Tributes continue to flood across social media and in the MS media including a fitting video tribute on Celtic TV and the Celtic players wore black armbands on Thursday as a mark of respect when they played Ajax in Como.
After the news broke that Celtic Football Club had lost another Legend of the club when the original holy goalie and Lisbon Lion, John Fallon, had passed away. John left this World peacefully surrounded by his loving family.
He was born a Celtic fan and in 1958 all his dreams came true when he signed for Celtic. He left Celtic after 14 years to join Motherwell but his heart was always in Paradise.
It all changed for Celtic in 1965 after the return to the club of Jock Stein. John and his Celtic team mates lifted the Scottish Cup and the most famous Celtic team of all time were up and running. Those players would rule Scotland for almost a decade and conquer Europe in 1967.
John was so proud to be a Celtic player, born into a Celtic supporting family he lived for Celtic and lived all of our dreams picking up 1 European Cup, 6 League titles, 2 Scottish Cups and 5 League Cups and he was so proud when he was reunited with his missing European Cup medal. As recently as a few weeks ago he was in Ireland as a guest of the Ballymena Shamrock CSC showing off his European medal.
John seldom missed a Celtic game home or away and distance was no obstacle when it came to travelling to supporters functions. He never said no to Celtic supporters clubs.
I had the pleasure of travelling with him to Norway, Canada and the US. Interviewing John on stage was never dull and his passion for the club always shone through. I will cherish all our chats both in public and in private.
We first met John in Las Vegas at the NAFCSC where Henry McGarvie arranged an interview with him for one of the early editions of the fanzine back in 2001. He then agreed to do a column for the fanzine. Since then Henry has recorded his column for every issue. Scottish Referees were never far from his thoughts
His column for the next issue has already been submitted and we will look through the archives of columns and interviews we have with him to insure we play our little part in his legacy which will live on for ever with the 12th Lion project when a school will be built and called after him in South Sudan, Africa.
John’s faith was very important to him and meeting Pope Francis in Rome was another highlight if his life. He is now with his loving wife Ester in heaven surrounding by all the Celtic greats no doubt giving out about referees.
Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes & Host of the Celtic Soul Podcast
Copyright 2018 Celtic Fanzine | Developed by Blueberry Design