Sean Fallon R.I.P

What a man, what a Celtic man! Sean Fallon epitomised everything that the game of football WAS about. He is part of the club’s DNA,
We have lost a son, God bless. R.I.P.

A true legend in every sense. Part of the fabric that makes up our great club, he will live forever in our hearts.

I’m too young too have seen his direct involvement with football matters but it speaks volumes that I’m fighting back the tears at this news.

RIP.

RIP Sean Fallon.. Celtic Legend

Desi

A fine tribute, sir, and one reviving so, so many memories.
“Sean also scored in the 1953-54 Scottish Cup final, a year he helped Celtic win the double, a season which saw Sean out-Peled “Escape to Victory” Pele by playing the last 20 minutes of a game with his broken collarbone in a sling.”
I had completely forgotten that incident which was exceptional even in those days of regular bloody heads and crippling limps. It was one of my first games with my father and I recall as a concerned child hearing the crunching tackles of a certain Irish gentleman determined to clear up after the ball had skited off Big Jock’s knee. He was a very, very hard man in a green and white jersey, but, though I was not fortunate to have contact with him personally, I heard from those who did that a gentler and humbler man you could not meet. I do not think anyone could argue that this certainly came through in his public persona. Though Sean was out of the limelight for nearly 40 years, he was never far from the lips of most Celtic supporters and it was an utter joy for fans like me to see him receive the ultimate honour of raising the championship winner’s flag at the start of the season. No one living was more worthy. Even then he showed his hardiness, battling through with a smile and a wave what must have been more than a struggle for a frail man just turned 90. Even younger ones who neither seen nor even recognised the man, knew about him. I think this says it all about his contribution to the club, as player, assistant, stand-in and ambassador. Till his dying breath he lived Celtic through and through and over and over.

Take a seat now, Sean, with the Celtic greats. It has been reserved for a long time and there will be surely be joyous celebrations with the angels – over Lisbon one hopes. Have one for me and maybe 7 more to go with it.

R.I.P. and prayers and sympathy to your wife and family.

H H

Desi

Today the Celtic family lost one of its greatest and most loved. You, sir, have paid a deserved but worthy tribute to an outstanding Celt and an exceptional man. Thank you.

For me personally your eulogy evoked many memories even of some incidents I had totally forgotten.
“Sean also scored in the 1953-54 Scottish Cup final, a year he helped Celtic win the double, a season which saw Sean out-Peled “Escape to Victory” Pele by playing the last 20 minutes of a game with his broken collarbone in a sling.” (or the well publicised one armed performance of Franz Beckenbauer in the world cup and right up there with Bert Trautmann’s broken collar bone FA cup heroics) I was at Sean’s broken collar bone game as a child with my father. I did not fully understand but remember all the talk among the supporters so I was made well aware of Sean’s bravery. But then, he was a hard, hard man in a Celtic jersey, no compromise when fighting for the cause as it was then. It would not be the last time I would witness his tackling or hear the crunch of bone on bone as he showed his determination to clear properly a ball that had skited off Big Jock’s knee. He gave a whole new meaning to sweeping and Sean’s clean-ups were dreaded by many another “hard man”.
In contrast, so I am told by people who met him, he was the humblest and gentlest of men off the field. An incident that I know of says it all about Sean the retiring humanitarian. The son of a work colleague was seriously injured in the Ibrox Disaster on 2nd January 1971. He had stopped breathing and was lying unconscious at the track-side awaiting attention from St, John’s ambulance. However, instructions were to attend to those with the best chance of survival and clearly he had little. As he waited desperately for help, Sean Fallon passed by and my colleague asked if he could have a look at his boy. In a sympathetic response to my colleague’s pleas, Sean agreed to try the kiss of life and other revival procedures. The young man was revived and still lives today, all thanks to the efforts and the humanity of Sean Fallon. Another positive was my colleague’s promise that he and his family would no longer harbour any bitterness towards Celtic fans. The unknown deeds of the good and the great often remain concealed solely in the hearts and minds of others. I wonder how many other deeds of Sean’s are hidden there. Yes, Sean was a committed Celt but more, he was a decent, caring man. This was shone through admirably in his public persona and those who never saw him play could never have imagined that this gentle Irishman could hurt even a fly.

I was overjoyed when he was chosen to unfurl the league winner’s flag at the start of the season. Although the living legend most deserving of the honour, he maintained his usual self effacing stance. His bravery was to the fore again that day as he took the plaudits of the crowd while battling what must have been difficult exertions for a 90 year old. Sean gave everything for his beloved Celtic and refused to have a bad word said against it even when there was cause. His loyalty was astounding, his dignity exemplary. If anyone wants to know what is meant by a true Celt, take a long hard look at Mr. Sean Fallon.

You will be celebrating with the other greats now, Sean. I am sure they had a seat at the table well prepared for you. I hope the angels carry you on their wings on one final trip over Lisbon and if you are toasting, please have one for me and then another 7 from the league cup, just for the memory.

R.I.P., Sean, and my prayers and thoughts are with your wife and family on this very sad day.

H H