LEGEND TOMMY GEMMELL OF LISBON
TOMMY GEMMELL 1943-2017 HERO OF LISBON DIES AFTER A LONG ILLNESS
Family, friends and fans in mourning for former star defender
LISBON Lion Tommy Gemmell was hailed as a “true Celtic giant” yesterday after he died at the age of 73.
The legendary defender, who scored Celtic’s first goal in their historic 1967 European Cup win, passed away in the early hours after a long illness.
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell led the tributes, saying: “Everyone at Celtic is deeply saddened by the loss of Tommy, a true Celtic giant and a man who gave the club so many years of his life in an illustrious football career.
“Tommy was a Celtic great, one of football’s greats and I know he will be so sadly missed by everyone who knew him.
“He was a man of huge stature in the game and someone who made such an important mark on Celtic Football Club.
“In this particular year (the 50th anniversary of the Lisbon Lions’ European Cup win) it is so very sad to lose such an important figure.
“While we mourn his loss, I am sure all our supporters will also celebrate the life and the wonderful achievements of the great Tommy Gemmell.”
Tommy’s silky skills won him legions of fans during his career.
He also scored in the 1970 European Cup final, which Celtic lost 2-1 to Feyenoord. He spent 10 years at Celtic, between 1961 and 1971, making 418 appearances and scoring 63 goals.
The right-footed left-back won 18 Scotland caps, making his debut against England in April 1966 and playing in the famous 3-2 victory at Wembley the following year.
A statement from Celtic said: “Tommy Gemmell is a true Celtic legend, part of the greatest side in the club’s history and a man who played a pivotal role in our greatest ever triumph when, in Lisbon’s Estadio Nacional, 11 men all born within a 30-mile radius of Celtic Park beat Inter to win the European Cup.
“The legend of the Lisbon Lions was created that night, and Tommy and his team-mates were assured their place in the pantheon of Celtic greats. And, like the rest of the Lions, Tommy remained humble about his incredible football achievements.”
Tommy’s death comes days after the family of Billy McNeill confirmed the Lisbon Lions captain has dementia, and shortly before the 50th anniversary of Celtic’s greatest triumph.
Fans have paid tribute to their most famous team in the 67th minute of each game in recent months with a light display and song, In the Heat of Lisbon.
Fellow Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld said Tommy always viewed himself as an entertainer. He added: “Tommy actually thought he was the actor Danny Kaye. He looked like him, but he believed he
was. And he was, in every degree, because he was an entertainer. He was the best left-back in the world at that time – without fear of contradiction.”
Ex-Celtic striker Frank McAvennie, 57, said: “It has been a horrible week all round, really, with the news about Billy and now Tommy – two great men.
“I was on a couple of trips with Tommy and his knowledge of the game was incredible. He will be sadly missed.”
Former Celtic player Murdo MacLeod described Gemmell as “one of the greats”. He added: “I know he had been struggling over the last few months. Just really sad news. He was a top player, one of the first defenders getting forward all the time.”
After retiring as a player with Dundee in 1977, Gemmell managed the club for three years, and then had two spells in charge of Albion Rovers.
Rangers said in a statement: “The club would like to send our sincere condolences to the family of Celtic legend Tommy Gemmell. He was one of the great Celtic and Scotland players and will be sadly missed.”
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “Tommy is one of the most significant figures in Scottish football history having scored in two European Cup finals, including the famous 1967 victory over Inter Milan in Lisbon.
“Today’s news is particularly poignant with this year being the 50th anniversary of Celtic’s achievement in becoming the first British club to win that trophy.”
There were also statements of condolence from Nottingham Forest, for whom Tommy made 39 league appearances and scored six goals from 1971 to 1973, and Albion Rovers.
His death means there are only seven Lisbon Lions left – McNeill, Auld, Bobby Lennox, Willie Wallace, Jim Craig, Stevie Chalmers and John Clark.