Jock Stein

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Football manager | 1922 - 1985

Commanding centre back who became Scotland's greatest manager

Jock Stein died during a Wales v Scotland match on 10 September, 1985, after suffering a heart attack in the dugout.

The former no-nonsense defender had won every domestic honour during a managerial career that took in spells with Dunfermline Athletic, Hibernian, Leeds United and Celtic, where he lead his men to the European Cup in 1967 with a team consisting entirely of Scottish players.

He previously played with Celtic, Llanelli Town in Wales and Albion Rovers.

John ‘Jock’ Stein was born in Burnbank, just outside Hamilton , on 22 October, 1922.

Upon graduating from Greenfield High School , he found himself working in the coal mines as well as working in a carpet shop for a short spell. He soon found football to be an escape from the pits and won a move to Blantyre Victoria before going full time with Albion Rovers in 1942, where he made 200 appearances for the club.

Even though he was officially a full time player, he continued to work in the mines during the week before starring in Albion ’s defence on a Saturday.

He went on loan to Dundee United in 1943 before helping Albion win promotion in 1948 to the first division.

His playing career also took in a spell with Welsh club Llanelli Town (1950-51) before he signed for Celtic in a deal with £1,200, where his career would be finished by persistent ankle injuries.

Mr Stein was appointed reserve coach at Celtic and led them to the Second XI cup with an 8-2 aggregate victory over Rangers. He was also instrumental in persuading the Celtic board to buy Barrowfield as a training ground.

In March 1960, he took charge of Dunfermline Athletic, saving the Fife club from relegation and eventually had them pushing for a European place and a 2-0 Scottish Cup final win over Celtic in 1961. They beat Everton and only lost to Valencia in a Fairs Cup (Now UEFA cup) run. They took the Spanish giants to a third game play-off after they had overturned a four goal first leg defeat.

Mr Stein took charge of Hibernian in April 1964. He spent less than a year there before returning to Celtic as their first non-catholic manager. He assumed control at Parkhead on March 9 1965 .

He led Celtic to their first trophy in eight years, a 3-2 victory over Dunfermline after only six weeks in charge and this would kick on to greater things, including the famous nine consecutive championships and the ‘Lisbon Lion’s’ 2-1 European Cup Triumph in 1967 over Inter Milan.

In1975, Mr Stein was seriously injured in a car crash and nearly died but he returned to the Celtic dug-out.

He left Celtic after a glorious reign in 1978, joining Leeds United.

His time at Elland Road lasted only 45 days and he resigned when Scotland called. He had previously been part-time national manager in 1965.

The national team role was to be his final contribution to football, and a glorious career came to a tragic end. Scotland was on course for a spot at the 1986 World Cup, drawing 1-1 with Wales in Cardiff when tragedy struck. Mr Stein suffered a heart attack during the match and died.

He was voted the greatest Scottish manager of all time by his peers and mentored one of the present day greatest, Sir Alex Ferguson, making him Scotland assistant manager.

He died doing the job he loved and will forever be remembered as The Bhoy who is King.

Mr Stein never forgot where he came from and always stated how important the fans are to the game. He always praised his players rather than take credit himself.

"We did it by playing football. Pure, beautiful, inventive football" he said after winning the European Cup.

After the 1967 European Cup win, Bill Shankly , told him: “John, you’re immortal now.”

Mr Stein was inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

Jock Stein

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