Latest news with #PeterLawwell
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Tributes as Scots football legend and Lisbon Lion legend John Clark dies aged 84
Football legend John Clark, one of the Lisbon Lions who lifted the European Cup for Celtic, has died aged 84. Mr Clark made more than 300 appearances for Celtic between 1958 and 1971 before spending decades as a coach, assistant manager and kit man at the Glasgow club. His finest moment came as part of the side which beat Inter Milan 2-1 in Lisbon to win the 1967 European Cup. Mr Clark's death means there are now only three remaining Lisbon Lions - Jim Craig, Willie Wallace and Bobby Lennox. Tributes yesterday poured in, with club chairman Peter Lawwell saying he had 'given his life to Celtic'. But Mr Clark's granddaughter, Clare, posted a touching tribute to a family man who 'took me to feed the ducks when I was little'. She wrote on X: 'A Legend to Many, But to Me… Just Gangan. To the world, he may have been a legend, remembered for his days on the football pitch, for the games he played and the history he made. But to me, he was simply my Gangan. The one who took me to feed the ducks when I was little. 'The proudest smile at every school awards and graduation. The man who thought 'you look clean' was the biggest compliment you could give. And I wouldn't be who I am today without him. 'He didn't need a stadium or a European Cup medal to be a hero. He earned that title in the everyday moments – the 10pm phone calls every night to make sure I'd locked the door and switched the plugs off. 'The 'make sure you don't leave your drinks unattended' before every night out. 'Losing him will leave a hole I don't know how to fill but I'll carry his stories, his sayings, and his love with me forever.' A Celtic statement read: 'Everyone at Celtic Football Club is deeply saddened at the news that legendary Lisbon Lion, John Clark has passed away at the age of 84.' The club added: 'His love for the club was a constant throughout his life and, after leaving his role with the first team, he was able to enjoy matches from the stands at Celtic Park. He will be greatly missed by everyone at the club.' MrClark won four Scottish league titles, four League Cups, three Scottish Cups and one European Cup during a 13-year playing career with the Hoops before moving on to Morton in 1971. He returned to Celtic Park as coach of the reserve and youth sides before becoming former manager - and fellow Lisbon Lion - Billy McNeill's assistant, first at Aberdeen and then, in 1978, at Celtic. Mr Clark went on to take charge of Cowdenbeath, Stranraer and Clyde before returning to Celtic Park as kit man, a role he held for nearly 20 years. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said: 'Greatness is a word people throw around, but for John Clark, it is a very fitting tribute. 'John was instrumental in delivering our greatest day ever and his achievement is forever etched in Celtic's proud history.' Chairman Peter Lawwell added: 'John's passing represents a massive loss to his own family and of course a huge loss to the wider Celtic family. 'That famous day in Lisbon, which John was such an integral part of, changed our club forever. Ever since, each player who has passed through our club has stood on the shoulders of giants and John was certainly one of those giants. 'John gave his life to Celtic both as a player and on our staff in a variety of his roles and his contribution to our great club over so many decades is immeasurable.'
The Independent
6 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Tributes paid to ‘giant' Celtic icon and Lisbon Lion
Former Celtic defender John Clark, a member of the legendary Lisbon Lions, has died at the age of 84. Clark was instrumental in Celtic's historic 1967 European Cup victory, where they became the first British club to lift the trophy. He made over 300 appearances for Celtic and won numerous domestic titles, including four Scottish league titles and four League Cups. Clark maintained a lifelong association with Celtic, serving the club for over 40 years in various capacities including player, coach, assistant manager, and kit man. Tributes from Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and chairman Peter Lawwell highlighted his immense contribution and status as a club giant.
BBC News
10 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'John Clark was a hero to me'
Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell paid tribute to "one of Celtic's greatest ever servants" John Clark following his death at 84."John's passing represents a massive loss to his own family and of course a huge loss to the wider Celtic family," Lawwell told the club's website."A very dear friend and colleague, John was actually a hero to me and so many others, someone who achieved the greatest feat of all in club football but did so, along with his great team mates with such grace and humility."That famous day in Lisbon, which John was such an integral part of, changed our club forever. "Ever since, each player who has passed through our club has stood on the shoulders of giants and John was certainly one of those giants."John gave his life to Celtic both as a player and on our staff in a variety of his roles and his contribution to our great club over so many decades is immeasurable."John was a fantastic husband, father and grandfather. Such a warm, gentle, and unassuming man. It was an absolute privilege to have known John. "Rightly, he will forever be regarded as one of Celtics greatest ever servants."He will be someone we will all miss so dearly and we send all our love, our thoughts and prayers to John's family."
The Sun
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Celtic legend and Lisbon Lions hero John Clark dies aged 84 as tributes pour in for club's second-longest serving figure
CELTIC legend John Clark has died at the age of 84. The Parkhead club announced the Lisbon Lion's passing this afternoon with an emotional statement on social media. 6 6 6 6 The statement from Celtic read: "Everyone at #CelticFC is deeply saddened at the news that legendary Lisbon Lion, John Clark has passed away at the age of 84. "The whole Celtic family will mourn John's loss together, supporters and colleagues alike. "Rest in Peace John, You'll Never Walk Alone 🦁" Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers hailed the icon as an "absolute inspiration" and insisted it was a "tremendous privilege" to work alongside him. He said: 'John was instrumental in delivering our greatest day ever and his achievement is forever etched in Celtic's proud history. 'John's continued presence at Celtic across so many decades I know served as an absolute inspiration to so many players, managers and staff, including myself very much. 'To have him with us, as part of the club for so long has been a tremendous privilege for us all, it meant so much to us. Through his knowledge, his wisdom and his true love for Celtic, John has made such an important contribution to the club.' Celtic chairman, Peter Lawwell said: 'John's passing represents a massive loss to his own family and of course a huge loss to the wider Celtic family. 'A very dear friend and colleague, John was actually a hero to me and so many others, someone who achieved the greatest feat of all in club football but did so, along with his great team mates with such grace and humility. 'That famous day in Lisbon, which John was such an integral part of, changed our club forever. Ever since, each player who has passed through our club has stood on the shoulders of giants and John was certainly one of those giants.' The diggers move in as Celtic Park pitch is dug up Chief executive Michael Nicholson added: 'I would like to offer all our sincere and heartfelt condolences to John's family on such a sad day. 'In losing John, we have all lost a dear friend, such a fine man and someone who gave Celtic everything over such a long time. 'In a sense John was Celtic, on and off the pitch across so many years, contributing so much to our success at all times. 'While John was one of our greatest, he never saw himself as that, his own humility never allowing him to do so. 'The whole Celtic family will mourn John's loss together, supporters and colleagues alike. We will ensure that we give John's family every support at such a difficult time.' Clark won six league titles, three Scottish Cups, five League Cups and of course played a key role in the iconic European Cup victory over Inter Milan in 1967. 6 Clark was one of just two players to feature in all 59 matches in the famous Quadruple season in 1966/67, with Tommy Gemmell the only other Lisbon Lion to replicate the feat. Between April 1965 and September 1967, he played in 140 consecutive matches. Clark went on to become Celtic's second-longest serving figure after Willie Maley as he held various roles within the club across eight decades. He spent over 45 years with the Hoops both as a player and coach and kit man. He was Celtic's lead kit man for over 20 years after taking on the role in 1997. Clark was given the nickname Mr Celtic for his long-lasting service to the Glasgow club. He joined Celtic at the age of 17 in 1958 and spent 13 years in the East End of Glasgow before heading to Morton for two years between 1971 to 1973. 6 The legend was capped four times for Scotland and made two appearances for the Scottish League XI in the late 60s. In total he made 318 appearances for Celtic, scoring three goals. Clark returned to Celtic as reserve team coach then teamed up with Billy McNeill as assistant manager at Aberdeen then Celtic. He had a managerial career with Cowdenbeath, Stranraer, Clyde and Shotts Bon Accord. In May 2004 Martin O'Neill presented Clark with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his services to Celtic. Clark's son Martin was a footballer, playing for Clyde, Nottingham Forest and Partick Thistle in the 1990s before spells as assistant manager at Morton and East Stirling. Clark's passing means Bobby Lennox, Jim Craig and Willie Wallace are the only surviving Lisbon Lions.
