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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I’d just like to add my sentiments to all the Celtic family who today face the loss of one of our true heroes.
A tough as teak, soft as wool, man.
A living legend and credit to Sligo, Ireland and Celtic.
He epitomized all that is good and decent in Celtic and indeed football.
We all pass on at some stage, we were lucky to Sean Fallon with us for so long.
My dear,dear,dear,friend.. The Singing Detective..
Gary Hooper, is a good player.
Ah hiv nae problem wi his performances.
His Performances..for us..on the whole..are excellent..
He has his Lapses , in form, like.. All of us.. even.. Me..
That’s ..as they say. is Par fur the course.
Na.. Palomine..
Ah Hiv nae complaints aboot Hoops.
Like Ah hiv said..Previously..
My only Worry ..is that we get Top Dollah ,fur Him . when He goes..
And..
He WuLL GO..
And when he goes.. He wullnae be missed..
fur we hiv..
The Cannonball Kid… AND …The Youngsters.. Attajic and Johnstone( Whom Ah like. Aloater) coming thru.
We are well fixed fur the Future..
A liked Scott McDonald.. as a Fitba’ Player..
but, Ah wiznae sae keen oan his Poison…Alitee…
He did his Bit… fur Us..Though… no complaints. as faur as his goal scoring contribution went..
Howevahh..
Ah believe that he has an upsetting effect oan his Colleagues..
which..goat him..
A Prepaid Railway Ticket.. South.. a Pat oan the Back.. and a
Chorus …o’
So long..it’s bin Guid tae Know ye.
Kojo
Yer pal.. who likes ye aloater
Still, Laughin’.. though.
A wonderful piece Paul, in tribute of a great man.
So according to this evenings news Celtic have turned down a 5 million offer for Gary Hooper.It is now up to Norwich City to see if they come back with an increased offer. H.H.
Teuchtar
Magic story brother , crafted in your usual eloquent style.
Hail Hail hope all is well with u and yours?
The zombie media’s version…
@ BBCAlLamont
Lennon spent most of this morning talking to Hooper’s representatives but doesn’t know if player will still be at club by end of January.
The truthful version…
@ AlisonRobbie
Neil Lennon says he’s “pretty confident” Gary Hooper will still be at #celtic at end transfer
window. He had talks with his agent earlier
RIP Sean Fallon
Thanks for the article paul and the weird linking which is celtic
bournesouprecipe if you can read i wrote hooper was not signing a new contract with us that is all. i then said if we give it another 6 months we will see what happens i.e. no contract will be signed because he want to play in the epl.
p.s. for someone so keen to tell everyone to avoid reading msm, you do seem to write a lot about what is being said in the msm, maybe you should stop that, or stop your double standards
i’ll wager a 10 to a charity of you or my choice that hooper does not sign a new contrat with celtic, what say you?
ASonOfDan
what you think, maybe hooper’s agent want to talk to celtic about?
Know what I like?
The official site always calls it, “Celtic Park time”.
EC67
ParadisecentreoftheuniverseCSC
Important Lennie said the offer did not meet Celtics valuation of the player.So we will just have to wait and see the outcome.H.H.
Stephbhoy,
Put your tenner on Hoops scoring first in tomorrow’s 4-0 win and send it to your particular charity.
EC67
I really don’t understand the Adkins sacking
Back to back promotions …when he took over in Sept 2010 they were in 22 nd place in league one ( div 3 in old money)
He has the highest percentage win rate of any Southampton manager since 1912
Currently 15 th in the EPL while moving up the table after a shaky start
Absolute madness
stephbhoy
Like I said – you know nothing.
Sean Fallon…….. part of the spiritual brick’s and mortar that helped
build our great club.
Sean Fallon RIP
Eurochamps67
18:18 on
18 January, 2013
Know what I like?
The official site always calls it, “Celtic Park time”.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I always smile when I see anyone using that phrase too ;-)
BGFC
Evening folks, RIP Sean Fallon.
Look forward to reading the book Paul and getting an insight to the life of a true legend.
Dan
Aye Dean, they badgers make all the difference. lol!
Dean Windass
@ DWindass10
What’s the point in us english ex footballs doing our badgers never going 2 get jobs don’t have 2 say why!
Some great comments about Sean Fallon from folk who met him.
He was obviously a very decent human being to have made such an impact.
R.I.P
stephbhoy
The price of cheese. :0)
Minutes applause tomorrow for Sean Fallon. – Celtic Legend
If Ah wiz Hooper’s AGENT.. Which.. Ah am No. but…Ah wish that Ah wur.
Ah wid ..Pin.. Pierre tae the Wa’.. as they say..
Gie him the auld Ultimatum..
Mair.. Dough.. or.. We wull Split…Mitt.
And.. Ah expect Hoops Agent is Telling .. Pierre..
Something Similar. Right Noo..
Yep.. Ah wid soitenly tell Pierre..
How the Coo ate the Cabbages.. oan this .
And ye know something??
Nine times oota Ten.. This Ploy.. Woiks..
Look…
Sure, Hoops Wull Go.. Eventually..
But..There is NAE harm done..in Pushin the Envelope.. a Bit..
it may dae the trick.
Heck..
‘
Pierre, may mak us an offer that We canny Refuse..
And
Efter awe..
It is Awe aboot Money.. Ain’t it?
Ah am sure that.. Hoops wid be jist a Happy tae stay here at Celtic..
It’s a World Class Club.. loats of Opportunities..tae Rub shooders wi
the Elite o’ Soccerdom.. etc. etc…
Pickin up a MUCH HEAVIER PAY PACKET.. at Celtic…Than he is daeing,the Noo..
sure Beats the PANTS AFFA..
.. Picking up a NOT so Heavy Paypacket ,at
wan of Wan of
THE UNFASHIONABLE… E.P.L. Clubs..
where .. Hoops..Hopes of ever enjoying .. European Cup.. success..and glory
with Wan o’ THEM..
wid be ..as unlikely..as.. spending a week end.. in Shangri LA.. whi yer sweetie.
Fur..
It seems that..No English TOP PREMIER CLUB.. has the slightest interest in
acquiring …oor Gary.
Kojo
Still.. Laughin’
Port vale game off tomorrow – 100mm snow in the area
Good news is that i’ll be able to watch the bhoys on tinterweb
On a day that we celebrate the life of one of Celtic’s greatest EVER servants, it might be appropriate to not have the site’s self-absorbed anti-Celts looking for attention.
Good evening CHAMPIONS
R.I.P. Sean Fallon a true legend and Celtic Great. So sad.
Weefra HH
Dean windass would benefit from elecution lessons
From Twitter,
Might be an idea to avoid these areas at lunchtime tomorrow.
Gerry Braiden @GerryBraiden
Some #flegs protests in Lanarkshire tomorrow for those still following. Wishaw & Bellshill around lunchtime.
Something to lighten the mood and get us ready for the hertz game
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74BrJXa-n3U
(Warning contains a sweary word)
HH
Gotta Slide..Clyde..
See You Folks..
Celtic 3 Hearts0
Kojo
Still, Laughin.
Why Wishaw….we don’t have a flag problem…we don’t even have a flag?
Paul, a wonderful tribute to sean Fallon.
Just watche dthe BBC Scotland news sport section – not a single word on Sean Fallon’s passing. Those filthy, bigoted insular Hun vermin – may their jobs go to the winds as soon as possible.
Gary Hooper to Norwich? Nice ambition you got there, Gary… Perhaps he’s a fan of webbed fingers?
Paul 67,
Great tribute to Sean Fallon.
I remember hearing him speak at a dinner in Glasgow Uni , mid to late 80s.
Very eloquent and his love for the club shone through.
Gary Hooper
Football can be a short career, so I have no problem with player’s earning as much as they can. A promising career can be ended within minutes, and thus the earning power is curtailed, so if it was me, whilst I would always want to think about making the right move at the right time, the chance to pass up on doubling or trebling your wages would be hard.
I also suspect, that the offer from Norwich didn’t come as a surprise to Hooper.
Only my opinion, but if he wanted to sign a contact he would have done so by now.
So Gary, here is my proposal
£8m now, or you stay till the end of your contact.
Just as you have the right to maximise your money, so do we.
That might look like warped asset management, but , the cost of a replacement for Hoops could easily be £3/£4 m , with no guarantee the replacement will be a success….also in recent years , our signing record with strikers isn’t that great , for every Hooper or Stokes there are Browcek, Murphy, Lassad , Bangura etc.
A goal or two against Juve, a couple in next seasons CL qualifiers would be worth a lot more to us than £5m
zimmerman,
Permission from the council ?
If my auld man was still a councillor…no permission would be given.
ASonOfDan
18:32 on 18 January, 2013
Aye Dean, they badgers make all the difference. lol!
Dean Windass
@ DWindass10
What’s the point in us english ex footballs doing our badgers never going 2 get jobs don’t have 2 say why!
=================================
Lulz, poor old Deano chasing about the woods at night with a spade wondering why he doesn’t get a coaching job…
I heard a rumour of a protest on 25th though.
New southampton manager on ssn – fluent spanish