Saddest news as Celtic legend Billy McNeill passes away - messages of condolence here please

Winning Captains said:
"It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our father Billy McNeill," read a family statement, released via the club's website. "He passed away late last night (Monday, April 22) surrounded by his family and loved ones. He suffered from Dementia for a number of years and fought bravely to the end, showing the strength and fortitude he always has done throughout his life.

"We would also like to note our love and appreciation to our mother, Liz, for the care, devotion and love she gave to our father throughout his illness. No one could have done any more.

"Whilst this is a very sad time for all the family and we know our privacy will be respected, our father always made time for the supporters so please tell his stories, sing his songs and help us celebrate his life."

You'll always be the greatest, Cesar. And You'll Never Walk Alone. You'll be with Ronnie, Bobby, Jinky and Big Tam now.

Tributes flood in for Celtic legend Billy McNeill...

https://thecelticstar.com/tributes-flood-in-for-celtic-legend-billy-mcneill/

Please post your condolences here...
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I met Billy at his family home in Bellshill when he was just starting his Celtic career. He gave me and my cousin his autograph and had a quick kick a bout with the both of us (we were about 10 at the time). A true gent who always treated the fans with the utmost respect. Hail hail Cesar. RIP.
 
Too young to have had the pleasure of seeing him in the flesh but was a young boy when he took charge of the Centenary Double Winning team. Something very fitting and poetic about that. For me the best Celt ever.
For some reason I'm thinking of a similar tribute to the Jimmy Johnstone final when the players all wore number 7.
How about a specially commissioned 60's kit, just plain hoops, long sleeves, no sponsor etc with the number on the shorts to be worn in a one off game, maybe a league game or a charity match with the proceeds spilt between a dementia charity and the Celtic Foundation. Just a thought.
 
Theverdict1 said:
What tragic news to wake up to. The only King Billy has passed away. I was a nipper at his last game for us in the 75 final where we won 1.0.

I also was there at his testimonial against Liverpool and being so young spent most of the game watching the crowd as the place was packed to the gunnels.

As a manager for us he was our leader and a true gent.

My uncle Joe loved him, on a visit back home from his Southampton home, I decided to take him around to Billy’s pub in the Southside to see if he was in. I didn’t mention it incase he wasn’t. When standing at the bar, Billy came out from the back and my uncle Joes face was a picture. He took a doubly take looked at me and asked, is that the big man son, I think I’m losing the plot.

I told him it was, I spoke to Billy and told him Joe loved him and could he say hello. Billy went over and they shook hands. Joe’s face was like a wee boy, he is the same age, but he was meeting his hero. For the rest of the night I couldn’t get a word in as the two Celts talked about the old days. I could have went for a walk and my uncle wouldn’t have noticed. Apart from when the drink ran out. :)

When we eventually left he hugged billy and when we got outside he hugged me for taking him there to meet him. He was buzzing .

When we got back to my flat he says.

“Fuck sake son, I never got a round in, the time flew in.”

Billy had time for supporters. He was Caesar, he was a Lion, he was our manager, but first and last, he was a Celtic supporter.

A true legend and a sad day for us all. RIP Big Man. Let’s wrap up this treble in style for him.
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Some post TV1
 
50 Shades of Green said:
Still remember in the summer of 67 a few of us weans gathering outside his house in Simshill, and Big Billy bringing a big Silver cup to the door for us to see, as 6 and 7 year-old kids we never really comprehend it, but I can still see the look of amazement that night when I told my old man

Hail Hail to a true giant, and still winning awards in your final days, a true Celt..
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Fk you started that like son of sam there fifty ?
 
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It's a terrible day for the McNeill family, im also thinking of the remaining Lions and all the players who he captained and managed, they will be devastated. Now I'm just in from work reading the posts from the support, and it's really hitting home, always sad to lose any of our heroes in hoops, but this is the same feeling I've got now as when we lost Big Jock and Jinky
RIP LEGEND
 
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Met him in the shell garage on the london road was about a week after Terry Cassidy sacked him
He was in good spirits and took time out to chat away good humour there was only one Billy McNeil what you saw is what you got he never changed ,same can be said of all the Lions and they didn't have to

A true Legend to the club and to football



For all he went through he never raised the name of the club in a bad way


Hail Hail Billy you never did walk alone

you will be sadly missed but not forgotten
 
kelly said:
Met him in the shell garage on the london road was about a week after Terry Cassidy sacked him
He was in good spirits and took time out to chat away good humour there was only one Billy McNeil what you saw is what you got he never changed ,same can be said of all the Lions and they didn't have to

A true Legend to the club and to football



For all he went through he never raised the name of the club in a bad way


Hail Hail Billy you never did walk alone

you will be sadly missed but not forgotten
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Celtic Park today
https://twitter.com/x/status/1120688723409219588
 
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