Billy McNeill, so often an inspiring leader on the pitch
I grieve at the current plight of Billy McNeill, so often an inspiring leader on the pitch but now apparently a helpless victim of dementia. I met him on several occasions and always was impressed with his air of authority, quick intelligence and, perhaps surprisingly, his tact.
A couple of examples.
Pat Woods and I collaborated on A Celtic A to Z back in 1992 and the book launch was held in Billy’s pub in Shawlands. He had promised that several of the Lisbon Lions would be present and, sure enough, they were there (in plain clothes)… and in good form.
My father was there, too, and he was (as always) very quiet and shy. He sat in the corner with my nephew and nursed a pint; and apparently content to sit back and observe but I knew the Lions were his heroes. I pointed him out to Billy and the big man swung into action. He had a quiet word with Bobby Murdoch first, and then walked over to the table where my father sat; they spoke for about ten minutes … and then Bobby Murdoch took his place … and then Bertie Auld … and then Stevie Chalmers …
For almost an hour my father had most of the Lisbon Lions to himself
For almost an hour my father had most of the Lisbon Lions to himself, one-to-one, and I watched from a distance. I saw former footballers, real-life legends, carry out the instructions from their former captain willingly and cheerfully, take the time and the trouble to be attentive to one of the punters who had cheered them on years before … and they were unswerving in their attention. I was impressed.
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