February 8, 2010 in World Football. Some of the guys were saying that they were raging at him as they wanted to score more goals! Hed beat one man, then turn around I was always a man of simple tastes. 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.. In particular, the disparity between what a parsimonious Rangers board would pay and what could be earned south of the border rankled and would help to create an impasse. 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. He ordered a bottle of Bacardi and a jug of Coke, and asked for a small bottle of ice. Four years later, toying with the World Cup giants, he remembers: 'We'd just decided to enjoy ourselves, and it worked. Boy, did he get the ball. Have a look at the You Tube clip off the England v Scotland game 1967 at Wembley . Describing McNaught as, 'a smashing guy', Baxter explained how instead of thoughtlessly charging forward with the ball, McNaught suggested more considered football change from running 30 yards to produce a five-yard pass to running five yards and producing a 30-yard pass. [8][39] Scots man hit with $1m medical bill after stroke on US trip to see sick granddaughter. The next day I was in Glasgow and the girls were throwing themselves at me. Baxter was also addicted to gambling, and is estimated to have lost between 250,000 and 500,000. He had touch, balance, vision and just this wonderful aura" Rangers manager Willie Waddell said, "Jim was the finest left half ever produced by Rangers." How do I choose between my boyfriend and my best friend? During this period the team won the Scottish League Championship in 1961, 1963 and 1964,[12] and were winners of three Scottish Cups and four League Cups from as many finals, Baxter playing in all seven ties. Rangers squad revealed as Robbie Ure sent SOS call amid three-pronged striker struggle. The man who utterly humiliated England the year after they won the World Cup. Just a breathtaking talent. The victory was complete when Baxter showed Scotlands dominance by casually playing keepie-uppie as the clock ticked down. 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. [19] In his international appearances he scored three goals, and Scotland won 21, drew 3 and lost 10 of these matches. He started doing keepie-uppies in the middle of the park. When you drank the heavenly elixir James Curran Baxter (29 September 1939 14 April 2001) was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a left half. [7][14][16] Baxter played 98 games for Sunderland in England's First Division (then the top tier), scoring 12 goals. The marriage broke up in 1981, and in 1983 he formed another relationship that lasted the rest of his life. But Saturday, April 15, 1967 has stood the test of time. Bingtao is one of 10 snooker players from China suspended pending investigation from the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 'Nothing can ever be the same.' One of my team asked me once who my favourite player was. . A former Scottish international footballer, Jim Baxter was granted a public house licence at the Licensing Court in Glasgow. Hi Stuart.. After 49 appearances, he left Forest in May 1969 to return to Rangers. The club did too. But 1967, the year after England won the World Cup, was an even better platform upon which Baxter could stand tall and shine. Rightly so. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Just give the ball to me, said Jim Baxter. A very brilliant star at that. they'll be good games, maybe, but not great games. His frequent brilliance in spite of a decadent, nocturnal lifestyle had convinced him of his talents invulnerability and, unfortunately, the club did little to dissuade him of that assumption. Baxter who died in 2001 at the age of only 61 is folklore in Fife. It was one which occurred at the most inopportune moment. today I'd be booked for that kind of stuff. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. A terrific victory "[8], In June 1960,[11] Baxter joined the Glasgow team Rangers for a transfer fee of 17,500, a Scottish record at the time. Who else is goin' tae eat the biscuits? [12], His other lifelong addiction was gambling, at which he lost 500,000 by his own estimate and 250,000 by third-party estimates. He also broke with Glasgow tradition by becoming friendly with several members of their major Glasgow rivals, Celtic. I hear your dad's wee Jimmy Clitheroe?" . . Ten days before he died, he recorded an interview with Chick Young which, until very recently, could be found online. When this game is often talked about Gascoigne had that sense of fun, but he did something like that and they gave him a yellow card for it. Get5 copies of the world's greatest football magazine for just 5 (opens in new tab) the game's greatest stories and finest journalism direct to your door for less than the cost of a London pint. The one with him and Pele is a great photo. His marriage to Jean broke down in 1981 and the two divorced. On leaving school he saw his best prospects in becoming a miner and joined many other Fifers in starting a life down the pit. Together as the famed Drunk n Sobers, they toured the fleshpots of Nottingham in spirit-infused abandon and no little debauchery. Did find loads of clips of Baxter doing keepie-ups against the Auld enemy tho :-). The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". [16] However England won the match 21. As Stevie says, wee Bud Johnston did make a habit of things like that. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). He was some player, John. After a further year with Rangers Baxter retired from football in 1970, at the age of 31. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". (1967) Wembley. But, yes, essentially it was 14 years in the pub. Please refresh the page and try again. 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. The Press Association arent known for breathless flair in their reporting, but they were captivated. Never missed a penalty for us and was an absolute joy to watch. When Scotland with Jim Baxter at his best Remembering Red Star Belgrades European Cup winners, 29 years on from their greatest victory. It was that word just that made all the difference. Jim was a hero of mine, Id be glad to help if I can. That left foot was a stunning yet delicate tool. A one-word swagger a wink and the promise of something special in what is still probably the greatest Scotland game of all time. so when he left sunderland and came to nottingham forest my local team i was elated. The way that Job stroked the ball around was just inimitable. [17][37] Fellow footballer and midfielder Scott Brown, who would become Scotland captain in the 2010s, was also raised in the village and attended the same school, with the Baxter statue across the street from his childhood home,[50] although Brown chose to sign for Celtic rather than Rangers. Another Baxter story was of him addressing the apprentice boys in the Nottingham Forest dressing room, requesting them to, 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 had owned it, as requested, and Scotland owned their old rivals. [14], In the 1960s Baxter gained 34 caps as a member of strong Scottish teams, which included Billy McNeill, Pat Crerand,[12] John White, Dave Mackay, Denis Law[8] and John Greig. Jimmy Johnstone, who played for Rangers' great rivals Celtic, said shortly after Baxter's death, "He was a great man and a genius on the ball. [30] However at the time beating England was more important to the Scots. . I cried the day he was transferred to Forest and shortly after Baxter and martins departures well Sunderland were relegated. [24][31] In 196061, when Baxter played in all the qualifying matches for the 1962 World Cup, they finished first equal in their qualifying group but lost the play-off against Czechoslovakia,[20] who were runners-up to Brazil in the Final. But Saturday, April 15, 1967 has stood the test of time. [7] He came on to the field in the second half, and his performance won the admiration of Ferenc Pusks. 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. He would retire in 1970. As a young man growing up in Hill O Beith he was a Hibernian fan, admiring the stellar forward play of the Hibees Famous Five. N. NONOTONE Well-Known Member. [26][27] Teammate Denis Law expressed opinions on both sides of this debate, saying that Baxter was "the best player on the park" and the main reason for the Scots' victory,[13] but complaining that Baxter's lack of urgency had prevented Scotland from thoroughly avenging the 93 defeat in April 1961. In those days the local Nottingham Evening Post would often report that Jim was two or three moves ahead of his teammates in thinking. He was mischief. Powered by Invision Community, We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. 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. The Lionesses produced a fine second-half display against Ayr United on their return from the winter break - and are set for a crucial clash away to Rossvale this weekend. i remember when i was a young boy watching jim playing for rangers and scotland , he was my boyhood hero. Forest would be the nadir and the stories are legendary and awful of bars and bets and being found badly beaten in the street. It was sad to see his self-imposed health and weight problems as he got older. [14], His first Rangers game was in August 1960 at inside left against Partick Thistle in the Scottish League Cup. In photographs taken at full-time, when Scottish fans had invaded the pitch and one was caught, draped around Baxters neck, it wasnt a Slim Jim anymore. Are sadly part of history son till i die. Which is correct poinsettia or poinsettia? [7] As Scotland were the first team to beat England after the 1966 FIFA World Cup, the Tartan Army proclaimed themselves "unofficial world champions". His football career would be over at just 31. By the end of the game of his life, 'Slim Jim' Baxter, left-midfield architect of the Scots' victory, was openly toying with the furious, frustrated deities in white. Back on Trentside: Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth, Torquay United 5 1 Notts County (Magpies promotion hopes falter), Viewpark Glen, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, The Former Children's Hospital, Nottingham, A Short History of Hibernian Football Club, Down by the Riverside - Nottingham to Newark by Bicycle, The Former Childrens Hospital, Nottingham, (Hibs on a) Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, Another Bad Day at the Office for Hibernian, Another four goals! Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Whatever the exact truth, by the time he was sitting down for breakfast at his parents house, he had earned almost as much in a night as he would from a years salary. [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. 'I just loved Wembley. His liking for the sauce shortened his career dramatically and led to two (aye, two) liver transplants. English football was polluted by the direct and brutish corruptions of the game played in the public schools. And right in the thick of it James Curran Baxter. 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. Southwell Minster, Southwell, Nottinghamshire. Peter Barr Cormack Rock and Roll Footballer! What kind of football player was Jim Baxter? The Left Lion and Nottinghams Old Market Square, The Nags Head, Woodborough, Nottinghamshire, The Nottingham Robin Hood Beer Festival 2009. Jim Baxter. [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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Your email address will not be published. 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. I didnt actually sit on the ball, not that game. There's no rancour at the pit closures which many Scots argue devastated Fife - 'Best thing they ever did, close those bloody places. I owe them. [42][43] In 2004, he was also inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame. . There are five application scenarios where people making a new claim may not need to go through the consultation process. . TO say Jim Baxter had enjoyed his first trip to Wembley is more than an understatement. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have shared a response to Jeremy Clarkson's latest statement. [8], In the 1967 British Home Championship, Baxter produced a dominating but controversial performance for Scotland, tantalising England, who had won the World Cup in 1966,[8] by playing "keepie uppie" (ball juggling) while waiting for teammates to get into good positions. . The legal appeal over the 20 Universal Credit uplift during the pandemic has been dismissed. [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. Youll hear praise as old ones sing it Punishing them into submission. [24], The following year Scotland, again inspired by Baxter and Law, beat England 10, and only poor finishing prevented them from scoring a bigger win. What is the formula for calculating solute potential? and he just went fucking spare. Rutherglen Glencairn 'made their own luck' to jump up three league places, says boss, Willie Harvey was delighted with the win over Neilston and wants to go on a run, Former Masters champion Yan Bingtao among TEN Chinese snooker players charged with match fixing. [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. Did they try to stop him playing? By far the most famous footage of Baxter comes from April 1967, and a European Championship qualifier that Scotland would win 3-2. 5 Where was Jim Baxter buried in his hometown? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Jim Baxter, the legendary Scottish footballer, who humbled England at Wembley. It was an order, barked to Bobby Lennox, then passed around. Celtic squad revealed as 5 fringe players put on alert for St Mirren after Ange Postecoglou rotation pledge. The idea had been to talk to this icon of Anglo-Scots rivalry about the forthcoming games, and try to work out quite why the two nations love to hate each other so. A team in navy blue toying with the Auld Enemy, then the official world champions, in their own fortress. A team in navy blue toying with the Auld Enemy, then the official world champions, in their own fortress. But Wembley in 1967 was a game just out of reach for a boy who had just turned 16. Wembley this is the London Palladium, Baxter said according to Tom Miller in a marvellous book Slim Jim: Simply The Best. Jim Baxter was like no other football player Ive seen. Jim Baxter played in this game as if his very life depended on it, fantastic poem In the small mining village of Hill of Beath sits the particularly fine statue of Jim Baxter born and brought up in the area .The Statue was unveiled on 20/04/03 sculptor was AndyScott . 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. And a broken leg. what a loss football when he retired at 31, R.I.P JIM. . What player would do keepy ups when moving dow the wing . On a research study at my favourite watering hole The Woodlark at Lambley, (tours available), I nebbed in as they say in these parts, on a conversation between some worthies sitting in the bar who were talking of some sterling names from the local football fraternity. Flair is a much overused word these days in relation to football but Jim encompassed it. How many liver transplants did Jim Baxter have? Two fruitless years later, he would move further south, down to the City Ground and Nottingham Forest, but making one final stop at Wembley first, for a very last dance. Well-Known Member. Together with former Hibees Centre Forward, Neil Martin, they were 2 of the leading lights of Sunderlands scots imports. Jim Baxter was born at Hill O'Beath in Fife in 1939 just as war was breaking out across Europe. . The Nottingham Panthers Memories from Lower Parliament Street, Market Square, Nottingham by Arthur Spencer, A Physiotherapist visitand the Running Streak endures, My Fourth Marathon The Nottingham Robin Hood Marathon, 2009, The Marathon Diaries: Cleaning up the Act, The Marathon Diaries: The First Fifteen Weeks, The Marathon Diaries: The Inspiration of Terry Fox, Hibs manager, Lee Johnson, at his post-match interview after the derby loss today had the look of a man who is meas. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Used to see him all the time sitting in the Georgic telling stories. When he went to Wembley that day it was simply with a sense of excitement, and occasion, and his attitude to the English now - 'I just wanted to beat the shite out of them and have a good laugh; it was nothing personal' - is a long way from the resentful kind of half-surly, half-deferential culture which has since flavoured so many of the North's dealings with the South. He didn't sit on the ball. Its a pity he wasnt at his best at the City Ground. However, his hard living took its toll and in July 1994 he had two liver transplants in four days at the Scottish Liver Transplant Unit at EdinburghRoyal Infirmary. Were it not for a broken leg in Vienna, he and they might have won the European Cup in 1965. The Scottish Labour leader said it was up to Keir Starmer to judge how the controversial law looks in the rest of the UK. One of their coaches gave a Brazil pennant to each of us who was there. . . To play the champs of 66, Were England unbeatable grand-dad? [7] He undertook National Service with the Black Watch from 1961 to 1963.[9]. In an interview on his career, Baxter was asked if joining the senior ranks was the beginning of his football education. The Swiss frontman struggled for form during his two year spell in the Scottish Premiership. But he never really recaptured the sort of form he had shown before his leg break And, when the teams trot out at Wembley next month, one presence will loom huge over the twin towers: revered by the Scots, respected by the English: Jim Baxter. [20], After moving to Rangers, Baxter became a notorious womaniser. Many people will have heard of the great Slim Jim Baxter alias "Bacardi Jim". [12] Scotland teammate Dave Mackay unsuccessfully advised him to train harder and live more sensibly. Aye, it was great. That exactly. He seemed to almost glide across the pitch and was always in the right place at the right time. Always a team I like to see do well. He divorced and remarried. Baxter joined Raith Rovers as a part-timer in 1957. He is generally regarded as one of the countrys greatest ever players. In Denis Law, Jim Baxter and Billy Bremner, the team that took to the turf at Wembley for the Auld Enemy clash on April 11, 1967, boasted three players who would make it into any all-time Scotland XI. The night before the second game, Jim Baxter didnt sleep. Its one of the anecdotes which sustains Baxters legend. He laughed and giggled and, improbably, his eyes still danced when he spoke of his yesterdays. Its moving television. I know for a fact Willie Johnston used to sit on the ball. I have searched Utube and the net in general but can't find any footage of it. The greatest compliment hes due today is the observation that his style hasnt aged. [15], In December 1964, Baxter played brilliantly to set up a 20 win for Rangers in an away game against Rapid Vienna in the European Cup. Of course orchestrating two Scotland victories over England at Wembley in 1963 and 1967 (and humiliating them in the process in the latter game) elevated Jims standing in our house to astronomic status. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 'But today . The man was a genus, and I dont use that term lightly. Jim would read the game very well and see a pass where others wouldnt and slide it through with precision weight and accuracy. He was indulged in ways that other players werent and had an aversion to nurturing his gifts that was never properly challenged. However, he started drinking heavily during a four-month layoff caused by a leg fracture in December 1964, his fitness suffered, and he was transferred to Sunderland in summer 1965. The first didn't take. [7], His former headmaster James Carmichael took an interest in ex-pupils and encouraged Baxter to join local football team Halbeath Juveniles instead of one of the glamour clubs. [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. Anas Sarwar warns UK Government has taken 'wrong approach' by blocking Holyrood gender reforms. Unbeatable? Former Scotland captain Willie Cunningham was born there, too and Celtics Scott Brown also attended the villages primary school. There was something about the . Kept trying to kick me the whole game, couldn't play at all. I think we paid about 17k for him from Raith. In two and a half years at Sunderland he played 98 games and scored 12 goals, becoming known for drinking himself unconscious the night before a match and playing well the next day. [23] Bobby Moore thought this was the best team Scotland ever fielded. Son, the result? The other thing he will always be known for is for kicking his career away at a very early age. Livingston Women's striker confident side can pick up crucial win at Rossvale now rust is away. He will always be remembered. [13] This was to be a watershed for Baxter. SCOTLANDHow Graeme Souness kick-started a Rangers revolution. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. And as a Raith Rovers fan I will always proudly think of him as ours. And it was fun, my God it was. Sun Apr 15 2001 - 01:00 Former Rangers and Scotland legend Jim Baxter has died at the age of 61, the Scottish Premiership club said today. It was outrageous and ridiculous, provocative and cheeky. Shaming England on their own turf, and with a performance - the footballing equivalent of the Ring Cycle - that has since seen him lionised, along with Kenny Dalglish, as the finest player Scotland ever had . : Terms of Use : Guidelines : Privacy Policy, "The Parochial Kailyard That Is Central Scotland", 39Users were Online in the last 600 mins, most memorably in 1967 when he toyed with the English defence at Wembley. The light blues are seven unbeaten under the new boss, winning six of them, but Joe Wright is optimistic. It was an order, barked to Bobby Lennox, then. State Pension payments of over 2,000 each month for older people living in these five European countries. Next month, Baxter won't be there. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Edinburgh Evening News Im the Fan of the Week! Jim will always be immortalised for that heroic display in 1967. He'. 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). Then nonchalantly knocked it wide, That game you boys play in the street Baxter scored both goals. Scotland legend "Slim Jim" famously humiliated the previous year's World Cup winners on their own hallowed turf, capping his performance with an iconic keepy-uppy display considered one of the most memorable moments in Scottish football history. [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. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. I've just spent the last two hours watching England v Scotland in 1967 for my Sports Journalism class. 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. 17. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Baxter was from Hill of Beath, a small village in Fife which was built to the serve the mining community. The plaque has his birthdate 1939 to 2001 Driver of overturned lorry in hospital after being rescued from Scots road crash. Officers raced to the single-vehicle crash on the A830 between Fort William and Mallaig after being alerted at around 1:35pm on Tuesday. But Saturday, April 15, 1967 has stood the test of time. Jim Baxter/Cause of death. Jean married golfer William McCondichie three years later. It wasn't a plea. Jim Baxter was our conductor in dark blue By 1965, his relationship with Rangers was close to fracture. It wasnt a plea. Wee Alan Ball . Anyone else on here old enough to remember the game? He appears briefly in The Footballer Who Could Fly, Duncan Hamiltons memoir. [17] After retiring from football Baxter became a pub licensee, an unsuitable career for a problem drinker. The Ibrox side are facing issues up front after a fresh injury blow for Kemar Roofe. He asks that I mention Norma, his partner of the past 17 years - 'she saved my life, that woman' - and makes it very clear he doesn't really want to talk any more about the drink, for he's had his painful publicity. the new-born riot of self-expression that bubbled freely from Baxter, (Dave) Mackay, (John) White and (Denis) Law, the all-important quadrilateral that formed the heart of the Scottish effort.". Jim was very frustrating in some ways. With the second - 'Well, aye, I do take a drink sometimes. He had been spotted by Rangers manager Scot Symon when he inspired Rovers to beat Rangers 3-2 at Ibrox in November, 1959. As always I wont head in the direction of a detailed resume of his life or career as that has been covered by many. At the end of the season he would be sold to Sunderland, one of the few English teams who werent deterred by his reputation. . Your email address will not be published. [33] In 196869 he was not selected to play in any of the qualifiers for the 1970 World Cup. oh, it went down a storm, so it did. According to legend, Scot Symon manager at Ibrox between 1954 and 1967 became determined to sign the left-half after watching him orchestrate a win over his side in late 1959. Tell us granddad After he died of pancreatic cancer in 2001, his funeral was held in Glasgow Cathedral and his ashes were buried at Rangers Ibrox Stadium. [51], Raith Rovers F.C. Tony Blair and Gordon Brown flew across the room to shake his hand. . [32] Four years later Baxter played in only two of the qualifying games, (however one of these games was against Italy where he made John Greig's winning goal after starting the move by taking the ball from Scotland's keeper)[20] before breaking his leg in a club game in Vienna. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website.
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