Football legend and devout pigeon fancier John Lambie dies after illness
0 John Lambie had been battling a long-term illness John Lambie, the former manager of Partick Thistle and Hamilton Academical, has died at the age of 77.
The Jags legend had been battling a long-term illness before his death yesterday. Lambie took charge of the Firhill side on three separate occasions. He won promotion to the Premier Division with Partick in 1992 during his sec- ond spell, and took the reins again in 1999. With Thistle at risk of relegation to the fourth tier, Lambie turned things around and kept the team up, leading them to successive promotions and a place in the Scottish Premier League.
A statement from the Jags read: “Partick Thistle Football Club is deeply saddened to learn that former manager, hall of fame inductee and Thistle legend John Lambie has today passed away. The thoughts of everyone associated with the club are with John’s family and friends.”
Born in Whitburn, he began his footballing career with the town’s junior team before turning senior with Falkirk in 1958. Starting his career as an inside forward, he later switched to full back, and spent 11 years with the Bairns, making 199 appearances.
Lambie joined St Johnstone in August 1969 and enjoyed a successful five years with the Saints, reaching the final of the Scottish League Cup, achieving a third place finish and the club’s debut in Europe.
Lambie had a spell as a coach at Hibernian, serving as part of a five-man management team alongside Bertie Auld, Cecil Graham, Tom Mcniven and Pat Quinn, before joining Hamilton as assistant to former Easter Road colleague Auld. Lambie succeeded Auld in 1984, leading Accies to the First Division title in 1986 and a shock Scottish Cup win over Rangers at Ibrox the following season. His penchant for a bon mot, and love of cigars and pigeon racing made him a popular figure in football. His response to being told that concussed Jags striker Colin Mcglashan had no idea who he was – “Tell him he’s Pele and get him back on’ – remains one of the Scottish game’s greatest quotes.