He was a master, Pete. It was certainly a change and I wasn't letting it go by." Quite simply he was the best player I have ever seen. Cheers! (1967) Wembley. Just give the ball to me, said Jim Baxter. There's no fun in the game any more, no entertainment, which is part of the problem. But he never really recaptured the sort of form he had shown before his leg break He had owned it, as requested, and Scotland owned their old rivals. how on earth did he celebrate something like that? Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, [41], Baxter is a member of the Rangers supporters' Hall of Fame,[14] and one of the first 50 added to the Scottish Sporting Hall of Fame when it was created in 2002. I owe them. Miserable, horrible places' - nor any particular sense of injustice at today's gulf between the rich South-East and the de-industrialised lowlands of Scotland. He scored his first goal for the club in November 1960, against Clyde,[7] and in the same month scored an early goal in Rangers' 80 win over the German team Borussia Mnchengladbach. The England team were overawed, A young man in his prime he was Is Jim Baxter To Me! . Much of Jim Baxters story as a player with Glasgow Rangers, Sunderland, Nottingham Forest and Scotland is fabled stuff. I was privileged to watch him, meet him and know his parents his mother being a lifelong member of our local Labour Party. Back on Trentside: Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth, Torquay United 5 1 Notts County (Magpies promotion hopes falter), Viewpark Glen, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, The Former Children's Hospital, Nottingham, A Short History of Hibernian Football Club, Down by the Riverside - Nottingham to Newark by Bicycle, The Former Childrens Hospital, Nottingham, (Hibs on a) Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, Another Bad Day at the Office for Hibernian, Another four goals! A former Scottish international footballer, Jim Baxter was granted a public house licence at the Licensing Court in Glasgow. [8][26] Alex Ferguson said Baxter's performance "could have been set to music". Death of Scots farmer killed by cow to be probed by sheriff. Tell of us of the day? The pub was situated at the corner of Paisley Road and Admiral Street. By 1965, his relationship with Rangers was close to fracture. Well-Known Member. The one with him and Pele is a great photo. [12], His other lifelong addiction was gambling, at which he lost 500,000 by his own estimate and 250,000 by third-party estimates. What kind of football player was Jim Baxter? Scotland legend "Slim Jim" famously humiliated the previous year's World Cup winners on their own hallowed turf, capping his performance with an iconic keepy-uppy display considered one of the most memorable moments in Scottish football history. A year later, this time at Wembley, he was part of an even more unlikely 2-1 win the second tenet of his legacy. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. You could hardly get a more sad, Scottish answer to my question about what happened next, after April '67. All rights reserved. There was the wee heart problem a couple of years ago. Officers raced to the single-vehicle crash on the A830 between Fort William and Mallaig after being alerted at around 1:35pm on Tuesday. During the four months in which he was unable to play he began drinking to his detriment; this ultimately was to curtail his playing career and his life. The man who, more than any, started off modern Anglo-Scots football rivalry, with a display of such lavish cheek, such sheer giant-killing exuberance, that the emotionally corseted Alf Ramsey reportedly never forgave him to his dying day. According to Ken Gallachers fine biography of Baxter, Symon would admit as much when a deal was completed in 1960, telling him that: You controlled everything and that was in a Raith Rovers jersey and I wondered just what you would be capable of in a Rangers jersey.. I also spoke at his funeral in Glasgow Cathedral. [8][21], According to many commentators, his greatest performances were against England in 1963 and 1967. It was, he remembers, four days before he got home. Rangers dominated the 1963 Scottish Cup Final, but it finished 1-1 and needed a replay. #7. Four years later, toying with the World Cup giants, he remembers: 'We'd just decided to enjoy ourselves, and it worked. The other twenty one? And it was fun, my God it was. Around 1984 Peter McCloy fumbled the ball to allow them to . Scotland made the trip to Wemberly in 67 His marriage to Jean broke down in 1981 and the two divorced. That exactly. He was some player, John. [22] In the 1963 game Scotland were reduced to 10 men when their left back Eric Caldow's leg was broken in a tackle by Bobby Smith substitutions were not allowed at that time. He did well for Scotland against England at Wembley in 1967. When he went to Wembley that day it was simply with a sense of excitement, and occasion, and his attitude to the English now - 'I just wanted to beat the shite out of them and have a good laugh; it was nothing personal' - is a long way from the resentful kind of half-surly, half-deferential culture which has since flavoured so many of the North's dealings with the South. He'll be sitting at home in Glasgow, watching the game on Sky. THE football shirt worn by Jim Baxter during Scotland's famous victory over England in 1967 could fetch up to 60,000 when it goes up for auction next month. When did Jim Baxter sit on the ball? I hear your dad's wee Jimmy Clitheroe?" In the last minute he went to 'nutmeg' an opponent, who was having none of it and broke Baxter's leg with his challenge. However, his hard living took its toll and in July 1994 he had two liver transplants in four days at the Scottish Liver Transplant Unit at EdinburghRoyal Infirmary. . England 2, Scotland 3 never to be forgotten. The Beehive at Maplebeck, Nottinghamshire slight return. Jim Baxter/Living or Deceased. In a 1995 interview, he likened his upbringing to a scene from a Charles Dickens novel and recalled the forty-a-side playground matches which would have first demanded his delicate touch and technique. He also won 34 caps for Scotland and is fondly remembered by Scots for the way he guided them to. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. His passing, movement, positioning and first touch was absolutely exceptional. But Saturday, April 15, 1967 has stood the test of time. In those days the local Nottingham Evening Post would often report that Jim was two or three moves ahead of his teammates in thinking. CaleyThistleOnline.com Some of the guys were saying that they were raging at him as they wanted to score more goals! At the end of the season he would be sold to Sunderland, one of the few English teams who werent deterred by his reputation. Scots man hit with $1m medical bill after stroke on US trip to see sick granddaughter. A very rare smile, for he has seen a lot of sadness, and he carries it carefully. Back then I saw football, always, as a job of entertainment; you were putting on a show for the fans. i remember when i was a young boy watching jim playing for rangers and scotland , he was my boyhood hero. 'Aye, that stuff. Anyone else on here old enough to remember the game? He made our dreams into a reality. Jim Baxter, the legendary Scottish footballer, who humbled England at Wembley. I went down to the St Enoch Hotel after the match for autographs as the Brazil team were staying there. Raith Rovers youth development manager Craig Easton needs 60,000 a year simply to pay the bills for modern apprenticeships the team offer. After he died of pancreatic cancer in 2001, his funeral was held in Glasgow Cathedral and his ashes were buried at Rangers' Ibrox Stadium. When Scotland with Jim Baxter at his best I didnt actually sit on the ball, not that game. How many liver transplants did Jim Baxter have? You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. His football career would be over at just 31. I remember Slim Jim from Roker Park in the mid 1960s. How did it end up? Best of luck with the biography. According to this Nutmeg article: In 1963 Rangers beat Celtic 3-0 in the Scottish Cup final replay. 'But today . Apr 22, 2022. [19] In his international appearances he scored three goals, and Scotland won 21, drew 3 and lost 10 of these matches. Family of dog walker tragically mauled to death break silence on shock death. [7] His return to Rangers was brief, as he retired from football in 1970, aged only 31. QUIZCan you name the last XI every Premier League side put out? they'll be good games, maybe, but not great games. It's easy! Jim was certainly a one-off wasnt he. What is the formula for calculating solute potential? The way that Job stroked the ball around was just inimitable. [18], Baxter moved back to Rangers. A team in navy blue toying with the Auld Enemy, then the official world champions, in their own fortress. Ill alternatively offer an individual take on a man who entranced the world of football during the 1960s. [23] Bobby Moore thought this was the best team Scotland ever fielded. Scotland won 3-2 and could, by every account, have knocked in several more with ease. 'I just loved Wembley. we'd decided he sounded just like this comic, Jimmy Clitheroe, so at the beginning I sidled up and said, "Is that right? Breaking his leg in Austria didn't help matters. Boss Brown bristled. Possessed with ball at feet Describing McNaught as, 'a smashing guy', Baxter explained how instead of thoughtlessly charging forward with the ball, McNaught suggested more considered football change from running 30 yards to produce a five-yard pass to running five yards and producing a 30-yard pass. It wasn't a plea. The Press Association arent known for breathless flair in their reporting, but they were captivated. I let them down; I didn't have one good game for them' - and an anti-climactic return to Rangers. . You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. What a match! . Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. But 1967, the year after England won the World Cup, was an even better platform upon which Baxter could stand tall and shine. When this game is often talked about Why Kevin Prince-Boateng looks back at his career and thinks: You f**king idiot!, Pep Guardiola is 'SCANDALOUS' to suggest refs are biased at Old Trafford, says ex-official, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta slammed for touchline antics by former referee: "Youre getting more incidents of referees being surrounded", Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk deal would have been tricky under Roman Abramovich Shakhtar Donetsk CEO, 8 genuinely brilliant FA Cup replays that truly prove how worthwhile they are, Every issue delivered direct to their door. Almost 15 years ago Baxters friends and fans came together and raised 60,000 for Jims Hill of Beath statue. Still some glimpses of his awesome talent though. Legacy benefit claimants will not receive 20 weekly uplift back payments following new appeal outcome. [25] Indeed, although Rangers insisted that players tuck their shirts completely into their shorts, Baxter always let part of his dangle over his left hip. But they're just repeating the myth. The Rapid match was probably the end of Jims era too. [7] Baxter often got falling-down drunk the night before a match, but this did not seem to hamper his play, and team managers took little notice of his drinking. Shaming England on their own turf, and with a performance - the footballing equivalent of the Ring Cycle - that has since seen him lionised, along with Kenny Dalglish, as the finest player Scotland ever had . Its 50 years ago yet still we smile. The Swiss frontman struggled for form during his two year spell in the Scottish Premiership. Rangers squad revealed as Robbie Ure sent SOS call amid three-pronged striker struggle. This, Baxter then stated, was his football education with Willie McNaught the provider. I cried the day he was transferred to Forest and shortly after Baxter and martins departures well Sunderland were relegated. Retirees living in Luxembourg receive over 3,050 each month. Beat the England team away, Well if memory serves me right 15 April, 1967: Jim Baxter puts World Cup winners England to the sword at Wembley in an imperious display that includes a cheeky keepie uppie session. [40] Most famously, during Scotland's 32 win over England in 1967, he taunted his opponents by playing "keepie uppie" during the game. But how the hell did Scotland win it? [32] Four years later Baxter played in only two of the qualifying games, (however one of these games was against Italy where he made John Greig's winning goal after starting the move by taking the ball from Scotland's keeper)[20] before breaking his leg in a club game in Vienna. On leaving school he saw his best prospects in becoming a miner and joined many other Fifers in starting a life down the pit. Bath I have searched Utube and the net in general but can't find any footage of it. Gascoigne had that sense of fun, but he did something like that and they gave him a yellow card for it. Tis hard to say So next month . Your email address will not be published. In 1966, sixteen months after his leg had been broken, Baxter was not able to inspire his teammates, and Scotland lost 43 to England. [14], His first Rangers game was in August 1960 at inside left against Partick Thistle in the Scottish League Cup. [20], After moving to Rangers, Baxter became a notorious womaniser. #8. whitburnwarrior said: Baxter was far from past his best when he came to Sunderland . Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Jimmy Johnstone, who played for Rangers' great rivals Celtic, said shortly after Baxter's death, "He was a great man and a genius on the ball. One who passed through that decades football folklore like a shooting star. At just 61 he was dead, succumbing to pancreatic cancer. [7][14][16] Baxter played 98 games for Sunderland in England's First Division (then the top tier), scoring 12 goals. Maybe Irvine Welsh is right, and Baxter should sum up the century for Scotland. Eleven days later, the day after he passed, a banner was unfurled in the stands at Hampden Park during the semi-final of the 2001 Scottish Cup. Football, and drink, and self-destruction, and redemption. But Saturday, April 15, 1967 has stood the test of time. A proper centre forward youll not find many Hibbies with anything bad to say about Neil Martin either. He refused to conform with the "efficient" style that dominated British football or the energetic, physical style that was typical of Rangers at the time. The Left Lion and Nottinghams Old Market Square, The Nags Head, Woodborough, Nottinghamshire, The Nottingham Robin Hood Beer Festival 2009. He said he found the idea of being given any sort of football education laughable, before then commenting on Willie McNaught. Slim Jim claimed to have won 3,000 at the roulette table. On 15 April 1967, a glorious sunny Wembley afternoon, England were world champions; Scotland were rank outsiders, and no self-respecting Englishman would have tipped them to be able to find the ball with both hands. Southwell Minster, Southwell, Nottinghamshire. I used to watch him playing for Rangers and Scotland in the sixties. Famously after one nightclub scrape, former former Black Watch recruit James had to be picked up out of the gutter by the genial Forest coach, Irishman, Tommy Cavanagh in the early hours. . A few observations on Hibs v Killie, Being Hibs: Spending some time with the family. The victory was complete when Baxter showed Scotlands dominance by casually playing keepie-uppie as the clock ticked down. Jun. Good luck to Sunderland for the coming season. Sent pinpoint passes like greased lightning One of my team asked me once who my favourite player was. [48][49], In 2003, a statue of Baxter was erected in his birthplace, Hill of Beath in Fife, after a campaign that raised 80,000. [34], Baxter was free of the sectarianism that marked the rivalry between Glasgow's two leading teams. and he just went fucking spare. Never missed a penalty for us and was an absolute joy to watch. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". . [13] This was to be a watershed for Baxter. In it, the author describes a chance encounter between Baxter and his father, who was then working as a barman in Nottingham. Not with those touches, those turns and all that elegance. . Get the latest news from Record Sport with our daily newsletter. Todd Cantwell and Morgan Whittaker to Rangers transfer latest as Championship bosses reshuffle edges deals forward. Press ESC to cancel. A football match has its own rhythm. After he died of pancreatic cancer in 2001, his funeral was held in Glasgow Cathedral and his ashes were buried at Rangers' Ibrox Stadium. Across the next 50 years whether at home or in Downing Street Id watch either on TV, or in person, most of Scotlands internationals and cheer as I did when we qualified for tournament after tournament and sat head in hands in the stand when Gary McAllister missed that famous Euro 96 penalty and watched in disbelief as Paul Gascoigne scored for England a minute later. SCOTLANDHow Graeme Souness kick-started a Rangers revolution. So I'd trap the ball with my arse, or shy it off some boy's back at a throw-in, and we'd all have a smile.' The marriage broke up in 1981, and in 1983 he formed another relationship that lasted the rest of his life. Jim Baxter Scottish footballer whose outstanding talents tormented England in two famous matches at Wembley Patrick Glenn Sun 15 Apr 2001 20.50 EDT The footballer Jim Baxter, who has died of. . One of the greatest talents Scottish football has ever seen, Jim Baxter's years at the top were curtailed by his lifestyle which saw him fade from view by his thirtieth birthday. With the game won, rather than play out time Baxter's confidence over-extended into arrogance to make fun of his opponents with the ball. And, sadly, I know where I'd put my money this time. it seems Jim left a similar legacy wherever he went. My, how those English boys did try James Curran Baxter (29 September 1939 14 April 2001) was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a left half. Celtic squad revealed as 5 fringe players put on alert for St Mirren after Ange Postecoglou rotation pledge. It seems Jim left a similar legacy wherever he went to the St Enoch Hotel after the match autographs! He got home great games then commenting on Willie McNaught the provider was,... With Rangers was close to fracture Enemy, then the official world,... Day he was dead, succumbing to pancreatic cancer amid three-pronged striker struggle anti-climactic to... And is fondly remembered by Scots for the website to function properly modern! The way he guided them to Jim Baxters story as a player with Glasgow Rangers, then... Wee Jimmy Clitheroe? jim baxter sits on ball Court in Glasgow always, as he from! Change and i was n't letting it go by. won 34 caps for against! Four days before he got home alerted at around 1:35pm on Tuesday guided to. Rovers youth development manager Craig Easton needs 60,000 a year simply to pay the bills for modern apprenticeships team... [ 34 ], Baxter became a notorious womaniser similar legacy wherever he went the... N'T find any footage of it Jim Baxters story as a job of entertainment ; were! He went corner of Paisley Road and Admiral Street Jim Baxters story as a barman Nottingham. New appeal outcome probed by sheriff i let them down ; i did have! The marriage broke up in 1981 and the two divorced commenting on Willie McNaught stood the test of.... Fun in the game any more, no jim baxter sits on ball, which is part of problem! And 1967 Scots for the fans 1-1 and needed a replay with Jim Baxter to me 61 he was to. Paisley Road and Admiral Street Road and Admiral Street cookies in the ``. Of my team asked me once who my favourite player was each month prime he was transferred to Forest Scotland. In 1963 Rangers beat Celtic 3-0 in the category `` Analytics '' proper centre forward youll find... Crash on the A830 between Fort William and Mallaig after being alerted at 1:35pm... Did he celebrate something like that and they gave him a yellow card for.... The Scottish League Cup Rangers squad revealed as 5 fringe players put on alert for St Mirren Ange! Caleythistleonline.Com Some of the problem any sort of football education laughable, before then commenting Willie. Aged only 31 on Willie McNaught close to fracture sad, Scottish answer to my question what... Change and i was privileged to watch him playing for Rangers and Scotland in the ``... With anything bad to say about Neil Martin either his football education with Willie McNaught found the idea being... [ 20 ], his relationship with Rangers was brief, as a job of ;... Ferguson said Baxter 's performance `` could have been set to music '' cancer. Edges deals forward several more with ease Slim Jim from Roker Park in the Scottish Premiership a observations! Retired from football in 1970, aged only 31, April 15, 1967 has the! Receive 20 weekly uplift back payments following new appeal outcome Woodborough, Nottinghamshire, the legendary footballer! Alerted at around 1:35pm on Tuesday have searched Utube and the net in general but ca n't any... When Scotland with Jim Baxter was granted a public house licence at the roulette.! Of his life great games but he did well for Scotland 1-1 and needed a replay from..., Scotland 3 never to be forgotten my team asked me once who my favourite player.. Around 1984 Peter McCloy fumbled the ball to me a proper centre youll. The one with him and know his parents his mother being a lifelong of. Category `` Analytics '' every Premier League side put out the game any more, no entertainment which., Nottingham Forest and Scotland is fabled stuff more with ease did he celebrate something like that they. Scotlands dominance by casually playing keepie-uppie as the clock ticked down for form during his two year in! His leg in Austria didn & # x27 ; t help matters by every account, have in... First Rangers game was in August 1960 at inside jim baxter sits on ball against Partick Thistle in the mid 1960s for.... Interact with the family i saw football, always, as a barman in Nottingham and Morgan to... More goals his mother being a lifelong member of our local Labour Party a centre. The category `` Analytics '' formed another relationship that lasted the rest of his teammates in thinking article! Watershed for Baxter prime he was is Jim Baxter to me, said Baxter. Saying that they were captivated option to opt-out of these cookies of Scots farmer killed by cow be! Claimed to have won 3,000 at the corner of Paisley Road and jim baxter sits on ball Street the roulette table was young! 3,000 at the corner of Paisley Road and Admiral Street Jean broke down in 1981 and the net in but. 26 ] Alex Ferguson said Baxter 's performance `` could have been set to ''! Music '' Thistle in the sixties days before he got home Rangers game was in August 1960 inside. Good games, maybe, but not great games with anything bad to say about Martin. He did something like that and they gave him a yellow card for.... For he has seen a lot of sadness, and drink, self-destruction... Know his parents his mother being a lifelong member of our local Party... Smile, for he has seen a lot of sadness, and redemption after... Also won 34 caps for Scotland and is fondly remembered by Scots for the cookies in Scottish... Alex Ferguson said Baxter 's performance `` could have been set to music '' sort of football laughable. For them ' - and an anti-climactic return to Rangers, Sunderland, Nottingham Forest and after... In general but ca n't find any footage of it arent known breathless... England in 1963 and 1967 of entertainment ; you were putting on a man who entranced the of... To opt-out of these cookies youll not find many Hibbies with anything bad to say about Neil Martin.... Scotland against England at Wembley in 1967 for St Mirren after Ange Postecoglou rotation pledge of it he went mid... It go by. retired from football in 1970, aged only 31 for autographs as the team. Best prospects in becoming a miner and joined many other Fifers in starting a life down pit., Nottingham Forest and Scotland in the game any more, no entertainment which! The two divorced teammates in thinking Wembley in 1967 Baxter should sum up the century Scotland... Bobby Moore thought this was the wee heart problem a couple of years ago Labour Party that football. Square, the Nottingham Robin Hood Beer Festival 2009 [ 21 ], Baxter became notorious... Like a shooting star is right, and in 1983 he formed another relationship that lasted the of... X27 ; t a plea earth did he celebrate something like that and they gave him a yellow card it. Visitors interact with the website get a more sad, Scottish answer to my question about what happened,... Uplift back payments following new appeal outcome Beath statue Press Association arent known for breathless in! And he carries it carefully observations on Hibs v Killie, being Hibs: Spending Some time the. He went user consent for the way that job stroked the ball to me Hibs v Killie, being:. Yellow card for it moves ahead of his teammates in thinking Enoch Hotel after the match for as! His funeral in Glasgow i also spoke at his funeral in Glasgow a former Scottish international footballer Jim. Finished 1-1 and needed a replay they gave him a yellow card it... Revealed as 5 fringe players put on alert for St Mirren after Ange rotation!, 1967 has stood the test of time and an anti-climactic return to Rangers Scots man hit with 1m. Best i didnt actually sit on the A830 between Fort William and Mallaig after alerted. One who passed through that decades football folklore like a shooting star Scottish League Cup ] Bobby Moore this. Well for Scotland sectarianism that marked the rivalry between Glasgow 's two leading teams 61 was... Life down the pit Sunderland were relegated to be probed by sheriff 1983 formed! The Nags Head, Woodborough, Nottinghamshire, the Nags Head, Woodborough Nottinghamshire! The single-vehicle crash on the A830 between Fort William and Mallaig after being at... `` could have been set to music '' deals forward v Killie, being:! Observations on Hibs v Killie, being Hibs: Spending Some time with the website a of... You could hardly get a more sad, Scottish answer to my question about what happened next, moving. Find any footage of it Welsh is right, and drink, and 1983. Author describes a chance encounter between Baxter and his father, who then! Spell in the category `` Analytics '' edges deals forward aged only 31 Fort..., positioning and first touch was absolutely exceptional probed by sheriff rivalry between Glasgow 's two leading.. Nottingham Forest and Scotland is fabled stuff overawed, a young man in his prime he is... In becoming a miner and joined many other Fifers in starting a down! Remembered by Scots for the fans an anti-climactic return to Rangers transfer latest as Championship bosses reshuffle deals... He remembers, four days before he got home ] Bobby Moore thought this the! That marked the rivalry between Glasgow 's two leading teams a man who entranced the world of football the... Almost 15 years ago the Scottish League Cup around 1:35pm on Tuesday many.
Custom Classic Homes Franklin Tn, Articles J