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.
735 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- »
DBBIA
Nope!
Save the Sevco is still in full swing as the evidence keeps highlighting. the fact the sevconians are eating themselves from the inside out is neither here nor there. If there is a fragmanent it will be saved at any cost.
SPFL and our club appear to be willing/wanting that.
MWD says Aye
What about a couple of factories?
Say…..rowntrees and walls or somert.
I recently went to see Celts in Seville at the Pavilion and during the show they played video of the game.
It was the first time that I had seen the Porto goals since leaving the stadium that night.
Yes, like many others I have the DVD but never watched it.
My elderly friend is in a religious order and will be moved south soon, sadly relinquishing his season book. He is in the process of preparing for the flitting and has passed on to me some football memorabilia. Included is FAI, Cup Final, 1983, Bohemians v Sligo. ( 2 -1 Sligo)
An article in it is entitled The Sligo a Miracle, by Tom Keogh, and praises the Rovers ‘ progress in recent months, recalling the bad times,too. ………on the field we had some strange names including Dabrowitz a former Hungarian international who played in the 50″s…He was a refugee after the uprising, and dome claim it was his brother who was the international….And hands up those who remember Gabriel Ojo who arrived from Nigeria and left without having made any sort of impact other than to provoke remarks like: “.hey, Blessed Martin, cross the f…ing ball.” Changed days regarding racism amd
BRTH
You hit this nail RIGHT on the head…..
“Make no mistake, in many ways broadcasting is tailored towards who the target market is and what the broadcaster thinks that market wants to hear as opposed to broadcasting in such a way as to radically alter or change opinion.”
What’s this I’m hearing about SPFL paying BT to broadcast sevco games…..they’re not even in our league and this should be dealt with by the league they are in……are they saying we are subsidising hunnery..? ….. do (or did) the Celtic Board know about, and agree to this ….?
racism and pc.
HH
Kolncelt…
great gesture for Kano foundation…
67heaven
Peter Lawell was on the SPL negotiating team who brokered the deal at the time. So yes our club has been fully aware of this for the past 2 years.
Unless of course he went for a pee and Doncaster slipped that bit in.
MWD says Aye
I don’t hear too many howls of protest when Clyde is broadcast on the supporters bus on the way too and on the way back from the game
And I am sure that is replicated on many supporters buses and vehicles attending Celtic Park
Maybe the demographic audience that populate supporters busses possibly sneak a peek at the red tops as well
Looking forward to which ever managers in place next season immediate post match interviews on CQN
MWD
Given that’s entire possible I think you should refrain from maligning ole Pedro
He’s doing a sterling job dontcha know :-))
BLANTYRE TIM
Goid to hear Marco is on the march!
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS ………Praying for our WEE HERO! 10:17 on 21 May, 2014
JOE FILIPPIS HAIRCUT
“The money they’ve received from TV companies has kept them afloat. Too much to expect them to cough up the penalties from their own share of the pot.
“The national game,run for the benefit of one club.”
To be fair the national game has actually been run for the benefit of two clubs.
When Rangers where still around they got all the favours Sevco currently enjoy.
Now the shoe was on the other foot and we were in trouble.
Would they be interested in our sturvival / revival? Not a chance. They’d be too busy celebrating and standing on our throats.
Absolutely disgusted with the SPFL. Especially disappointed that PL played any part in this.
It crossed my mind a few days ago that after wee sleekits snacho novo release from Carlisle he would pop up again with his tuppence worth on all things deadco.
And sure enough he is now another with his feet firmly planted in the King camp
You know this may eventually pay off for the wee sly one with a job back at Greyskull one day
Wonder what it may be….?
Some kind of ambassadorial role perhaps
A role involving sporting relations with Spain perhaps
Starting in Barcelona even
Hahhha
Delbhoy59
10:17 on 21 May, 2014
dontbrattbakkinanger
07:56 on 21 May, 2014
Whither the cash strapped scrofulous hillbillies the day?
—————————–
Just spotted Graham Wallace getting into his car in the car park behind Bank of Scotland in Uddingston!
Baw jaws, and personal plate on the car, definitely him!
I must say he didn’t look too happy, wonder why?
HH
—————————————————————————
Mibbe Tunnock’s had run out of broken biscuits for The Blue Room and that’s why he had a face like a dessicated coconut?
My copy of the Seville DVD – still in it’s cellophane wrapper on the shelf. Disinclined to unwrap for some inexplicable reason.
STEINREIGNEDSUPREME
Superbly put,old bean.
I wish I had said that!
kitalba
00:01 on 21 May, 2014
leftclicktic:
Now I know you don’t read my posts. Take a wee look at… this. There are a few other links on that page that are worth watching too.
—————
Caught :)))
In my defence I was rushing to get into ground early for Charity collection and did not read back,
Well done sir on digging that up ,I,m still trying to get used to online books :))
Hope you are well and thank you for all the links you post ,your knowledge and library of info puts my lazy head to shame sometimes.
NATKNOW
Dessicated coconut delicacies,is it?
Maybe a succulent version of this will suit.
http://australianfood.about.com/od/bakingdesserts/r/Lamingtons.htm
I know this was shown repeatedly yesterday but one more time wont do any harm.
kitalba
07:41 on 11 May, 2014
I have been looking for this for years and years, and today I found it.
The Lisbon Lions and the Celtic double winning team of 1988 on ‘Hearts of Gold’
Doooooooooooooooooh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59Cx3N377xs
Thank you – The Celtic Football And Athletic Company – for providing me with
one of the best nights of my life, 35 years ago tonight at 19:30 hrs.
Thank you ‘The Ten Men’ and the blessed Doyley and, from a personal point of
view – thanks to my favorit ‘ever’ Celtic player – Murdo(the real highlander)Macleod,
for scoring the best goal that CP has ever seen – imho – to win that – 4:2 gemme.
Thanks to all the Celts whom I was blessed to be with in what was the best night that
I have ever experienced in the ole Jungle at CP.
Best night of my Celtic supporting life? Absolutely.
Thank You – Hail Hail – Off oot.
From the cradle to the grave – CSC
Finally the graphic evidence that the deady berrs have indeed lost their club
Logic dictates that if you want something back it must be somewhere else and not in your possession
bbhoy
Take them to Bundoran , plenty of amusements / water park / cafes etc
Kolncelt
10:41 on 21 May, 2014
I recently went to see Celts in Seville at the Pavilion and during the show they played video of the game.
It was the first time that I had seen the Porto goals since leaving the stadium that night.
Yes, like many others I have the DVD but never watched it.
———
Ditto and when the grandson and granda spoke at the end I cried with pride and my 22 year old daughter understood:)))
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS ………Praying for our WEE HERO!
11:06 on 21 May, 2014
NATKNOW
Dessicated coconut delicacies,is it?
Maybe a succulent version of this will suit.
http://australianfood.about.com/od/bakingdesserts/r/Lamingtons.htm
—————————————————————————
Lovely! I had manys a quality Lammington when in Aus. Also love their Anzac Biscuits.
I’ve often thought a Dessicated Coconut Museum between Coatbridge and Uddingston would do well. :-)
Guys,
Seville nostalgia day.
get your copy of Seville– The Celtic Movement from any good book shop or http://cqnbookstore.com/ or any branch of the Celtic Shop
and to get you in the mood check out Billy No’Well’s latest video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUXXL7HJY0I
Just renewed my 3 season tickets, canny believe I even thought my anger o the board could stop me doing it.
Seems my love of celtic always wins in the end.
As for that tit Durham he’s a peterboro fan says it aw really.
Called his show a few years ago after another o rants aboot the celts.
Told if a ever seen him in the street I’d deck him, it wasn’t aired a got the magic button treatment.
Wasn’t allowed back oan after that.
Few months later that big scouse tim jamie carragher threatened to do the same and oor Adrian shat it. @@!!
Big sean
MWD @ 10:47 – “Unless of course he went for a pee and Doncaster slipped that bit in.”
Disgraceful inn-u-endo from you there…! :-)
T4
TTTT
Oooo-eeeerrrrr!
MWD says Aye but no tae that
67 Heaven
There is a very interesting statement in the DR from the SPFL that says that the 4OF game clause was in the TV Contract for a decade!
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cost-spfl-televising-rangers-matches-3579505#.U3xeSrZxucc.twitter
Apart from punching sporting integrity in the nose and should never have been allowed (but 10 years ago did anyone ever think Rangers would go bust or get relegated) it provided TV with the excuse to walk away from the existing deal when the baw bust.
My daughter works in sport intelligence research and knows a lot about TV deals world wide. In discussions I have argued for Scottish football getting more from TV, even if only to compensate for being next door to the EPL but she argues (and knows the business ) that TV is simply not that bothered because the audience in Scotland on which TV makes the money to pay Football is simply not big enough.
When it looks like that small audience is going to get even smaller TV is not going to subsidise the game out of their budget, they are going to play hard ball and demand a new deal.
To get as good a deal as possible TV will take the potential audience size into account so anything that keep TRFC fans viewing is going to increase what is on offer.
The SPL clubs are simply in no position to bargain and fear the loss of TV income will sink some of them.
That is the picture emerging of the background around which the negotiations took place.
If something else emerges to suggest that in those circumstances Celtic should have endangered the existence of other clubs by allowing our distate for TRFC to rule our heads then I’ll change my view, but what we are seeing is the true nature of the business of football in Scotland and why when TV says ” Jump!” we ask “How high?”
Seen on TSFM
If in breech of contract(through no fault of our own)and I repeat IF and dont see how PL & donkey could do much more
as my auld maw used to say
Half a loaf is better than none
Today’s Daily Record article- http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cost-spfl-televising-rangers-matches-3579505 – seems to confirm that the broadcasters were, in fact, guaranteed their 4 “old firm” games per season as part of the contract.
Doncaster is also believed to be angered by claims the TV deal was altered ahead of Rangers’ liquidation to stipulate it must include four Old Firm derbies a season.
Our SPFL source said: “That stipulation had been part of all the SPL’s TV deals for a decade. It was inserted at the broadcasters’ request.
“So when Rangers collapsed the SPL was in breach of contract. The deal agreed with the broadcasters was saving the game.”
Assuming, of course that the Record’s “SPFL source” can be relied on.
Seen on TSFM
If in breach of contract(through no fault of our own)and I repeat IF and dont see how PL & donkey could do much more
as my auld maw used to say
Half a loaf is better than none
Till later all
more thumbs than fingers today :((
moonbeams wd. wee oscar’s our bhoy and kano’s our mhan.
10:47 on 21 May, 2014
IF Celtic knew about, and agreed to this, they need to advise us ( the SUPPORTERS) why they agreed to it….!!?? …..IF they didn’t know about it, a formal complaint needs to be submitted to the SPFL Board..
Auldheid 11:38
Well that clear that up then! And opens up a few more cans of worms :-)
Surely the way to do it would be – pay us £Xm if there are four “Old Firm” games and pay us £Ym if there aren’t. Rather than have the whole deal collapse as soon as the clause kicks in?
How could they possibly guarantee that anyway? Could one of them not get relegated? Or even finish outside the top six?
What would happen if say Rangers were sitting in seventh place and had to win 9-0 to make the top six? What if the game was against a team that were deep in debt?
More questions than answers…..
OK we all know that guaranteeing 4 OF games for a tv contract is hardly the base for sporting integrity.
Could it be the case that this started off as some clause that stated the contract fee was based on 4 OF games and over time was warped into a guarantee?
Or was it a shorthand way of stating that should one of Celtic or Rangers be relegated that the contract would need renegotiated. There’s simply no way that SKY could have sued the SPL for breach of contract if one of the teams had been relegated through sporting performance.
67heaven
They knew about it. Peter Lawell did not go for a pee.
Auldheid.
Are you suggesting that the TV companies would have pulled the plug on the remaining 2 years of the contract that was due to expire May 2014?
We may be a small market for the TV companies but you try and cancel your sky sports package. Tell me how many calls and offers you receive to stay. The companies still require our custom for their shareholders profits. They understand they need the viewing figures and that includes viewing figures of Celtic and not just Sevco. I do not believe for one minute the deal running at the time would have been cut by the TV compnaies.
IMO as I imagine your view is your opinion.
MWD says Aye.
fieldofdrams
10:31 on 21 May, 2014
Delbhoy59 at 1017
“Just spotted Graham Wallace getting into his car in the car park behind Bank of Scotland in Uddingston!”
The first ‘just spotted’ of the summer, good mhan!
Anybody hanging about Ross Hall, seen anybody arriving?
*************
Was there recently. Saw 6 foot plus Bhoy, Tim-tastic who would love to pull on the Hoops….free agent. Would play for nothing…..
Sadly his belly seems to be increasing proportionately as his cartilage diminishes….
GlassDoorCSC!
HH jamesgang