The first time I met Tommy Gemmell was back in the 90s. I made a comment that some recent goal was “a great goal”. Tommy replied, “Every goal is a great goal.
“It didn’t matter who I scored against or how inconsequential the goal was, every time I put the ball in the net was a great moment.”
Tommy couldn’t hide the joy he got from doing what he did.
Some tremendous photos surfaced online yesterday, including this one (above), taken 49 years and 11 months ago, a moment after Celtic’s 0-0 draw away to Dukla Prague in the second leg of the European Cup semi-final, a result that saw Celtic progress to the final 3-1 on aggregate.
This photo took pride of place on Tommy’s memento wall at his Dunblane home. It was framed but had clearly fallen, as there was a crack in the glass. But still, its prominence outranked images from Lisbon.
For Tommy, this image captured some of the things he treasured most. His face displays sheer joy; the team have already achieved more than any other British side in reaching the final of the Continent’s top tournament.
He’s carrying his great pal, Jimmy Johnstone, like a child, on his hip. It defines their achievement, friendship and an unfettered happiness. If you ever had a photo like this of yourself, it would be on your wall too.
I’m pleased our next game is at Celtic Park. Many of us want to be there.
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Never had the pleasure to meet El Diego Bhoy, I enjoyed his posts and remember him talking about being ill back and forth.
God Bless you Jim RIP
Privelaged to have met EDB. RIP Jim. Thoughts and prayers with your family.
Very sad news of El Diego Bhoy’s passing, a man who’s posts on here typified not only his deep love of Celtic but also the spirit of CQN.
Only peace for you now EDB..
SP
Oh no, what a sad week. God bless El Diego Bhoy.
Thoughts with his family and friends.
RIP.
I was totally up for the Assembly Elections in the 6 Counties, I believe it’s going to be a very good day for Sinn Féin, but the sad news about EDB has knocked me for 6. First Billy, then Tommy & now Jim, sad sad week.
RIP El Diego Bhoy.
Condolences to his family. May God give them the strength to cope with their loss.
Just shows that we are unaware of the problems and issues anonymous posters on CQN are suffering and underlines the need for respect of fellow Tims and others.
Not El Diego Bhoy as well!
What an awful week!
Say hello to Tommy for us Jim. You’ll both be missed on here.
RIP ElDiegoBhoy
So sorry to hear the news abou El Diego Bhoy. One of the first CQN’ers I met 10 years ago. A lovely man.
Too much bad news this week.
Really sad news about Jim Devine, we only got tae know each other on here even though we came from the same place, went tae the same primary, high schools and chapel although I knew his wee brother Gordon very well who I went tae a couple of games with including the Ayr United 6 in a row game at hampden where we equaled Willie Maley’s fine record.
Through online conversation I found that he went tae games with an old school mate of mine. He would say tae me that next time I was hame he would take me tae meet great CQN Celtic supporters.
RIP Jim at least you’ll now be reunited with your beloved Moira.
ONE EACH WAE THE 20S
Total First Preference Percentages
Unionist DUP 28.08
UUP 12.81
Total Share 40.89
Nationalist
Sinn féin 27.93
SDLP 11.95
Total Share 39.88
Wow neck & neck. Never thought I’d live to see the day.
A sad end to a sad week. RIP EDB.
Dreadful news.
Condolences to Jim’s girls a very sad day for you. Such a lovely man always with a great smile and wit, Thoughts and prayers with Jim’s family and friends.
We crossed swords a few times on here with regards or ways of supporting Celtic but had Veltic in common. Never a crossed word when meeting one another just laughs and honest conversations about the hoops. And chat about our families and life in general.
A sad loss to the blog and Celtic.
RIP Jim. You will be sorely missed.
MWD
R. I. P El Diego Bhoy
Malaga to watch the game
just been told I’ve watched us in here before
phone ahead though
http://www.morrispub.com/
Rest in The Eternal Light El Diego Bhoy.
We exchanged posts a number of years ago, with his knowledge, memories and insight truly a Celtic education.
Thoughts with the family and friends.
Thoughts and prayers for El Diego Bhoys family and friends at this sad time.
Just arrived in BV to get greeted by the sad. Red about Jim
Myself Oldtim and Richie would like to offer our condolences to the ghirls…
TBJ also sent me a text to offer his condolences and to remind all cqners there is a plaque in place for our deceased Cqn comrades☘️
Prayer said for the soul of El Diego Bhoy. R.I.P. Condolences to his family who will be in my prayers also.
It has been a sad week but the Celtic family have always lived through sad times and with faith moved on to the road ahead.
Condolences to the family and friends of El Diego Bhoy
Dreadfully sad news about EDB. RIP Jim.
We shared a great love of Roxy Music and of course a greater love of Celtic.
May God bless and look after you Jim .
Sorry to hear of the death of El Diego Bhoy. I never met him but through his posts his love of Celtic and his family shone through. God bless EDB.
Haven’t been on in a long time but felt compelled to do so after such a sad week for all connected to the club. God bless Billy, Tommy and El Diego Bhoy (as well as all of their friends and loved ones).
It’s been heartwarming reading so many great posts over the last week, reminds me why I love CQN.
Paul67, your last two articles have been excellent by the way!
Thoughts and prayers with El Diego Bhoy, his family and friends.
He epitomised all that is good here on CQN
HH
the more I learn about the lions, the more I see them as the dividing line between football and modern football
ah dear, just read about edb, sad sad day
prayers and thoughts with the family.
RIP EDB.
This has been a horrendous week.
On a more positive note, I managed to make my first game in over a year on Wednesday night and was able to see (finally) at first hand what a special team and manager we have right now at the Club.
A special mention to Moussa who was simply magnificent. I think he’s going to deliver more than 40 goals for us this season, he’s getting better with every game.
One more thing. Obviously this domestic record we’ve achieved since the start of the season is remarkable however what is the actual number of games since domestic defeat because that should be noted also. What is the Sevco semi-final that last saw us defeated?
Shameless repost,
With the blog’s indulgence, I would like to post a link to an article my son wrote for the Irish online journal. the 42.ie.
He has been telt!
http://www.the42.ie/tommy-gemmell-lisbon-lions-jock-stein-3268474-Mar2017/?utm_source=twitter_self
*
Ignore last sentence.
Sad news on TG and EDB
May there souls RIP
HH
My condolences to El Diego Bhoy’s family .
May his soul rest in peace
So sorry to hear of Jim’s death; another of the bhoys of the old CQN brigade.
May Kerri and Meghan take comfort in the knowledge that their parents are now re-united in heaven.
Huntlybhoy- we lost in Perth in the league, penultimate game of the season.
EDB was a gentleman who I had the pleasure of sharing a wee drink with. Sharing a love of the greatest football team in the world. And being a part of this great community which has risen to the challenges of this week.
Jim, you epitomised what is great about cqn.
Rest in peace my Fhriend.
HH jamesgang
just read the sad news of El Diego Boys passing. Has been a very sad week for the Celtic family. RIP El Diego Boy as well as Tommy. Condolences to family and friends of all.
i have been lurking for many years, i have maybe had one or two comments in that time, but the news over the last few days re Billy and tommy have sadden me. i was taken to my first game in 1950-51 by my uncle when i was about 12.it was against st mirren. never forgot that day, not so mutch for the football as the singing. it was the 17 march and they sang hail glorious st patrick. as a young bhoy to hear that and later on faith of our fathers. you never forget that. Was also taken to the final of the coronation cup.
saw all the great players, tully,fernie, collins and my favorite then bobby evans.never forget the day working up in glen douglas when news came through that jock stein was the celtic manager. on the way home on the howard bus we stopped at garelochhead and got a big carry out, my god that bus was rocking that night.i have been very lucky in my lifetime watching celtic.and now its all you young fellows turn.you will all feel the same with brendan as i did with jock stein. still get all excited at big games,wandering about all morning waiting for the game to start.what a great love affair. hail hail.