They say you should not get to know your heroes as they will only disappoint. Very few heroes grow in stature when you get to know them as individuals, but Billy McNeill did just that. He was more than just a football hero, more than just the first Briton to lift the European Cup, more than an imperious player, manager and authority in the game. He was generous with his time, interested in those he met, always happy to engage with fans, the perfect ambassador of our community. We lost him today, aged 79, after years of dementia.
None of us today, including those who are old enough to remember the fifties, could probably explain just what an impact Billy, Jock Stein and the rest of the Lisbon Lions had. Eight years had passed since Celtic won a trophy before the big man rose to head the winner in the 1965 Scottish Cup Final against Dunfermline. That in itself was a momentous event. If the story ended there, that Cup win, that header, would be secure in our memory. But so much more followed.
A club which had been starved of success for 40 years was deluged in glory. Nine-in-a-row was a world record. When the run ended, there was disappointment, but we were also able to look back on a staggering achievement. The European Cup, a further final and two semi-finals took Celtic and Billy’s reputations across Europe. This was a team of winners led by a titan. Billy, articulate and charming, was master of all.
He became manager of Celtic, who finished the previous season in fifth place, in 1978, immediately restoring the club to the top of Scottish football. He repeated this obligement in 1987, but by then the tides were turning. Money would determine success from that point on and Billy retired to what was his first role at Celtic – a supporter.
News of Billy’s dementia spread before the family made the announcement and I met him a few times during that period. On one occasion, he stopped my son with a question: “When did Celtic win the European Cup?” On hearing the right answer, Billy joked, “You’ve got a better memory than me.” And with a smile, added, “I suppose I should stop making jokes like that”. The inner strength the man had was astonishing.
The last time I spoke to Billy he was in the company of John Clark and I was with my Dad. After a few moments chat, Billy said, “I remember you, you delivered butcher meat to my mother.” 40 years had passed since that was true, and Billy was already suffering dementia, but he remembered the ordinary Celtic fans who returned the joy he gave them for so many years. Even through his illness, he inspired and impressed.
For all the trophies, the goals and the glory, my fondest memory of Billy is when the Celtic media team took him back to the tunnel at Estadio Nacional. He explained the team’s walk from the dressing room and how they raised themselves in that tunnel for the task ahead. None of what that team did was easy. It took courage, hard work and extraordinary ability.
If you met him, if you knew him, tell people about him for the rest of your life. Share the memories and the joy. Remind people that he was hard as granite when he needed to be, that he was intelligent, funny and a great football player.
Today’s loss is overwhelmingly to Liz, the family and their close friends. The rest of us can only wonder at how lucky we were to have Billy in our lives.
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When bobby Murdoch passed away in May 2001, that night STV did a lovely tribute to bobby, by showing Colour and Black and White Film Footage of Bobby, in Slow Motion…..
The Song that accompanied the footage was…..Sting….singing ” Fields of Gold”.
I tipped my hat to STV that night.
HH
Big Jimmy- seems Bernard Ponsonby has a great tribute tonight at 6 on STV
RIP Billy McNeill a Legend in every sense of the word – who I first met circa 55 years ago and who I was very fortunate to converse with on many occasions thereafter.
Billy and Liz were not long married and had moved into their new house – I was a schoolboy on the Co-op bicycle delivering the ‘messages’ (think Open all Hours). My shock when I first carried the box of groceries into that house – there was the Captain of Celtic sitting at the kitchen table! Autograph, half-crown tip and an apple from Liz – couldn’t wait to get into school to tell my mates. I used to pester the shop to make up the order for Friday night deliveries – a better chance of Billy being there. Little did I know then that I would have the privilege of watching him lead us to such a glorious period in our history.
I retell this story because of an amusing incident some 30+ years later. We were at a Presentation Dinner and I got talking to Liz and mentioned how I first met her. She only goes an interrupts Billy and says – look who this guy is? He used to deliver our groceries – Billy shakes my hand and cracks something about how I’ve aged a bit! A wonderful couple.
I was lucky to meet him many times over the years when he was a player and our manager; 25th Silver and 40th Anniversary EC Dinners, Supporters Functions and had many a chat with him in the dark period leading up to the 1994 Takeover – including more than one drink in his pub ruminating about the perilous state of CFC at the time.
He was always generous with his time, knowledgeable and had a fantastic passion for our Club and our Support – you will be sadly missed but fondly remembered Billy. God Bless!
My thoughts and prayers with Liz and the Family at this sad time.
A wee story.
Many moons ago, 1967 to be exact, and Celtic had just won the
big wan, when this young bhoy had just unexpectedly received a letter
from his long lost sister Theresa who had disappeared from us and
settled herself in the US of A without any contact since i was a toddler.
Bit of a disfunctional family 8-))
She wanted to know about my life and asked me to write to her and
tell her everything about myself which i duly did.
I don’t think she and i were on the same wavelength when she wrote
back again asking me why i only sent a photograph from a newspaper
of a footballer holding up a big cup.
Thats what i thought of Billy McNeil Celtic captain,Lion,Legend. RIP.
H.H Mick
In my eyes The Big Fella was the greatest Celt i have ever seen RIP WM McNeil HH
…and there is another Lion who is not in the best of health…
!!BADA BING!! on 23RD APRIL 2019 11:36 AM
Just put a scarf on Billy’s Statue,tears blinding me,thanks for being the Greatest Celt, placed on behalf of guys on here,who cant get to Celtic Park at this time.
———————————————————————
BB, as one who can’t manage, thank you.
Ditto Bada.
I’ll be there on Saturday. And I know I’ll cry my eyes out.
HH jg
Bada bing , I was on that trip with my brother and mate, an absolute pleasure to be in his company, gentleman of the highest order.
R.I.P. Cesar Hail Hail.
Bma.
!!BADA BING!!
Many thanks for that.
A great thought and deed.
GerryBhoy
Its the Daily Mail, so I wont do the link, however I thought its a really good article.
here goes, pics to follow.
——————–
Billy McNeill, the Lisbon Lion who kickstarted the glory years, was hard as teak and genuinely world class… Celtic and Scotland will never see another ‘Cesar’ again
Celtic legend Billy McNeill has passed away at the age of 79
He was the first Scot to lift the European Cup when Celtic won it in 1967
Former captain McNeill is synonymous with every triumph of the Jock Stein era
His nickname, ‘Cesar’, came from movie Ocean’s 11 after actor Cesar Romero
In 2015, a statue was unveiled outside Parkhead in honour of the Lisbon Lion
By STEPHEN MCGOWAN FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 10:09, 23 April 2019 | UPDATED: 10:46, 23 April 2019
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Celtic and Scotland will never see another Billy McNeill. His statistics, by any standards, were remarkable. He played 790 times for the Parkhead club, winning nine titles, seven Scottish Cups and six League Cups in an era when Rangers, Dunfermline, Hibs and Kilmarnock reached the latter stages of European club competitions.
He was not the only Scotsman to lift the European Cup. But he was the first. And the only one to captain a Scottish club when he did it.
Rightly, Jock Stein is regarded as the Godfather of Celtic’s glory years. The architect and constructor.
Billy McNeill was Celtic’s iconic leader during glory years under Jock Stein in the 60s and 70s +14
Billy McNeill was Celtic’s iconic leader during glory years under Jock Stein in the 60s and 70s
He marshalled Celtic’s defence for 18 glorious years at Parkhead between 1957 and 1975 +14
He marshalled Celtic’s defence for 18 glorious years at Parkhead between 1957 and 1975
In 2015, Celtic unveiled a statue outside Parkhead in honour of their ‘greatest ever captain’ +14
In 2015, Celtic unveiled a statue outside Parkhead in honour of their ‘greatest ever captain’
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McNEILL’S CAREER
As a player
1957–1975: Celtic
1961-1972: Scotland
Honours
Scottish League x9
Scottish Cup x7
Scottish League Cup x6
European Cup
As a manager
1977: Clyde
1977–1978: Aberdeen
1978–1983: Celtic
1983–1986: Manchester City
1986–1987: Aston Villa
1987–1991: Celtic
1998 Hibernian: (caretaker)
Honours
Scottish League x4
Scottish Cup x3
Scottish League Cup
But no one can overlook the role of his onfield lieutenant.
McNeill’s soaring header in the 1965 Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline was the beginning of the glory years. Pigeon chest jutting outwards, the captain is synonymous with every triumph of the Stein era. God knows, there were plenty.
Like John Greig at Rangers ‘Cesar’ was also a product of a gilded halcyon spell. One when Scottish football soared beyond its natural status as European minnows and managed, somehow, to produce a string of remarkable figures.
Hard as teak, genuinely world-class, one-club players who had everything but money. Yet still put club loyalty and personal contentment before the lure of the English game.
His nickname had its origins in the 1960 movie Ocean’s Eleven. The only player to own a car, McNeill became the designated driver for members of the Celtic Rat Pack, like actor Cesar Romero in the film.
Only later, when he scaled the steps in Portugal’s Estadio Nacional to raise the European Cup on May 25 1967 did the name come to signify something else; a footballing emperor.
Writing in his autobiography, Hail Cesar, McNeill later admitted: ‘I remember thinking: “Where are my team-mates? Why am I the only one here?” The Lisbon Lions were a collective. We were a team on and off the pitch.’ That’s undeniably true. Yet McNeill was a towering figure amongst them. A leader of men.
Born in Bellshill in March 1940, Lisbon arrived a mere two years and two months after he came close to leaving Celtic.
Before Stein’s arrival as manager in March 1965, Tottenham declared an interest in taking him to London. Celtic were a rudderless ship and the cash on offer was £100 a week; four times what he earned at Parkhead.
Iconic captain McNeill leads his team out in Lisbon ahead of the European Cup final in 1967 +14
Iconic captain McNeill leads his team out in Lisbon ahead of the European Cup final in 1967
McNeill, along with the officials and Inter Milan captain Armando Picchi, at the Lisbon stadium +14
McNeill, along with the officials and Inter Milan captain Armando Picchi, at the Lisbon stadium
The former centre back pictured lifting the trophy after beating Inter Milan 2-1 +14
The former centre back pictured lifting the trophy after beating Inter Milan 2-1
Dave Mackay, the ultimate Hearts fan, left his beloved Tynecastle for White Hart Lane because loyalty never paid the bills.
Yet McNeill made the decision to stay put.
His former Manchester City chairman Peter Swales offered an insight into the reasons why when he observed: ‘If ever a man was made for a specific club it was Billy McNeill and Celtic.’
There were brief spells as a manager at Aberdeen, Manchester City and Aston Villa. Yet McNeill was drawn back like the proverbial penny to Glasgow’s east end where he spent two spells as Celtic boss.
He guided the club to four Scottish championships and three Scottish Cups in total. A league and cup double in Celtic’s centenary season of 1987-88 was followed by the retention of the cup against Graeme Souness’ Rangers a year later.
Yet football was moving on and Celtic were either unwilling or unable to move with it. After years of claiming otherwise the Souness years forced an anachronistic Parkhead board to confront an inconvenient truth. Money can buy success.
McNeill’s first spell was curtailed by an uneasy relationship with chairman Desmond White. His second ended when chief executive Terry Cassidy sacked him in 1991 during a spell when the club regarded the Lisbon Lions as an inconvenient nuisance and an occasional embarrassment.
A reminder of the club Celtic used to be and no longer were. An articulate and insightful presence in the media, this journalist still recalls a trip to the Parc des Princes in Paris for a European Cup Winners’ Cup game in 1995.
Part of the BBC commentary team, McNeill’s arrival at the security entrance prompted gasps of awed recognition from stewards. Almost 30 years after Lisbon the old bhoy still retained the X-factor.
By the 50th anniversary of Lisbon in 2017, his strength was waning. Their numbers slowly dwindling, the Lions were feted and worshipped during a year of commemorative concerts and events.
The debilitating effects of degenerative dementia made it impossible for McNeill to participate, yet he attended home games in the company of lifelong friends Mike Jackson and Benny Rooney as long as his illness allowed. The sight of a proud, upright man struggling with a debilitating illness was a difficult and painful one to survey.
Younger generations of Celtic supporters will never want for a reminder of the leader of old. His image remains the first thing visitors to Celtic Park clap eyes on. A bronze statue of the former captain holding the European Cup at the foot of Celtic Way followed McNeill’s appointment as a club ambassador in July 2009.
Many felt his status within the club should have been recognised in a more tangible way. A seat on the board of directors seemed an obvious step.
Yet credit the Parkhead board with this. After some patchy treatment of the club’s greatest figures in recent decades – beginning with Stein’s undignified departure to make way for McNeill – they set about putting a few things straight.
Beside Brother Walfrid, the founding father, a statue of Stein stands holding the European Cup while Big Billy’s old pal Jimmy Johnstone, Celtic’s greatest player, has his own plinth.
The regret in this life is that appreciation for heroes is often expressed when it’s too late.
When a man is no longer here all the tributes in the world are of no practical use.
In contrast, Billy McNeill was able to reach out and touch the bronze legacy of his efforts in a Celtic shirt.
To say Celtic will never see his likes again is no exaggeration. Merely a statement of fact.
McNeill turned down four times his wage from Spurs.
These days the offer would be truly life-changing and the fee would be such he would be nudged towards the exit door.
Celtic’s transfer policy is to develop young players, sell them and reinvest the money. And in the current Scottish marketplace it’s a reasonable plan. Financially at least.
But where it leaves them as a football club is another question. Because in the post-Bosman era it now seems that selling the best player in years when they don’t make the Champions League is now more important than keeping them; making the job of building a great European team almost impossible.
The Lisbon Lions, reared from within 30 miles of Glasgow’s east end, were a product of their time.
If Celtic were ever fortunate enough to find a crop of players of their abilities again, current policy dictates that most would be sold a year before their contracts ran out to maximise their value.
As Celtic supporters pay their respects to an iconic footballer, captain and manager, then, many will also harbour a slither of regret.
Because the truth is this. The only way they will cast eyes on a European giant like Billy McNeill in future is by building a statue.
Hazel Irvine’s 5 live tribute…
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p053zkn1
Billy was the Winchburgh CSC player of the year in 1973 -74 and attended our dance in the local village hall. He drove through in a MK3 Ford Cortina which was covered in mud. While he was in the dance, me and my big pal ran off to get the buckets and sponges and gave that car the business. There was no way that any passing hun would have a reason to besmirch our captain. No way.
Our bus used to stop at his pub on the main street in Bellshill before games but I had to nip into Mary Skeltons a couple of doors away – as they were a wee bit more relaxed regarding the licensing laws. ?
Billy, part of us all has went with you today.
We will never again be the same.
Hail Caesar. RIP
what is that strapping around his leg.
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/04/23/09/12604738-6949815-image-a-19_1556009540637.jpg
A Lovely tribute Paul.
We have lost our Greatest ever Captain.
RIP Billy.
SAINT STIVS
Thanks for posting that pic of Billy with the ref. Great memories
?⚽️
Thanks for the replies Bhoys, Saturday will be emotional, seen a Tweet saying that the whole team should wear No 5 shorts in the Cup Final.No more team talks required this season.HH
For anyone going to Celtic Park today, you will see why big Billy was so special…
You will also see why Celtic is a family….bickering, whingeing, greetin’ faced but…a family nonetheless!
My condolences to big Billy’s wife Liz and the rest of his family…
LISBON LIONS LEGENDS…
To be fair, Sky Sports News coverage has been excellent
Billy as some have already mentioned was the captain of Our Lady’s High School team in Motherwell, my older brother often recounted his visit to Holy Cross in Hamilton, to visit a former teacher. He said this guy ‘Big Billy’ walked into the classroom immaculately dressed, with a raincoat over his arm, and after a brief chat with the school teacher left. Some of the guys already knew him, others inquisitively asked who he was, and the teacher replied
“That was Billy McNeill the future captain of Celtic Football Club”
RIP The Greatest Celt
Hail Hail Cesar.
Hi Folks,
Please excuse the length of my message.
I was lucky that Mr. McNeil signed me as an apprentice in JUne 1988. That summer was my first preseason and it was an amazing experience. I had to take the gaffer’s equipment into his office everyday and he would talk away to me. He used to call me Mr. Celtic as he knew my family, he knew I would still travel on the Wishy Emerald bus, and he knew I still sung every song there was. We were practising one morning at Barrowfield, all the teams together. we were warming up the keepers and the gaffer would lay the balloff to you. I played him the ball, and as he layed it off to me, he told me to chip big Packy, which I did. Packy went nuts and launched the ball onto the old ash field that was next to the grass one. I was shaking like a leaf but the gaffer just laughed out loud. One of the first games in that 88-89 season was up at Tannadice against a very good Dundee United team. Mr. Mochan asked me to travel with the first team to help with the gear. I was 16 years old and traveling inthe big Park’s of Hamilton bus sitting with Mick McCarthy, Roy Aitken, and Big Packy. When we got to the hotel and the team had their pre match meal, the gaffer called me over and asked me if I had packed my boots. Of course I said no. He flung his hands in the air shouted over to Neillie Mochan. Neillie starts telling me that wee Joe Miller is feeling sick, and I was the only right winger left. I was shaking like a leaf. Neillie said he would find a pair and told me to go to the TV lounge with the rest of the players. As I was walking away, I heard Neillie and the gaffer burst out laughing, talk about relieved( even though I would have walked through broken glass to play). As we were walking up to the dugout, both the gaffer and I wearing our big Umbro matching jackets, the United fans were calling him every name under the sun,and the gaffer would just smile back at them. He put his arm around me and said this is what it is like to be a Celtic player. I sat behind him inthe dugout that day. We lost on a bad mistake by Big Mick. When the game was over, I asked Neillie if I should wait outside, and the gaffer cameover and said no, you are a Celtic player get inthe dressing room. The gaffer chewed them out, went round the room asking people for their opinions and then came to me. I gave him my thoughts rather sheepishly in front of the players and he said how does a 16 yr old get it.
I ruptured my hamstring during my last year in preseason trip against Bayern Munich in a U20 tournament in Sunderland. The whole year was a waste. I had 1 week left of my contract and the gaffer called me into the Ref’s room. not his office. I was one of the first people at the stadium because if you were injured you came in early for your treatment. The Gaffer said to me that it has not been a good year, and of course I agreed, and then in the next sentence he said that he was releasing me. I held my emotions in check, but he could see how I was devastated. I held out my hand and said thank you for giving me the last 3 years. He grabbed my hand and gave me a hug and said this is the part of the job that he hated the most. I cannot tell you how much that hug meant to me. He knew how much Celtic was / is in my blood. I finished up the week as I had the chance to go down to Norwich on trial, but things never worked out. Over the summer, I had various trials at Derry City, and then Hearts when Joe Jordan was in charge. The gaffer got fired that summer. One night in July, the phone rang, and my mum said, Mr. McNeil is on the phone. He called me up to see how I was doing and asked me if I was interested in moving to America. At that time I said no, as Airdrie had got promoted and it looked like i was signing for them, but unfortunatley when I was over in Derry, I damaged the ligaments in my left ankle and was out again for a long time.
That phone call stayed with me. he didn’t have to call me to see how I was doing, but he did. That summed up Mr. McNeil to me. He could let it fly in the dressing room, but we knew that he cared very much for us.
We have lost a very important member of our Celtic Family. My dad has another former Our Lady’s player to keep him company in Paradise.
There’s only one King Billy, and that is Mr. McNeil
Hail Hail
Sean
Driving over to Celtic Park I turned on the radio for !2.00 news…TalkSport never uttered a word about big Billy…however, 5 live were on the ball…well done to them!
The Epitome Of Celtic
Easter changes every year…. wonder why…?
Today the modern messiah was taken, in 3 days he will rise again.
3 days to reflect. It’s been a heartwarming read back today. Some amazing tributes of the Great Mhan.
P67 – ????Great words
Deepest, heartfelt condolences to immediate family. I type immediate as King Billy, Cesar…. has many extended family.
How Great an achievement, to know that what you achieved in life…. will never, ever be forgotten…
What a Mhan
Boondock Saint…nice one!
RIP King Billy
Thoughts and Prayers go out his wife Liz, his kids and extended family as well as the remaining Lisbon Lions.
First met Billy when I was a 7 or 8 year old when I was goalkeeper for a team at Butlins, Ayr where I played in the annual 5-a-side tourny, way back in the mid to late 70’s receiving my winners medal from the GIANT himself. Had all the time in the world for every kid & parent alike. My dad was in awe of him. Met him and his wife Liz a couple of times since at events and he was always a gentleman. Loved listening to his stories.
A devastating disease for all concerned be it for Billy himself and his family and friends who will have been supporting him this last few years.
Hail! Hail! Cesar.
Celtic legend running last race race at sedgefield today 14/1 your cash a must bet on a day like this HH
BSR- I had my picture taken with Billy, where he picked up the EC,i need to see where the spools are,and see if anyone still develops them…..he always regretted the rest of the team were unable to be standing beside him, when he got the trophy.
Frannie- got a fiver e/w at 18/1….
Lovely man and deserving of beautiful tributes.My father took me to the ’65 final and his headed goal will stay me forever.Was at his final game in ’75 with the port Glasgow bus and another great day.Farewell Mr. McNeill you gave joy to so many.
Bada
You’re right he did, very humble man.
Very sombre down at the park, filling up in more ways than one when we left.
Stood there too with EuroChamps67 in 2017
BOONDOCK SAINT on 23RD APRIL 2019 3:22 PM
Hi Folks,
???????????
I went on the Craigneuk bus
Hail Hail ???
I remember being presented with our mossend boys guild winners medals in Holy family hall by him(he stayed most of the night)
Rest in peace Mr McNeill Y.W.N.W.A
Bada
Thank you for placing the scarf on Billy’s statue on behalf of the world-wide support who’s hearts are breaking today.
A selfless gesture, only a real Celtic man could make.
HH sir.
TAL- Thank you.HH
Bada Bing
Thank you for the lovely gesture on this sad day for Celtic. Much appreciated, from this Weegie expat in Dundee. Luckily, I will have the chance to say goodbye to the King on Saturday.
HH
Big Billy represented an underperforming club which he helped pull up by its bootstraps and led to it legendary status.
A large part of my youth has passed.
God bless his immediate family and all of us fans who were a part of his extended family.
Been Absent for a while, God Bless Big Billy, may he Rest in Peace. ( Those we miss don’t go away, they walk beside us every day ) I also was fortunate to be in attendance at the Cup Final against Dunfermline, a pioneer of the attacking defenders.Had the pleasure of meeting Billy on a one to one, about twenty odd years back, at a Kirky Golf Club, he was one of the After Dinner Speakers, will never forget how he made you feel as though, he was just a fan as we are, had the Big Cup with him ,to which he informed those of a different Kulture, what it looked like, as it was probably the only time they would see it.
Receive His Soul.
Papa John.