One by one the giants of our childhood pass away.
It is an inevitable stage of our own journey if we are around for long enough.
I was doubly blessed in the generations of the Celtic Family that I was first taken to Parkhead in 1966 as an eight-year-old.
Around the corner from the house where I was born in was The Grib.
Jimmy Gribben was my Grannie’s first cousin, and we were a close crew in the village of Baillieston.
Only last week I had the craic with one of his brood.
The Grib was responsible for Jock Stein becoming a Celtic player and the Big Man never forgot that.
Consequently, there was a constant stream of football deities to his house in Baillieston.
I have one memory off scuttling around the corner to Jimmy’s house on Greenshields road and these huge men in blazers coming out of where I had been sent with “a message”.
One of them was Tam Gemmell.
Looking back it was clear why the other players nicknamed him “Danny Kaye”.
The resemblance to the Brooklyn-born actor was there for sure.
In his autobiography published during his playing days, he referred to his shot as “the terrible dunt”.
The match in Lisbon turned on the interventions of two attacking fullbacks.
Jim Craig teased the Inter defender before rolling it to Big Tam on the edge of the packed penalty box.
Artillery shells had a kinder trajectory.
Giuliano Sarti had no chance whatsoever.
It was a goal designed within the mind of a tactical genius from Burnbank.
Big Tam also played a crucial role in the winner, this time inside their penalty box from the left wing.
He taunted two defenders before presenting it to Bobby Murdoch to shoot.
The midfielder’s shot was expertly diverted past the helpless Sarti by Stevie Chalmers.
The final whistle was blown, and they all became immortal in that moment.
Lions forever.
Back in Baillieston at that very instant, a nine-year-old who ran errands to Jimmy Gribben’s house was dancing in front of a little black and white telly.
A childhood lasts a whole lifetime and my thoughts today are with the family of the man who changed my history with that terrible dunt.
I saw it happen.
Thanks, big man.
Requiescat in pace.
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A small verse in memory of Tommy from my wife …. to the tune of Danny (Kaye) Boy
Oh Danny Bhoy
When mighty Inter were calling
With strong defence
and class down either side
You stunned that team
with your own brand of mighty
…that famous dunt…..
which began the Lions dream !
I had my wifi cancelled for a couple of days , was late with the bill, I might live in America but still struggle ,so the first thing I seen when I got turned back on was that the great man had passed, never saw him play apart from a couple of showpiece games with the rest of the lions , very sad , wish I was around to see him & his pride ? is that what they call lions?
I seen celtic lift the 100th Scottish cup in 85 & was at love st in 86 ,my only regret about that ,NOW, was that little prick judas was there , myfirst memory of watching celtic was going to alan roughs testimonial at firhill , not sure of the year but I was born 71,
Anyhoo… my condolences to the great mans family & the whole celtic family who will greatly miss Tommy Gemmell ,,may he rest in piece
I knew his god son and he was able to tell me some great stories about the big man. I seen him play many times and he was a true great. A big fella in stature and heart.
God rest you big man 3 cheers to Tommy Gemmell he put us on the level.
Hi Phil
This is my first post and I would like to thank you for that warm and thought provoking memory.
My Grand Grandfamily came to Scotland from Ireland via Baillieston and Croy and our gang eventually settled in Saltcoats, where we were brought up.
At 11 years old, I fondly remember watching the game with all the family,huddled around our black and white telly.
When the final whistle blew, we jumped for joy and my normally quiet, reserved Dad shouted with the rest of us.
My older brother jumped on our ‘leather look’ couch, went through the springs and split his head on the arm !
Mum saw to him whilst we joyfully rushed out on to the street to celebrate with all of our neighbours.
What a memory Tommy and the Lions gave us that famous night !
I believe the Lisbon Lions helped galvanise our Celtic families, put us on the map and made us what we are today : Strong, humble and proud.
God rest one of our heroes, Tommy Gemmell
Great tribute. I remember as a young boy at that time I left several tooth imprints on my mother’s bed footboard because the game was so exciting. The whole street was out celebrating afterwards and lots of older guys going to the local pub Doherty’s. A day to remember all of my life
My Celtic daft aunt saw him at Glasgow central station many many years ago. Tommy stood on her foot in the clamour for his autograph…
…she still has those shoes
She’s now 71
Her bedroom is a shrine to Celtic to this day. Memorabilia like you wouldn’t believe…
My Father took me (11 Years old) to see Celtic play Queen of the South at Paradise. He took my elder brother 16 to a European qualifier, when Celtic scored everybody jumped up, my brother looked around himself?? Seen my dad on the ground. Collapsed due to a cerebral Hemorrhage he died in Killearn hospital on the 5th April, 1967. He never seen Celtic lift the European cup.
Sadly he never knew that I were going to the high school OLHS, I had passed the 11+
Lots of memories from 1967.
Tommy.. RIP
Remember it well Phil,living in Saltcoats aged 8. Ran out onto the street where Celtic daft friends of our family basically threw me into the air when Tommy scored. It was mental when Chalmers scored and so wonderful when the final whistle blew.I feel so lucky to have those memories
A Tim I follow on tweeter had a son born today. And so the circle turns …
RIP Gentle giant – formed many a memory of my formative years from Hamilton to Parkhead
in the supporters bus
I had to read that twice Phil! Thought you wrote The GLIB was a relation, had me sweating.
Ghod Bless Big Tam, they don’t make them like him anymore.
Greenshields Road? Next to my old primary school St Bridget’s? What memories of that place in the 1970’s and I didn’t even though such famous Celts were so close…….RIP Tommy
My mothers birthday – 25 May – and 1967 the day I became a Celtic supporter.
I will never forget watching that amazing team
I’ve said it here before – I’m not Catholic and I’m not Irish – but I’m Celtic till the day I die
The club is open to all. It always has been.
Too young to see him playing, I was at Dens in 1980 when he was the manager of Dundee. The hoops were handed a 5-1 beating that day during the infamous league meltdown to Aberdeen. He had an incredible career.
RIP Tommy.
God bless Tommy Gemmell, who was a team member when my father first took me to a Celtic game in 1967, from there on in I was hooked.
I wasn’t at Lisbon in 67 (God forgive me…but I couldn’t afford it) but I did visit it in 1977 and made a pilgrimage to the National stadium from the city. I pulled a bit of the conifer tree leafs in the park and carried it in my wallet for years after.
The most memorable goal I remember from ‘Danny Kaye’ was the rocket he scored at Paradise in the 3-0 win against Benfica, Eusebio and all!. There was 90,000 in Paradise that night and I was almost crushed getting out the gates at full time. We lost the second leg 3-0 in Lisbon and won on the toss of the coin.
I was also at the George Cadette friendly at Sporting Lisbon just after we stopped the Gers 10 in a row …only a handful of supporters from both sides were there. I had been in the Algarve on holiday at Albufeira and watched the St Johnstone win on the Saturday to get us the league title after so long. The friendly in Lisbon was on the Monday after that I think. God Bless you Tommy and all the Lions.
Hi Phil, I see you are going to Lisbon in May, a few of us are also planning to go in May but we have heard that there will be no access to the estadio nacional on the 25th due to the Portuguese cup final being played there on the 27th,do you have any info regards this? Cheers Phil
If it wasn’t clear before outside the Celtic family how much we grieve for those that have gone then today’s reaction to Big Tam’s death should be instructive.
The number of goals he scored from the left back position was unheard of then…Kudos to Jock of course.
His right foot was a bomb ……Zurich at CP, I could swear it was 40 yards out when we were struggling.
I stood proudly then, now seated, at the approximate place where the Coatbridge St Pats boys used to meet, then and now. They know who they are, no matter how scattered they now are across the world!
Jim Breen was a hard task master at St Pats , but many of us will belatedly thank him for his influence on our various future careers.
Tommy Gemmell, RIP, we are all Tommy Gemmell.
Hi Phil I had the privilege of being at Lisbon, we went by bus from the Straw Hoose pub at Parkhead Cross and what a journey we had I could fill your whole blog with my stories but what I would like is to reach out to two brothers who lived in Dundasvale Court Cowcaddens as they were on the bus but had no camera and asked if I could let them have my pics of the events so they could have copies made, that was the last that I saw of my photos so if they read your blog or if anyone knows them I would be very grateful to have my memories to show my grandsons. God Bless Big Tam Requiescat in Pace.
My uncle took my scarf to Lisbon.
I still have it.
That scarf will be with me this May at Stadio Nacional.
I also remember the game live on black and white TV and the sheer joy of Celtic winning, even though I was a United supporter or Arab as we were called by then by the Dundee Supporters. What I also seem to remember was that I had to go to mass that night ( Holy day of Obligation?) and that when the collection plates came round they were covered in green and white scarfs! Anything to get an extra tanner.
Ar Dheis De’ go raibh a Anam +
A great piece Phil, even better that I lived in greenshields Road n my parents still do. My brother n I have watched re-runs of the lisbon game many a time there n still applaud the big man’s strike n his elvis moves before setting up the 2nd. Do you remember which number he lived at in greenshields?
I was 7 when I watched my dad and uncle dance around the kitchen in our tenement in Plantation street. We watched the black & white TV with the aerial nailed up to the wall Lisbon looked as if it had a summer snowstorm but it didn’t dampen the sheer joy and the disbelief that here was a Scottish club beating one of the giants of Europe.
The two of them left after the final whistle and I don’t remember him coming home before we went to bed that night and I’m sure a lot of Tim households experienced the same.
Sadly my father passed away suddenly 4 months later. I am consoled by the fact that he , in his 41 years of life, got to see us win the big cup.
Something the followers of the dead club and this new tribute club WILL never see.
RIP to Big Tam Gemmell.+
God bless big Tommy Gemmell. Thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Big willie O’Neil also god rest him
Phil, superb article. I share quite a bit with the big over the years. Your article is touched by the same. Today is not only a sad day, but a great day. Sad for the passing of a great Lion, but great that he will have seen over the last hours / days / weeks / months that young Tierney is playing the way he would have liked. He would also have liked the way the rest of the team is playing. Good goalie. Strong defence. Strong midfield. Lightning upfront. Brendan Rogers has limitations on who he can sign in todays market, but TG must have liked the way the hoops play…The Celtic Way….irrespective of race/ colour/ creed. The way it was always meant to be……the way it will, hopefully, always be. Great piece Phil. Rest in peace big man.
A wonderful tribute phil..HH
Hi Phil,
I must be getting old as I find it a little strange when I hear fellow Timms say they’ve never seen the Lisbon Lions…
When Frankie Vaughan had his campaign in Easterhouse to get gangs to put their weapons into dustbins…Tommy Gemmell said on TV that they found John Greig’s boots in one of the dustbins!.. that still makes me laugh, remember that?
Sad to hear he died today.
The wing back is part of Jock Stein’s legacy, he created that attacking option in Craig and Gemmell, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
HH
Thanks Phil,
Great piece,tearfilled and speechless,HAIL! HAIL! RIP Tommy,ROAR IN HEAVEN⚽☮
I was born the month before the Cup final and “watched” the game – or rather googooed in front of the telly – in my granny’s in Craigneuk, Tommy’s home town. My mum swore I danced when Celtic scored. So thanks for the dance lessons Tommy, and no surprise I played left back in my football days. RIP Lion.
Lovely memories phil ,i can remember when big tams goal hit the net ,my fathers head almost went through the ceiling, in carmyle a stones throw from where you were in baillieston
I was born 2 weeks after match. I recall the TV commentary only!
App this match was one of the first with replays, if not first. On Celtic scoring my dad goes for cup of tea only for my dear ma’ to scream “YES THEY’VE SCORED AGAIN”.
My dad nearly roasted himself getingt into that living room …..to see a replay.
RiP Thomas Gemmell. And thanks.
Was around to see 1967 also and have the book from my father the big shot green hard back and signed 1968.
Will treasure this along with whats locked away in my memories of a great who played with the other greats.
The Lion is only sleeping and will awaken when all are together in the future to take their place in the immortal arena in the sky, Paradise.
RIP Tam.
I got that book for my Christmas that year
I love getting books for christmas i remember a new favourite of my mine called ” How Rangers FC Self Destructed” can i recommend it as a really good read.Hail Hail.
Who’s the author?
As a ten year old in 1966 I sat on the wall at the jungle with my wee brother and being one of the first to arrive at games (to get a lift in) we would look forward to the team coming out for their warm up. Big Tommy would always do his party piece of flicking the ball from behind him over his head and blast it into the net – poor magic! Then when the game started he would bound up and down the line with his peely-wally thighs that were like tree trunks. Often we would get a smile and a thumbs up that would make our day. God bless and condolences to his nearest and dearest.
Phil,
I too watched the game on our black and white telly
and when Big Tommy thundered that ball past Sarti
you would probably have heard our house cheer(we lived
in Tollcross) if you had not been making so much noise yourself.
At the end of the game the Celtic scarves were out the window!!
Oh the memories all thanks to the Lisbon Lions!!
Condolences to Tommy’s family.
RIP Big Man !!!
Phil, that was beautiful. It’s true as our heros pass on it reminds us of our own immortality.
Love ready your articles when they drop in my in box, keep up the excellent work
Requiescant in pace, Thomas Gemmell.
still got his book in the house..the big shot.big tam gemmell I salute you for the great things you done as part of our celtic family.rest in peace tommy.
i was too young to witness the lions first hand yet i grew up on the tales(aye and the legends) it wasnt too long before my grandfather and my uncle sean sat me down and said ‘watch this’ it was a bunch of gallus scots showing the world what we are the very next week billy mcneil and paul Mcstay were at my school with the league trophy and scottish cup i have been a tim ever since
A truly beautiful piece phil.
RIP Tommy, will never forget that right peg which frequently delivered a rocket past numerous goalies.
Always a bit of a rascal but for me his greatest faux pas in the Hoops was when he delivered a measured kick to the goolies of the Racing Club player…………..he didn’t kick him hard enough!
The only time I saw my late father cry was immediately after the Lisbon Final. We all watched it on our wee b&w TV and emotions were running very high. Only 3 short years later I was in Milan for the 1970 final and saw Big Tam score his second EC final goal. What a striker of a football he was and he gave us many great goals, playing for The Celtic. R.I.P. big man and thanks for the memories.
Good on you Phil. Love to all to whom he meant much
I remember as an 8 year old my house being crowded with my da and all his pals that day ( also in Govan ) The sounds of cheering and grown men crying will stay with me always I have been a Celtic supporter since I can remember but that day has never been surpassed
God Bless Tommy Gemmell A true Lion
Aye ah remember that as well sister. Think ma da was slightly inebriated ha ha
I went on to twitter to read positive comments about Tommy. The third one down was repulsive and offensive. I screen shot it and reported the person. I am not going to dignify it by quoting it here or the user name of, judging by his profile photo, the scrawny little runt who looks like he is just out of nappies. RIP Tommy, a true legend for all of Scotland to be proud of.
Phil, I was 17 when the Lions introduced the world to total football. I danced like never before. A bit like Snoopy from Charlie Brown. As soon big Tommy Gemmel connected with that ball we all new that history was being made. I think we wish that our heroes would live forever. Tommy was one of mine. We will never see his likes again, but I hold the memories in my head.
Condolences to his family.
R.I.P. LION. HAIL. HAIL
as long as you hold him in your head and your heart then he will live forever that is true immortality
RIP big Tam…what a character.
My fondis memories of Tam were when we played Hearts at Tynecastle and we got a penalty up stepped Tam did his wee shuffle and tried to sidefoot it but Cruikshank saved it.Lo and behold the ref said Cruikshank moved and ordered a retake this time no shuffle and no sidefoot Tam ran in and blasted it past Cruikshank.
Another wee thing was I left a pair of mini football boots in Bertie Aulds pub as he was going to get the first team to sign them.Big Tam took them home with him and I never saw them again.That was big Tam mischief personafied but one of the football greats.
A lovely piece. Thanks.
RIP, Tommy. Scorer in two European Cup Finals. Perpetrator of the most magnificent revenge attack in international football history. Thoughts with his family and friends.
I too saw it happen,probably in colour,and was delighted that Celtic had done it for Scotland.
I still have a memory of Tommie’s goal.
Wonder if many Sevconians were pleased to see it happen?
When I read your blogs I usually have tears of laughter.
Today, they are different tears.
Yes a sad day indeed. I watched big Tam and the Bhoys in Greenfield Street in Govan newly turned 17.
Our telly was 14″….. black and white of course….. Still we savoured every minute.
And Tommy taking penalties……..keepers were terrified of Tam’s powerful shots…..
Ronnie, Bobby, Jinky and now Tommy….
RIP Bhoys, you will never be forgotten. Hail Hail.
You forgot Joe McBride he was one lions as well
My all time favourite player. RIP.
Another lion gone R.I.P