Legendary Celtic star and Lisbon Lion John Clark has passed away | OneFootball

Lisbon Lion John Clark has passed away, with official confirmation coming from Celtic who have posted a statement on the club’s website and have passed on the sad news to the media.

The club’s sad statement, posted on the official Celtic FC website just after midday, confirmed the news that had been reported widely on social media ahead of the club’s confirmation of John Clark’s passing.

When we are invited to Lennoxtown for a media conference one of the first faces we’d meet at the front door would be John’s. He’d be standing chatting away to the receptionist or one of the players with absolutely no airs or graces about him. If you were a visitor and weren’t a Celtic supporter you’d never suspect that you were in the presence of a legend.

John Clark, the week before Lisbon…Photo Imago, The Celtic Star

The former Celtic winger Davie Provan tells a brilliant story about the team being in New York in the early 1980s when Billy McNeill was the manager and John Clark his assistant. Davie and John were in the lift at their hotel when it stopped at another floor and in walks Pele. John has swapped shirts while the Brazil legend during an international friendly in the mid-1960s and marked him out of the game.

Pele immediately recognised John and started chatting away about the old days, while Davie Provan was simply awestruck at meeting the global icon. When they left the lift and Pele had gone on his way, John turned to the speechless Celtic winger and enquired, with a straight face,  ‘who the hell was that?’

Here’s the very sad statement from Celtic. Requiescat in pace John, YNWA.

Celtic legend, John Clark passes away

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.

John made his Celtic debut in 1959 and would go on to make well over 300 appearances in the hoops, with his finest hour coming in the heat of Lisbon in May, 1967 when he and his teammates wrote their names in to football folklore by defeating Inter Milan to win the European Cup.

By the time his playing career at Celtic Park came to an end, John had won an incredible six league titles, five League Cups, three Scottish Cups and one European Cup.

1967 European Cup Final Celtic v Inter Milan. The Celtic team line up, before defeating Inter Milan to win the European Cup. Back Row Left to Right: Jim Craig; Tommy Gemmell; Ronnie Simpson; Billy McNeill; Bobby Murdoch; and John Clark. In front, left to right: Stevie Chalmers; Willie Wallace, Jimmy Johnstone; Bobby Lennox; and Bertie Auld. 25 May 1967. Portugal Photo: Top Foto

He left the club in 1971 and returned a few years later, taking his place as a coach with the Celts’ youths and reserve sides before linking up with Billy McNeill, becoming Cesar’s assistant manager at Aberdeen and then at Celtic.

After enjoying success in the dugout alongside his former captain, John embarked on his own managerial career in the late 1980’s and early 90’s, taking charge of Cowdenbeath, Stranraer and Clyde.

Celtic players Jim Craig left and John Clark right about to take the ball off Tommy Rae the Partick Thistle forward, during the Scottish League Division 1 match here on Saturday. Celtic were bang on form again, defeating their opponents by 5 goals to 1. 16 October 1967 Photo TopFoto IMAGO

His time at Celtic, however, wasn’t finished and John returned once again to the club that he loved, taking on the role as kit man, a role which he held for almost two decades from the 1990’s onwards.

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.

Billy McNeill, Jock Stein and John Clark outside the doors of Celtic Park, as Billy is appointed Celtic manager and John his assistant, in summer 1978 Photo The Celtic Wiki

Speaking on Clark’s sad passing, 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.”

01.08.2015. Scottish Premiership. Celtic versus Ross County. John Clark waves to the Celtic support on flag day. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

“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.”

Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers has also reflected on today’s sad news, saying: “‘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.

“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.”

“I know John was loved so dearly by his family, by everyone at the club and our supporters. We will all miss him so much.”

Celtic 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.”