It’s been a joy to read all that’s been written about Billy McNeill since his wife Liz decided to tell the story of his dementia yesterday. Much of it, inevitably, reflected on a magnificent life. For now I’m not going to tell you about what he did for Celtic, what his leadership made possible, even today, or what he was like as a human being. That’s a story for another day. Dementia is not the end of the story, so we should not treat this news as such, but it does become a profound end to most of what defined the life that proceeded it.
For long enough after his diagnoses (seven years ago), Billy remained as charming and entertaining as ever. I knew of his condition but would never have been aware if his ability to talk football, or about Bellshill, was anything to go by. He once joked about his fading memory to me, before issuing himself a tongue-in-cheek caution, “Don’t suppose I should joke about that these days”.
The last time I met him was with Davie Hay at a publicity shoot in late 2014 for a book we did. He could still recall great detail about the young Davie, but for the first time I could see a fragility about the man. There was no joking about his memory this time.
It may be 50 years since Billy’s greatest moment, but his stature remains unparalleled. In speaking openly about his condition, Liz will hopefully give strength to the many other sufferers in our communities. It also gives us reason to consider the consequences of heading the heavy footballs of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. While the modern ball doesn’t retain water like earlier models, it is still a 1lb weight that is regularly propelled at 70mph. Small sample sizes lead to bad conclusions, but if you put your head on a long clearance as it drops from the sky, it will not take a lot to convince you it’s not a healthy activity.
When news like this breaks people are often full of regret at opportunities not taken. Not with Billy. He was adored by his elders, his contemporaries and by those who got to know him by his legend. He spent his life living among his people, openly and accessible. We all got a moment with Billy McNeill. And you know what? He loved every minute.
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Anyone know the name of the boxer who wore the hoops into the ring ?
I think the view did a feature on him
An American fighter if I’m not mistaken from maybe 5 to 10 years ago
Thanks in advance
Sean O’Grady.
Robbed against Watt.
NAT KNOW .
There are some fine choon stores in Bologna –
DISCOBOLANDIA
DISCO D’ORO
L’ARCHIVIO 40100– in the basement — they sell” artisan beer ” upstairs
MASTER BLASTER ..
If it’s second hand -don’t be scared to haggle and you may find the price is less if you pay with cash and don’t care about getting a receipt .
Well said Paul. The last time I spoke to Billy was at the last Barcelona match. I was at there really early to pick up tickets and spotted him as he was walking up towards the stadium, I presume for a pre-match meal. It was so early that there weren’t many people around, but all of them wanted to say hello to Billy, get photos taken with their kids and get their programs signed. He was making about two steps at a time before he had to stop again for the next request, but smiled and signed and wished us all well as we shook his hand. A Great man.
Natnow… Its like shooting fish in a barrel. :-)
WATCHTHEMOTORS
Big thank you for sending the pic taken in The Kilmeny Hotel in ’68 so promptly
Floatin’
Hello again all you young rebels.
CQN at it’s finest when discussing any of our lion legends, it’s
sad to hear of big Billys illness being confirmed but it’s brought
us all together in admiration for a wonderful man and the
finest captain of Celtic in my lifetime.
Marching up to hampden with my wee da in 1965 all the way
asking ” will we win the cup the day da?
” aye son ”
” But they beat us the last time da”
” Aye but big Jock’s with us now and the team will rise to the
occasion ”
Well none rose higher than big Billy that day when he soared
like an eagle to head the winner and the joy and euphoria of
the Celtic support after so many miserable years was amazing
and that was just the start as two years later we had that
iconic photo of him on the podium in Lisbon with the big cup.
Yes there’s only one king Billy and thats McNeil.
H.H Mick
Sandman, hilarious.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
I have the pic from WATCHTHEMOTORS.
As it was taken in 1968 (not ’67 as stated earlier) and I was only 13yo it will be necessary to enlist the help of your dad COSY CORNER BHOY ,or any other CQN ers of the same era, to identify the locals pictured.
Floatin’
A People AndA Cause
Boston’s Danny O’Connor. The game was Celtic 2 Barcelona 1
MWD
FLOATIN’
If you could please forward it to me at
bmcuwp@gmail.com
I’d be very grateful.
I’ll forward it to my Dad and also to BILLYBHOY 05. He drinks wi my Uncle Jim and will show him it.
I have a feeling I can guess a few names already-probably you can too!-but sad to think how few are likely to still be around.
HH and my thanks!
Moonbeams that sounds about right
Thanks TCR also
BMCUW
Pic duly despatched.
Tally
Who are you? , Sure we’ve been here before :)
Floatin’
Pretty decent article from Keith Jackson today.
Hammers King.
Savages him for refusing even to speak to Warburton for eight months. And for sacking him without a replacement.
Points out that Murty could have his career screwed by being put in charge.
I get a feeling though that he’s holding back. And reluctantly at that.
There may be more to come from this-unless he is dragged back into the fold PDQ.
FLOATIN’
Thanks,mate. Looking forward to seeing some old faces in gear reminiscent of that STILL GAME Hogmanay flashback episode!
I’ll also reply with TALLYBHOY’s name,save putting it on here.
Tricoloured Ribbon
That Watt/O’Grady bout was a strange one. O’Grady seemed well in charge until Watt clearly butted him.
What’s the whole they’ve got with De Boer anyway?
Did he demonstrate “Real Rangersness” in those 17 appearances he made for the old club?
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 27th February 2017 1:28 pm
Pretty decent article from Keith Jackson today.
Hammers King.
Savages him for refusing even to speak to Warburton for eight months. And for sacking him without a replacement.
———
Very strange indeed. If he told King (as King claims) that he was only there until a better job came up, you would have thought they would have had a replacement all ready to come in…
TALLYBHOY
Got you’re name from BMCUW.
Don’t recognise the name but then I’m 1&1/2 yrs older than you and a year or so was an eternity then :)
Apologies if I should know you bet then a few of my organs are pickled now :)
Floatin’
GLASSTWOTHIRDSFULL
Well,his contract at the time was described as “Petrol Money” by SDM in The Record. So it must be true.
I’m presuming they think he will manage them for similar. Even aside from the “irregular contract” he was also being paid,I’m not so sure they can afford petrol money at today’s prices.
It’s a shame really,innit? When I think of the reasons why our club was founded,maybe we should be helping the peepul in their hour of need.
Problem is,it isnae an hour,they’re hardly deserving,and to use a wee expression they took pleasure in bandying about a few years back when one of our own was in the firing line,they’ve brought it on themselves.
Karma might be a bitch,but she usually hits the correct target.
FLOATIN
Thanks for the replies.
I left St Michael’s in 1973. I think they actually TOLD me to leave!
:-)
One of my best pals there was another Ardrossan native you may know – Jim Carson?
Hope to meet you at some stage.
HH!!
FLOATIN’
I’m hopeless wi names. Always have been. If you’re ever in Troon,nip into The Lonsdale and go…
Aw,got you now!
And next time yer in Ardrossan,Laurieston for the old-timers from The Garryowen.
Btw,a friend of my sister was in Florida for the 5-1 hun massacre a few months back. Not a clue where to watch the game,I put a request on here.
Got a result,she had a great day. Including meeting a fella from Saltcoats who asked how she and her entourage got wind of the venue.
She told him I’d forwarded it via CQN
Yes,my year at school,and a Garryowen regular. Small world.
..
Moonbeams..
I Sincerely thank You for that Post last Night..
We had a Brief conversation a Few weeks ago when I mentioned my Dad.. I was lying on a Bed in a Beautiful Hotel after a Fantast One Day Holiday with my 2 Beloved Ghirls.. both were fast asleep when a Program came on about the onset of Dementia and it basically said it could take People in 2 Years I basically broke down there and then as my Dad was diagnosed with it last Year.. but like You I’ve had people here in Oz in my Life that have had it so I thought I knew a bit.. Fact is I know nothing reading about Big Billy was hard Yesterday and it being in the Record I knew my Dad would read it and I know he knows very little about what he has been Diagnosed with Billy regularly attends Mass 30 meters straight across the road from my Dads front Window..
I’m Currently driving my Ex-Wife everywhere and to and from Nighshift as she went over her Points on her License at New Years which also means I am Now Caring for my Ex-Mother in Law who needs Daily Care and has same Diagnoses.. which gives me great pleasure I cook clean chat for hours and even let her smoke in the House instead of on balcony as she is unsteady on her feet.. I Split with my Ex 13 Years ago but remained great pals with the Mother in Law.. and Last Week her Daughter asked me to be her Official Full time carer as I’m the only Person in the World that she will listen to as she has been turning the Daily Nurse away.. Your post has gave me food for thought of what I’m taking on and in for.. Coupled with it reminds me Daily of what is ahead for my Dad and my Family..
with regard Paul’s Comments on the Link to Dementia and Heading Leather Footballs.. Today James Forrest wrote a Article on similar topic.. Last Year I asked James if he would consider writing a Article on the link to Football Players and Motor Neuron Disease as Now 3 Celtic Players have succumbed to ALS and they All signed for Glasgow Celtic Football Club within a 6 month Period of each other 2 of whom at one point I was best pals with one of their Kids one of which passed away here in Australia last Year and went down hill very fast for a Really fit and healthy old Ex football player to a Prisoner in their own body..
Re; Dementia and link to Footballers.. Ian Saint John has been asking the English FA to look into the Link as SIX Ex Liverpool Players from the early Shankly Years have Now been Diagnosed with Dementia SIX..Even a Mug like me can see You don’t need to take the Beatings to the Head that Muhammad Ali eventually took to end up with a Debilitating Disease that takes once Super Fit Athletes from us Far to Early or Leaves us to witness a Very Slow Horrible Death..
Thanks again for Your Post I’m a Lot more Positive than I was Yesterday or Last Week for that matter..
001
It is so sad that as those of us who remember Lisbon prepare to revel in every memory that we have that our Billy will not be able to recollect his achievements and appreciate the love and respect that we all have for him. My only consolation is that he had so many great years when he did enjoy his career, achievements and comradery of the Celtic family (and from outwith it as he was respected by all)
I have a souvenir programme at home for a testimonial game for another great leader – Mario Coluna, Captain of Benfica and Portugal. The programme is headed – Mario Coluna – Um grande capitão – A Great Captain
Billy McNeill – O nosso grande capitão – Our Great Captain
Most importantly of all at this time, may his wife and family have the strength to support him and themselves and may they get whatever fleeting glimpses of joy possible through his illness. My mother who died last year had severe dementia and verbal communication was pretty much impossible with her but, sometimes, just sometimes, a wee look said everything that had to be said.
FRITZSONG on 27TH FEBRUARY 2017 1:42 PM
Tricoloured Ribbon
That Watt/O’Grady bout was a strange one. O’Grady seemed well in charge until Watt clearly butted him.
Jim Watt is a friend of mine.I was talking to him one night and he told me that O Grady was battering 7 bells out of him,did not know what to do,so nutted him.Thought he was going to get disqualified,and was shocked when he did not.
Interesting wee after to that story.O Grady was fighting a short while later for one of the World Championships.He was way ahead on points with 2 rounds to go,and his opponent did the same thing.The Referee allowed the fight to continue,although he was in a right mess,and he won his World Belt.
Jim Watt said he was the best fighter he had ever faced.A good guy Watt.
TALLYBHOY
I knew Jim Carson well, he was ‘one of the gang’ before he went to South Africa and came home to buy Largs. :)
Floatin’
Forgot to add Jim Watt is a fantastic musucian with a record collection worth a fortune.Collects collectibles,if you know what I mean.
Excuse musician,no glasses on.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
Just catching up, petition signed.
BMCUW
Always went to The Laurieston to watch the games when I went home.
It’s unlikely I’ll go to Ardrossan again as, sadly, recent events have soured the place for me.
I now visit a very nice care home in Irvine :( when North of the border.
Floatin’
Best wishes to Billy and his family, shame that such a great man should be incapacitated by such a cruel illness.
From what I know the long term memory remains when the short term fails, the memories can become more vivid, so hopefully he will be able to remember his great achievements this year of all years
SOUTH OF TUNIS on 27TH FEBRUARY 2017 12:55 PM
NAT KNOW .
There are some fine choon stores in Bologna –
DISCOBOLANDIA
DISCO D’ORO
L’ARCHIVIO 40100– in the basement — they sell” artisan beer ” upstairs
MASTER BLASTER ..
If it’s second hand -don’t be scared to haggle and you may find the price is less if you pay with cash and don’t care about getting a receipt .
———————————————–
Many thanks for both your messages my friend!
I’ll have plenty of time to check out those record stores and I’m already getting excited about the food & drink.
Expect to arrive around aperitivo hour. Timing – they say -is everything…! :-))
SOUKOUS
Grateful thanks,mate. Disgraceful to “repatriate” someone a few months short of First-class B.Eng Honours degree.
It’s down to administration and changing the rules. She was fine to stay here when she arrived,she was even fine to stay here when her father died.
Now,retrospective rule-change and she has to go.
That is a potential engineer. Lost through dogma,and dare I say it,hatred.
Our loss as much as hers.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
Petition???? I love a good petition – can you enlighten me and ping it my way??
FLOATIN’
I’ll be honest,Ardrossan has few good memories for me.
Dragged there when I was eight,couldnae wait to get away
I didn’t like it and it didn’t like me.
DAVIDOPOULOS
I can do better than that. Here’s the article.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/exception-student-deportation-three-months-before-graduation-sri-lanka-home-office-amber-rudd-a7600511.html?utm_content=buffer30e3c&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
The petition is embedded near the end of it.
Everyone who signs it has my gratitude. This isn’t about snidey point scoring against the government. It’s about right and wrong.
001bhoy
I’m not too sure how that post helped but glad it did.
I hope your dad is doing well and respect for taking on the job of full time carer to you mum in law.
MWD
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
Thanks! This is definitely a cause I can get behind.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 27th February 2017 2:39 pm
Petition signed!
KTF