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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Celtic Quick News –
A Dear Green Place, like no other.
Great memories shared among friends.
HH
Thanks for the replies, throughout a very humbling day,some fantastic reading. HH
1 European Cup
9 Scottish League Titles
6 Scottish League Cups
7 Scottish Cups
God bless and keep you Cesar!
I was born in the year of the ‘Big Cup’ and still remember the first time I saw THE most iconic football image I had ever seen, still not surpassed to this day.
Big Billy, our captain, arms aloft and resplendent in green and white hoops holding the European Cup in salute to the fans.
I was given a poster of that magic moment when I was six and it went straight on the bedroom wall. I must have recreated that pose a thousand times, making the noise of the crowd in my squeaky voice. :-)
Big Billy gave his all to us, for us. For that he will always be remembered with love and pride. A giant of a man, whom he led with distinction and bravery.
Hard not to get emotional tonight but harder to surpress my pride that he was one of us.
Condolences to his family and friends (and the wider Celtic support).
AoW
Corkie…that wasn’t BMCUWP….someone is taking the pish….I know who my money’s on
I posted a simple RIP message earlier as I thought that was enough for today, however looking at the posts today it seems that everyone who met Billy had a similar experience to me.
I only met him once and I will never forget it, I was on the way to Helsinki, a work trip timed to fit in with our match against HJK (2000-2001 season), two flights, Glasgow to Copenhagen then on to Helsinki.
I got on the first flight with my colleague/friend (not a Celtic fan) and we sat chatting about this and that. Just after take-off the passenger directly in front of me turned around and said “hello boys are you on the way to Helsinki”, of course it was Billy.
We spent the rest of the flight chatting with him and having a laugh, he told us a few tales about the early European trips, in particular about one to Eastern Europe when the aeroplane door flew open just after take off and Bobby Murdoch lent out (anchored by one of the other players) and pulled the door closed, maybe why one of his teammates hated flying.
We arrived in Copenhagen late and had to run for our next flight, Billy hirpling a little due to the rigours of a long career. Unfortunately, we were not next to each other on the second flight, he said goodbye with a joke as we boarded.
They say to never meet your heroes! Well one of mine made a point of saying hello to a couple of random guys on a plane and spent a full flight cricking his neck to chat to them, the most normal superstar you could ever hope to meet.
Scaniel
Had a tough day yesterday. Would have been my mam’s 83rd birthday. The Lions were her heroes in sport. She adored Jock and Billy especially.
Cheers pal
YNWA
!!BADA BING!! on 23RD APRIL 2019 11:05 PM
Can I add my thanks to the other CQNr’s for representing us today.
Corkcelt
Thanks T.
This place has been a comfort to me this week.
YNWA
So sad to hear the news this morning but lovely to read so many lovely stories of the man.
My thoughts are with his family.
YNWA
Delaneys Dunky on 23rd April 2019 11:11 pm
From everything you have said, your mam was a strong woman, I am sure her son is too
Just had to be done this evening in quiet contemplation and thanks for the memories of Big King Billy McNeill: a small glass of port seems fitting. Ach, maybe another for good measure. HH
Glen D-thanks HH
My only meeting with Billy was low key compared to earlier stories. About 16 years ago he was over in Tipperary on a Golfing Holiday with a group pf mates from Glasgow, I remember there was a couple o Publicans amongst them and one day they visited Coolmore stud and ended up in McCarthy’s Pub in Fethard. I heard they were there so decided to chance my arm & try to get Cesar to become an Honorary Member of our CSC.
Our Club called The Bobby Murdoch Memorial CSC was flourishing at the time and I armed with an Application for Membership Form, I approached Billy introduced myself and asked him would he join our Club , he took form & smiled sadly at Bobby’s photo and said Ah Bobby there will never be another like him, he signed the membership and wanted to pay the Membership Fee which of course I refused, At this stage a few had gathered around but he had time for all & happily chatted & posed for photos,
An absolute Gentleman.
M7
Great to see you post here again.
I can only aspire to have the incredible strength my mammy possessed.
YNWA
DD great to see you posting under your circumstances chin up big fhella HH
FrannyB
Thanks pal.
Hail Cesar
YNWA
Delaneys Dunky on 23rd April 2019 11:35 pm
M7
Great to see you post here again.
I can only aspire to have the incredible strength my mammy possessed.
YNWA
Thanks, but I am only here to wish well to Billy, I don’t think I will be posting very often, today is what cqn is all about, too many days when it’s hard work
Big Jimmy at 2.05pm
I’ve never forgotten that moment and often searched for it on YouTube and the like, it was magic. Obviously a Tim editor on STV that night!
You might also recall the minute’s silence for Bobby before the Man Utd friendly at Celtic Park when, among that huge crowd united in complete silence, on about 57, 58 seconds in one lone voice shouted, and it rang out right across the stadium clear as a bell, ‘God bless him!!!’
I echo that sentiment tonight for Billy McNeill, my childhood hero. God bless him, for the memories he has left us, and the way he represented our club and by extension all of us. I can barely see my keyboard through my tears.
Apricale
From john clarkes lass on twitter
https://mobile.twitter.com/marieclarkg12g
HH
https://mobile.twitter.com/marieclarkg12/status/1120638367203508225/photo/1
HH
M7
Days like today make CQN the great medium it is.
YNWA
Big Billy epitomised all that was Celtic and the Lisbon Lions. They were always available at welcome and to attend events even to this day. We were blessed to be part of this great club and to have leaders like Big Billy and Jock Stein.
He gave us glorious memories, but as Parkheadcumsalford said the most importamt was the 1964cup final header, followed by Vojvodina .
May the angels be with you in Paradise.
DD prayers are being said for you and your family on your sad loss of the the ones you hold most precious. God bless you.
Pcumsalford wishing you a speedy recovery and Memories offered that you will be back cheering on the Bhoys.
KTF
CATHACH
Archie McPherson was especially good on Shortbread tonight. He said that Billy’s death marked the end of an era. To be precise, the era which has ended was one in which the good guys still stood a chance.
Now it’s all about Russians and sheikhs buying cups and leagues. It’s plastic now. And plastic is poisonous.
Billy McNeil, a man for all seasons. RIP
Fritzong….Archie McPherson is a welcome ghost?. ;-))
What can anyone add at this point? The sadness and sentiment poured out here and elsewhere speaks of the man big Billy was and of what the teams he led meant to us and gave to us.
Rest in peace Cesar
Apricale
Lovely story & thabks for sharing.
The player that Billy shared a room with was John Clark.
There a famous “staged” photo of them both pretending to be asleep in their beds with the big cup resting on the bedside cabonet between them. I saw that photo on one of the media articles about Billy today.
HH
Bada Bing
Thanks for sharing the Bernard Ponsonby tribute.
HH
Belfast Celtic tribute to Cesar :
https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/belfast-celtic-society-pays-tribute-16169880
HH. ?
Good evening y’all from SE Texas.
Been reading back and catching up.
My sincerest condolences to Billy’s family.
What a wonderful outpouring of appreciation on CQN for The Big Ghuy!!
Seen him grace the field so many times. What a player and leader.
It is a great celebration of his life and achievements.
Outwith the fitba, lots of posts stirred my memories of Cesar.
Some recollections…..…..
I am a Bellshill bhoy, grew up within 200 yards from Billy’s mum and dad (and 25 yards from Sir Matt Busby’s mum).
So many coincidences posted today…. Just amazing.
Precepta posted at 1422 about delivering Billy’s messages on his Co-Op bike. I delivered Billy’s mum’s messages every week on my Co-Op bike. On many occasions Billy was there sometimes and helped to get the huge egg box of stuff that weighed more than me, up the stairs. Always in awe of the man!!
He would often come visit my dad when he was back home. They were really good friends.
WeebobbyCollins posted at 1402 about OLHS and his Lithuanian background – my maternal grandparents were from Lithuanian and settled in Pollock Street, Mossend (across the street from Unthank Road) and I retained a strong connection with the Lithuanian community until I departed for other shores, I still have family there who keep me posted on The Lithy Club!!
I am an OLHS FP 1965 – 1970
Leftclicktic posted at 1555 regarding Holy Family Boys Guild presentations in HF Hall, I attended lots of them, and my kids went to HF Primary. Good bet that I know you!!
DD…sincerest condolences
Bada…thank you for your gesture today.
The entire blog…thank you!!
RIP Mr. McNeill.
HH
Thecelt45
Good morning all from a chilly but dry Garngad
I have been reading back and some of the story’s and memories of the big mhan are absolutely fantastic and the mark of a true great and downright good human being.
DD – I have also been thinking about you and your loss pal. God bless.
D. :)
DD
So sorry mate.
morning bhoys from a dry but cloudy Cheshire, some of the tributes last night were truly amazing ,we have lost a giant among giants.hh.
Due to circumstances unable to post on Cesar’s Passing yesterday.
I saw most of Big Billy’s games and was fortunate enough to meet twice.First time in one of the pubs he owned and the second at a Sportsmen’s Dinner.Suffice to say the ‘after-dinner speaking’ was even better than the After Dinner speeches.
It’s all been said on here and elsewhere how we all feel yesterday and today and most eloquently too.
My thoughts ,like all of us , are with the family.RIP. King Billy.
DD: Caunels done for your Mammy and Auntie. KTF.
Corkcelt: BMCUWP doesn’t post here anymore and still doesn’t do as his Ould Man suggests.
BP1, can a giant…on the shoulders of giants ;-))
MissingwordsroundCSC
H.H.
Goood Morning CQN
Was just sitting here thinking, on Easter Monday morning at breakfast ( my Ghirls stayed over on Easter Sunday), we were looking at a house on line, as one of the Ghirls are looking to move)
Anyway, many will also know, I used to post as Cowiebhoy
So
Take a look at picture 14 of this house for sale in Cowie
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-81028823.html
Worth every buyng for this picture on it’s own ?
Hail Hail Cesar
Well worth another read.
CQN at its best.
HH
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BOONDOCK SAINT on 23RD APRIL 2019 3:22 PM
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
Bernard Ponsonby’s coverage of Billy has been immaculate.
I’d be the first to criticise most of our “foodbaw” meeja but his output has been praise-worthy.
HH.