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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Delaneys
Cheers mate.
A sad week for Celtic greats and supporters but I have a wee chink of light and happiness with my bhoy.
Saltires, not only was Tommy a great man and player , he had some quiff in his younger days.
Delaney’s. Tommy, Bobby M , Billy , John C , and Jimmy were all Lanarkshire bhoys , Wispy was from Kirkie, with Jim, Bertie and Stevie being Gasgow bhoys ( but don’t quote me on that)
MiT
Ditto. Meant to post to thank HT earlier.
My mind goes to another great CQNr I had the honour to meet before he passed.
Macanbheatha Sean McVey RIP
For another CQN family struggling at this time, but in our thoughts and prayers
FGF and Bundoran Bhoy
https://youtu.be/-d30rpdvtiA
ach, who am I trying to kid…..am not remotely religious…..faith however….is universal ;-))
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u1xrNaTO1bI
That link doesn’t appear to work
Fingers crossed this time
https://youtu.be/-d30rpdvtiA
Cowiebhoy,
Yes meeting vfr after the game on Sunday…
Dallas
A workmate of m
Ihttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYZXbU_d_7c
am a sailor, you’re my first mate
We signed on together, we coupled our fate
Hauled up our anchor, determined not to fail
For the hearts treasure, together we set sail
With no maps to guide us we steered our own course
Rode out the storms when the winds were gale force
Sat out the doldrums in patience and hope
Working together we learned how to cope
Chorus:
Life is an ocean and love is a boat
In troubled waters it keeps us afloat
When we started the voyage, there was just me and you
Now gathered round us, we have our own crew
Together we’re in this relationship
We built it with care to last the whole trip
Our true destination’s not marked on any charts
We’re navigating to the shores of the heart
Dallas
Sorry. A workmate of mine who grew up with the Chalmers family in Bishopbriggs reckons that Stevie and Bertie fae Maryhill were born closest.
DD
How you doing tonight, pal?
KT is away at a conference, so it is just me and the Ghirl this weekend. So, will take her to the park in the morning. TOnight some mussels and a nice cider in front of the fire, while I get caught up on my CQN.
Never had the pleasure of meeting mac … but his posts were ones that I always made a special point of reading.
Gerrybhoy- let me check my shift and hopefully meet you fir a couple after work.
I know Jim enjoyed this back in the day.
ElDiegoBhoy
Rest in peace Jim.
Right before I get too emotional tonight …. St Stivs put it better than me earlier but here goes . . We lost a great guy In Jim today who a lot have not met or met occassionally over the years (me included). The one thing about Jim was he had priorities which I loved and embraced. He loved his Family, Celtic, Beliefs and Friends and instead of them all being individual they were all intertwined.
At 12:30 on Sunday I will be in my seat focussed on us getting through against St Mirren.. 15 minutes before it I will be looking for the CQN plaque to remeeber Jim and others who have passed away, I will come home to my family after the game and have dinner with them and they willl have no interst in the game.
My belief is Jim will always be in my prayers..
https://youtu.be/yaS3vaNUYgs
Foggy Dew
UTLR
goodnight Celts, over to you Cowiebhoy :))
Stivs…..this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYZXbU_d_7c
my try at yer lovely lyrics
CELTIC are planning to install a state-of-the-art AIRDOME at Lennoxtown in time for next winter.
SunSport can reveal the Hoops want to build a new full-size indoor facility like those used by Chelsea, Southampton and Ajax.
If planning permission is granted, Celts could begin work on the big-money dome over the summer ahead of key Champions League qualifiers.
Lennoxtown has a small indoor hall, but Treble-chasing gaffer Brendan Rodgers and predecessor Ronny Deila have both spoken about the need for a bigger all-weather facility.
The board has now sanctioned the bumper investment after exploring the feasibility of installing the airdome.
English Premier League leaders Chelsea had a similar facility, while EFL Cup finalists Southampton installed their own airdome in 2015.
Ajax also have a similar structure at their Amsterdam training ground, with it being wrecked by a storm in 2013.
Sunday’s Cup opponents St Mirren also have a training dome next to their stadium.
The dome base Celtic will install is fixed to the ground but will inflate to cover a new artificial surface at Lennoxtown, which is undergoing a costly revamp right now.
Lighting within the structure allows the pitch to be used night and day.
It will be a major boost for Rodgers’ long-term plans after he spoke about the prospect of an indoor facility last year.
He said: “If you have the facility to do that up here, or the finances, I think you should.”
Celtic’s first team would use the dome during the winter months, with year-round access for the club’s academy.
The plans are part of continuing work to improve facilities at Celtic’s base.
Two of the five grass surfaces are currently being relaid and camera gantries have been installed so Rodgers can film every session.
Rodgers has also asked for a new pitch at Celtic Park.
Reading a lot about Tommy Gemmell today,
I thought he was born in Craigneuk but it looks like he was born in his granny’s house in Cumbrae Drive, North Motherwell. Round the corner from where I was brought up!
RoyC
I can’t FourGreen Fields copying over, can you try :-)
I see your last post not working either ?
MiT
Fine here thanks.
The fact that Macanbheatha was in the H block at that time hits me what he went through. The fact he died way too young hurts and saddens me.
Volunteer Sean McVey RIP
GreenLion
Lovely words my friend.
greenlion,
deeds much more than words. you do it,
The Night Visiting Song sung by Jimmy Kelly at the grave of his brother Luke
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mz5_VoLcpjU
HT
I noticed earlier you carrying on Ard Macha’s tradition at this time of year.
Good on ye.
DD
For most of the years that I’ve posted Ard Macha always posted Bobby’s diary, his personal record of the first 17 days on hunger strike. Sadly, this year it hasn’t happened so I think someone should take responsibility for highlighting it.
JimBob71
It’s a pleasure mate.
if life is an ocean….
then I’m a rudderless ship….
open to the vagaries of winds and tides….
CQN is my anchor…..
thank you all
YNWA
Hail Hail
EDB RIP
HT
Glad you’re doing it mate, should never be hidden or forgotten
I’m an every day lurker but post rarely.
We were introduced briefly at CQ10 by Token Tim.
Was a pleasure to meet you.
HT
So glad you have. Thank you.
Put’s my problems in perspective when I read Bobby Sands MP words approaching his martyrdom.
Finally on youtube. Regarded by many to be the best version of the late great Tommy Makem’s signature song. This recording was played at the Tommy Makem memorial concerts at the Irish festivals summer 2007, shortly after Tommy died on August 1, 2007. The poem at the beginning is “Requiem
with the requium.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d30rpdvtiA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBoYZqmcZuc
Scotty Sinclair, what a signing, what a player!
HT and St Stivs ,, we are all the same..God Bless and Good night
Cowiebhoy
Your link to Fourgreenfields for FGF is working OK here……
HT
Keep it lit, a magical and scary read/reminder
I’ve threatened to meet Ard Macha dozens of times in The Felons but never quite made it!!
I’m over often as my Da was from Ardoyne before the family moved to Ballymurphy where lots still live, a place close to my heart but me and Ard Macha, never quite got that pint!!!
Mags 12.34am
On my way to work this morning I read your post about the rest of the Lions and other Celtic greats that might have fallen on hard times, totally agree the club has a responsibility to make sure the players that make the club great should never be forgotten…..
JimBob
I remember but frequently try to forget TTT :-)
HT
:-)
The poor man isn’t here to defend himself……
:-)
Mike In Toronto
Cheers. Today is not the day to worry about that rubbish tbf. A day not to hold hard feelings. Lots of us have said things on here in the heat of the moment. Me included more times than I can remember.
Happy to move on from that and hope to talk Celtic over a pint at a Hootenany with my fellow Tim some day.
MWD