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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Juve/ Llorente .
Lots of noise from Torino ————- It is being claimed that Juve have reached an agreement with Llorente and his agent . Free transfer in June 2013 . 4 year contract -4.5 million euros [after tax ] per year plus performance bonuses..
The media are claiming that Juve are still trying to convince Bilbao to let them have him now . It is being claimed that Juve are offering Bilbao 4 million euros to get him now..
Media also claiming that if Juve don’t get Llorente now , they will sign Roma’s Osvaldo .
Sunny but very cold . Etna covered in snow . A big snow cone belching fire and smoke. Great to see but a wee bit scary .
Hankray
I think he did:-) but if you listened to MSM in the run up to his enlistment, it was never happening.
stephbhoy
I’m not giving up on both of them just yet to prove us wrong. Can’t argue with you though as it does look that way at the moment.
HH
BSR-It’s not MSM speculation ,we received a bid and turned it down ,NL said so.We don’t want to sell our best players,but we all know there is a right time to sell.The days of guys running down contracts to a final year a la Artur are gone.We are moving forward with a lot of purpose right now,selling players at an inconvenient time ,is a pain i agree but i can’t see PL waiting til summer .HH
A minutes applause before the game tomorrow.
Raise the roof for a true Celtic legend.
Bournesoup…..It’s always great to get one over on those EPL chancers.
Big Georges Fan Club
15:31 on 18 January, 2013
‘Someone posted on here the other day something about plans, hinted at on twitter(!), to remove the Irish flag from the stand at Celtic Park – was there any follow-up / substantiation to that?’
#########
I heard that the Green Brigade were behind the proposal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiTrGDyGgOw
Did we not beat mighty Barcelona without Gary Hooper?
Big Nan 16:06
Not sure if the Union Flag was flown at Celtic Park to neuter any move against the Tri-Colour
I always thought that the club were quite clever in the position where they flew the Union Fleg (sic) in the Old Stadium.
It was ( maybe still is) flown at the East End of the Old Stand ( closest to the street)
That way the Zombies could see it ( no doubt keeping them happy)
and we didn’t have to (as it was invisible to all sections inside the stadium except the ‘Visitors’ end)
The Onlooker
Another Celtic great leaves us. A sad day indeed. I was born in 1961 and growing up with Celtic Sean Fallon was an ever present. RIP and thoughts to all his family. HH.
asonofdan -a personal opinion, sometimes a minutes applause is fitting,tomorrow I would have a minute’s silence.Each to their own I suppose.
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy
15:21 on 18 January, 2013
A pre-Lisbon 1967 Celtic Greats
Good shout – I saw Bobby Evan &Bertie Peacock,what about Bobby Collins,Willie Fernie,John McPhail,Neilly,Mochan,John Higgins and Charles Patrick Tully and that’s before I start to remember my father and grandfathers heroes some of whom you have mentioned.
Hail hail
Bada Bing
Let’s leave the running of Celtic, – to Celtic.
We’ve been turning down bids for Celtic players since 1888. Offering speculative opinion on the basis of zero knowledge, is just not my bag.
Indeed..We Did Beat Wee Barcelona…
Without The Assistance…..
Of The Mighty Hooper..
Nigel Adkins Sacked By Southampton…
So Another Possible Destination For Oor Girnin’ Gary..
Scratched From The List…
G-O-O-D A-F-T-E-R-N-O-O-N…..!
K-O-J-O……
Sir Paul
Sad news.
Sean Fallon, was a wonderful Servant to our Cause…and Club.
He will be missed.
My sincere Condolences, to his wife and Family.
Kojo
hankray
The only Glasgow based mainstream media evening newspaper forecast that Celtic would require to ‘pay up’ for Thomas Rogic before he would even come to Celtic on trial, the rest is history.
The sooner all Celtic fans stop buying into MSM, like most have already done the stronger Celtic will become.
Saddened to hear todays news.
Sean stood by big Jocks’ side in Lisbon on the 25th of May 1967.
They will be together again watching over us at Wembley on the corresponding date this year.
My condolences to Myra and her Family.
Thank you Mr. Fallon and may you rest in peace.
A lovely tribute Paul to a great man whose name is inseparable from the name Celtic, a man who devoted his life to making our club great.
Make a place in Paradise, Sean Fallon is coming through the gates.
Paul67
Nice piece on the sad passing of Sean Fallon – a true gentleman and an important part of the great tapestry that is Celtic F.C.
Had the pleasure of seeing him in action when I was a young Bhoy (including the 7-1 LC Final) and meeting him in later life.
My late father (a pass-keeper) was very fond of him and often chatted with him after Sunday Mass about the previous day’s results. He often said the chats were; insightful, amusing and delivered by a man who had great love of the Club.
May he rest in peace!
BSR-I agree with your take on the MSM btw ,but NL commenting on it makes it an issue for speculating IMO.HH
Sean Fallon R.I.P.
Juventus –
More pressure on Juve ——
Napoli have won their appeal against being convicted of Match Fixing . The deducted 2 points have been given back . Napoli are now only 3 points behind Juve at the top of Serie A ..
A narrow lead means that Juve are going to have to keep on playing a tired looking Pirlo. Before Christmas they were talking about being able to rest Pirlo before the games against Celtic –that isn’t going to happen now.
Yes Hooper is worth 10M however as he has only 18 months left and is not resigning Celtic must take 7M now. No club will give you more than 3M if you wait till summer
South Of Tunis
Someone said today or yesterday that Celtic were 4/1 to win the home leg. That seems to be crazy odds for the Hoops at home against anyone.
LB
My dear,dear,dear,friend..The Singing Detective..
Hiya, Pal?
Pleased tae Greet ye.
We hiv not hoid the Last of this..
This..being.. the Flight o’ the Hooper.
If he disnae mak his escape oota The present Casement… he wull mak it.. thru the Next wan.
My only worry is.. that we Cash in oan him. Afore, the Shine Fades fae his Soccer Prowess.. Ah hiv seen THAT.. happen afore…
The Measly Pittance Celtic Received.. Fur the Holy Goalie Departure, being a case in Point.
Saint Paul said it Best..
“There is a Time tae be Born..and a TIME tae Die..
a Time tae Luv..and a Time. tae.. Sigh.
But, Any Time, is Always Right..
Tae Hiv a Greggs Pie!”
Sure Dukes..
Timing, is Everything.
Kojo
Yer pal..who likes ye aloater
Still, Laughin’
Matter of time.
Sad, sad news I hear today
a Celtic legend has gone away
The love we share, runs oh so deep
Goodnight Mo chara – It’s time to sleep.
—————————————————
My father took me through to Edinburgh as a lad, to buy my first pair of football boots – well the first pair that you didn’t need to nail the studs into :) at Ronnie Simpsons shop in Rose Street.
Sean Fallon was also in the shop that day and whilst my dad was paying for the boots, detected an uneasiness from his young customer. Is there anything else then? No, I shook my head No that’s it, shuffling my feet, Thanks.
Right said Sean, How about I get Ronnie to autograph the box for you?
That would be brilliant I replied………………..but only if you sign it too.
The look on his face will stay with me always, as will the old shoe box – the one with the 2 signatures.
God bless you Sean . YNWA.
Teuchter ar la
Just heard about Adkins at Southampton getting sacked. Ridiculous decision. I hope they go down now.
Yet more proof that the obscene amount of money sloshing around the English league has killed the soul of the game down there. Just look at what happened at Nottingham Forest as an indicator of how things are done down there. It’s a very dirty, shoddy, dare I say corrupt environment.
Years ago, I thought Celtic playing in England was a good idea. Not anymore. I’d rather we continue to do things as we do now up here rather than become some dodgy billionaires’ plaything down there.
Where are we with the young American forward Agudelo(sorry about the spelling).Thought we were covering all our bases with the potential capture of this lad.
Right! £37 out my account to the Bhoys.
Just need the ticket now, hopefully in my own seat.
EC67
TonyG
Hiya,pal.. Pleased, tae Meet ye.
Juan the Man.. is a dandy Player…
Neil, Likes him.
Ah hope that “Like”, translates intae.. “Gets”.
Keep Hoping,pal..
Kojo
Yer pal..who likes ye. already
Still, Laughin’
LiviBhoy @ 17 06 .
Odds on offer from a Catania bookie this morning .—
Celtic ——17/5
Juve ——-7/10
Draw ——–11/4.
Had a chat with a Juve supporting acquaintance earlier —— he gave me the standard line — best possible draw for Juve but Celtic did beat Barca.
Paul67 et al
Grant Holt went to Norwich in 2009, helped get them promoted, helped them stay in the EPL and has a similar scoring there as Gary Hooper at Celtic. Hoops has every chance of being in the England squad facing Brazil at Wembley in three weeks time, and a chance of starting the game. Should that happen his value will go up. Norwich are a great football club, but do your chances of playing for England increase by playing for them? Ask Grant Holt.
My Dear Kojo…
I See That Your Compatriot….
Augudelo Fae The Chivas….
Hiz Been Trainin’ Doon At West Ham…
Over The Last Week…
So I Daresay….He Hiz Slipped Off Oor Radar….
Ah’m Annoyed With Mr Hooper…
As Ah Consider He Has Shown Scant Regard…
For A Club Of Oor History And Tradition..
In His Sojourn At Paradise-Oan-The-Clyde
To Think Of The Fine Forwards Who Preceded Him…..
To Whom He Couldnae Haud A Candle…
His Attitude….STINKS….
Scott McDonald Is Still TWICE The Player..
That Girnin’ Gary Will Ever Be….
(Okay…..They Are Well-Matched..
At The Girnin’ Stakes……………..,)
Ah see that Celtic hiv extended the Contract o
Young..
Darrell Fisher.
Ah hiv High Hopes fur this Kid..
He is an Attacking Right Back..He kin Cross a Good..well.. Cross..
and He kin. also.. Run . Like a Linty.
Which is Fine..
Howevah.. Ah am More than impressed by his Physique.
He is Clyde Built.. as they say..or …used tae.
Ah am Soitenly no a Fan.. of the Present Fashion..o Going For DEFENDERS… who are
Built more like Whippets than Bull Dogs…
That is whit Ah like aboot.. Victor.. best..
he his the Physique that Ah Prefer… In a Defender.
Darrell.. reminds me aloat o’ Victor..
Remember the Name.
Kojo
Still..Laughin’
Sean Fallon RIP …. A Gentleman of the highest calibre.
http://www.itv.com/sport/football/article/2013-01-18/celtic-stalwart-sean-fallon-dies/
RIP to great celt
hail hail
Very nice tribute Paul.
Delighted he unfurled the Flag for us.
R.I.P Sean Fallon.
Just heard about Sean. Paul67 , a fantastic tribute , delivered so eloquently.
The great Steins right hand mhan, never had the pleasure of meeting him but u could detect a warmth in his nature, but a steeliness needed to have been such a success.
A wonderful servant to our club, he positively radiated Celtic from his every being.
We have indeed lost a true great, a legend who contribution will never be forgotten .
God Bless Sean , RIP. YNWA