Part of the shirt worn by Billy McNeill
A piece of Billy McNeill’s jersey
The plan for the following morning was to meet on a square near the river and be on the road by 10:30am. Most people were in their seats when Gerry McGrath came on board and caused something of a stir. He held aloft a large portion of a torn Celtic jersey and announced that it was part of the shirt worn by Billy McNeill. Gerry was just one of a number of fans who mobbed the Celtic captain after the final whistle and left him needing a fresh strip to go up and collect the cup.
Everyone on board the bus pleaded with Gerry for a small piece of the jersey as a souvenir but when he had the chance to speak he announced: “The only person who is getting a piece is Liam for organising the bus”. I, of course, had plenty of help but I wasn’t going to argue with him at that point and gratefully accepted the piece of Billy McNeill’s jersey that he proceeded to tear off for me.
The small piece of cloth, still with Billy McNeill’s DNA and clay and grass stains from the Estádio Nacional, has become a family heirloom.
When we did a headcount we were missing two. No one had seen them that morning and search parties were dispatched to look for them. We were some distance from the hotel and I returned there by taxi. When we all reassembled no sighting was reported. It was decided that the best approach was to remain in Lisbon for lunch and to leave at 2:00pm. There would be no stops en route as we had to cross into Spain before midnight.
At some stage the missing pair showed up. I should have found them earlier. I didn’t look in their room and they had been fast asleep when I inquired about them at the desk.
Billy McNeill with the European Cup. Photo IMAGO
We reached the border comfortably and kept going, looking for a place to eat (and drink). It was late at night when we arrived at the bar from which we beat an early retreat two days earlier. I was concerned at the reception we might receive but the argument that a bar wasn’t going to turn away 50 unexpected customers won out. We spent a pleasant hour there before returning to the bus for another long drive.
