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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Petition Signed’
Awe
Wee Barry on SSB sayin he had to chuck it.
Aye….you’ve got other stuff to worry about son.
https://twitter.com/mailsport/status/836286655346720769
Hearse with ‘RIP Football’ driven around King Power as Leicester prepare for first game since Ranieri sacking dailym.ai/2lZ1TzR
B B
IVE GOT A TELLY IN THE BEDROOM WILL I NEED 2 FIRESTICKS??
Hello and good evening.
Yesterday, I think it was, Simone posted regarding Glasgow crime fiction books, I thought I had booked marked copied the name but alas I have lost it. Could you repost please?
Hail Hail
A “matching” pair ,so you can blue your bell and swan aboot in your vestas?????
Braw
Under 20’s update anyone?
Floatin’
I like Jamie Carragher but he’s on Monday Night Football bemoaning clubs only caring about money. Come on Jamie, you’re live on SKY fella, a wee bit of self awareness needed.
Come on Liverpoool anyway!
My boss @ 7.02 …author was Craig Russell…
Bobby-petition signed
What’s going on with this major “news announcement” that the guy Wilson is Sevco’s number one target for DoF?
Since when was somebody being a target “news”?
What if they don’t get him – do they tell the next guy he is second choice?
Are they getting the name out to see if he is acceptable to the fans?
Is it all a smokescreen to hide something else…..???
U20’s getting beaten 1-0
Glasstwothirds
Fake news?
Brendan speaking very well about big Billy there. Very classy and respectful.
“Die, rectum of football!” (Karma, June 2012).
Kjam-like a few stories since yesterday, magic
Bsr
Could be.
I just wonder what the strategy of putting it out is all about. It isn’t being done without some kind of purpose.
GLASSTWOTHIRDSFULL on 27TH FEBRUARY 2017 7:22 PM
Brendan speaking very well about big Billy there. Very classy and respectful.
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Where?
Jude- aye or unplug it to use in both tv’s
Weebobbycollins
Many thanks
Glasstwothirds
It was completely and utterly missplaced in any Scottish news bulletin.
Part and parcel of the BBC’s perpetuation of the same club/old firm agenda. The issue was to create news
and make it sound important that Sevco had no manager, and had somehow lost the last two games.
In wartime its called propaganda.
Ebouie Booked. 8 minutes to go still trailing one nil to Motherwell penalty.
Green Brigade donate £1967 to Alzheimer Scotland in honour of Billy McNeill.
@CQN
BMCUW
Petition signed
Mighty Tim,-I said last night about my uncle who played back in those days,that’s what started his Alzheimer’s
Does the Wilson Ross “coup”……..*no laughin’*…………….
…………………. mean that Bawbag ‘n’ Bommur wullnae be gettin’ the gither…………?
Anyone go a link to BMCUWP petition please?
Corkcelt – I think that might be 2 bookings in 2 games played? He’ll be suspended before he plays for the Big Bhoys!
Despite dominating game young Bhoys fail to score and suffer a costly one nil loss.
Well done to everyone who donated towards GB Tifo and a great touch by GB with donation to Alzheimer’s Scotland.
@Green_Brigade06: *UPDATE LISBON 50 TIFO*
#greenbrigade
#lisbon50tifo https://t.co/sTOPy16Xsp
MWD
WATCHINGTHEMOTORS-we just called it a chooby:-))
TTR- Carragher telling the truth, his bosses will be mortified
Not a fan of Leicester but that was a lovely finish by Vardy there. Anyway, back to Corrie.
WHAT DID CARRGHER SAY???
Jude2005
Amazon are about to release their latest firestick (early april, i believe ). This will cost £40. I’m guessing you want one with Kodi installed? If so, then better to go for the second gen firestick with voice remote. These start at anywhere from £50 upwards on ebay ( Amazon have withdrawn them from sale due to release of latest generation). As stated before, they’re totally portable and you can move it to a different room as long as you have a good wireless signal.
Hope this helps. :-)
thetimreaper on 27th February 2017 7:27 pm
GLASSTWOTHIRDSFULL on 27TH FEBRUARY 2017 7:22 PM
Brendan speaking very well about big Billy there. Very classy and respectful.
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Where
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Apols for late reply. Was on Sportsound on RS. Could probably get it on podcast – about 45-50 mins in.
Any of the backstabbing Leicester players got their Ranieri t shirts out yet?
fairhill bhoy
A chooby :) that was it.
Floatin’