Keep Fighting

by paul harrison

  JOE BAKER (Hibernian, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, England)

  I've played against some hard men in my time, players who would kick you off the pitch because that was the only way they know how to stop you. Although Billy Bremner was regarded as one of those sort of players, he was different. He could actually play football himself. He outwitted you with his skill and brain, and wound up anyone who displayed weakness on the pitch. Whenever I met him away from the pitch, he would always talk about how superior Scotland was over England, in everything. He once told me he thought I acted like I was Scottish – I never understand what he meant by that, until someone explained that we were standing at the bar and it was my round. Through gritted teeth, I did buy him a drink. Lovely fellow, great company, and a devout Scot.

  ALAN BIRCHENALL MBE (Sheffield United, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Leicester City)

  I played against him on many occasions for Sheffield United, Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Leicester in the old First Division. When I think, without doubt Leeds had the most awesome side of the late ’60s and early ’70s. If I can just tell this little story that sums up Billy.

  I was playing against Leeds at Elland Road – let's say I tripped and as I rolled on the ground Billy accidentally used my head as a stepping stone. I carried on with the game but I had to be bandaged up as blood was pouring from four stud marks in my forehead. After the game I asked my old team mate at Sheffield, who was now playing for Leeds at the time, Mick Jones, if any of the Leeds players could drop me off at the station after the game as I was not travelling back with Chelsea to London. Billy offered to drop me off at the station and there I was sat beside him, my forehead wrapped in bandages with blood seeping through from the four stud marks. Not a word passed between us until we got to Leeds station. I thanked Billy for the lift, he turned to me and said in his own inimitable way, ‘That looks nasty Birch, better get that seen to.’ Great player, great character. Sadly missed.

  I hope that little story about my memory brings a smile to your face as it does me when I tell it now.

  DENIS LAW (Huddersfield Town, Manchester City, Torino, Manchester United, Scotland)

  He was such a character, and I loved to be in his company both on and off the pitch. He was so bright and intelligent and when he talked he spoke a great deal of common sense, be it on football, management or life in general. As a footballer he was great, unique and Scottish. As a manager he never let anyone down and maybe should have been made boss long before he was. Billy was a great guy.

  DON WESTON (Wrexham, Rotherham United, Leeds United)

  Wee Billy Bremner has been the life and soul of Leeds United for over three decades now. I first met him when I joined the club from Rotherham in 1962, he had an awesome reputation even back then when his career was just starting. A gentleman off the field, he was ruthless and uncompromising on it; he had a winning mentality in everything he did. When it came to kick-off time, Billy would be focused and rallying round everyone, making sure they knew how important it was to win for the boss and for the fans. I remember him trying to square up to me once after a game, I missed a couple of sitters and he thought that I had let the pressure get to me; when I turned to look at him, he was almost a foot smaller than me, I couldn't help but laugh at the image of the pair of us, and gave him a big cuddle instead. Thankfully he saw the funny side of it too, and laughed with me. Billy will always remain Mr Leeds United.

  KEITH NEWTON (Blackburn Rovers, Everton, Burnley, England)

  As a footballer there are few who were blessed with so much talent as that of Billy Bremner. He could pass, shoot, head and score – he had everything. He was a passionate footballer keen to help his colleagues, and would run and run for his beloved Leeds United and Scotland until he had used every ounce of energy in his body. He did not know the meaning of the term ‘lost cause’ and would play out a full ninety minutes, refusing to accept defeat until the referee blew the whistle to end the game.

  Versatility was synonymous to his game, he could play anywhere and give a sparkling performance. I don't really think he completely realised how many footballers and managers were in complete awe of him, and even after he stopped playing and managing, Billy Bremner remained a giant among his peers. I don't think there will ever be another footballer who could ever be like him.

  GRAHAM CARR (Northampton Town)

  I remember Billy Bremner the footballer with fondness, I always thought I was tough, but he epitomised spiritual toughness as well as strength, belief, and character. As a manager, he is class, quality, he just needs to walk into a dressing room and people shut up and listen. There isn't many people like him in the game, one of a kind, a genius of sorts.

  GLENN AITKEN (Gillingham, Wimbledon)

  What a character he was, on the pitch there were few who could or would try to stop him. A superb passer of the ball, a goalscorer, and a born leader, and a gentleman too, but not until the game was over. Billy always made you feel as though you were important, special almost. The game lost a true character and what makes British football so wonderful, when he passed away. He'll be forever missed and never replaced.

  DICKIE GUY (Wimbledon)

  You just have to say his name and people listen, Billy was such a character. It was a privilege to meet him and to challenge his beloved Leeds United in one of Wimbledon FC's greatest games of the era. We lost, but only just. Right after the game, the first player to shake our hands and congratulate us on some wonderful performances, was Billy Bremner. A truly memorable occasion, a truly memorable character.

  ANON – BOOK OF FOOTBALL 1971

  His bones might be constructed of steel and his muscles of reinforced concrete. His energy might be the by-product of an atomic power station. He just does not know how to stop. There are two men in football who have sometimes been likened to James Cagney. One is Billy Shankly, the other is Billy Bremner. But Cagney, even if he could play the game, could never have achieved what Billy has achieved without a machine gun in his hands.

  ERIC THORNTON – Author Leeds United and Don Revie

  It might be said that over a decade he has successfully completed the transition from a spitting wildcat to a matured international star … He's very much in love with Leeds United, and everything that goes with it. That includes the Boss, and one cannot say that about all players and managers.

  ANON – Gates of Elland Road – 9 December 1998

  Good night Billy. God Bless. Thanks x. From a Man U Fan.

  PUDSEY WHITES – Gates of Elland Road – 9 December 1998

  In memory of the greatest ever Scottish Yorkshireman. Love Always, from the Pudsey Whites.

  ANON – Gates of Elland Road – 9 December 1998

  King Billy. Simply the Best.

  GRAHAM KELLY (Ex Chief Executive of the Football Association)

  Billy was such an inspiring leader and competitor on the pitch for Leeds United and Scotland that it will be a long time before football people stop talking about players in the ‘Billy Bremner mould’. The incredibly successful Leeds team of the 1960s and 1970s was clearly built around this brilliant midfielder.

  In almost seventeen years as a player he totalled some 770 first-team appearances and won the lot: League Championship, FA Cup, Football League Cup, two European Finals and the ‘Footballer of the Year’ award in 1970.

  Billy was one of the all-time greats who would command a fee of several million pounds in today's transfer market. He was a character and we will miss him.

  JIM FARRY (Ex Chief Executive of the Scottish Football Association)

  With fifty-four appearances in a Scotland jersey, Billy Bremner will be remembered as a powerful defender, a creative playmaker and a leading captain of the national team. His experience was crucial in taking Scotland to its first World Cup Final tournament in a generation, in West Germany in 1974, and his leadership contributed greatly to Scotland's unbeaten record that summer. His portrait hangs in the SFA offices as the third member of Scottish Football's Hall of Fame, gran
ted for those who reach fifty caps for Scotland. He therefore retains a special place in Scottish football and his memory will always be with us.

  20

  WHAT HE SAID ABOUT THEM

  GARY SPRAKE

  A frustrating bloody goalkeeper – if he had tried a bit harder and concentrated more fully on improving his game, instead of believing he was the best, then he would have made a decent keeper. As people we have our differences, I don't hide the fact that I have issues with some of things he has done in his life, but that's for Gary to consider and reflect upon. What's done is done. So far as a professional footballer goes, not one of the wisest or most respected; despite that, he could pull off some unbelievable saves. That's as positive as I can get about the man.

  PAUL REANEY

  A lovely man and so quick with a football at his feet. He had a level head and tended to keep his cool in most situations. He was a bit of a comedian though, and you could rely on him to break the ice on difficult discussions. He should have received far more recognition than he did. He had a great sense of humour as well and always saw the funny side of football and life. If you needed to lighten the atmosphere or lift the tension then Paul was the man who could do that, he was naturally very likeable.

  TERRY COOPER

  He was such a rounded player who could turn defence into attack with one tackle. Terry took the game seriously and I don't know many players who concentrated so intensely throughout an entire game. He was a great lad to have around, and a confidant, too, I respected him highly. To be honest, I would walk hundreds of miles to help and support Terry Cooper. I enjoyed playing alongside Terry and he instilled confidence with his mere presence.

  JACK CHARLTON

  What can I say about this giant of man that hasn't already been said? Jack was the ultimate professional. Known more for his heading and defending ability, his skill and control with a ball at his feet were also incredible, though I'm not always certain that he knew where he was going with the ball! Jack could head a ball as far as many players could kick it, and his heading accuracy was awesome, I'm certain he would have been able to drop a headed ball onto a half crown piece from twenty yards. His antics used to have me in fits of laughter, he was so passionate about football, Leeds and England. The only thing was, when him and me used to have a go at each other, no other bugger could understand what we were saying: angry and passionate Geordies and Scots don't make for eloquent speeches.

  NORMAN HUNTER

  Not many footballers get by with having just one foot, I don't mean physically you understand, yet Norman Hunter did. Ask him to pass the ball with his right foot and it was always going to be a challenge for him. In training, if I wanted to put him off, I would always go for his left leg. Only joking of course; Norman was a class act, great in the dressing room, supportive on and off the pitch and he could play a bit as well. As an opponent, for England, Leeds (in training) or for Bristol City, he was a noisy bully who strutted round the pitch like he owned it; not many questioned that, not even me. Norman was one tough cookie, and a lovely man.

  PETER LORIMER

  A fellow Scotsman with a great sense of humour and a fantastic footballer, too. Peter was as determined to succeed as I was. He would do anything for the sake of Leeds United. I saw him score so many goals that he created for himself from nothing, others he scored through his ferocious shooting ability. I would do anything to get out of the way of his shots in training, it was said that some of the balls he fired off were moving upwards of seventy miles per hour. I think they were faster than that. A good and close friend.

  ALLAN CLARKE

  If there was a better goal getter in the British game than Allan Clarke then I never saw them play. Allan was like a ghost in the penalty area, he would drift in, almost unnoticed, behind defenders and finish so many of our moves with a goal. He had so many different aspects to his game. As a front man he could hold up the ball or split defences wide open with his passing. He scored plenty with his head too. I wouldn't have swapped him for anyone else, an honest hard-working footballer and man, a good and loyal pal. The best.

  MICK JONES

  If any one player in that Leeds team deserved to win more honours than they did then it was Mick Jones. He was much more athletic than I was and could jump almost as high as Big Jack (Charlton). Mick never said never, he chased every ball and was the perfect goal-scoring partner for Allan Clarke. His performances merited greater international recognition than he got, he was as good a forward in England at the time.

  JOHN GILES

  I was fortunate to be in the same team as this wonderful footballer and man. John Giles to my mind had it all, he had an authoritative presence on and off the pitch that could intimidate if you let it. Not that he ever deliberately imposed himself in such a way. He was a distinguished footballer who could do anything he wanted with the ball. Some of his ball tricks in training and during games were sublime. Between us we imposed ourselves on every game and every opponent but it does make me laugh when people say we were a formidable force together. In my opinion John Giles was the driving force that pushed us on. He was an inspiration not only to me but to thousands of football fans. His football writing is second to none too, so be aware Mr Harrison, he is the role model you should aspire to.

  EDDIE GRAY

  I could talk about Eddie Gray and what he brought to Leeds United all day. I cannot recall hearing anyone say a bad word about him. His football skills were stunning; he seemed to dance round other players like they weren't there, all the while moving forward into the opponent's penalty area. That left-foot skill would be worth millions in football now, Eddie is one of the few players who caused my jaw to drop in awe at his skill. As a person they honestly don't come any nicer, albeit he could moan a fair bit, nearly as much as me some would say!

  DAVID HARVEY

  David Harvey was unlucky not to make more appearances for Leeds and for Scotland. He was, in my mind, the better of the two first-team goalkeepers we had at Elland Road during my time there. That's not through personal opinion but through professional opinion. He was solid, dependable and safe; he could be relied upon to do the right thing. He was agile and quite fancied himself as a forward; after that penalty miss in the Charity Shield final I think he gave up on the idea of swapping positions. I rate him so highly as to suggest that he could have been, and possibly is, one of Scotland's greatest ever goalkeepers.

  MICK BATES

  Mick could come in to the team and fill in any role that was asked of him, defender, midfield, forward and he always seemed to do well. At any other club he would have been a regular first teamer, but we had so much quality throughout that he tended to miss out on more appearances. Mick always had time for others, he would make sure that supporters always got the autograph and was an integral part of our team. Mick was a personable and likeable man, he could play football a fair bit too.

  ALBERT JOHANNESON

  Albert was in many ways the author of his own downfall. When he joined Leeds United the rest of the team stood open-mouthed, drooling over his ball skills and trickery. He was a bloody excellent player and had so much pace and strength, he was a great athlete. Over the years, we all worked closely with Albert, trying to keep him focused and motivated. Many a time during a game he would devastate other teams with his blistering pace and finishing, yet on other occasions he would hide and look timid and impotent. He was very much a confidence player and we certainly tried to instil plenty of confidence in him. As we got more successful, Albert seemed to drift away from us, he rarely showed the consistent performances we knew he could. Some of the racial abuse he would get from opposition players and fans was disgraceful. I would try to protect him from that, so would the rest of the lads. It's outrageous to know that you have fellow professional, highly respected and big club players, treating someone like they all too regularly did Albert, calling him ‘Nigger’ or ‘Sambo’. I confess I have, over the years, delivered physical hurt and retribution to many of those wh
o so damaged Albert. If I told you some of the names you would be mortified.

  Eventually, we found out that he was drinking, not the odd snifter before a game or at half time, but whole bloody bottles of Scotch. We would often have a bottle with us in the dressing room, a quick dram before you went out onto the pitch before a game on a wintry afternoon never did any of us any harm. After one game, I think it was at Nottingham Forest, Albert had come off early. At full time we made our way back into the dressing room to find bottle empty, Albert had drank the f—— lot and was laid pissed on the floor. Thereafter, it was virtually all over for him at Leeds. The boss didn't like it. He had become a liability, a drain on us all. We all tried to get him off the sauce and to believe in himself, but it never seemed to work. Eventually he moved on to York City and never achieved anything else in the game. It's a crying shame as he was a lovely lad and a fine footballer on his day. The Leeds United ex-players association did an awful lot to help Albert after his career was over, but he always pissed the money we gave him up the wall. All very sad, I do feel for the fellow.

  DON REVIE

  Words cannot describe how great a man he was, he was massive, not only in physical height but in stature. People would cross the street to shake his hand and the Leeds supporters held him in the highest esteem. I think most of us would do as the boss asked – if he said run through that brick wall, then we would. He was a deeply caring person and did things that you never expected him to, certainly the football press have over the years described a totally different man and manager to the person we all knew. He wanted everything to be just right for his players, his ethic was that if he got the basics right then the players had nothing to contend with but playing for Leeds United. Right down to relaxing walks and diet, the boss concentrated on getting us to feel wanted and as one, and it worked. Some people have tried to diminish his professionalism and sold kiss-and-tell type stories for the sake of a few quid. I would never say anything negative about the boss, simply because there is nothing negative to say about him. He will always be loved and respected by those important to him. As for the rest, well they are insignificant and their thoughts don't really matter.