Sean Fallon was known as The Iron Man, a hard left back at a time when pretty much all footballers were hard. I met him and his wife Myra at their home a few months ago to prepare an interview in advance of his autobiography, which is due for release soon, the hard-man reputation could not have been further from the character of the person.
He was the most generous spirited man I have been in the company of for years. Myra is a force of nature, unquestionably the wind in his sails. You have never met a happier couple.
The stories he told about how Celtic were transformed from a sporting irrelevance into one of the most powerful and feared clubs in Europe were incredible. His story was one of huge and dramatic achievement. You and I are the beneficiaries.
The players he signed are legendary. Kenny Dalglish, who was in tears in Sean’s home the night he agreed to go to Liverpool, Danny McGrain, a person Sean could not speak highly enough about, and countless more. He was a committed Celtic man but took no pleasure in the death of Rangers, such was his generosity of spirit.
Sean described Jock, himself and Sir Robert Kelly as a three man team who had the vision to drive Celtic forward. He believed that when Sir Robert died in 1971 the club’s loss was significant. Nothing was the same again.
His own parting from Celtic, in 1975, was far from satisfactory, but if he told me once, he told me 10 times, “I don’t want a single word said against Celtic”. The club that you and I recognise is the creation of Jock, Sean and Sir Robert. They transformed an amateurish football club into a legendary movement. He, more than anyone I ever met, never wanted a figurative goal scored against this legend.
Today we have lost one of the architects of all we hold dear, a man who achieved the Miracle of Lisbon. His insights reach back into the depths of our character. His decision to author an autobiography is a gift to you and me. I’ll share many of his anecdotes between now and when it’s published.
My sincere condolences to Myra, son Sean and all the family. We have lost the man who was our greatest living legend but they have lost a great husband, father and grandfather. A remarkable life has come to an end.
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So glad that we got to cheer him on Flag Day this year, and he also experienced the Barca game.
RIP “Uncle” Sean
Another chapter in our wonderfull history closes with the sad passing of Sean Fallon a man built to play for the Celtic, a very fitting tribute Paul67
Beatiful tribute Paul. What Sean Fallon has done for our club will long be remembered and spoken of long after we are all gone. I will make sure my grandkids (when, if ever it happens) know of Sean, Jock and Bob.The first time I came accross Sean was on the Original History of Celtic video in 1988. I remember thinking as a young lad then that he was quite a scary and hard, got to meet him a few years later and that notion was totally dispelled. A pure gent. R.I.P. big man and thanks for everything. Found this on Youtube earlier http://youtu.be/ig5RAkgXaks
My enduring memory of Sean Fallon is of a severely grumpy looking man in a camel coat on the touchlines of Molls Myre of a miserable Saturday morning. The kind of miserable Saturday morning that was only possible in Glasgow in February in the 1970s. From Hampden in the Sun to Toryglen in the rain.
“D’you think wee Sean’s Da’s scouting today?…”
Me, 10 years old, oblivious to all else except the possibility, the seeming inevitability, that wee Sean’s Da would report back to Jock Stein that he’d found the next Kenny Dalglish.
“Did Mr Fallon say anything about me after the match Dad?”
“No Son, he was away sharp to get the team ready for the Morton game.”
“Maybe he’ll phone later…”
Odd socks.
Nylon tops.
Red blaes.
Mouldmaster days.
Thoughts with wee Sean and the family.
Lovely words, Paul. Well said.
I look forward to reading your Sean Fallon anecdotes …
FF
Lance Armstrong should join sevco with his bullying cheating and unrepentant ways.
He will be able to participate in sport again with a stacked deck.
And it’s the one country in the world that will give him favourable press and restablish his credentials as a victim.
Just seen Sean on greengray1967 video clip from the celtic connections,talk of Mr McGrory thus linking me to the past of our famous club.
It will now be people like John Clark,Daniel Fergus McGrain,Bobby (buzzbomb) Lennox, Big Billy McNeil and others to pass on their links to Mr Fallon on to us and others,
The story of THE celtic….. to be continued
R.I.P & Thank you Sean or Mr Fallon.
A lovely tribute Paul. Celtic’s history is littered with greats but there are a few special gems who really stand out as servants to the club and as wonderful people. Sean Fallon was certainly one.
Sean Fallon was the one player I remember my Father speaking about
when I was a lad in the 1960’s.
May they both Rest in Peace.
T
My brother Gordon can write about Sean better than me. Sean was Honorary President of the Gorbals- based Sarsfield Celtic Supporters Club ( previously a brake club ) and I have a lovely picture of him with my Mum at a club dinner in the Gorbals with our brake club banner behind them. Taken in 1953.
Fast forward some years- around 55 or so – and I have another picture of Sean and my Mum taken at our club’s celebration evening to recognise Sean’s contribution to Celtic.
Over the years I have met Sean and found him always to be as others have described. Modest, kind, human, amusing. He loved Celtic to his very core and we loved Sean – a true example of what it means to be brought up in the shining light that is Celtic Football Club.
I only wish John Rafferty was around to add to the wonderful piece he wrote on the passing of Sir Robert Kelly in 1971. Sean could not have been more different to Sir Robert Kelly but together with Jock Stein they contrived to construct a winning football team and engender mass support for Celtic the like of which was only matched in this generation with the events in Seville.
God bless you Sean ( and your family ) . May you rest in perpetual peace. You will be remembered wherever green is worn.
Devastating news about Sean – a massive loss to all of us.
RIP Sean.
I knew Sean’s father. He was an Alderman and Councillor.
He was shot in WW 1 and the exit wound was devastating but never a word of complaint.
I knew Seans brother Pauric an unbelievable character and like Sean so generous.. He lived in Chicago most of his life and died in tragic circumstances.
hen1rik, thanks.
Benthebishop, you are very welcome.
oldtim67, lucky indeed.
greengray1967, it’s our responsibility to ensure that the new generation of Celtic fans know all about Sean’s legend.
Folly Folly. Looking forward to them too, and to the book.
Glendalystonsils, well said.
garcia lorca, I’ve seen that picture. Look forward to reading Gordon’s words.
RIP Sean. A man for all seasons.
Junior, “I knew Sean’s father”, one of the things I didn’t expect to read today. Thanks.
Mark Hately’s piece unbelievable.
Irish immigrants not welcome in this great wee country but no mention of that.
What about that lot bullying everyone who dare speak to say its a new club.
Is there any decent journalists in Scotland who will take this lot to task.
Not good, a sad day, RIP Sean, hope big Jock is there to meet you…
I mentioned the word humble earlier when referring to a Celtic legend. How is this for summing up the attitude of the modern footballer.
‘Kilmarnock’s new recruit Rabiu Ibrahim may well be short of match experience, but he’s not short on confidence.
The Nigerian under-23 international made just one appearance for Celtic after making the switch from PSV Eindhoven in January 2012.
Kenny Shiels recruited the former Sporting Lisbon man on January 2, and the Rugby Park faithful can look forward to seeing a midfielder who has confidence he can change games.
The 21-year-old said: “I’m a creative player; very stylish and very confident. I’m an amazing player, so I have a lot to offer.”‘
R.I.P. Sean. To live on int he hearts of thos we leave behind is not to die – love never dies!
R. I. P. Sean – Legend.
Paul 67,
My sincere condolences to all of Sean’s family, a true Legend who will sadly missed.
Your article was befitting of the man, as I am sure your recounting of his words in the forthcoming book will be.
I look forward to reading the great man’s words written by you.
Eternal rest… Sean
craggy island gaa
RIP Sean Fallon – the Iron Man
I remember my Mom had a newspaper cut-out with all his injuries sustained throughout some of his career.
A sad day and condolences to his family and friends.
YNWA
How the memories flood back as we try to fend off the tears for a legend who will always have a place in the history of our club and was an example to us of what we should be as Celts.
My first memory of Sean goes back to the early 1950s when he came with the Cup to the St Laurence’s Club in the Old Sailors’ Rest in Greenock to speak at an evening for the men of the Sacred Heart Guild.Even then as a very young boy, I knew I was in the presence of a Celtic Great.
My prayers and thoughts are with his wife and family. May Sean rest in the arms of the Almighty and find the other legends by his side.
RIP Sean YNWA – Celtic Legend!
Another boyhood hero gone, a great loss to the Celtic family.
Rest in Peace Sean Fallon, Celtic legend.
My condolences to all of Sean’s family and friends.
God bless Sean Fallon, may he rest in peace.
I’m lucky to be able to say that Sean Fallon was part of my youth – he was great friends with my grandfather, and they saw one another regularly (we only lived 250 yards apart in Kings Park), and I sat in on many conversations. These were great days; to quote Wordsworth, about another revolution, “Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, But to be young was very heaven”.
As so many others have said, he was a rock, in all the best senses. He also had to put up with a lot, but he never lost sight that he was lucky to be part of something bigger. Which I guess we all are.
Ajax have been fined 10,000 Euros by UEFA for a banner that was against modern day Sheikh or big money football.
Shocking really.
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/01/17/ajax-fined-10000-by-uefa_n_2496560.html?utm_hp_ref=tw
Ajax are making a very good point about modern football and exactly what is wrong with it.
So much for free speech.
Very well said Paul, i know the Fallon family are aware of your wondefull words; i got a text from my brother (Martin) this morning who is with young Sean now, so well done sir.
I’ve told this one before on here, I only met sean once. I was walking in the front door of Pollock golf club with my brother and young Sean. Sean snr was walking out and he stopped to chat and my brother introduced me saying “this is my brother Tony he’s over from Canada” well He looked at me with a wry smile and said “I don’t think much of the company you’re keeping” we all burst out laughing. A true legend and a gentleman. A great Celt.
A big glass will be raised at lunchtime today.
slainte
tony
RIP Sean Fallon
Thoughts and prayers are with his Family.
You’ll Never Walk Alone
Very, very sad news indeed. We’ve lost a TRUE Celtic legend.
Rest in peace Sean.
You’ll never be forgotten by the Celtic Family.
Seeing him in the dugout many decades ago now with Big Jock, it was obvious that he was no passive observer. The club received and benefited from his huge contribution. The success that followed is evidence of his input and marks him as a Celtic legend.
A light has gone out in the Celtic family. God bless and RIP. HH
Nigel Adkins sacked by Southampton.
I thought he was doing ok.
hen1rik
12:28
Lets try and not mention the dark side today mate.
Just read that and Bonkers
he took them from 1st Divison to Championship and then Premiership if I am not mistaken.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Philbhoy – It’s just the beginning!
12:53 on
18 January, 2013
Nigel Adkins sacked by Southampton.
I thought he was doing ok.
HH
Sean Fallon epitomised integrity, dedication, family values, faith, commitment to A club – Glasgow Celtic..
Journos, Sevco apologists, MSM, Lance Armstrong. Take note!
How would you want to be remembered.?
Sean Fallon a wonderful example of humanity and spirituality – and a cracking footballer..
Celtic FC 1967 Eouropean Cup Winners
Thank you Sean Fallon
A fine tribute Paul to a great man.May he rest in peace,thoughts with his family now.
HH