John Clark, one of the Lisbon Lions, who together broke the mould of Latin style football in Europe back in 1967, passed away yesterday.
May he rest in peace.
His passing means now only four of the squad from that triumphant run are still with us. John Fallon, Willie Wallace, Jim Craig and Bobby Lennox.
Born in 1941, in Chapelhall, near Airdrie, Clark joined Celtic in 1958, serving as a player, assistant manager and latterly as kit manager.
Over eight different decades, he worked for the club for fifty years, a record that surely will never be surpassed.
As a manager in his own right he was at Stranraer, Cowdenbeath and then Clyde, where he spent six seasons, keeping the club in the first division for five of them.
There was also a period with alongside Billy McNeill as assistant at Aberdeen, before he moved to Celtic with his former defensive partner to replace Jock Stein, who had become far too popular with the fans and so was shunted out of the way as he was interfering with the clubs growth plan, which was not to have a period of growth.
He took on the role of kit manager in 1997, and although that was his title, he was more of a father figure to players, an ever present who was there for anyone who wanted a bit of advice.
Only Willie Maley was at Celtic for longer.
In 2017, he was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame.
He only played four times for Scotland, which seems ridiculous these days, especially given that one of those games was against Brazil, in 1966, where he managed to keep the legendary Pele quiet. Brazil were world champions at the time.
Scotland hadn.t even qualified for the World Cup that year, but won it unofficially by beating England at Wembley, where they had played all their games to secure their only international triumph.
We often criticise the English for their constant reminders of their triumph in the sixties, yet hold our own sixties legends in high esteem.
There is a reason for that, of course.
Celtic were a club that fashioned it’s own style, it’s own mentality and played it’s own game to succeed. That’s unique in football.
We all know the stories, sometimes embellished a wee bit, and rightly so, about the success the squad had, and the unshakeable bond between them, a bond that stretched as far as to supporters who had never even seen them play, or indeed been around when they were.
What they had as a unit can never be repeated, the modern footballer is all about ego, about money and about fame.
Which is the very antihesis of everything John Clark was.
He was the quiet man in a team packed with characters. The dependable chap who covered for the mavericks when they made mistakes.
In defence, McNeill would be first to clear the danger, Clark would be there in case he couldn’t.
An oversimplification, but without him around, McNeill wouldn’t have been able to launch himself to head the ball, at both ends, Jim Craig and Tommy Gemmell wouldn’t have been able to tear down the flanks, and the midfield combination of Auld and Murdoch wouldn;t have had the audacity to try some of the things they did.
They all knew “Luggy ” had their back.
That’s what made these guys unique, they had each others back. On the field and off it..
The man who had their backs on the field was John Clark.
In the comments section today, let’s talk about him.
Great description of JCs Celtic career….we’ll get to see all those legends again when we walk down that final road…
Thats as fitting a comment you’ll see on John Clark.
Very well done Ralph
I remember watching an interview, where he told of his upbringing, with his dad dying when John was 10 years old, and the strength of his mother in bringing up the family. It moved me to tears.
I was moved to tears again yesterday, when a truly humble and family centred legend passed away.
God bless you, John.
John Clark lived the dream, not only for himself but for countless thousands of other Celtic Supporters across the world, during his many decades as a player as staff and as a Celtic Supporter himself.
Johns Club is Our Club and he knew that, for he was one of us, he always will be.
John knew what this Club was all about and I hope sincerely that he knew what he meant to us.
Rest in Eternal Peace Mr Clark
Well said, a fine tribute to a wonderful player.
I always think about John, because both of our Fathers worked on the railway, his Da being killed in a train accident and John only ten years of age, what a tragedy to the family, what hardship and he would have to ‘step’ up and play his part at such a young age.
That shows the character of this wonderful man. Always smiled to myself when he was called the Celtic ‘kit man’, he led by example. John Clark may you RIP.
We always for get the part that other Celtic players played though not on the Estadio Nacional pitch.
Lets think about them too.
Willie O’Neill (4 games) – Joe McBride (2games) – John Hughes (5games) Charlie Gallacher (2games).
Nice tribute. The Lions were before my time but I recall Larsson’s rye smile when JC reminded him who’d laid hands on the cup with the big ears. Hope Celtic never lose that thread to the past with former players who have graced the hoops being there for the young lads who come from even further afield than Saltcoats. ‘And to the Lions who now have gone, to a golden sky, the sweet lark’s song, you were the first, your country’s best, God grant you light and eternal rest.’
Well done Ralph, great summation. Requiescat in pace Mr Clark. All the best to his family and friends from the Dresden CSC
Legend
John Clark was the most underestimated of all the lions. Could read a game like a book and as you said covered for everyone else in attack. An absolute gentleman a proper legend and a role model for all
John Clark, RIP, you are and will remain a true Celtic legend.
YNWA
Sad news but we all have to go and what a life, what a Celt John Clark was. RIP.
I’ve often thought of him as the loveliest man I never met and talk about having your back, I remember those pics from the Racing Club fiasco when Bertie Auld refused to be sent off and Luggy had his fists up ready to take any of them on. I thought he was the rock that held our defence together along with Cesar. I said the loveliest guy I never met as I very nearly did on a CP tour.
My wife and I did the tour quite a few years ago and amazingly there were only us 2 and the guide.
Towards the end the guide, Hugh Phillips? maybe, I can’t be sure, was going through various players and mentioned John Clark. Hugh quickly understood that I valued JC as much as ANY Celt and apologetically explained if he’d known this earlier he’d have introduced us. If only!
But I’ll always have very fond memories of that brave, hugely talented, extremely humble Celt.
If such a place as Heaven exists I’m sure he’d be welcomed with open arms. Hail! Hail! Luggy.
YNWA
You could at least have switched that stupid Akismet thing OFF, if not permanently then just to allow us eTims who wanted to pay tribute to that wonderful, wonderful Celt!
A fine tribute to a Celtic legend.
Hail Hail.
A justified member of the legendary Lisbon Lions, sleep well John…