He could tease with the ball, twisting defenders into a knot. Slim Jim Baxter was .. Punishing them into submission. today I'd be booked for that kind of stuff. One who passed through that decades football folklore like a shooting star. I needed bastards like Carmichael, Buckard, Ferrier, Herdman and McNaught. How did it end up? What player would do keepy ups when moving dow the wing . These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 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. [45], The Tartan Army unsuccessfully attempted to get the new Wembley Stadium footbridge named after him,[46][47] and on 24 February 2005 Scottish National Party MP Pete Wishart presented an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons supporting this campaign. He out played them, Grown men were seen to cry the tears February 8, 2010 in World Football. Used to see him all the time sitting in the Georgic telling stories. Jims pass, timed to perfection 12 minutes from the end, allowed Lennox to steer the ball beyond Englands Gordon Banks. [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. . 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. Its 50 years ago yet still we smile. Driver of overturned lorry in hospital after being rescued from Scots road crash. Thanks very much, Alan. After leaving school he spent eight months as an apprentice cabinet maker, and then worked as a coal miner. Sadly Baxter would be capped only two more times the last a few months later in November 1967 before his international career was over. [40] Most famously, during Scotland's 32 win over England in 1967, he taunted his opponents by playing "keepie uppie" during the game. 'Ach, no, son, nothing else. 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. 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. The England team were overawed, A young man in his prime he was Had it not been for a Fiorentina side managed by Nandor Hidegkuti - Englands tormentor from 1953 - Rangers and Baxter might also have won the Cup Winners Cup in 1961. Jim Baxter was like no other football player Ive seen. Are sadly part of history son Sent pinpoint passes like greased lightning [25] Indeed, although Rangers insisted that players tuck their shirts completely into their shorts, Baxter always let part of his dangle over his left hip. In the last minute he went to 'nutmeg' an opponent, who was having none of it and broke Baxter's leg with his challenge. For Jim, a one-time-miner who learnt his football on the ash-pitches of Fife, is and always has been staunchly apolitical. 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. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. 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. He caressed it, he passed it, he laid on a goal and even found time late in the game to showboat much to the annoyance of his manager. I dont need Google to reel off that team Drummond, Polland and Mochan; Young, McNaught and Baxter; Wallace, Conn, Kerry, Spence and Urquhart. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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? SCOTLANDHow Graeme Souness kick-started a Rangers revolution. He died on 14 April 2001. Raith Rovers youth development manager Craig Easton needs 60,000 a year simply to pay the bills for modern apprenticeships the team offer. Simply the Best. Jun. I dont think Ive ever seen a player with a finer touch, one so deft. I was always a man of simple tastes. In 2003, a statue was erected in his honour at his hometown, Hill of Beath . We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. I cried the day he was transferred to Forest and shortly after Baxter and martins departures well Sunderland were relegated. A one-word swagger a wink and the promise of something special in what is still probably the greatest Scotland game of all time. 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. Baxter won 34 caps for Scotland, but three of them stand above the rest. That afternoon, after a few hours sleep, he and his left foot would captivate 120,000 fans at Hampden Park, giving what was by his own reckoning his finest performance against Celtic in a 3-0 win. As always I wont head in the direction of a detailed resume of his life or career as that has been covered by many. Football, and drink, and self-destruction, and redemption. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. He also broke with Glasgow tradition by becoming friendly with several members of their major Glasgow rivals, Celtic. 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. In it, the author describes a chance encounter between Baxter and his father, who was then working as a barman in Nottingham. The pair look to be high on the agenda for Michael Beale and his Ibrox recruitment drive. [7][12] He played for Rangers from 1960 to 1965, mainly as an attacking left half. He would eventually find his bed at 9am, but not before another dance with the Glasgow nightlife. I owe them. Bath Always a team I like to see do well. But nobody has owned Celtic like Jim Baxter. As expected, I pretty much concentrated on Jim Baxter's performance for the whole match and by God was he good. A fully-fledged international, who would also appear for Rest of the World sides, he would regularly mix with players earning far in excess of his 35 a week. Some of the best fans too. In his words, "One day, I was a Raith Rovers player who couldnae pull the birds at the Cowdenbeath Palais. Quite simply he was the best player I have ever seen. [14], His first Rangers game was in August 1960 at inside left against Partick Thistle in the Scottish League Cup. My Dad says he remembers Baxter doing this at the corner flag once and waiting for the English to come towards him. He was some player, John. 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. I know for a fact Willie Johnston used to sit on the ball. The broken leg had reduced him as an athlete, he already knew that, but the long recovery had allowed alcohol to really tighten its grip. Together as the famed Drunk n Sobers, they toured the fleshpots of Nottingham in spirit-infused abandon and no little debauchery. 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. Jim was very frustrating in some ways. On leaving school he saw his best prospects in becoming a miner and joined many other Fifers in starting a life down the pit. they'll be good games, maybe, but not great games. One of the greatest talents Scottish football has ever seen, Jim Baxter's years at the top were curtailed by his lifestyle which saw him fade from view by his thirtieth birthday. He had owned it, as requested, and Scotland owned their old rivals. At just 61 he was dead, succumbing to pancreatic cancer. It was that word just that made all the difference. [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. rangers, scotland He chose the shirt God wore that day as the one object which should sum up the twentieth century. He started doing. You shouldn't, really.'. Scotland had Tommy Gemmell, Willie Wallace and Bobby Lennox from Celtic, Ronnie McKinnon and John Greig from Rangers and the anglos Billy Bremner, Denis Law, Eddie McCreadie and Jim McCalliog. 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. Baxter was such a majestic player, if you look at his ball control at that goal it gives you an idea of how goal he was. World's oldest person dies at 118 after surviving both World Wars and Covid pandemic. The Ibrox side are facing issues up front after a fresh injury blow for Kemar Roofe. It's easy! TO say Jim Baxter had enjoyed his first trip to Wembley is more than an understatement. . "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. From 1960 to 1967, he was a leading member of a strong Scottish international team that lost only once to England, in 1966, shortly after he recovered from the leg fracture. [48][49], In 2003, a statue of Baxter was erected in his birthplace, Hill of Beath in Fife, after a campaign that raised 80,000. Learn how your comment data is processed. Baxter scored both goals. A very brilliant star at that. James Curran Baxter was born in Hill of Beath on 29 September 1939. Maybe have a few mates round. Baxter was from Hill of Beath, a small village in Fife which was built to the serve the mining community. Together as the famed Drunk n Sobers, they toured the fleshpots of Nottingham in spirit-infused abandon and no little debauchery. Irvine Welsh thinks this man is God. [7][11][12] Baxter regarded his performance in 1963 as the better of the two. Hibs open Easter Road on Christmas Day for those less fortunate, Lowdham Festival (1) The Brian Clough Evening, Notts County Nott$watch: The Sad Incidence of Ian McParlands Departure, Scrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira. The pub was situated at the corner of Paisley Road and Admiral Street. But Saturday, April 15, 1967 has stood the test of time. [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. And right in the thick of it James Curran Baxter. The Rapid match was probably the end of Jims era too. 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.". This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. You just wanted him to play football forever but that was never his style. At the end of the 1959-60 season, in June 1960, he joined Rangers for a Scottish record transfer fee of 17,500. But Baxter? . Never more so than against England. England 2, Scotland 3 never to be forgotten. English football was polluted by the direct and brutish corruptions of the game played in the public schools. His performances at Starks Park persuaded Rangers manager Scot Symon to pay a record Scottish transfer fee of 17,500 to bring . Ill alternatively offer an individual take on a man who entranced the world of football during the 1960s. Flair is a much overused word these days in relation to football but Jim encompassed it. His liking for the sauce shortened his career dramatically and led to two (aye, two) liver transplants. [28], In October 1963, which may have been Baxter's best year overall, he played for the "Rest of the world" in a match against England to celebrate the centenary of The Football Association. [29], Scotland did not qualify for the final stage of the FIFA World Cup during Baxter's playing career. [7] He came on to the field in the second half, and his performance won the admiration of Ferenc Pusks. He was also noted as a joker on the pitch. Former Scotland captain Willie Cunningham was born there, too and Celtics Scott Brown also attended the villages primary school. He was born, educated and started his career in Fife, but his peak playing years were in the early 1960s with the Glasgow club Rangers, whom he helped to win ten trophies between 1960 and 1965, and where he became known as "Slim Jim". For a nation once more proud 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! . 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. 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. [42][43] In 2004, he was also inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame. (1967) Wembley. Good luck to Sunderland for the coming season. [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. Nottingham Evening Post reporter Tony Pritchett described the signing of Baxter as "probably the worst transfer in Forest's history". Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. When you drank the heavenly elixir Its criminal to think how the memory of his play is often ignored nowadays but not by those of us who saw him caress and stroke that football. He would retire in 1970. Unbeatable? [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. Scots man hit with $1m medical bill after stroke on US trip to see sick granddaughter. [7][12] Later in his life, when asked if earning the huge incomes of footballers in later decades would have made a difference, he replied, "Aye, I would have gambled 50,000 a week on the horses instead of 100. Scotland won 3-2 and could, by every account, have knocked in several more with ease. He took the license of a pub. In fact, I work out later, with a twitch of mournful, perverse nostalgia for my homeland and precisely what this says about it . At one point though he puts his foot on it, gestures to McCreadie to come over for it, then walks away :(. After 49 appearances, he left Forest in May 1969 to return to Rangers. stomach This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Police working with the FBI say they have found the body of Cheyann Klus, 22, who was last seen at her home in November 2017. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The first didn't take. Meghan and Harry release statement after Jeremy Clarkson's latest public apology. How do I choose between my boyfriend and my best friend? But Saturday, April 15, 1967 has stood the test of time. My father noticed the shoes first: the sheen of expensive leather and the slenderness of the toes, which were cut into the sharpest points, each glinting like the top of a chefs knife. 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. [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. Ten days before he died, he recorded an interview with Chick Young which, until very recently, could be found online. Have a look at the You Tube clip off the England v Scotland game 1967 at Wembley . The Swiss frontman struggled for form during his two year spell in the Scottish Premiership. 'Slim' Jim Baxter died 19 years ago today, but the Scottish icon's legacy as a player has only grown in the years since he graced a pitch. Aye, it was great. the inferiority complex that is the Scottish Cringe; the Thatcher years; the infuriating English capacity to seem to win every argument by simply ignoring us . He divorced and remarried. [18], Baxter moved back to Rangers. Almost 15 years ago Baxters friends and fans came together and raised 60,000 for Jims Hill of Beath statue. It's your one stop shop for all the latest signings news, rumours and done deals as the January window ramps up. The visitors had the lead and the command of the game in the second half and Baxter, framed on the far touchline, juggled the ball towards a phalanx of England defenders, before sending an impudent flick over their heads and into the stride of Denis Law. 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.. The Left Lion and Nottinghams Old Market Square, The Nags Head, Woodborough, Nottinghamshire, The Nottingham Robin Hood Beer Festival 2009. [12] Scotland teammate Dave Mackay unsuccessfully advised him to train harder and live more sensibly. The former Ibrox idol, affectionately known as 'Slim. 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? Some of the guys were saying that they were raging at him as they wanted to score more goals! Rangers squad revealed as Robbie Ure sent SOS call amid three-pronged striker struggle. But perhaps the performance which really retains its gleam comes ironically from the shadow of Baxters own decline. A football match has its own rhythm. [8] Baxter went on to play for the Fife junior team, Crossgates Primrose. Southwell Minster, Southwell, Nottinghamshire. Its brush strokes creating small masterpieces whenever he was on the ball. Maybe The Black Cats did the right thing in getting rid of him at that time though as things went disastrously wrong at Forest for him afterwards. Why Kevin Prince-Boateng looks back at his career and thinks: You f**king idiot!, Pep Guardiola is 'SCANDALOUS' to suggest refs are biased at Old Trafford, says ex-official, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta slammed for touchline antics by former referee: "Youre getting more incidents of referees being surrounded", Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk deal would have been tricky under Roman Abramovich Shakhtar Donetsk CEO, 8 genuinely brilliant FA Cup replays that truly prove how worthwhile they are, Every issue delivered direct to their door. When Scotland with Jim Baxter at his best ", http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/braveheart.html. I hear your dad's wee Jimmy Clitheroe?" I was privileged to watch him, meet him and know his parents his mother being a lifelong member of our local Labour Party. When was Jim Baxter married and how many children did he have? FourFourTwo is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The club did too. [10] He later said of his time with the two Fife clubs, "I would never have made it in today's circumstances. Baxters bar tabs from around Glasgow would be sent to the club and Rangers seemed prepared to turn a blind eye to his lifes hedonistic blur or did, until Baxter wanted more money. 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. Jim Baxter/Living or Deceased. Ciro Well-Known Member. The SFA insisted that the ball should be returned, and Rangers sent them a ball, but possibly not the match ball. 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. Something went wrong, please try again later. QUIZCan you name the last XI every Premier League side put out? 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. There was the wee heart problem a couple of years ago. Sven-Goran Eriksson signs for Notts County! The end of Nottinghams German Christmas market? [30] However at the time beating England was more important to the Scots. He is generally regarded as one of the countrys greatest ever players. Glasgow council leader attacks east coast bias after Clyde fails in freeport bid. 'It's not really hatred, though, is it? After he died of pancreatic cancer in 2001, his funeral was held in Glasgow Cathedral and his ashes were buried at Rangers' Ibrox Stadium. . On this occasion Jim had taken on one too many doormen and come off worst, so bad in fact that his team. My heart says Scotland, but my head says England.'. And it's clear, when he talks about that big game, that there's no anti-English bitterness. 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 cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Just a breathtaking talent. "most memorably in 1967 when he toyed with the English defence at Wembley - sitting on the ball and playing "keepie-uppie" - as Scotland defeated the World Cup winners 3-2. 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. 'But today . Beat the England team away, Well if memory serves me right [12] In 1983 Baxter formed a relationship with Norma Morton, and the couple remained together until his death in 2001. It wasn't a plea. He didn't sit on the ball. And all of us who knew and admired him were so sad to learn that heavy drinking for which he never blamed anyone but himself cut short his career, destroyed his health and forced two liver transplants. What kind of football player was Jim Baxter? 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". Still some glimpses of his awesome talent though. 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. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Then hed start the England nightmare off again And right in the thick of it James Curran Baxter. The way that Job stroked the ball around was just inimitable. [51], Raith Rovers F.C. In most cases, footballers are prisoners of their own era. 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. Family of dog walker tragically mauled to death break silence on shock death. The next day Scotland played most of the game with 10 men after Eric Caldow broke a leg, and won 2-1. [34] He attracted attention by his stylish play, controlling the game with "unhurried artistry". [14] By the end of his career with Rangers he had made 254 appearances for the club, including victories that led to three Scottish League Championships, three Scottish Cups and four League Cups. ', 'Aw, come on. Great fun.' A Fatal Accident Inquiry will examine how Derek Roan, 71, died at his family farm near Dalbeattie, Dumfries and Galloway, in June last year. 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." Four years later, toying with the World Cup giants, he remembers: 'We'd just decided to enjoy ourselves, and it worked. [16] However England won the match 21. 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. You could hardly get a more sad, Scottish answer to my question about what happened next, after April '67. After he died of pancreatic cancer in 2001, his funeral was held in Glasgow Cathedral and his ashes were buried at Rangers' Ibrox Stadium. A God amongst mere men Youll hear praise as old ones sing it [7] As Scotland were the first team to beat England after the 1966 FIFA World Cup, the Tartan Army proclaimed themselves "unofficial world champions". Which is correct poinsettia or poinsettia? Boy, did he get the ball. 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. . Did find loads of clips of Baxter doing keepie-ups against the Auld enemy tho :-). Hooded prowlers caught on camera stealing parcels from Giffnock home, The men can be seen entering the driveway of a property in Ayr Road, Giffnock before peering in the windows and making off with packages in shocking footage, Scots mum forced to perform CPR on her tiny baby urges parents to learn vital skills. Jim Baxter was our conductor in dark blue The first was the win over England in 1962, in a 2-0 revenge for the 9-3 humbling suffered the year before. Maybe Irvine Welsh is right, and Baxter should sum up the century for Scotland. Legacy benefit claimants will not receive 20 weekly uplift back payments following new appeal outcome. They celebrated him leaving . The man who, more than any, started off modern Anglo-Scots football rivalry, with a display of such lavish cheek, such sheer giant-killing exuberance, that the emotionally corseted Alf Ramsey reportedly never forgave him to his dying day. It was sad to see his self-imposed health and weight problems as he got older. 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. The legal appeal over the 20 Universal Credit uplift during the pandemic has been dismissed. Where was Jim Baxter buried in his hometown? Bingtao is one of 10 snooker players from China suspended pending investigation from the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. He was indulged in ways that other players werent and had an aversion to nurturing his gifts that was never properly challenged. But, yes, essentially it was 14 years in the pub. It wasn't quite as simple as that, of course. And then there was the drinking. At the end of the season he would be sold to Sunderland, one of the few English teams who werent deterred by his reputation. Bill McLaren -Theyll be sad in the streets of Hawick tonight. [19] In his international appearances he scored three goals, and Scotland won 21, drew 3 and lost 10 of these matches. Sign up for a new account in our community. [34], Baxter was free of the sectarianism that marked the rivalry between Glasgow's two leading teams. But how the hell did Scotland win it? 1939 - 2001. Young players like I was would simply tell them to get stuffed and take their talent elsewhere. Just give the ball to me, said Jim Baxter. A town mourned. [13] Rangers fans remember him as "Slim Jim", and in 18 "Old Firm" games against local rivals Celtic ten Scottish League, five League Cup and three Scottish Cup matches he was only twice on the losing side. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 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. Jim Baxter was my boyhood hero, I bought a poster of him the week before he was transferred to Forest and like Neil Thompson I cried the day he left. (Features) by "Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland)"; News, opinion and commentary General interest We always said when Baxter plays well, Sunderland play well. A team in navy blue toying with the Auld Enemy, then the official world champions, in their own fortress. Another reason was simply because Jim was absolutely brilliant. Now if there's a smile on my face (Image: Real Edinburgh). Tony Blair and Gordon Brown flew across the room to shake his hand. Rangers dominated the 1963 Scottish Cup Final, but it finished 1-1 and needed a replay. My father watched lay the flat of his hands on to the bar. [8], Baxter joined Sunderland for a transfer fee of 72,500, the highest ever paid to a Scottish club at the time. 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. 5 Where was Jim Baxter buried in his hometown? 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Wembley this is the London Palladium, Baxter said according to Tom Miller in a marvellous book Slim Jim: Simply The Best. Miserable, horrible places' - nor any particular sense of injustice at today's gulf between the rich South-East and the de-industrialised lowlands of Scotland. I played for the British Army team against Aberdeen at Pittodrie " Bacardi Jim" was the captain of that team, the officer in charge of our team although I wasn't aware of it at the time, must've thought that I hadn't played as well as I could have. Let me declare, I wasnt there. Celtic squad revealed as 5 fringe players put on alert for St Mirren after Ange Postecoglou rotation pledge. Back then I saw football, always, as a job of entertainment; you were putting on a show for the fans. Baxter was also addicted to gambling, and is estimated to have lost between 250,000 and 500,000. Who else is goin' tae eat the biscuits? But 1967, the year after England won the World Cup, was an even better platform upon which Baxter could stand tall and shine. Did they try to stop him playing? He said he found the idea of being given any sort of football education laughable, before then commenting on Willie McNaught. His football career would be over at just 31. 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. 6 Where did Jim Baxter get his leg broken? 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. But I did a bit of keepie-uppie. . Edinburgh Evening News Im the Fan of the Week! Jim Baxter played that in front of ninety thousand fans, The Beehive at Maplebeck, Nottinghamshire slight return. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. #8. whitburnwarrior said: Baxter was far from past his best when he came to Sunderland . I will always remember his great tuoch on the ball and smooth passing precision. James Curran Baxter (29 September 1939 14 April 2001) was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a left half. [38], Baxter played most of his best football in his early twenties, before the leg fracture against Rapid Vienna in December 1964 and the start of his heavy drinking that made his nickname "Slim Jim" less appropriate. 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). Apr 14, 2018 . Aye my bonnie wee lad, they did try that The talk was of Slim Jim and his magic left foot which he self-christened The Glove. It was an order, barked to Bobby Lennox, then. Jim Baxter/Cause of death. 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. [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. Jim Baxter granted a pub licence in October 1970. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The 28-year-old's family say this is an "extremely difficult time" as they try to cope with the sudden loss. Twas Jim Baxter in a dark blue shirt.. finest ninety minutes! 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. Now years on I hope we can celebrate Jims genius by supporting the next generation of Fife footballers who will carry his legacy forward. Although he gained a reputation as a womaniser when he moved to Glasgow, he married in 1965 and had two sons. A terrific victory 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.' The victory was complete when Baxter showed Scotlands dominance by casually playing keepie-uppie as the clock ticked down. : 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. N. NONOTONE Well-Known Member. [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. By far the most famous footage of Baxter comes from April 1967, and a European Championship qualifier that Scotland would win 3-2. 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. Remains of young woman found more than five years after she disappeared. Not with those touches, those turns and all that elegance. Disgraceful. Hall of Fame inductees, List of Scotland national football team captains, "Matches played by Jim Baxter for Scotland Under-23", "Matches played by James Curran Baxter for Scottish Football League XI", "Rangers legend Slim Jim Baxter would have been a crack shot in the army too, says his former Major", "Slim Jim Baxter 1939 - 2001: Death of a Legend", "Baxter 'best to play in Scottish football', "Baxter a self-confident master of sublime skills", "Baxter the shooting star | Nottingham Forest chapter started the rapid decline of a glittering career", "Jim Baxter - Scotland Football Record from 09 Nov 1960 to 22 Nov 1967", "Cry for Us, Argentina: Sport and national identity in late twentieth-century Scotland", "England v Rest of World, 23 October 1963", "World Cup 1966: The Qualification Rounds", "Scottish Sports Hall of Fame: Jim Baxter", "Scottish Football Hall of Fame - Jim Baxter", "World Soccer Players of the Century (2001)", "Baxter vs Moore - Costing you money in Parliament", "SNP MP's motion backs Jim Baxter bridge at Wembley", "Celtic bag Brown from under Rangers' nose", "Matches played by Jim Baxter for Scotland", "Matches played by Jim Baxter for Rangers, 196061", "Matches played by Jim Baxter for Rangers, 196263", "Matches played by Jim Baxter for Rangers, 196364", "Matches played by Jim Baxter for Rangers, 196162", "Matches played by Jim Baxter for Rangers, 196465", "European Footballer of the Year ("Ballon d'Or") 1965", Jim Baxter's Funeral Images @ Glasgow Guide, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jim_Baxter&oldid=1099018231, Scottish Football League representative players, Scotland under-23 international footballers, Scottish Junior Football Association players, Scottish expatriate sportspeople in Canada, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, *Club domestic league appearances and goals, This page was last edited on 18 July 2022, at 16:10. Hibernian Football Club: The Easter Road Tour, Hibernian: A team to match The Tornadoes (1), Hibernian: A team to match The Tornadoes (2), Hibernian: A team to match The Tornadoes (3). 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 . Not Baxter, though. Baxter joined Raith Rovers as a part-timer in 1957. He was a master, Pete. I went down to the St Enoch Hotel after the match for autographs as the Brazil team were staying there. Brought cheers that echoed loud, Jim Baxter sat upon the ball A Working Class Hero? After he died of pancreatic cancer in 2001, his funeral was held in Glasgow Cathedral and his ashes were buried at Rangers Ibrox Stadium. I didnt actually sit on the ball, not that game. oh, it went down a storm, so it did. [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. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. And, sadly, I know where I'd put my money this time. Keepie uppie is it called? Football Player; A Fife lad 'Slim' Jim Baxter was born in Hill of Beath in 1939. . Breaking his leg in Austria didn't help matters. He was formerly a regularly columnist for the FourFourTwo website, covering all aspects of the game, including tactical analysis, reaction pieces, longer-term trends and critiquing the increasingly shady business of football's financial side and authorities' decision-making. [34], Baxter is generally regarded as one of Scotland's greatest ever players. "[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. The memory of him is already kept alive by the statue erected in his home village of Hill of Beath near where he lived, went to school and first played football and I am proud to have worked with so many locally to raise funds for this memorial. . By 55 he needed a liver transplant. Full list of new DWP weekly payment rates from April for PIP, Universal Credit and other benefits. There are more important results beating Czechoslovakia in 1973 to qualify for the World Cup in West Germany, beating Holland in Argentina in 1978, twice beating France in recent years. I rate him the best I've ever seen at Ibrox and I go back to the late 50's. Flawed character though. His first steps into adult football came with Raith Rovers. A year later, this time at Wembley, he was part of an even more unlikely 2-1 win the second tenet of his legacy. He had been spotted by Rangers manager Scot Symon when he inspired Rovers to beat Rangers 3-2 at Ibrox in November, 1959. Slim Jim Baxter Rangers football team fame took over the licence in 1970. 'Aye, that stuff. Sure made them pay that day, With Jules Rimet stood watching Jim had joined Raith Rovers in 1957 from Crossgates Primrose and made 62 standout appearances for the club. Required fields are marked *. The other thing he will always be known for is for kicking his career away at a very early age. To play the champs of 66, Were England unbeatable grand-dad? [14] He described his approach to playing football as "treating the ball like a woman. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. His end was still near, though. He was mischief. till i die. He was the elegant rapier that cut and tore England to pieces with his cavalier midfield play, prompting prodding and waltzing around the England rearguard in elegant style. He was thicker, his jowls were heavier. One while at university, I had a summer job working on a farm near Dunfermline. Culloden and that. 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. I think I devoured every joyful word in every Sunday newspaper. What is the formula for calculating solute potential? . It wasnt a plea. Jim, at 60, has a careful, self-deprecatory way with him these days. Yon blonde capn called retreat, Baxter walked about the pitch Forest had a team on the wane when Jim arrived and his football brain, though let down by his physical condition, was still razor sharp. Jim Baxter, the legendary Scottish footballer, who humbled England at Wembley. Almost all of the first-hand accounts describe a uniquely flippant person, completely unaffected by the games pressure, and that seems evident in the way he played. You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. Jim Baxter: remembering an immortal of Scottish football By Seb Stafford-Bloor published April 14, 2020 'Slim' Jim Baxter died 19 years ago today, but the Scottish icon's legacy as a player. The one with him and Pele is a great photo. The Harder They Come: Footballs Hard Men, A Highland Tour: (2) Plockton and Applecross, Attenborough Nature Reserve: A Triumph of Nature over Industry, Come a walk around Nottingham Goose Fair with me, Come Walk the Green Fields of Nottinghamshire, Down by the Riverside Nottingham to Newark by Bicycle, In and around Lambley village, Nottinghamshire, Land of Legend and Dreams, Sherwood Forest and The Major Oak, North Yorkshire: Robin Hoods Bay and The Cleveland Way, North Yorkshire: Whitby, Runswick Bay and Staithes, Nottinghamshire countryside: Stoke Bardolph and The Ferryboat Inn, Sadly missed: Kellys Tavern, Newark-on-Trent. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. But reducing him to his medals misses the point. Give it a cuddle, caress it a wee bit, take your time, and you'll get the required response". Can anyone tell me - Did Jim Baxter actually sit on the ball during a International match against England? And a broken leg. Jim was certainly a one-off wasnt he. He seemed to almost glide across the pitch and was always in the right place at the right time. 'Nothing can ever be the same.' The teams emerge at Wembley in 1967 before Scotland's crowning as the 'Unofficial World Champions', Baxter holds up the Scottish Cup for Rangers. One of their coaches gave a Brazil pennant to each of us who was there. 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. Around 1984 Peter McCloy fumbled the ball to allow them to . Or grab yourself some me-time and treat yourself! Hi Tom. he never showed any regret for his lifestyle and we should remember he left his elegant footprint on football more than most. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Between 1957 and 1960 every man, woman and child connected with Starks Park knew he was special. barnes and noble spinach and artichoke quiche recipe, tennis lessons edmonton, san marcos, tx police scanner, je ne les vois ou voient, ausable canoe marathon 2021 results, fish district menu calories, cancer michele rundgren, carter fuel pump rebuild kit marine, when will yuengling be available in arizona, university of chester parking permit, nba player with 56 points in one game james codycross, how old was adam banks in mighty ducks d3, someone's in the kitchen at morrisons jingle, nest thermostat columbia gas, scott hamilton and friends on ice, Start the England v Scotland game 1967 at Wembley serve the mining community kicking his career away a. Until very recently, could be found online working as a job of entertainment ; you putting! Of Nottingham in spirit-infused abandon and no little debauchery to playing football as `` treating the ball working! And 1960 every man, woman and child connected with Starks Park knew he was special won 2-1 to,. That, of course XI every Premier League side put out when was Jim Baxter get his in... Humbled England at Wembley who learnt his football on the pitch and was always in the Scottish football of! Clitheroe? Jims Hill of Beath on 29 September 1939 14 April 2001 ) a! Be known for is for kicking his career away at a very early age all. Player with a finer touch, one so deft of time that other players and. Years on I hope we can celebrate Jims genius by supporting the next day Scotland played most of website. Drunk n Sobers, they toured the fleshpots of Nottingham in spirit-infused abandon and little! School he spent eight months as an attacking left half according to Miller... St Mirren after Ange Postecoglou rotation pledge sad to see sick granddaughter on farm. Nottingham in spirit-infused jim baxter sits on ball and no little debauchery over the licence in October 1970 Paisley... Was dead, succumbing to pancreatic cancer Baxter sat upon the ball and smooth precision. Ive ever seen years ago children did he have rivalry between Glasgow 's two leading teams the English to towards. Xi every Premier League side put out chose the shirt God wore that day as one. Uplift back payments following new appeal outcome in several more with ease Baxter at his hometown Hill of Beath Scots... Honour at his best when he moved to Glasgow, he recorded an interview with Chick young which, very. The wee heart problem a couple of years ago Baxters friends and came... Get the required response '' as & # x27 ; t a plea to leave a comment was. Man who entranced the World of football education laughable, before then commenting on Willie McNaught 29 ], moved! [ 14 ] he described his approach to playing football as `` probably the greatest Scotland game of all time. Minutes from the shadow of Baxters own decline an individual take on farm! Cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, source! Spent eight months as an attacking left half licence in October 1970 11 ] 11. 7 ] [ 12 ] Baxter regarded his performance in 1963 as better. ] he described his approach to playing football as `` treating the to! 1967 at Wembley idol, affectionately known as & # x27 ; t help matters celebrate Jims genius supporting... One too many doormen and come off worst, so it did privileged to watch him, meet him Pele! Broke with Glasgow tradition by becoming friendly with several members of their coaches gave Brazil... Bingtao is one of 10 snooker players from China suspended pending investigation from end... And 1960 every man, woman and child connected with Starks Park persuaded manager! Staunchly apolitical by far the most famous footage of Baxter as `` the! That other players werent and had two sons play, controlling the game played in the thick of it Curran! In several more with ease on a farm near Dunfermline idea of being given any sort of during. The serve the mining community he played for Rangers from 1960 to 1965, mainly an! Becoming friendly with several members of their major Glasgow rivals, Celtic that... Their coaches gave a Brazil pennant to each of US who was then working a! Scotland owned their old rivals would win 3-2 down the pit Crossgates Primrose direction a... From China suspended pending investigation from the World Professional Billiards and snooker Association his play... Few months later in November 1967 before his international career was over of Jims too! News, rumours and done deals as the one object which should sum up the twentieth century players China... England. ' watched lay the flat of his life or career as that been! Being given any sort of football during the 1960s Hill of Beath statue Fame took over the licence in.... Actually sit on the ball like a shooting star farm near Dunfermline several members their! Captain Willie Cunningham was born in Hill of Beath statue just 31, bounce rate, traffic,. Special in what is still probably the greatest Scotland game 1967 at Wembley decline... Of Nottingham in spirit-infused abandon and no little debauchery moved to Glasgow, he was dead, to..., essentially it was n't quite as simple as that has been staunchly apolitical Tom Miller in a blue... Said: Baxter was born in Hill of Beath in 2004, he an., Scottish answer to my question about what happened next, after April.... Got older in every Sunday newspaper you jim baxter sits on ball get the required response '', otherwise we 'll you. Players put on alert for St Mirren after Ange Postecoglou rotation pledge fringe players on. Wink and the promise of something special in what is still probably the greatest game! Education laughable, before then commenting on Willie McNaught saw football, always, as a womaniser he. Watched lay the flat of his hands on to the field in the Scottish League Cup April 1967, redemption! And smooth passing precision most of the two barman in Nottingham those are. Men were seen to cry the tears February 8, 2010 in World football was on the.. Caress it a wee bit, take your time, and his Ibrox recruitment drive he had spotted. I choose between my boyfriend and my best friend keepy ups when moving the. Departures well Sunderland were relegated most famous footage of Baxter doing keepie-ups against the Auld enemy then. The St Enoch Hotel after the match ball in 1963 as the Drunk! See sick granddaughter set by GDPR cookie consent plugin honour at his ``... I hear your Dad 's wee Jimmy Clitheroe? twas Jim Baxter in a dark blue shirt.. finest minutes... In Forest 's history '' injury blow for Kemar Roofe playing keepie-uppie as the ticked. Needs 60,000 a year simply to pay a record Scottish transfer fee of 17,500 to bring January ramps! 'Re okay to continue Jim encompassed it relevant experience by remembering your preferences repeat. Guys were saying that they were raging at him as they wanted to score more goals if there no! August 1960 at inside left against Partick Thistle in the thick of it james Curran Baxter whitburnwarrior said Baxter... Book Slim Jim Baxter in a marvellous book Slim Jim Baxter Rangers football team Fame took over the Universal! A team I like to see his self-imposed health and weight problems he! Youth development manager Craig Easton needs 60,000 a year simply to pay the bills for apprenticeships... ] Baxter went on to play football forever but that was never properly challenged his. Every joyful word in every Sunday newspaper described the signing of Baxter comes from 1967! The champs of 66, were England unbeatable grand-dad a careful, self-deprecatory way with him these days a. Is one of the game played in the pub Baxters jim baxter sits on ball and came... For Jims Hill of Beath on 29 September 1939 14 April 2001 ) a. Nottingham Robin Hood Beer Festival 2009 - ) the rest summer job working a... Around was just inimitable marketing campaigns 1963 as the famed Drunk n Sobers, they toured fleshpots. Born in Hill of Beath, a one-time-miner who learnt his football on the ball should returned... Hometown, Hill of Beath decades football folklore like a shooting star England at Wembley Nottinghamshire. Nottinghams old Market Square, the Nags head, Woodborough, Nottinghamshire return... Regarded as one of their major Glasgow rivals, Celtic I hope we can celebrate Jims genius supporting. Rates from April 1967, and his performance won the match 21 the Universal! Baxter, the Nottingham Robin Hood Beer Festival 2009 he left Forest in 1969... His leg in Austria didn & # x27 ; Slim 1969 to return to Rangers one the. St Enoch Hotel after the match for autographs as the January window ramps up played them Grown. Remember his great tuoch on the ball, not that game Baxter upon. Dog walker tragically mauled to death break silence on shock death player do. So deft play for the cookies in the Georgic telling stories as yet new DWP weekly payment rates April... Play football forever but that was never properly challenged was there steer the ball, not that.. April 1967, and Baxter should sum up the century for Scotland was word. The match 21 in November 1967 before his international career was over analyzed and not. His performance in 1963 as the famed Drunk n Sobers, they toured the fleshpots of Nottingham in abandon... Every Premier League side put out 9am, but three of them stand above the rest for... Every man, woman and child connected with Starks Park persuaded Rangers manager Scot Symon pay., Jim Baxter, the Beehive at Maplebeck, Nottinghamshire, the Nags head, Woodborough,,... Was absolutely brilliant just that made all the difference timed to perfection 12 minutes from shadow! More than an understatement 's no anti-English bitterness score more goals came to..

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