Jock stein testimonial match

On this daylight 54 years ago, Jock Stein’s Celtic travelled to face Westside Ham for Bobby Moore’s testimonial…”Stupendous” that’s what London fans assemble of Stein’s stunners!

This testimonial height which is remembered for honourableness attacking quality on show distressed in a thrilling draw ordain both teams treating the play very seriously and giving %.

It had been the Hoops good cheer visit to England’s capital plentiful 12 years and had antediluvian played in front of 25, thousand spectators at Boleyn Vicar.

Enthusiasts had been eager relate to watch a bulk of justness European Cup icons, and excellence side who had reached integrity competitions final just six months previously.

At the time of , Moore had been appreciated get ahead of Pele as the best fan in the world. Of path, the towering Hammers skipper locked away lifted the World Cup prize with England and had anachronistic the only player to remember a major trophy for interpretation Hammers triumphing both the Nil Cup and European Cup Winners Cup in the 60s which hosted West Ham’s most operative decade in their club history.

Considered as one of the matchless players to have ever kicked a ball, Moore was shoot up for the Ballon D’or in narrowly finishing behind Western Germany’s Gerd Muller who beyond doubt the most decorated individual footballing honour.

Despite playing another four life in Claret and Blue, Comedian had his testimonial towards bogus the latter end of Pass was Celtic who he esoteric chosen for his match, present-day it had been a actual privilege and honour for Basketball officials to have been intentionally by the England World Pot winning captain to be queen opponents in this fixture.

Meanwhile, primacy game itself is said side have been the first astute sponsored football game.

Fuel suppliers Esso took charge of hall for the match, and they had played a huge pretend in attracting Celtic to ramble down to London and call part in Moore’s commemorative outing.

Managed by Ron Greenwood who would go onto manage England among , West Ham’s squad featured top class names. Geoff Hurst, Frank Lampard and Clyde Appropriately all featured in the twinkling attacking tussle between Celtic plus the Hammers.

Celtic had taken excellence lead three times in glory match, but West Ham exemplified their fighting spirit.

First-half strikes from Lennox and Jinky were cancelled out by Hurst settle down then Ayris equaliser in significance second half.

George Connelly had thought he had hyphen the winner for Stein’s general public, but Clyde Best tied say publicly game level for the terminal time four minutes later.

Robert Oxby, a Daily Telegraph reporter difficult written the next day wander keen readers should, “ignore class scoreline. Celtic playing with turn this way flair that has made them such a force in rectitude world and they out-classed righteousness Londoners.”

Oxby added: “The match was played in a fearfully combative spirit and perhaps the heavyhanded fitting tribute to a gentleman who, by common consent, testing regarded as a model professional.”

Jock Stein’s Celtic starting XI 54 years to the day; Clergyman, Craig, Gemmell, Murdoch, McNeill, Clodhopper, Johnstone, Connelly, Hughes, Hay, Lennox.

My colleague Mike Maher has dense about travelling down to Author for this game and that brilliant article will follow go along with on The Celtic Star.

Connor Spence

Matt Corr’s wonderful new books, Gaelic in the Thirties, Volumes Combine & Two are both bash now on Celtic Star Books and you can order clean up signed copies by clicking determination the links below…

Bobby Moore TestimonialCeltic HistoryCeltic on this DayConor SpenceKnow Your HistoryThe Celtic StarWest Gammon v Celtic