There are some people in life who seek fame and adulation, even when their efforts and abilities do not truly warrant this. Then there are those outstanding individuals who shun the spotlight, despite their achievements being genuinely worthy of celebration…
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
One Celt who fell into the latter category – a true club hero but one who preferred to avoid public acclaim – was born 85 years ago today. John Clark was a Lisbon Lion and a man who truly lived a ‘Celtic life’. Over the decades, he carried out numerous important roles for the Bhoys.
This is his story.
John Clark from Celtic FC in May 1967. Ahead of the Final of European Cup in Lisbon as Inter Milan meets Celtic Photo United Archives – Imago (The Celtic Star)
John Clark was a Lanarkshire man, born on 13 March 1941 in Bellshill. He was raised in nearby Chapelhall and Holytown. From his earliest days, Clark knew adversity; when he was a child, his father was killed in a railway accident in England.
As well as having a strong work ethic, Clark grew to be an accomplished footballer with an impressive reputation in Lanarkshire. He played for Larkhall Thistle and from here caught the attention of scouts, including from Birmingham City. However, his destination was Celtic Park.
Aged just 17 years old, Clark signed for Celtic on 8 October 1958. He described this as feeling like he had “won the pools” and later appeared as a trialist. Within less than a year – on 3 October 1959 – he made his formal debut in a 5–0 win over Arbroath.
Clark quickly established himself as a dependable and capable player. However, he was not initially part of a Celtic team that was accustomed to winning. This all changed when Jock Stein arrived at Celtic in 1965. At that point, the Bhoys had not won a major trophy in eight years.
The Celtic team of 1964 Back row: Young , Thomas Gemmel , John Fallon , John Clark , Billy McNeill , Kennedy Front row: Jimmy Johnstone . Bobby Murdoch , Stevie Chalmers , Gallagher , Hughes. Photo TopFoto
Within weeks, the Celts once more celebrated major success as the Bhoys beat Dunfermline to claim the Scottish Cup. John Clark cheered as much as any other player, and had fought his way through the 90 minutes, despite receiving a serious injury during the game.
With this success achieved, life was about to change for Celtic and John Clark. Stein redeployed him from being a wing-half to a sweeper. In this role, he soon earned the nickname “The Brush” — Clark was someone who swept up danger before it could reach Celtic’s defence.
