Latest news with #BillyMcNeill
Daily Mail
04-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Celtic star Payton is diagnosed with dementia aged 57
Former Celtic star Andy Payton, 57, is battling dementia. The striker has been diagnosed with early-onset form of the killer condition that has struck several footballers including Hoops legend Billy McNeill. Mr Payton who played for the Parkhead club in the 90s is convinced playing football has caused his serious health problem. He said: 'I was just experiencing the usual symptoms - forgetfulness, loss of memory and headaches, but I was n't expecting to have early onset dementia, 'It's properly frightening, you just don't know what's coming down the line. 'My partner more or less manages my day-to-day life, so I know exactly what I'm doing. where I need to be so I don't forget anything. 'The neurologist who did my scan said there are 68 tracts in the brain and 27 of mine are damaged. 'That's half the brain that's damaged. 'The neurologist said it's from football, there's no other thing it can be.' He said that during his playing career he spent hours on end practicing heading footballs. Now he has problems remembering what he's eaten just an hour before. Mr Payton added: 'It was just header, header, bang, bang, bang. 'We'd do it every day, sometimes for an hour and a half. 'I must have headed the ball about 10,000 times, hence the fact I've ended with early onset dementia at 57.' Several players from Celtic's 'Lisbon Lions' team, who won the European Cup in 1967, have been diagnosed with dementia, including Bertie Auld and Billy McNeill. The former died at 83 after being diagnosed with dementia five months before his passing, while the latter died in 2019 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2010. Lisbon winning goal scorer Stevie Chalmers also died from the condition. In Scotland charities and loved ones have demanded more help for footie legends with dementia amid concerns they are missing out on aid available to ex-stars in England. Hundreds of families of former players battling the condition down south have benefited from a £1.5million fund set up with English Premier League cash but there is no comparable scheme here. The pleas for support came after Scotland's joint-top goal scorer Denis Law and ex-Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood became the latest heroes to lose their fights with the memory-robbing disease. Battle Against Dementia charity chief Douglas McCluskey urged game bosses to find more cash - amid links between heading a football repeatedly and brain damage. He has campaigned alongside the family of former Celtic captain and manager Billy McNeill. Their Billy Against Dementia fund have raised tens of thousands of pounds via raffles, T-shirt sales, charity golf tournaments and gala dinners.
Scottish Sun
04-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Former Celtic star, 57, reveals battle with dementia as he says ‘it's from football, there's no other thing it can be'
The striker has told how scans showed damage to half of his brain HEALTH BATTLE Former Celtic star, 57, reveals battle with dementia as he says 'it's from football, there's no other thing it can be' FORMER Celtic star Andy Payton, 57, has told of his battle with dementia. The striker has been diagnosed with early-onset form of the killer condition that has struck several Hoops legends including club legend Billy McNeill. 3 Andy Payton spent a season with Celtic during the 1990s Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 3 He scored 15 goals in all competitions Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Payton who played for the Parkhead club in the 90s is convinced playing football has caused his serious health problem. He said: "I was just experiencing the usual symptoms - forgetfulness, loss of memory and headaches, but I was not expecting to have early onset dementia, "It's properly frightening, you just don't know what's coming down the line. "My partner more or less manages my day-to-day life, so I know exactly what I'm doing. where I need to be so I don't forget anything. "The neurologist who did my scan said there are 68 tracts in the brain and 27 of mine are damaged. "That's half the brain that's damaged. "The neurologist said it's from football, there's no other thing it can be." Peyton said when he played he spent hours on end practicing heading footballs. Now he has problems remembering what he's eaten just an hour before. He added: "It was just header, header, bang, bang, bang. Next season will be Brendan Rodgers' LAST as Celtic manager says Robert Grieve "We'd do it every day, sometimes for an hour and a half. "I must have headed the ball about 10,000 times, hence the fact I've ended with early onset dementia at 57." Several players from Celtic's "Lisbon Lions" team, who won the European Cup in 1967, have been diagnosed with dementia, including Bertie Auld and Billy McNeill. Auld died at 83 after being diagnosed with dementia five months before his passing, while McNeill died in 2019 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2010. Lisbon winning goalscorer Stevie Chalmers also died from the condition. In Scotland charities and loved ones have demanded more help for footie legends with dementia amid concerns they are missing out on aid available to ex-stars in England. Hundreds of families of former players battling the condition down south have benefited from a £1.5million fund set up with English Premier League cash but there is no comparable scheme here. The pleas for support came after Scotland's joint-top goalscorer Denis Law and ex-Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood became the latest heroes to lose their fights with the memory-robbing disease. Battle Against Dementia charity chief Douglas McCluskey urged game bosses to find more cash — amid links between heading a football repeatedly and brain damage. He has campaigned alongside the family of former Celtic captain and manager Billy McNeill. Their Billy Against Dementia fund have raised tens of thousands of pounds via raffles, T-shirt sales, charity golf tournaments and gala dinners. 3 Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Glasgow Times
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Celtic pub dedicated to Hoops legend to reopen after rebrand
Cesar's Irish Bar, located on Old Edinburgh Road, announced it had shut its doors at the start of April. However, while the drinking spot revealed it had closed, they teased that 'big changes' were coming. READ MORE: Celtic pub dedicated to Hoops legend closed after five years Now, the venue revealed it will be reopening as the 'Bellview'. Bosses of the establishment said it will be a 'stunning restaurant, bar, and function venue serving up mouth-watering meals'. They also said the eatery will have a beer garden. At the moment, the owners of the food spot have yet to reveal an opening date for it. Earlier this month, we reported how Cesar's - what the venue was formerly known as - announced its closure. In a post on social media, the watering hole shared two pictures of the venue, one with its sign on it and another with its sign removed. Alongside the images, the watering hole wrote: "Currently closed. New chapter for this place. Big changes coming soon. "Food, functions, and so much more. Will update everyone soon." The much-loved Hoops boozer in the North Lanarkshire town opened back in 2020. Described as being a 'modern, yet traditional Irish-style bar', it was dedicated to the late Billy McNeill. Ex-Celtic hero Billy made over 480 appearances for the Parkhead club. The footballing icon also captained Celtic's Lisbon Lions to their European Cup victory in 1967. During his football career, McNeill also played for Scotland and managed Celtic, Clyde, Aberdeen, Manchester City, and Aston Villa.
Scottish Sun
22-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Pub named after Celtic hero to reopen as bar and restaurant
The pub had previously been a hotel and a furniture store before being transformed NEW LIFE Pub named after Celtic hero to reopen as bar and restaurant Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A PUB formerly named after Celtic legend Billy McNeill is to relaunch as a restaurant and bar. Cesar's Irish Bar opened five years ago in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, but suddenly closed its doors earlier this month. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 5 Cesar's Irish Bar was named after Celtic hero Billy McNeill 5 It has closed down and will become a restaurant 5 McNeill's statue outside Celtic Park Credit: AFP or licensors 5 The Celtic hero captained the legendary Lisbon Lions Credit: AP:Associated Press Owners have now confirmed they have ditched any links to the iconic Lisbon Lion captain and will reopen the venue as Bellview. The pub will now serve food and drinks and will offer a 'sun-trap' beer garden for thirsty punters to enjoy. No date has been set for the new look pub to open but the owners have promised offers and events are to come as they head towards the relaunch. A post on social media said: "Something special has arrived. "Say hello to Bellview, Lanarkshire's brand new go-to spot. A stunning restaurant, bar, and function venue serving up mouth-watering meals, private event vibes, and a drinks selection you'll love. "Oh and did we mention the sun-trap beer garden? Perfect for chilled pints and summer catch-ups. "Whether you're after a relaxed dinner, planning a big celebration, or just fancy a proper good night – Bellview's the place to be. "Doors opening soon with offers, events and sneak peeks on the way." Locals wished the owners a successful relaunch. One said: "Can't wait for it to open. The very best of luck for this new venture." Celtic hero's son reveals that he's standing as a candidate for the Reform Party Another posted: "Amazing. Can't wait to try it." The pub had previously been a hotel and a furniture store before being transformed. The Hoops' greatest ever captain passed away aged 79 in 2019 after battling dementia. The Parkhead icon won 13 league titles with the club as a player and manager and famously lifted the European Cup in 1967. McNeill originally earned the title 'Cesar' after going to see the Hollywood film Ocean's Eleven starring Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack in the 1960s. The name was given to McNeill from actor Cesar Romero, who played a getaway driver, as he was the only Celtic player with a car at the time to drive his Hoops pals around.
