John Greig, who would captain Rangers and whose statue now stands outside Ibrox, recalled the times when (Baxter) came into training that he couldnt bite his fingers and he would just go through and lie in the bath trying to recover.. 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. Today, 19 years after his death, he remains a beguiling figure. [7] Baxter, supported by Mackay, White and Law,[8] led Scotland to a 21 win, scoring both of the goals, the first being Baxter's first-ever penalty kick, for an English foul on Willie Henderson. How do I choose between my boyfriend and my best friend? [7] In his time at the Kirkcaldy club he orchestrated a 32 win over Rangers at Ibrox Park; Scot Symon decided he wanted to sign him for Rangers from that performance. How could we not love him? Although he was given most of the credit for the 32 win, some commentators wished he had made an effort to run up a bigger score. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Nonchalant, cocky and deeply reassuring. It was Baxter at his most charming. At the end of the 1959-60 season, in June 1960, he joined Rangers for a Scottish record transfer fee of 17,500. Almost 15 years ago Baxters friends and fans came together and raised 60,000 for Jims Hill of Beath statue. Sure made them pay that day, With Jules Rimet stood watching His liking for the sauce shortened his career dramatically and led to two (aye, two) liver transplants. 'Nothing can ever be the same.' Jim Baxter. At the end of the season he would be sold to Sunderland, one of the few English teams who werent deterred by his reputation. He said he found the idea of being given any sort of football education laughable, before then commenting on Willie McNaught. today I'd be booked for that kind of stuff. Its brush strokes creating small masterpieces whenever he was on the ball. The teams emerge at Wembley in 1967 before Scotland's crowning as the 'Unofficial World Champions', Baxter holds up the Scottish Cup for Rangers. [17] After Baxter's performance in the 1963 "rest of the world" vs England match, Ferenc Pusks asked, "Where has this fellow been hiding? Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. 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. According to this Nutmeg article: In 1963 Rangers beat Celtic 3-0 in the Scottish Cup final replay. Nottingham Evening Post reporter Tony Pritchett described the signing of Baxter as "probably the worst transfer in Forest's history". [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. Well-Known Member. The pair look to be high on the agenda for Michael Beale and his Ibrox recruitment drive. A town mourned. Jim was certainly a one-off wasnt he. Lanarkshire soft play ordered to close doors announces it will 'reopen' in same venue, Lollipop Land's landlord at Playsport in East Kilbride has yet to confirm the latest announcement from the soft play business, Rangers form nothing to fear as defender insists Kilmarnock have weapons to hurt them. He out played them, Grown men were seen to cry the tears Scottish public opinion at the time blamed lack of commitment by the "Anglos", Scottish-born players who spent little or none of their playing careers in Scotland. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Absolute GENIUS. His drinking was almost as accomplished as his football, the former finally overruled the latter as he attempted one last hurrah at Rangers after Forest freed him. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Bill McLaren -Theyll be sad in the streets of Hawick tonight. I loved the big occasion . Its moving television. And it was fun, my God it was. In fact, I work out later, with a twitch of mournful, perverse nostalgia for my homeland and precisely what this says about it . Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. [36] At the age of 55 he needed two liver transplants in four days,[7][36] and promised to quit drinking. I mean, it was like the Palladium! [12], His other lifelong addiction was gambling, at which he lost 500,000 by his own estimate and 250,000 by third-party estimates. But I did a bit of keepie-uppie. This was Banks, Moore, and Charlton's England and, as Kenneth Wolstenholme observed on commentary, Baxter "was taking the mickey". Gascoigne had that sense of fun, but he did something like that and they gave him a yellow card for it. So next month . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Edinburgh Evening News Im the Fan of the Week! I remember Denis [Law] backheeling to me at one bit, and I just started tapping it up . [20], After moving to Rangers, Baxter became a notorious womaniser. [8][35], Like some other British football stars of the late 20th century, Baxter drank to excess,[12][36] and at one point was said to be consuming three bottles of Bacardi a day. A few observations on Hibs v Killie, Being Hibs: Spending some time with the family. Just give me a bottle of vodka, a tin of biscuits and a dog. 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. Culloden and that. Sven-Goran Eriksson signs for Notts County! Of course he played here at Forest also when he was getting a bit older. Still some glimpses of his awesome talent though. It was also symbolic. Boss Brown bristled. The first was the win over England in 1962, in a 2-0 revenge for the 9-3 humbling suffered the year before. . But reducing him to his medals misses the point. [8][39] Some of the guys were saying that they were raging at him as they wanted to score more goals! Not just a pastiche of other greats who have been consumed by their compulsions and vices, but a real and original immortal of Scottish football. I fondly recall the time he robbed Johnny Haynes from behind in a game against England, even though, as John Grieg joked about his defense,He couldnt tackle a fish supper!. QUIZCan you name the last XI every Premier League side put out? Powered by Invision Community, We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. (Kevin Raymond), Go on grand-dad tell us, TO say Jim Baxter had enjoyed his first trip to Wembley is more than an understatement. [25] Some commentators accepted that humiliating the opposition was a valid objective, while others regarded it as childish and thought Scotland should have won a more convincing victory than the actual 32 scoreline. . stomach Football Disconnected From its Supporters? I remember seeing it in 1963, walking out on the Friday, looking at that pitch, and saying to a mate, "If I don't turn it on here tomorrow, you can kick my arse." Hi Stuart.. But before then 'Slim Jim' was instrumental not only for Rangers - where . 'I just loved Wembley. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have shared a response to Jeremy Clarkson's latest statement. I dont need Google to reel off that team Drummond, Polland and Mochan; Young, McNaught and Baxter; Wallace, Conn, Kerry, Spence and Urquhart. He divorced and remarried. Jim Baxter played in this game as if his very life depended on it, fantastic poem There was a problem. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This was world champions England. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". That would become a guaranteed 9 a week when he made Bert Herdmans first team and, with his pit days behind him, Baxters professional career was underway. . I hear your dad's wee Jimmy Clitheroe?" It's easy! And even now I can watch the grainy black and white highlights again and again and watch him. [12] In 1961 Baxter played in the Rangers team that contested the first ever European Cup Winners' Cup Final, a two-legged tie that they lost 41 on aggregate to Fiorentina. 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. (1967) Wembley. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Which is correct poinsettia or poinsettia? Jim was very frustrating in some ways. Jim was a hero of mine, Id be glad to help if I can. Scotland made the trip to Wemberly in 67 Its one of the anecdotes which sustains Baxters legend. The night before the second game, Jim Baxter didnt sleep. #7. Nov 10, 2011. Peter Barr Cormack Rock and Roll Footballer! Have a look at the You Tube clip off the England v Scotland game 1967 at Wembley . Were it not for a broken leg in Vienna, he and they might have won the European Cup in 1965. Albian Ajeti offers Celtic transfer solution as forgotten flop's revival could quell panic buy temptation. That Nottingham Forest in particular have much indebtedness to, players from north of Hadrians Wall is not lost on most knowledgeable Forest fanatics to their great credit. Even conservative estimates pitched his winnings at 1,800. Todd Cantwell and Morgan Whittaker to Rangers transfer latest as Championship bosses reshuffle edges deals forward. 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. There was something about the . The man was a genus, and I dont use that term lightly. Jim Baxter was our conductor in dark blue The number six jersey was worn by Scottish footballing legend "Slim Jim" for the game at Wembley which Scotland won 3-2, ending an unbeaten run of 19 matches by the then world champions. He will always be remembered. It was that word just that made all the difference. Jim Baxter is hugged by fans as Scotland beat England in 1967 (Image: PA Wire) "Just give the ball to me," said Jim Baxter. At one point though he puts his foot on it, gestures to McCreadie to come over for it, then walks away :(. what a loss football when he retired at 31, R.I.P JIM. Baxter is still spoken about today in the red and white part of the North East. He ordered a bottle of Bacardi and a jug of Coke, and asked for a small bottle of ice. . French nun Lucile Randon, who was also known as Sister Andr, passed away in her sleep at a nursing home in Toulouse yesterday. Did find loads of clips of Baxter doing keepie-ups against the Auld enemy tho :-). By 55 he needed a liver transplant. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Sign up for a new account in our community. Stephanie Bain, 29, believes little Finlay would have died if a Scottish Ambulance Service call handler hadn't told her how to perform a life-saving chest massage on her young son after he became unresponsive. Jim, at 60, has a careful, self-deprecatory way with him these days. The reasons for that are many but in simple terms it was because my father worshipped him and this suggested that I ought to too. Please refresh the page and try again. Jim was known to be fond of the odd Bacardi and Coke and found a terrific ally in Garfield Sobers, the greatest cricket player that ever lived and also a world class drinker. He was thicker, his jowls were heavier. Tony Blair and Gordon Brown flew across the room to shake his hand. Interestingly Iit seemed lost on these local men after the decades had passed on how Jim struggled in the Garibaldi Red of their beloved team, (mainly due to the wonderful social life James Curran Baxter had sought out in the Lace city). Rightly so. 'It's not really hatred, though, is it? And right in the thick of it James Curran Baxter. James Curran Baxter (29 September 1939 14 April 2001) was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a left half. Your email address will not be published. oh, it went down a storm, so it did. The marriage broke up in 1981, and in 1983 he formed another relationship that lasted the rest of his life. What kind of football player was Jim Baxter? He appears briefly in The Footballer Who Could Fly, Duncan Hamiltons memoir. But Baxter? James Curran Baxter was born in Hill of Beath on 29 September 1939. What a match! Interestingly Iit seemed lost on these local men after the decades had passed on how Jim struggled in the Garibaldi Red of their beloved team, (mainly due to the wonderful social life James Curran Baxter had sought out in the Lace city). When this game is often talked about They hardly agreed on anything, except they all said Jim Baxter was the best footballer any of them had ever seen in Scotland. Symon, by all accounts a disciplinarian, made exceptions for his No.6. Student dies after being told 'you sound like you're feeling a bit sorry for yourself' by NHS 111. The talk was of Slim Jim and his magic left foot which he self-christened The Glove. 1939 - 2001. We finish our pub soup and he gets up slowly, painfully, refusing anything else to eat or drink, and a rare smile starts to cross his face. It was outrageous and ridiculous, provocative and cheeky. A colleague, I say to him, remembers a time at Sunderland, when the ref was accidentally laid low in a clash, and Baxter strode formally over, stood above him and started tapping his watch . For a nation once more proud At just 61 he was dead, succumbing to pancreatic cancer. Ill alternatively offer an individual take on a man who entranced the world of football during the 1960s. It wasnt a plea. Many people will have heard of the great Slim Jim Baxter alias "Bacardi Jim". But nobody has owned Celtic like Jim Baxter. Can anyone tell me - Did Jim Baxter actually sit on the ball during a International match against England? And I was so thrilled when the Daily Record asked me to present him with the Midfielder of the Century award in Glasgow only a few months before his death. I let them down; I didn't have one good game for them' - and an anti-climactic return to Rangers. Meghan and Harry release statement after Jeremy Clarkson's latest public apology. [34] He attracted attention by his stylish play, controlling the game with "unhurried artistry". After he died of pancreatic cancer in 2001, his funeral was held in Glasgow Cathedral and his ashes were buried at Rangers Ibrox Stadium. [23] Bobby Moore thought this was the best team Scotland ever fielded. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Never missed a penalty for us and was an absolute joy to watch. How did it end up? 6 Where did Jim Baxter get his leg broken? Being a Hibs fan I remember Neil Martin well too. No coincidence he mentions his record against the mentally challengeds either, as he completely owned them in a way no other Ranger has ever done. England 2, Scotland 3 never to be forgotten. . As Stevie says, wee Bud Johnston did make a habit of things like that. Around 1984 Peter McCloy fumbled the ball to allow them to . But Saturday, April 15, 1967 has stood the test of time. they'll be good games, maybe, but not great games. Baxter was also addicted to gambling, and is estimated to have lost between 250,000 and 500,000. On a research study at my favourite watering hole The Woodlark at Lambley, (tours available), I , Baxter and Joe Baker dutifully came to bear upon proceedings. Just a breathtaking talent. Get the latest news from Record Sport with our daily newsletter. The Scottish Labour leader said it was up to Keir Starmer to judge how the controversial law looks in the rest of the UK. 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. People making new claim for PIP may not need to attend an assessment this year. And I hadn't gone to Glasgow to find out about the drink. Totally ignoring my partner of course, I listened in with glee as the names of Jim Baxter and Joe Baker dutifully came to bear upon proceedings. After he died of pancreatic cancer in 2001, his funeral was held in Glasgow Cathedral and his ashes were buried at Rangers Ibrox Stadium. . It was, he remembers, four days before he got home. Scotland won 3-2 and could, by every account, have knocked in several more with ease. Anyone else on here old enough to remember the game? Thats particularly true prior to the 1970s, before which the heavy balls, thick boots and boggy pitches often conspired to reduce players, obscuring their true technical merits. Paper Subscription to the Daily Record and Sunday Mail, Paper Subscription to the Paisley Daily Express, 2023 Scottish Daily Record and Sunday Mail Ltd, Rangers legend Dave Smith reveals he blames giantkilling defeat by Berwick for loss to Bayern Munich in 1967 European final, Oh Hyeon gyu to Celtic transfer gathers pace as Parkhead side put forward 'improved' Suwon striker offer, The Scottish Premiership leaders are looking to add a new frontman this month, Transfer news LIVE as Celtic and Rangers plus Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs eye signings. In those days the local Nottingham Evening Post would often report that Jim was two or three moves ahead of his teammates in thinking. [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. [8] Scotland finished second in their qualifying group, behind Italy. There are five application scenarios where people making a new claim may not need to go through the consultation process. By 1965, his relationship with Rangers was close to fracture. [12] His funeral was held in Glasgow Cathedral, where a reading was given by Gordon Brown, a long-time fan of Raith Rovers F.C., where Baxter began his career. so when he left sunderland and came to nottingham forest my local team i was elated. He started doing. A very rare smile, for he has seen a lot of sadness, and he carries it carefully. [7][14][16] Baxter played 98 games for Sunderland in England's First Division (then the top tier), scoring 12 goals. The next day Scotland played most of the game with 10 men after Eric Caldow broke a leg, and won 2-1. Now 2017 offers a golden chance to celebrate him 50 years on from that Wembley triumph and I can think of no better tribute than creating funds and the means to find the next Jim Baxter. The Press Association arent known for breathless flair in their reporting, but they were captivated. 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. There's no rancour at the pit closures which many Scots argue devastated Fife - 'Best thing they ever did, close those bloody places. Or grab yourself some me-time and treat yourself! The legal appeal over the 20 Universal Credit uplift during the pandemic has been dismissed. In a game against Rapid Vienna in Austria, in the second round of the European Cup, Baxter suffered that broken leg at the end of a tie which was already won. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Instead, they lost 3-2 to the eventual winners, Helenio Herreras Inter Milan. Possessed with ball at feet My bonnie wee lad, the story gos like this On this occasion Jim had taken on one too many doormen and come off worst, so bad in fact that his teammates were not allowed to see the state of him for the next two weeks as he was ordered to train on his own. By "He was arguably the best player to play in Scottish football and the greatest player I ever played with.he had touch, balance, vision and just this wonderful aura" (Alex Ferguson about Jim. You shouldn't, really.'. What player would do keepy ups when moving dow the wing . Hed beat one man, then turn around Jim Baxter played that in front of ninety thousand fans, Right along the Wemberly touchline The England team were overawed A young man in his prime he was Possessed with ball at feet When England saw him gliding o'er the green Yon blonde cap'n called "retreat" Baxter walked about the pitch A God amongst mere men He'd beat one man, then turn around My, how those English boys did try The Binos have been one of the few sides not to play in the last couple of weeks. It's your one stop shop for all the latest signings news, rumours and done deals as the January window ramps up. Tell us granddad There was the wee heart problem a couple of years ago. I think I devoured every joyful word in every Sunday newspaper. Deceased (19392001) Jim also joked: If I dont turn it on here you can kick me up the backside.. After a further year with Rangers Baxter retired from football in 1970, at the age of 31. . To play the champs of 66, Were England unbeatable grand-dad? . . "[16] Shortly before his own death, George Best named Baxter as one of the best eleven players he had played with or against in an interview with FourFourTwo magazine. There was a bit more time with Sunderland, then a poor period with Nottingham Forest when he realised his wild living was losing him the skill - 'I was always just a yard away, and it made all the difference in the world. Punishing them into submission. I think we paid about 17k for him from Raith. W hen Charlie Adam's thrillingly opportunistic 66-yard shot found its way into the Chelsea net last Saturday, the image of Jim Baxter sprang immediately to mind. The Left Lion and Nottinghams Old Market Square, The Nags Head, Woodborough, Nottinghamshire, The Nottingham Robin Hood Beer Festival 2009. But Wembley in 1967 was a game just out of reach for a boy who had just turned 16. But perhaps the performance which really retains its gleam comes ironically from the shadow of Baxters own decline. But the happiest day was at Wembley. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . I rate him the best I've ever seen at Ibrox and I go back to the late 50's. Flawed character though. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Jim, of course, went on to play regularly for Scotland scoring both goals in the 2-1 win over England in 1963 despite Scotland playing the bulk of the game with only 10 men after Rangers full-back Eric Caldow broke his leg. But Saturday, April 15, 1967 has stood the test of time. He thought his best international performance was a 21 win against England in 1963, when he scored both goals after Scotland were reduced to 10 players. [12] In 1983 Baxter formed a relationship with Norma Morton, and the couple remained together until his death in 2001. [17][7], In December 1967, English First Division club Nottingham Forest signed Baxter from Sunderland for a club record 100,000 fee, but his rapidly declining fitness and troubled personal life meant the move was unsuccessful.
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