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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Always critical of the media in this country, but i have to say STV and BBC Scotland’s coverage of Billy’s passing, has been excellent.
I had the pleasure and the privilege to have watched Billy McNeill play on many an occasion.
Vojvodina was a special live memory. Lisbon and several cup finals only viewed through a TV lens.
However it was not Billy as a player that I most remember.
It was Billy the man.
In the late 80’s I was good friends with a Celtic first team player.
I taught in the Largs area, at a special school, working with young people with additional support needs.
My friend would always alert me to when the Celtic squad were visiting their favourite pre big game retreat , at that time, Seamill Hydro.
On completion of class work, I would take a car/minibus of youngsters over to Seamill to see the Celtic.
Big Billy McNeill was always magnificent, making time to meet and talk with the youngsters, taking extra time with those who had identified themselves as supporters of some other Glasgow outfit.
Having a kick about and a laugh, generally at their teacher’s expense, Billy treated the kids with respect and humour, consideration and care and genuine concern for their welfare.
Celtic could have preparing for a cup final or a major European tie but Billy McNeill always took time out to meet my pupils and treat them with dignity and respect.
That was the measure of the man.
A great man, true leader, a wonderful human being.
Rest in peace, Mr McNeill.
Eurochamps67
Even when a death is expected it is still a shock when it happens, my condolences to the McNeill family and I’m sure they will find comfort in the prayers and gratitude pouring forth for their dad and husband, he certainly will never be forgotten and rightly so.A massive part of the history of Celtic is gone from this life.
RIP Billy
Wonderful tributes on here and by the media. A very emotional day for us Celts, as one of our very best leaves us.
I was lucky to meet the great man on several occasions and I was always awe struck by his presence, humbleness and generosity of time for us ordinary fans.
A wee tale that sums him up. He was manager in his second stint and we just lost at home. The pressure was obviously building and the press were trying to get their interviews. They all had to wait as he had heard a wee woman had been robbed after the game in one of the pie stalls in the Celtic end. A wee ned with a knife had sneaked in as the crowd left. He made sure she was okay finding her a room, near the trophy room. Served her tea and biscuits and sat with her as the polis took a statement. The game and the press and the hangers on could wait. She was the important member of the Celtic family at that point.
Legend. Thank you for everything Cesar.
YNWA
BADA BING-lovely thing you did today.
Boondock Saint-brilliant memory
5 pages of CQN at its very best. HH Billy McNeill RIP.
Finally caught up
Paul67 & Bada thanks for your efforts on behalf of CQN ( I am currently stuck in Englandshire)
Rest in Peace Mr McNeill
May Perpetual Light Shine upon your Soul Billy.
Thoughts and prayers are with both you, your immediate family, and our Celtic Family
Like many, some great memories, this includes getting the lift from top floor in the hotel in Vegas, down to the dinner and celebrating the Lions ? fortieth anniversary dance, myself and two Ghirls awestruck as Billy spoke to us as part of his Celtic family.
Still reaching the Celtic family Billy
As many have today returned to post in honour of you
???????????
Growing up as a self declared Celtic supporter from about nine years of age I knew very little about the team, the club or even the history. Nobody nurtured my love of Celtic and I was never brought to any games even when Celtic came to Ireland. GAA and english football always dominated our household. Most people thought I was mad following Celtic and I was always asked ”yeah, but who do you support in england?”
But as the years went by and I got to pursue my interest in Celtic Billy McNeill was one of the iconic figures of the club. I never saw him play and don’t think I ever spoke to him but I did see him a few times and am always amazed at the respect everyone held him in.
A genuine legend.
Ar dheis láimh Dhé go raibh a fhíoranam uasal.
FB,Norrie- thanks, I think we were all in awe whenever we met Billy, he had a sixth sense in putting you at ease,he spoke to you as if you’d known him forever.Like all The Lions i was lucky enough to meet,every one a working class,unassuming superstar.
I was lucky enough to have met the Great Mhan several times in Las Vegas, a true gentleman and great Celt
I played golf with him at one of the Conventions and he was great fun and excellent playing partner
At another convention ,our club, the Los Angeles CSC were his sponsors and he sat at dinner with me and my family and I could hardly eat my dinner, listening in awe as he entertained everyone at out table and then graciously visited with almost every member of the club
I was later given the pleasure of presenting him with a beautiful surfboard with the Celtic crest and his name on it, as I stood there bursting with pride in front of the whole convention, Billy shook my hand and whispered in my ear “ You might have spelled my name right “
The guy who made the board left an L off McNeill….So embarrassing, but bein Billy, he never said a word to the crowd about it , I thought no-one else noticed until it showed up in the Evenig Times on Monday, I took some amount of stick from my family at home
We got the board fixed, and got it to him later, and about a year later I visited him in his pub, where the surfboard was hanging from the ceiling…and the name was right this time :-)
Rest In Peace Billy, the greatest Celt of all
Btw, RTÉ’s tributes to Billy have been excellent.
BADA BING thanks for your efforts today regarding billy.hh.
Big Packy- great to see some much missed posters on today. HH
I never had the pleasure of watching Cesar playing in the flesh, nor of meeting the mhan in person…but the memories posted today are bringing his humanity & humilty to the fore…thank you all…sincerest condolences to his immediate family & his Celtic family…
YNWA Cesar RIP
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hwOYI0sXMMM
H.H.
There are no words adequate enough to express what Billy McNeill meant to Celtic and it’s supporting family.
I saw Billy’s first game, was at the Airdrie Cup Final and stood on the pitch at Lisbon with my 2 brothers and late father ( he idolised Billy ) to see him lift the European Cup.
Part of me died today.
Best CQN has been. What a day Saturday is going to be for the whole Celtic and McNeill family.
Fair play to the supporters of all clubs with their great stories and condolences.
Makes you proud to be a small part in the huge story that is Celtic.
Hail Hail.
Sean
I’ll never forget the day that I met Billy McNeill.
Hero.
Gentleman.
Icon.
Legend.
Giant.
Lion.
Rest easy now Cesar.
Greatest of all time.
HH. ? ?
TIMSRGR8 on 23RD APRIL 2019 7:43 PM
a few of us have been doing that today …what the “l” …
I can only say in my defence i was greeting mightily at the time of posting …
Braw….
BBC Scotland now….
If anyone has BBC Scotland,turn it on
Sorry,108 on virgin
Sorry Jobo☺️
The King is forever in his Kingdom in Heaven , R.I.P. Billy McNeill
Spectator.co.uk – just go and read the piece there. Fantastic. Just fantastic. Big Billy was more than just a footballer, he was a proper leader; and Celtic is, truly, more than a club. I urge you to read the piece there.
I’ve been on the verge of tears all day and have to say they are flowing a bit now. Goodness knows what Saturday will be like.
Even my wife is greetin’ and she doesn’t even like football!
Great Tribute to the great man Paul67 – wonderful seeing him characterized as a leader of our community, for that is exactly what he was and he did it the best way possible, by example.
So many heart felt and heart warming tributes and memories on CQN today. Lovely gesture from Bada Bing with the scarf…
Hail Hail
I don’t think we’ll ever see the like of Billy again . He had something that you just don’t see in the modern game.
We have now lost 7 of the 16 who performed for us in Europe during 66/67. We have need of fewer fish and fewer steaks these days.
The order in which they have been taken is fairly random but we now have only 2 remaining players who were stripped for all 9 ties, John Clark and John Fallon.
We have lost Bobby Murdoch, Jinky, Willie O’Neill, Ronnie Simpson, Tam Gemmell, Joe McGoals, and, today, the force of nature that is, and it always will be is, Billy McNeill.
We must cherish those that remain, whether in good health or failing. We still have Jim Craig, John Clark, Willie Wallace, Stevie Chalmers, Bertie Auld, Bobby Lennox, John Hughes, Charlie Gallagher and John Fallon plus countless other heroes from that era and others.
There have been stirring tributes paid today from many, including some in our print press industry, like Stephen McGowan’s piece, but the bar has been set mighty high by Boondock Saint today.
This evening, I paid a visit to Linn Cemetery, as it is the 2nd anniversary of the death of my older brother. He has an inscribed brick at the base of Billy’s statue, not too far from Lennybhoy’s own. He would be so chuffed to be in Big Billy’s shadow.
So, now we are 9.
And looking through the remaining list of players who featured in domestic games in 66/67, we have lost a fair few and would not fill a modern subs bench, I fear. And we would be managerless.
I’d still fancy our chances , though.
Rest In Peace- our words cannot do justice to your deeds but they are all that we have.
Great tributes to a true legend .
Bada Bing
Thank you ?
BB-HH
http://celticbynumberscom.ipage.com/billy-mcneill/
A wee attempt to do justice to a great man who happened to have some interesting numbers too.
Fieldofdrams-
https://twitter.com/alexmassie/status/1120690195840548864?s=12
Did you ever get sun cream in your eyes, bloody well watering all day.
Just wanted to come on and say thank you to Big Billy for everything he gave us as a player, captain and manager. He has been central to so many of my memories of being a Celtic supporter, from the first cup final I saw in 1967 against Aberdeen through to the Joe Miller game!
What a fabulous leader he has been. Thanks for everything Billy!
God bless you and your family and friends!
HH
Corkie…sunscreen in Eire?…you must have been abroad and innexperienced ;-))
It is both an incredibly sad and life affirming day
We lost our Captain today. Rest in Peace Cesar whose last game was the first memory I have of actually being at a Celtic game.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D427LPeWkAEAidq.jpg
Braw