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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Bsr 7:34
Yeah – sounds about right!
Carragher said there is too much money in EPL, even Championship teams putting out weak teams in FA Cup, a joke he said
KJAM on 27TH FEBRUARY 2017 4:01 PM
————
magic ta,
A team that turns over £400m ends up with Lucas and Matic as centre halves and Milner left back. Hopeless.
Worth a wee look and a nice touch mentioning big Billy .
https://youtu.be/2WBIe2YvKrg
Carragher said in the most aggravating accent on TV;
Liiiiiiiiivvvvvvvveeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrpuuuuuuuulllllllllllllll were Shoooooocccccccccckkkkkkkkiiiiinnnggggg
Well thats what it sounded like.
Which Leicester player will be the first game nevto say
Sorry , went early there.
Which Leicester player will be the first to say “we did it for Claudio “. Bunch of arses.
Leicester and Sevco sacked their manager a few months after winning their biggest trophy.
Liverpool have zero physical presence
All the posting earlier means nothing.
Celtic’s 2nd team lost again. How long before it matters to people who call themselves Celts?
Two nil, or not two nil………………….. that is the question.
caretakers CSC
Liverpool fans turning on Klopp tonight on twitter , they now regret losing BR , they can foxtrot oscar
Liverpool are pathetic in what I have seen of this, Klopp must be in trouble, no fight poor organisation and zero threat, who cares, I’m so glad our manager has been there as he would be a certainty to be linked if Herr Klopp gets the heave.
Shakespeare puns are bard.
BSR- VG
Good Evening.
Here is something new, mocking liquidation-denial
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2017/02/27/charles-i-still-modelling-hats/
3-1……………… Liverpool dampen the tempest
Leicester fans copying the Celtic light show p@sses me off, commentators don’t even credit us Grrr!
Floatin’
I’m inclined to agree Guy.
Posted the result immediately game ended, no response whatever. Ah well, people are entitled to post what they like but yes was a bit surprised at apparent lack of interest.
Our u/20 side not being well clear at the top of their League baffles me.
JJ
Guy and Corkcelt
CQNers have as much right to be brainwashed into being as interested in the EPL as anyone else is 0:-))
Leicester City’s caretaker coach is called Craig Shakespeare.
Just so you know, he’s called Shakespeare
Hot Smoked, As far as I can make our we rarely played any over age players this season. Most teams play 3 senior players.
Having players like Ajer, Thomson & Nesbitt on loan also depleted the squad.
..
SUPERSUTTON on 27TH FEBRUARY 2017 6:45 PM
Interesting what You said about Women and Dementia as it is of course Not a male only Disease..
In My Earlier Post I mentioned Former AFL Player then Coach who has really brought Motor Nueron Disease into the News in Australia.. a few Months ago a Current Affair show did a Report on ALS with Daniher talking about the Disease..it included him with a Mother in her Early 40’s who had Motor Neuron and her best friend who was in her Early 30’s who gave up work as a Part-Time Nurse to care for her friend.. Six month Later she was Also Diagnosed with Motor Neuron..
As You say these Diseases don’t Discriminate..
Summa
Does anyone have an inclination as to why the Leicester players stopped playing for Ranieri…what was the difference with last season? Baffling…
Corkcelt
Thanks for that. It goes some way towards explaining our defeats but I am still surprised , as we are likely to have the pick of the bunch, that we are not comfortably ahead. Perhaps this simple game is a lot more complicated than some think?
Anyway, nice talking but I am off to bed now.
Goodnight all,
JJ
3-1 FT
Alls well that ends well
Just watched Josh groban on sky arts and he finished off with YNWA.
Fabulous,especially thinking of big billy and others who have health issues.
The Leicester turnaround has been dramatic…is it coaching, motivation or what? The effort tonight was extraordinary…
Questions should be asked of Klopp pronto.
Gubbed by Burnley,Leicester,Bournemouth .
He’s getting it easy from the media.Atrocious results.
You know what? I don’t really care about Leicester…just curious, that’s all.
Gooood Evening CQN
TONYROME on 27TH FEBRUARY 2017 6:38 PM
COWIEBHOY
You were right enough I don’t have those LP’S I’m sorry. I also spent an hour searching the downlod web sites I know and also tried youtube to. So I think JOBO’S method may be the way to go. I found another wee gadget though that might be of use to you in your quest. The link is below I hope it works.
http://www.getinthemix.com/accessories/turntable-accessories/ion-vinyl-forever.htm?opt=20937&gclid=CKyp84LzsNICFcy37QodqYgBgQ#
If you can get them changed into mp3 format somehow I would be more than happy to recode and burn them onto cd for you. Once again sorry I couldn’t help and good luck.
KEEP THE FAITH
Tonyrome – thank you very much Bhud for the time spent
As stated I have given the records to “BhoyfromSky” hopefully he will have picked up either Jobo’s note or your one
The musician – a huge Tim, who was very friendly with my Auld Da, and a few Lions, particularly with Jinky, he played the pub/club scene, for many years in Cowie Bowlers, but also Hasties farm and the Carousel ( wherever this was ?). Positive I seen him in the Carfin Hibs club about 35 year ago, where he also played, He is well into his eighties now, and last I heard still singing ?
Anyway thanks again
Up to you now P :-)
Hail Hail
After Celtic won the cup in 1954, Billy and the cup were present at the fete at Sacred Heart Church, Bellshill ( where all us great guys come from, ahem!) Got my picture taken with the cup and Billy’s autograph. I was 6, too young to realise the importance of the occasion. On 11 years , and I’m picking up my dad from his Catenians in the Tudor Hotel, Airdrie where Billy was guest speaker. Our boys guild had just been given a set of strips by “the original rangers” due to the efforts of Jimmy Dempsey MP. My dad, explained this amazing set of circumstances to Billy. He asked me which shirt I had. I replied No six, John Grieg’s. Billy with a rye smile said;- got a lot of blood on it son???
Lovely moment , lovely man, so were his parents.
Yes to those before me.
Thanks, it’s another worry to me about how we run our club. Wish I could be a MagsMcGillllpretendTim.
What an easy life that would be in Old Kilpatrick?
cowiebhoy
carousel;- bellshill
The centre of the universe in the sixties ! !
BTW…add me to the list of those who laughed their way through ‘Trainspotting 2’…and the ‘ludge’ scene is indeed hilarious…
Cowiebhoy
Was it john doc ?