Lisbon Lion and Club Great John Fallon Passes Away
Celtic have confirmed the sad news of John Fallon's passing today at the age of 84, a month after we lost another club legend in John Clark.
Celtic have confirmed the sad news of John Fallon's passing today at the age of 84, a month after we lost another club legend in John Clark.
John wasn’t just a former goalkeeper, he was a club legend, a Lisbon Lion, and a man whose love for the club flowed through every inch of his body until the day he died.
He joined the club in 1958 and spent 14 years at Celtic, making almost 200 appearances between the sticks. He helped Celtic end their eight year trophy drought in the 1965 Scottish Cup Final - which marked Jock Stein’s first trophy as manager.
During Fallon’s time at the club, there was unparalleled success, as he was part of the squad that won six League titles, five League Cups, and two Scottish Cups. During Celtic’s most famous night in May 1967, John watched on from the sidelines as the sole substitute as his teammates made history. He, too, became part of the immortal Lisbon Lions group - despite then club chairman Robert Kelly ordering Jock Stein to take the European Cup medal off Fallon as he did not play in the final - John would later receive a replica of the medal later that year, but would only receive the original medal years later.
After leaving Celtic, Celtic, John continued his playing career with Motherwell and Greenock Morton before retiring in the mid-1970s.
Yet, his connection to Celtic never faltered. His love for the club was a constant, enduring throughout the years. He remained a familiar face at matches, both home and away, and at numerous fan events - showing his unwavering dedication to the club and the fans who adored him.
John Fallon's legacy as a Lisbon Lion and a true Celtic great will forever be celebrated and remembered. Rest in peace, John.