6 Where did Jim Baxter get his leg broken? He seemed to almost glide across the pitch and was always in the right place at the right time. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. But they're just repeating the myth. He could tease with the ball, twisting defenders into a knot. Some of the guys were saying that they were raging at him as they wanted to score more goals! A team in navy blue toying with the Auld Enemy, then the official world champions, in their own fortress. He was earning 7 a week sorting the stone from the coal at Fordel Colliary and 3 a week in Raiths reserves. Breaking his leg in Austria didn't help matters. A God amongst mere men Please refresh the page and try again. Flair is a much overused word these days in relation to football but Jim encompassed it. Get the latest news from Record Sport with our daily newsletter. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Jim would read the game very well and see a pass where others wouldnt and slide it through with precision weight and accuracy. 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). DEALThree ways to (safely) get FourFourTwo magazine right now with special offers, Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access, Enjoy your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription, Get daily World Cup 2022 news, updates and other football frolics to your inbox. 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." What player would do keepy ups when moving dow the wing . But reducing him to his medals misses the point. 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. Its 50 years ago yet still we smile. Unbeatable? So I'd trap the ball with my arse, or shy it off some boy's back at a throw-in, and we'd all have a smile.' Just a breathtaking talent. Forest would be the nadir and the stories are legendary and awful of bars and bets and being found badly beaten in the street. Jean married golfer William McCondichie three years later. 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. He was. Football Disconnected From its Supporters? "[37], In February 2001, Baxter was diagnosed as suffering from cancer of the pancreas, and he died at his home on Glasgow's South Side on 14 April 2001, with his partner Norma and his sons Alan and Steven at his bedside. Meghan and Harry release statement after Jeremy Clarkson's latest public apology. But most of all they had a Baxter in magisterial and unstoppable form. In his prime, Baxter was known for his ability to raise a team's morale, his good tactical vision, precise passing and ability to send opponents the wrong way and for being a joker on the pitch. In Baxters obituary in the Independent, the politician Tam Dalyell called the win "miraculous" and, identifying his subject as its source, referred to Baxter as "sublimely skilful". The story Tom Miller recounts is that when Brown asked Baxter to warm up, Jim first stretched out his left leg and then his right and quipped, Thats me warmed up! He then ran the show. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". A terrific victory By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. . Best of luck with the biography. rangers, scotland he never showed any regret for his lifestyle and we should remember he left his elegant footprint on football more than most. My, how those English boys did try The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". And, sadly, I know where I'd put my money this time. At the end of the season he would be sold to Sunderland, one of the few English teams who werent deterred by his reputation. Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. The legal appeal over the 20 Universal Credit uplift during the pandemic has been dismissed. The football shirt worn by Jim Baxter during Scotland's famous victory over England in 1967 could fetch up to 60,000 when it goes up for auction next month. Gascoigne had that sense of fun, but he did something like that and they gave him a yellow card for it. [22] In the 1963 game Scotland were reduced to 10 men when their left back Eric Caldow's leg was broken in a tackle by Bobby Smith substitutions were not allowed at that time. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. He'll be sitting at home in Glasgow, watching the game on Sky. All rights reserved. French nun Lucile Randon, who was also known as Sister Andr, passed away in her sleep at a nursing home in Toulouse yesterday. His performances at Starks Park persuaded Rangers manager Scot Symon to pay a record Scottish transfer fee of 17,500 to bring . Apr 14, 2018 . He was also noted as a joker on the pitch. 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.". With a taunt, a feign, a pass, They tried hard to get the ball off him Son, the result? Used to see him all the time sitting in the Georgic telling stories. 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. As expected, I pretty much concentrated on Jim Baxter's performance for the whole match and by God was he good. 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. 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. I am writing a biography on Jim Baxter and would love your input Stuart. Bingtao is one of 10 snooker players from China suspended pending investigation from the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. That exactly. Then hed start the England nightmare off again One while at university, I had a summer job working on a farm near Dunfermline. 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. With the game won, rather than play out time Baxter's confidence over-extended into arrogance to make fun of his opponents with the ball. Baxter was from Hill of Beath, a small village in Fife which was built to the serve the mining community. Jims pass, timed to perfection 12 minutes from the end, allowed Lennox to steer the ball beyond Englands Gordon Banks. In the 1967 match against England, who had won the 1966 World Cup, he taunted the opposition by ball juggling while waiting for his teammates to find good positions. The talk was of Slim Jim and his magic left foot which he self-christened The Glove. Not that often now. It was sad to see his self-imposed health and weight problems as he got older. But Baxter? Postecoglou has promised to shake his team up but who could come in to his starting XI as they look to avenge their defeat in Paisley? (1967) Wembley. His first steps into adult football came with Raith Rovers. The football shirt worn by Jim Baxter during Scotland's famous victory over England in 1967 could fetch up to 60,000 when it goes up for auction next month. You could hardly get a more sad, Scottish answer to my question about what happened next, after April '67. At the end of the 1959-60 season, in June 1960, he joined Rangers for a Scottish record transfer fee of 17,500. Ten days before he died, he recorded an interview with Chick Young which, until very recently, could be found online. Tell us granddad It was an order, barked to Bobby Lennox, then passed around. ", http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/braveheart.html. But the happiest day was at Wembley. [8] In this game Baxter also conspired with Billy Bremner against Alan Ball, sending Bremner a "50-50" pass, which allowed Bremner to "hit Ball like a train" when Ball contested possession. I remember Slim Jim from Roker Park in the mid 1960s. The Rapid match was probably the end of Jims era too. 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. But nobody has owned Celtic like Jim Baxter. There's no fun in the game any more, no entertainment, which is part of the problem. . 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. Jim will always be immortalised for that heroic display in 1967. 15 April, 1967: Jim Baxter puts World Cup winners England to the sword at Wembley in an imperious display that includes a cheeky keepie uppie session. And a broken leg. . Scotland won 3-2 and could, by every account, have knocked in several more with ease. But Saturday, April 15, 1967 has stood the test of time. There was the wee heart problem a couple of years ago. Together as the famed Drunk n Sobers, they toured the fleshpots of Nottingham in spirit-infused abandon and no little debauchery. . And Now For Something Completely Different, Lowdham Book Festival (2) Blog-talk with Mike Atkinson. He was thicker, his jowls were heavier. World Football Jim Baxter - sitting on the ball Jim Baxter - sitting on the ball By stomach February 8, 2010 in World Football Share stomach 05: Full Members 283 Gender:Male Location:Inverness Posted February 8, 2010 Can anyone tell me - Did Jim Baxter actually sit on the ball during a International match against England? ', Scotland's talisman on football's most intense rivalry, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Jim Baxter was our conductor in dark blue Jim was certainly a one-off wasnt he. Raith Rovers youth development manager Craig Easton needs 60,000 a year simply to pay the bills for modern apprenticeships the team offer. Let me declare, I wasnt there. [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. From Jim Baxters dark blue cup. . His football career would be over at just 31. In his words, "One day, I was a Raith Rovers player who couldnae pull the birds at the Cowdenbeath Palais. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. One of their coaches gave a Brazil pennant to each of us who was there. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. [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. Its a pity he wasnt at his best at the City Ground. Great stories! Youll hear praise as old ones sing it 'Nothing can ever be the same.' By far the most famous footage of Baxter comes from April 1967, and a European Championship qualifier that Scotland would win 3-2. and he just went fucking spare. 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. 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. Irvine Welsh thinks this man is God. [7][12] He played for Rangers from 1960 to 1965, mainly as an attacking left half. But how the hell did Scotland win it? 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. Jim Baxter Baxter during his time at Nottingham Forest Personal information Full name James Curran Baxter[1] Date of birth (1939-09-29)29 September 1939 Place of birth Hill of Beath, Fife, Scotland Date of death 14 April 2001(2001-04-14)(aged 61) Place of death Glasgow, Scotland[2] Position(s) Left-half Youth career Halbeath Juveniles 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. Scots man hit with $1m medical bill after stroke on US trip to see sick granddaughter. 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. Gordon Brown, the former Prime Minister remembers our wonderful Wembley Wizards of 1967 and his memories of one of Fife's favourite sons. Or he could rake it forty yards, dropping it on any blade of grass. Four years later, toying with the World Cup giants, he remembers: 'We'd just decided to enjoy ourselves, and it worked. Officers raced to the single-vehicle crash on the A830 between Fort William and Mallaig after being alerted at around 1:35pm on Tuesday. Ciro Well-Known Member. Did find loads of clips of Baxter doing keepie-ups against the Auld enemy tho :-). It was Baxter at his most charming. The teams emerge at Wembley in 1967 before Scotland's crowning as the 'Unofficial World Champions', Baxter holds up the Scottish Cup for Rangers. 'It's not really hatred, though, is it? According to Ken Gallachers fine biography of Baxter, Symon would admit as much when a deal was completed in 1960, telling him that: You controlled everything and that was in a Raith Rovers jersey and I wondered just what you would be capable of in a Rangers jersey.. All they had a summer job working on a farm near Dunfermline every account, have knocked in more! 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