Farewell Tid, Celtic’s superstar from Cowdenbeath…

Broken-hearted to pick up the news about Tommy on my return from Italy yesterday.

The kindest, gentlest and funniest of men. And humble to a fault, despite everything he achieved.

I was privileged to witness Tommy’s career at Celtic from beginning to end. From his dream goal-scoring debut for his boyhood club at Firhill in late 1968, through his peak in the early 1970s as a marauding midfielder in Jock Stein’s last great Celtic teams to more difficult times a few years later as a veteran full-back. Three hundred games in all. Living his dream and ours.

Self-deprecating and obviously still a bit hurt after all these years that some fans didn’t take to him, and so occasionally needing to be reminded that Stein, the master, signed him not once but twice, then picked him constantly in an era when the Hoops were the cream of Europe.

So he was a player.

And a gentleman in every literal sense of that word yet strong enough to survive in the toughest of dressing-rooms. To respond to Bertie’s sharp wit by reminding him that Jock had signed Tommy from Dunfermline to replace him! All done with the humour that those of us privileged to get to call him a friend found so endearing.

That friendship in my case began with Harry Hood’s biography almost four years ago. When I asked Harry’s family who they would like to do the foreword.

Tommy had been Harry’s roommate and friend since the pair joined Celtic within a few months of each other in 1968/69. They had been opponents when Tommy was at Dunfermline Athletic and Harry at Clyde, then teammates at Celtic Park and later at San Antonio Thunder in Texas, playing under Tommy’s hero Bobby Moore and enjoying a beer with George Best in Los Angeles, as you do.

That wonderful opportunity was at Harry’s instigation. He and Tommy were born within two months of each other in the latter part of 1944, a period which also gave us Bobby Murdoch and Jimmy Johnstone. War babies who would grow up to be heroes. The pair were kindred spirits who remained close until Harry’s own untimely death in 2019. Tommy was a perfect choice for the role and he duly delivered, with beautiful words and sentiments which delighted the Hood family.

And I gained a lovely friend.

Nothing was ever a problem for Tommy.

He agreed to sign some copies of Harry’s book to help us with our promotion. Tommy lived nearby so I brought him over to ours, to a room stacked high with books and, of course, a cup of tea and some biscuits. A cuppa or ten was Tommy’s vice.

I’ve left him in the care of my wife to take a first carload of books to the stadium warehouse at Celtic Park. And I’ve just started the return journey when I receive a call from her to say that Tommy has already signed everything in the room and is wondering if there’s anything else he can do to help! I drop him home that day and we agree to meet up again for a chat and a cuppa in the near future. He’s just being polite, I think.

But that’s exactly what happens and continues to happen right up until a few weeks ago.

I’ll be slogging away at something or other and the phone will light up with his name. And the day lights up with that call. “Time for a cuppa and a catch-up?”

The ritual is the same every time. I pull up at Tommy’s home and he is waiting. Short drive to Costa at a retail park in Bishopbriggs. Two pots of tea and a couple of toasties, followed by another pot each and some goodies then just more pots. A noon or 1pm start becomes a 4pm finish.

That’s down to two things, the endless supply of tea and the fact that everyone in the place seems to know Tommy and wants to stop for a chat. And he obliges every time with a smile and asking after them. A real class act.

It’s the quickest afternoon of the month and it’s bliss as Tommy brings the characters from his career to life. My heroes are his friends and he makes them real. Kid in a toy shop stuff as he rolls back the years and is clearly in his element. These are the greatest of players in the greatest of eras.

There is sadness as he talks about those who are no longer with us, a memory so poignant as I write this now. So many great Celts who still have such a huge place in his heart. Stevie Chalmers is right up there, as are Billy and Harry. And Jock.

Tommy also speaks so fondly about his time at Dunfermline, in what was their finest era. It was at East End Park he met another who would become a lifetime friend, Alex Ferguson. He has huge affection for Fergie, recalling how upset the striker was at being left out of the team which faced Celtic in the Scottish Cup final of April 1965, and how unfair Tommy felt that decision was.

Tommy and big brother Willie would be on the losing side that day but would both be back for the showpiece occasion just three years later, having knocked out Celtic in the first round. This time the Pars would lift the famous old trophy by defeating Hearts at Hampden, and the Callaghan brothers from Cowdenbeath entered the history books. Following one set of McStay siblings and pre-dating another.

Football was in the family blood. Tommy was thrilled when I discovered a connection with his Uncle Paddy and Celtic’s American tour of 1931, and I was thrilled that he was thrilled. That I could give something back for the countless hours of conversation and friendship. Tommy wouldn’t accept my offers for payment for his time and effort. “I’m not taking anything from you, Matt. That’s not up for debate.”

A case in point being this time last year, when Tommy delighted the audience at Celtic Park as he took centre stage at our book launch for Majic, Stan and The King of Japan. A total natural, relaxed and funny. Sharing his stories. Making our night.

A few months later, we’re having a catch-up and Tommy asks if I’m busy the following night. I’m not so we’re off to the Supporters Association Rally at Celtic Park. I’m his plus one and he introduces me to his company, including Jinky’s wife, Agnes. We then enjoy a surreal but hilarious evening listening to her stories, none of which, of course, are publishable. Tommy’s friends were your friends. That was the deal. And that was very special.

As well as his football career, Tommy loved his other jobs. Very proud of his time in the car industry and driving ‘the wee bus’ to support school kids in the east end. And of course his hospitality role at Celtic Park, which enhanced his final years. Meeting friends new and old every second Saturday and making supporters’ days that bit more special simply by being Tommy with them. A gift. He looked forward to catching up with his pals George and Dixie so much and took such huge pride that folk wanted to spend time with them and talk about their time in the Hoops.

This last year has not been without its challenges from a health perspective for Tommy, but the fighter in him kept going, dealing with the setbacks and just getting on with it. We met up this time last month, and he wasn’t feeling so great. Something not quite right. We left Costa early and headed back to his garden cabin, and after a quick cuppa I took my leave, telling him to rest and we’d catch up again when he felt better.

Sitting at my desk a couple of weeks ago, and the number lights up the phone as always, but this time my greeting of ‘Mr C!’ is stopped in its tracks as Tommy’s son tells me things are not so good with his dad.

And the news we all dreaded finally arrived yesterday, leaving so many holes in so many lives.

My thoughts and prayers are with Kathy, Marie, Tom, Tommy’s grandchildren and extended family.

Hopefully in time, the memories of such a special man and a life so well lived will help you cope with the sadness of your loss.

Rest in eternal peace, Tommy.

A superstar on and off the park.

Matt Corr

READ THIS…Matt Corr’s brilliant interview with Tommy Callaghan on The Celtic Star