The most striking element of the Lisbon Lions was their common cause, no one man above another, no one left to fight their own battles. Even now, when you see them together, this camaraderie is in evidence, but on their defining day, one stood out.
On 26th May 1967, the day after Celtic’s European Cup win against Inter Milan, the Italian press raved about Tommy Gemmell. They had never seen a player like him. This was the era before Man of the Match awards, but the Italians were clear, Tommy was the stand-out performer on the day.
Defenders of his physical stature were invariably centre halves, not full backs. Full backs were defenders, not auxiliary wingers, but this was Tommy. You will read about the ascent of overlapping full back affecting the game in subsequent years, they were following Tommy Gemmell.
He was fast, could climb, had levels of stamina to allow him to get up and down the wing all game, and he was hard. Rock hard. Originally a right back, he blossomed when moved to the left back position. This allowed him to cut inside onto his strongest foot, and shoot. And he could shoot like no one else.
He scored the 60th minute equaliser in Lisbon from the inside left position, which he had taken up against team orders. Only one full back was supposed to be up field at a time, so when right back Jim Craig looked up to play a pass, the only player he should not have been able to see was Tommy Gemmell.
What Tommy did that day was overload Inter all down their right hand side. He could do this but still had the speed and engine to get back into position. This gifted Celtic a spare man in attack which Inter was unable to combat throughout the game.
And as if that wasn’t enough, he scored in his next European Cup final, against Feyenoord in 1970. A full back, scoring in two European Cup finals. In his era, he was peerless, at home or in Europe. The Continent’s very best knew this. Later decades would see the tall, fast, full back, but how many were as physically intimidating? How many possessed a fearsome ability to score from outside the box?
I got to know the great man personally in recent years. I spent time with him, he got to know my kids and they got to know him. People will tell you that the Lisbon Lions are the most ordinary people you will ever meet when you get them one to one. It’s true. Tommy, like his former team-mates, would remember details about the boys and ask about them with sincere interest.
The news of his passing today comes years after we were first prepared for this moment. He was hospitalised after a fall and given little hope of returning to his sheltered accommodation in Dunblane, but his fortitude saw him through and he was back on his feet before anyone expected.
His Dunblane flat was modest, but there was a wall of photographs, memories of when Tommy was a sporting great on the world stage. The wall prompted stories, the away tie against Dukla, what a moment they celebrated, 11 Scots on a field in the Czech capital, the first British team to qualify for a European Cup final.
Eusebio was his physical match, so Tommy enjoyed their numerous encounters. Cruyff, not so much. The Ajax player was so fast, so strong, “You didn’t know whether to get close to him, leaving space for him to exploit, or stand back and let him collect the ball before turning on you”.
I listened to as many stories as Tommy would tell and couldn’t believe that someone from the Lanarkshire streets of Craigneuk, a few miles from where I lived, had gone toe-to-toe with the game’s timeless heroes.
When he returned to his Dunblane flat from hospital a few years ago, we heard he was listening to Celtic games on the radio as he didn’t have subscription TV. CQN’ers answered the call and WinningCaptains sorted this out for him. He was incredibly touched by this gesture and remained a great friend to the blog.
His later years in particular were lit by a close friendship to CQN correspondent Alex Gordon, who with his wife, Gerda, visited Tommy more than anyone. They were there for the great man when he needed them.
His health slowly deteriorated over the last month. I knew this day was coming but feel upset nonetheless. There is no measuring what the man we lost today contributed to what we are able to enjoy in the current Celtic team. Without Tommy and his pals, none of what we have would be here.
Rest in peace, Tommy.
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Paul,
Fitting tribute to a great guy who wisnae a bad player.
I am fortunate to have been in his company a few times and he was fantastic.
God bless, Tommy.
12th November 1969.
The night was cold and, as I recall, the air would have chilled you to the bone.
Nine days before I had “celebrated” my eighth birthday. I have never liked my own birthday for some reason. I was never that keen on the attention and the fuss. Strange child perhaps.
Anyway, as part of my Birthday celebrations, my mum and dad took me to Celtic Park on that November night to see Celtic play Benfica – and that was the first night it happened.
I have written on here before about nights when you “feel” something, “know” something, when “The Ghosts” come out of the ground at Paradise and there seems to be history in the making right there and right then.
That was the way it was that night.
Benfica. Eusebio. Colunna — these were not the names of a football club and a couple of players. These were the Gods of football. Names that had to be spoken with reverence and wonder, with respect and real appreciation.
But on this night, those Gods had come to the home of a set of players who themselves stood tall in the pantheon of football Gods, and none stood taller than Tommy Gemmell.
It took only two minutes.
Barely 90 seconds into the match and Celtic were awarded a free kick outside the box and I knew. I had every faith. Total belief. No doubts.
Big Tommy placed the ball on the ground as Benfica lined up their wall.
In Lisbon, he had struck a moving ball, but here he was placing the ball and taking a long run at it and I had no doubt this was a goal.
He started his run. That was not to be one of those swerving, bending, dipping free kicks.
No, this was to be a “Big Shot” special: Struck as hard as a ball could be struck.
The run ended and ……. BANG!
I watched in what seemed like slow motion as the ball left Tommy’s boot and started to rise, straight and true.
No swerve. No Dip. Just a huge wallop that dared the keeper to catch the ball if he could.
Catch it? To this day I am not sure the goalkeeper even saw the ball until it damn nearly hit him on the back of the head coming back out from the top of the net!
Roar. A Roar to end all Roars. A Roar from the crowds, the ghosts, the past, the soul and from a wee eight-year-old boy with no inhibitions whatsoever. I wanted to roar till I could roar no more.
I could feel the smile on my face, could see the smile on the faces of my parents and on every face around.
Celtic were in front.
For the next 45 minutes Celtic played blistering football. So blistering that Willie Wallace added a second before half-time but in truth by that time we should have been about 4 – 0 up.
Celtic were so dominant that the great Eusebio didn’t appear for the second half with Benfica opting for an extra defender instead.
Harry Hood added a third and that was that, but we should have won about 8-0 we were that dominant.
Of course the second leg was another story.
But that November night, I saw Tommy Gemmell place the ball on the ground against the best in the business and knew there was nothing, absolutely nothing, they could do to stop him scoring from that distance.
He brought out that feeling, that certainty and he brought the ghosts and that roar out of the stands at Celtic Park.
And you have to have been a very special footballer to do that.
https://twitter.com/jackofriel/status/837244290560626688
Big Tam , on Fantasy Football
Well put Paul.
Today we are all wee bhoys again, looking back in black and white.
HH.
I would like to add my condolences to the many tributes to Tommy.
There is a phrase that has become quite popular in recent times re ones at the club.
It is, “He gets us”.
Well, Tommy “got us” and as the years passed, he got us even more.
I remember being in the Central Station, many years ago, when both of us were young.
Tommy was just breaking into the team and had played that evening in a game at Firhill.
To say he played is a bit of an exaggeration. He had a rotten game.
He was crossing the concourse of the station with a young lady, reading an early edition paper.
I hoped he wasn’t reading the match report.
I remember thinking to myself, ” You’re not going to do, lad”.
Was I right, or was I right!!
Thank you, Tommy for all the joy your cavalier approach brought to so many.
May you Rest in Peace, along with your team mates who went before you.
Many years ago, a pal got married to Tommy’s wife’s sister.At the reception, a wee nod went round the table, time for the guys to have a quick beer together.We ended in a reception area, about 20 of us stood in a circle, listening to Big Tam’s stories for about half an hour.I think he enjoyed it as much as we did.I met him a few times after that, in a bar in West Nile St, when business was good for him in insurance.A great man , who had time for everyone.RIP Tommy.
Sorry I should have added this clip.
If you have never seen the goal, watch carefully at the very start.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBHAJNKXf9c
Paul67
A moving and obviously heartfelt tribute to the great man.
Thank you for expressing so eloquently the feelings of the Celtic family at this sad time.
Paul 67, Oldtim & BRTH,
Thanks for the words on here in Tribute.
Felt I had to read through other posts before putting anything on here, but trying not to let some tears overtake me in work.
Sad news to have heard this morning. I never met the man but feel like, as with al the Lions, they’re part of my life.
A great heavy feeling inside, I’ll enjoy the stories today and remember another one of us.
Hail Hail Tommy Gemmell
Mucker
Three cheers for Tommy Gemmell
He put us on the level.
When we were one goal down
He turned the game around.
RIP
Winning Captains- thanks from us all on CQN for reaching out to Tommy, when he needed a helping hand.HH
OldTim67
Great sentiments. I also have a feeling in my bones that we could have a decent run in Europe next season.
Has there ever been such a flambhoyant swashbuckling attacking full-back who scored such spectacular goals?
His super strike was needed to finally break the Inter Milan resistance.
Tommy Gemmell .
Rest in peace tommy
HH
RIP Tommy
A legend.
Old Tim 67
See you in Kiev. ;@-)))
MWD
RIP TOMMY.
You’ll Never Walk Alone
Tommy in his own funny set up.
Phoenix From the Flames – TOMMY GEMMELL – Fantasy Football League
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsCOydsjBmg
Rest in peace Tommy.
Hail Hail.
Words cannot express the joy and happiness that Tommy gave us over the years. We thank God for his life and for having had the privilege of watching him grace the game. God Bless and rest in peace big man.
RIP TOMMY
RIP the big shot.
We stand on the shoulders of giants.
Terribly sad news about Tommy.
A true Celtic legend I had the great pleasure of seeing up close on many occasions. At his peak undoubtedly the best LB of his generation.
Gone but never forgotten.
HH!!
Legend!
I have no other word,
HAIL! HAIL! Tommy Gemmell.
BRT & H @ 10 40 .
12 th November 1969 .
I ,too,was there . I ,too, knew that Tommy G would score .
A great night . Celtic made O Glorioso look anything but –.
The daftness of youth saw me hitching from Cambridge to London the day before the game , going to see a man about a dog in Ladbroke Grove and then going to Dobells Record Store on Charing Cross Rd to collect 2 Blue Note LPs I’d ordered . . The following morning I was up early to jump( why waste money on the fare ) a tube to Edgeware and the hitch to Glasgow . Me , the 2 LPs and the dog in my pocket made it to Glasgow in time to meet some mates in the State Bar , a few quick pints and a walk to the game . . The dog in my pocket and the 2 LPs went to the game too..
For the record -these were the Lps –
Donald Byrd – Fancy Free ( Blue Note )
Hank Mobley Sextet–The Flip ( Blue Note )
Life in the late 60s , sure thing rockets from Tommy Gemmell , a Celtic team capable of humping European greats, hitching , jumping tubes etc while slouching around with a dog in your pocket and some Blue Note Lps under the your arm . Very Happy Daze .
Memory trip:1968 league cup Ibrox
Willie Wallace hits the huns with two first half sickeners.The black men march at Bellahouston, three thirty ko,the hun hordes questioning big Tam’s parentage. I was dead centre behind the goals. Great day.
Oh I saw it on TV and I know it looked like me
But I swear it was Danny Kaye.
Rest in peace big man you always gave 100 per cent.
Lovely tribute Paul
RIP Tommy
So sorry to hear the sad news about Tommy Gemmell.
“Going home to rest in Paradise!”
My condolences to his wife and family,and to his many friends.
R I P,a true legend.
Very moving Paul.
R. I. P Tommy
Thanks Paul for a wonderful tribute to a great Celt. I remember being on holiday in the USA when Celtic were on tour in 1966. At a game in New Jersey High School (I think) Big Jock played the lads in all sorts of formations. Big Tommy was a centre forward.
I reminded him about that the night before the Seville game; he then asked me if it were not true that he was the best centre forward I had ever seen. Then he shouted out to some of the other Lions did you hear that this guy thinks I would have made a great centre forward.
Being someone who was at Lisbon, I will never forget the part Tommy played in our victory. He will be forever a legend in the annals of Glasgow Celtic. May God grant him eternal rest. No doubt the heavens will be filled with stories of the Celts when Big Jock, Ronnie, Bobby and big Tam get together.
It’s been a difficult few days this past week with the news of big Billy’s deteriorating health and now the sad loss of Tommy.
When you’ve spent 60+ years following your heroes on and off the park – had the pleasure of meeting some of them as players, managers and as great Celtic Men socially – it’s sometimes hard to accept that these Legends are/were mere mortals. Having grown old with them and all the great memories – I know how upset I’m feeling about these sad announcements – my thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends at this difficult time.
Tommy Gemmell – Lisbon Lion and Legend. R.I.P.
So sad, another legend gone, but what memories he left us with.
When the wee mhan was very young i’d tell him to smash it like
big Tommy Gemmell and i’d show him old footage of him scoring,
now his new coach said the other night ” your grandson can certainly
hit a ball ” so thank you Tommy RIP.
H.H Mick
A fair wee article about Tommy Gemmell. With some lovely comments afterwards.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/mar/02/celtic-lisbon-lion-inter-milan-european-cup-winner-tommy-gemmell-died
Just had a glance at FF to gauge reaction. (I know, I know, curiosity killed the cat)
A measure of the great man that Tommy Gemmell was, is that in three pages of comments over there, the overwhelming tone on the thread is expressed as admiration and respect, with not one negative post
YNWATG
http://thecelticblog.com/2017/03/blogs/legends-die-but-they-are-never-truly-gone/
BRTH
I was at that game too, although I am a wee bit older than you!
I have a very vivid memory of the roof over the Celtic end positively bouncing with the roar that followed Big Tommy’s goal.
I was feart for the rest of the game.
Lovely memories!
Tommy, goodbye and God bless you.
Ronnie Simpson, Tommy Gemmell, Bobby Murdoch, Jimmy Johnstone and Tommy Burns.
I wonder if the have a 5 a side tournament in heaven?