for the destruction they caused these children and their families.

     

     

    I’ll be looking out their product names and ensuring all my friends are fully aware of their past and present actions and asking them to make their own minds up if those products should be supported.

     

     

    They say ignorance is bliss and I’ve been an ignorant bastard on this issue even though I’ve been aware of of it most of my adult life.

     

     

    Watch it on iplayer.

  13. Auldheid on

    Glasstwothirdfull

     

     

    There is the danger of the TV Contract narrative collapsing into one and the motivation behind the first deal which apparently required 4 OF games a season being applied to the second deal that was signed.

     

     

    I think there were two phases at play here. The first you refer to was most probably an attempt to keep TRFC in the top league. It was a carrot and stick proposal probably with the SPL clubs approval because at that point the anger that supporters of other clubs felt at the very idea itself had simply not materialised because in 2011 Rangers fast approaching bankruptcy was not public knowledge. It was an attempt by football and TV to keep the OF dependent show on the road and maintain the TV income that came with it.

     

     

    Was that contract ever signed btw or was it only ever a device to save Rangers?

     

     

    In any case it was dependent on Rangers staying alive as Rangers in the top tier.

     

     

    When Rangers went into administration in Feb 2012 the mood of supporters became clear and that was made known to SPL clubs in the only terms they understood – holding back on ST’S.

     

     

    There was a bit of a campaign of sporting integrity v commercial realities in that period up to the SPL vote not to allow Rangers to remain in the SPL and the former won – all the way down the SPL and SFL Divisions.

     

     

    It was against this background in July 2012 that the current deal was struck but which deal was set aside? The 4 OF Game deal or the one it preceding it that the 4OF would have replaced had Rangers got the nod to remain in the SPL?

     

     

    At this point the motivation is no longer keeping the same level of TV income as it was, but in minimising the loss of income all clubs would suffer because, like it or lump it, the TV Company was not going to lose on the contract that depended on a larger TV audience because of Rangers presence to make that contract pay for the TV Company .

     

     

    At which my previous post re the interdependent nature of football comes in and we might as well rant at the clouds for raining as blame Celtic for the nature of the football business and being involved in minimising the damage to all clubs.

  14. FrankMarker on

    two dates

     

    Sun 21st May 2000

     

    henrik Larsson-comeback game

     

    after bad injury playing against lyon

     

     

    Wed 21st May 2003

     

    Uefa Cup Final

     

     

    hail hail

  15. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    TET, I feel your frustration bruv. Our club are up to their neck’s in the hun fiasco and you and I are pissing in the wind.

     

     

    Celtic have yet to make any kind of statement on the demise or otherwise of the previous occupants of ibrox. – Would you do this if a 140 year old friend or enemy died?

     

     

    We continue to portray their youth teams as having the same original parent club i.e. Rangers FC. – Suggests a bring them back softly policy, our support are thick enough to accept it.

     

     

    Our liaison officer continually bats off any difficult questions about how the return of the new hun will be depicted when they reach Celtic Park. – See above. What is the point of having JPCT?

     

     

    Peter Lawwell makes one off the cuff remark at the agm and that just about satisfies the support for another three months. – Idiotic thing to say but it pacified all or most of us (including me) at the time.

     

     

    Lawwell is holidaying with the SPL degenerate whou tried to sell us the Armageddon lie. – He wants them back and is trying to bat for two or maybe three sides simultaneously. Resolution 12 which I supported financially looks like a dead duck. I commend those who instigated it and those who supported it.

     

     

    He’s involved in everything to do with the SPFL TV deal. – Ditto above.

     

     

     

    I’m sick of the silence. The Aberdeen fans shamed our support the day they told us “Your Silence Is Deafening”.

     

     

    They were 100% accurate with that banner. Celtic are a disgrace for their support of the hun.

  19. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    RWE, I only got three (two if I discount the last one). I’m not sure if that’s a good score or a bad one. ha ha!!

     

     

    Please repost your son’s blog so those of us with limited capacity to take it in the first time can get another chance to chat with your bhoy.

     

     

     

    Hail Hail

  22. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    Thecelt45, just dandy buddy. Got some positive comments on the dram at the cowiebhoy bar on Saturday, so that was a bonus. Pssst, your sample is safe. I can get it to Houston TX, I have a route. Picking it up will be up to you.

     

     

    I’ll mail you on that one.

     

     

    How you doing pal?

  23. Thecelt45 on

    ACGR,

     

    Doing good mate.

     

    Been crook for a few weeks, but on the mend!!

     

    A wee taste of that dram would go down well.

     

    Let me know where to collect in Houston…..will not miss it!

     

    Headed tonNew Orleans for the NAFCSC Convention then aff to the sunny climes of Angola for a wee while. Any chance of your good self headed this way?

     

    Hope all is well,

     

    TC45

  25. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    Thecelt45, Angola? Naw, it’s not on my agenda in the near or distant future, but I never say never. Keeping the oil flowing in the pipe is my priority so who knows?.Could be anywhere next for me but S.E.Asia is looking likely for my next gig. Not a definite but I’m seriously considering it. Beats the shit out of Africa……………………………..from my perspective.

     

     

     

    You stay safe out there bruv.

     

     

    Hail Hail you’ll get acgr mail

  26. Thecelt45 on

    Hail hail back bruv!!

     

    Done the SE Asia / PNG stint for 6 years. Loads a fun. Would go back.

     

    Take care as well. Need aw the Tim’s we can get!! Esp Angus loons.

     

    Heard from Neustad lately????

     

    Will check hotmail and give y’all a better update on things this end of the pond

     

     

    TC45

  27. Thecelt45 on

    Any CQN folks going to be attending the NAFCSC in New Orleans in June? If so, be good to catch up and have a wee NOLA hootenanny!

     

    TC45

  31. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    Maybe kojo and that other loony will meet up with TC45 for a North American Hootenanny.

     

     

    Handsacrosstheocean.com

     

     

     

    Goodnight Celtic men n wummin

  32. Gold Coast Tom on

    A Ceiler Gonof Rust said:

     

    Our liaison officer continually bats off any difficult questions about how the return of the new hun will be depicted when they reach Celtic Park. – See above. What is the point of having JPCT?

     

     

    Taking a wild stab in the dark, my guess would be . . . he is concerning himself with important issues.

  35. PJBhoynyc on

    SPL/SFA subsidizing Hate via a TV contract?

     

     

    Ha ha ha ha ha……

     

     

    Paul 67

     

     

    Please justify….

     

    The absurdity of the SFA and our participation in this illusion of sportsmanship/competion

     

     

    Or at least provide your perspective…

     

     

    The slow lazy journalists will not…

     

    And we know why.. They cannot.

     

    But will you?

     

     

    Whatabout the Alternative Media…?

     

    Any Perspective on this Please?

     

    Convince me it does not Stink?

     

    Please… Convince me.

     

     

    Remember years ago… The absurdity of the dead clubs cash flow… followed by absurd decisions…

     

    We were all up in arms…..

     

    Now it’s Pythonesque……

     

    It’s Bizzare.

     

    Is That Quick News?

     

    What do you say about the

     

    ‘Sporting integrity’ of our Passion

     

    Paul67…?

     

     

    GENUINELY…..

     

     

    What do you hear what do you say?????

  38. RWE on

    ACGR

     

     

    http://www.dontshrink.com is his wee blogsite.

     

     

    An hour ago we were told he had been taken into the Emergency Room with a urinary tract issue. Not UTI but he has had it for about 6 weeks on an off. We think it is connected to the bad fall he had during the transfer from wheelchair to bed. They don’t know but it is not ALS/MND related.

     

     

    Heard about your flag :o)

     

     

    Thanks for caring.

     

     

    ‘GG

     

     

    I shouldn’t be surprised that you got them.

     

    The second one was the top Mormon temple ie Vatican :o) in Salt Lake City, Utah and the third was the Arch in St Louis, Missouri. My eldest sister lives in the Showme state.

     

     

    I love that opening sequence and the music that goes with it.

     

     

    Angels in America right enough. We have one in Virginia at present.

     

     

    HH

  40. 'GG on

    PJBNYC

     

    A few years ago on this site, we were advocating Celtic go their own way with all media and TV rights.

     

    It seems to me that we missed a great opportunity to screen our own home games at least via Celtic TV, paying the opposition a portion of revenues. Likewise entering into agreements with all the other clubs to transmit their games on Celtic TV with them receiving the higher revenue portion.

     

    It looks like that boat has sailed and we were left on the pier.

  42. PJBhoynyc on

    I should add….

     

     

    Fitba communities are the final bastion of collective expression….

     

     

    Some are allowed to flourish, and some are not….

     

     

    Think about that…

     

    And where we are headed…

     

    Collectively….

     

     

    All I hear is….

     

     

    http://search.yahoo.com/mobile/s?rewrite=72&.tsrc=apple&first=1&p=youtube+sound+of+silence&pintl=en&pcarrier=AT%26T&pmcc=310&pmnc=410&fr=onesearch

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