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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At the 25th anniversary concert for the Lions as the Wolfe tones were playing and the team came out very dapper in their Blazers
The crowd broke into a chant of ” there’s only one Tommy Gemme”
On hearing this Tommy threw his head back with a huge hearty laugh
A great player and a lovely man
May god rest his soul. A true giant. Met him twice…what a privilege that was! RIP big Tam.
Tommy
Saw him play.
Met him.
Lovely lovely man.
RIP
Hail Hail
RIP Tommy Gemmell. So sad he has gone.
We should really have a statue of each of the Lions lining all up The Celtic Way Big Billy is there already, Jinky too, then the biggest, Jock Stein, alongside Brother Walfrid. for me, I hope Henrik has his statue there too… Inspiring stuff…
UP THE DUBS on 2ND MARCH 2017 7:32 PM
That is a great suggestion. All of the Lions deserve to be immortalised with statues lining the Celtic way.
What a guard of honour that would be!
MoonbeamsWD on 2nd March 2017 5:58 pm
https://t.co/MJooBRI1FT
MWD
………………………………………………..
Those Green Brigaders are awesome in their Support of Celtic.
I am a Greedy person, I want Everyone joining in, in Support of this Tremendous team.
Tommy G – World Class Celtic Supporter.
The CL nights are the pinnacle, obviously and Unfortunately.
David is there in Paradise – Goliath is on a loser.
Olde 10:30 was on the Radio and said the Champions League – The Legend. Bertie is Everything that is Wonderful about Fitba. And Wonderful about Celtic.
Playing Fitba to get bums on seats, and then get them off the seats cheering.
RIP Big Tam
Many fond memories but, apart from Lisbon, happiest memory was TG and George Connolly passing the ball about in the 18yd box against the mob from Ibrox. Think we beat them 4 -0
HH
That will happen. No doubt.
Fess..
Need to be more accurate….it happened loads …..
ADI
I should have said in OUR box and taking the proverbial. I think they were playing keepie up
HH
Paul67 et al
Dont know if anyone else noticed but accompanying the Herald article ‘Celtic mourn club legend…in the photo gallery there is one of a Clyde player managing to get a shot in despite the attention of both Tommy Gemmell and Jim Kennedy, one young Harry Hood! Great picture! Back in the day our Physics teacher one Mr Moran, was always telling me of a young player at Clyde who would star for Celtic, he was right of course, the self-same Harry Harry.
A very sad day. I’ve written a short piece about it.
“Tommy Gemmell: Reasons To Smile”
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2017/03/02/tommy-gemmell-reasons-to-smile/
Petec
Yip. Obviously didn’t get my point across too well :@-)))
I was thinking GB should/could lead it in the 62nd minute by doing their sitty doon thing with not only them but the whole stadium errupting to our feet cheering bang on the 63rd minute with a European goal winning cheer.
MWD
Winning Captains.
Incredible Support.
Up the dubs 7:32
Great idea dubs, all of them honoured
RIP Tommy Gemmell.Have to agree with Tontime Tim on TG being best left back that anyone who is old enough to have seen him would concur . TT and I saw a lot of backs before TG’s arrival so we know what we are talking about :) :).
Around 40 years ago , I’d be around 7, I used to love ( and still do ) the sing songs on the bus going to the games.
One of the 1st I remember was my Dad singing ‘ 3 cheers for Tommy Gemmell , you’ve put us on the level. When we were 1 goal down , you turned the game around’
I loved the tunes.
I still go on the same supporters bus and one of my pals for years has been Tommy’s nephew.
Davie has been many a mile with me watching the hoops and many a jar has been sunk.
My thoughts are with him and the whole Gemmell family
Legends never die
God bless Tommy
RIP
Blantyretim.
I’m coming into Glasgow tomorrow after a visit to Paul in Hamilton, then the Blane Valley,If you fancy a beer,what time will you get there,contact Richie if he’s around,and anyone else you think will join us. hope you can make it.
https://jimcraigcsc.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/team.jpg
Danny,
We have bought tickets for the game, we were hoping for a 16:00 kick off. It is a 14:00 one.
Aidan can be the most stubborn wee guy ever. I’ve sent him a text earlier – he is @ his Fitba training – no response yet.
I know he is likely to say he wants to go and play the Blantyre Vics in the Cup. I might just have to say NAW.
Somethings are just to Important.
If Aidan still wants to turn up – EFE.CSC – I’m going to ask for the coaches to ask for a postponement.
TBB – EK under 17.
Paul67.
You have mail.
http://celticunderground.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/jinky_18.jpg
Petec
I think it’s a 12:30 KO on Sat.
MWD
Correction
On Sun rather than Sat.
MWD DOH!
Sunday Bro.
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/tommy-gemmell-celebrates-lisbon-48-years-on/
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Sm-QD4BnLE3NTdEDpg7vBm3kF_M4TfoipQVx9Js5cMA1.jpeg
Fess….
Well……in that case..
MoonbeamsWD,
Loving the Fact that others in Scotland are appreciating how Good Celtic are.
We got this.
http://dundeefc.co.uk/news/tommy-gemmell/
i think rod might have been so much in awe of tommy that he copied his style.
WC…I would just like to say well done and thanks to you and your family for tending to Tommy and his needs.
I was privileged, through my work, to meet all of the Lions with the exceptions of Faither and Wispy…i met Tommy on numerous occasions, the last of which was in the office where he worked in town. As you know he had a big personality, could fill a room. Alone, he was very cheery, courteous and amenable…put him in the company of Jinky, Bertie and Bobby Lennox and it was hilarious. Non-stop banter between guys who shared an obvious deep friendship. Tommy enjoyed company and for that reason you and yours deserve thanks for sharing time with him and bringing him to CQN where he could sense the adoration of his fans, many of whom had never seen him play…A tear for Tommy, a tear for a death in the family…
RIP Big Tam
Watched him do the biz in Lisbon on the wee black and white TV. A giant in our club. God Bless him and his family.
Tam, you will never walk alone and will always be part of the Celtic pantheon.
Petec
I know. Reading that link posted by TD67 to the record about Dembele and how good two diddy’s wee in comparison (one from Elgin City and the other a loony tunes bam hauf decent talent at Hibees) I can tell so many are appreciating our brilliance. :@-)))
Did you mean your Bhoys game is a 14:09 KO. If so I read you wrong.
MWD
Rather than individual statues of the lions one beg statue of the Lions all walking out the tunnel on their way onto pitch with a European Cup and the Manager, coaches would be class. Wee need to keep room from Brendan and the Caviar Kievs for next seasons final win. :@-)))
MWD
Cosy Corner bhoy
Jeez you and TT must have seen hunners and hunners of full backs
:-)
HH
Paul67
Your a wordsmith in your tribute.
Thank you.
I was upset on hearing the news about Tommy this morning.it was a natural reactuon to the only certainty this life has, that it will end..As some of our esteemed posters say legends never die.This will be a hard time for those close to Tommy but for myself as a Celtic fan I am loving the love that is pouring out for Tommy at this time, be it in picture or clip.
We will support you evermore.
Thank you my fellow Celts for being here.
Thank you Tommy for everything
Say hello to Bobby, Ronnie, jinky and jock when you enter Paradise
God bless you and Celtic
HH
Maybe the
Kiev Kings sounds better.
MWD
http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/glasgow-celtic-football-club-on-18th-april-1964-back-row-left-to-ian-picture-id136020457