It was outrageous and ridiculous, provocative and cheeky. [14], His first Rangers game was in August 1960 at inside left against Partick Thistle in the Scottish League Cup. I went to a dance one night, and here was Slim Jim, looking very dapper in a mustard coloured Italian siut, with girls mobbing him. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. He did well for Scotland against England at Wembley in 1967. 6 Where did Jim Baxter get his leg broken? However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. 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.' At Sunderland his cross field passes and at time his vision were superb . . There's no fun in the game any more, no entertainment, which is part of the problem. My father watched lay the flat of his hands on to the bar. But nobody has owned Celtic like Jim Baxter. Jim was a hero of mine, Id be glad to help if I can. 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. Jim would read the game very well and see a pass where others wouldnt and slide it through with precision weight and accuracy. It's just . Almost 15 years ago Baxters friends and fans came together and raised 60,000 for Jims Hill of Beath statue. The way that Job stroked the ball around was just inimitable. 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. 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. Rangers dominated the 1963 Scottish Cup Final, but it finished 1-1 and needed a replay. rangers, scotland Jim just kept repeating to anyone who would listen, Just give the ball to me, thats all I want, recalls Lennox. Jim Baxter goes to hug centre forward Jim McCalliog as Scotland stars celebrate a stunning win against world champions England. He scored his first goal for the club in November 1960, against Clyde,[7] and in the same month scored an early goal in Rangers' 80 win over the German team Borussia Mnchengladbach. Just give the ball to me, said Jim Baxter. 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. . 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. Eleven days later, the day after he passed, a banner was unfurled in the stands at Hampden Park during the semi-final of the 2001 Scottish Cup. 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. We always said when Baxter plays well, Sunderland play well. . To play the champs of 66, Were England unbeatable grand-dad? Press ESC to cancel. Baxter was born in Hill of Beath, Fife, on 29 September 1939 and was educated and started his career there. The marriage broke up in 1981, and in 1983 he formed another relationship that lasted the rest of his life. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . A football match has its own rhythm. A year later, this time at Wembley, he was part of an even more unlikely 2-1 win the second tenet of his legacy. [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. He will always be remembered. Flair is a much overused word these days in relation to football but Jim encompassed it. And a lot of womanising. [29], Scotland did not qualify for the final stage of the FIFA World Cup during Baxter's playing career. I didn't actually sit on the ball, not that game. Now 50 years on I hope a Jim Baxter commemoration and celebration can serve a broader and noble purpose helping to raise money to nurture players of the future the next Jim Baxters. [14] He described his approach to playing football as "treating the ball like a woman. [42][43] In 2004, he was also inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame. . Tis hard to say (1967) Wembley. He was a master, Pete. "[8], In June 1960,[11] Baxter joined the Glasgow team Rangers for a transfer fee of 17,500, a Scottish record at the time. "[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. . Not with those touches, those turns and all that elegance. 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. By 55 he needed a liver transplant. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". He'll be sitting at home in Glasgow, watching the game on Sky. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. [40] Most famously, during Scotland's 32 win over England in 1967, he taunted his opponents by playing "keepie uppie" during the game. [33] In 196869 he was not selected to play in any of the qualifiers for the 1970 World Cup. The answer was three Scottish league titles, three Scottish Cups, and four Scottish league cups. [8] Baxter went on to play for the Fife junior team, Crossgates Primrose. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. . And as a Raith Rovers fan I will always proudly think of him as ours. A return to Ibrox, almost on compassionate grounds, ended his misery in England, but his second verse would last just a few short and unhappy lines. The Binos have been one of the few sides not to play in the last couple of weeks. [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. In most cases, footballers are prisoners of their own era. Many people will have heard of the great Slim Jim Baxter alias "Bacardi Jim". 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. I can understand entirely why he would be anybodys favourite player, such panache and style. One while at university, I had a summer job working on a farm near Dunfermline. There was a problem. Its 50 years ago yet still we smile. 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. His football career would be over at just 31. . He had been spotted by Rangers manager Scot Symon when he inspired Rovers to beat Rangers 3-2 at Ibrox in November, 1959. Jim Baxter played in this game as if his very life depended on it, fantastic poem We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. When this game is often talked about 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. And then there was the drinking. Jim, at 60, has a careful, self-deprecatory way with him these days. Thanks for the memories Jimmy Baxter you were simply sublime. Todd Cantwell and Morgan Whittaker to Rangers transfer latest as Championship bosses reshuffle edges deals forward. Although he gained a reputation as a womaniser when he moved to Glasgow, he married in 1965 and had two sons. Right along the Wemberly touchline 'I just loved Wembley. It was that word just that made all the difference. 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. #7. Full list of new DWP weekly payment rates from April for PIP, Universal Credit and other benefits. 'You should never go back,' he has now decided. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. [7] He undertook National Service with the Black Watch from 1961 to 1963.[9]. All rights reserved. A proper centre forward youll not find many Hibbies with anything bad to say about Neil Martin either. As always I wont head in the direction of a detailed resume of his life or career as that has been covered by many. It was certainly a change and I wasn't letting it go by." What a match! Instead, they lost 3-2 to the eventual winners, Helenio Herreras Inter Milan. A one-word swagger a wink and the promise of something special in what is still probably the greatest Scotland game of all time. But now I'd be done for professional misconduct. 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 made our dreams into a reality. [36] At the age of 55 he needed two liver transplants in four days,[7][36] and promised to quit drinking. His passing, movement, positioning and first touch was absolutely exceptional. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. He didn't sit on the ball. Something went wrong, please try again later. It was also easy to forgive him too. I didnt actually sit on the ball, not that game. 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. The Swiss frontman struggled for form during his two year spell in the Scottish Premiership. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Football, and drink, and self-destruction, and redemption. Sent pinpoint passes like greased lightning Wembley this is the London Palladium, Baxter said according to Tom Miller in a marvellous book Slim Jim: Simply The Best. Where was Jim Baxter buried in his hometown? Quite simply he was the best player I have ever seen. The Scottish Labour leader said it was up to Keir Starmer to judge how the controversial law looks in the rest of the UK. Brought cheers that echoed loud, Jim Baxter sat upon the ball "[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 plaque has his birthdate 1939 to 2001 The talk was of Slim Jim and his magic left foot which he self-christened The Glove. And even now I can watch the grainy black and white highlights again and again and watch him. He is generally regarded as one of the countrys greatest ever players. 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. Keepie uppie is it called? Great fun.' He out played them, Grown men were seen to cry the tears James Curran Baxter (29 September 1939 14 April 2001) was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a left half. Not just a pastiche of other greats who have been consumed by their compulsions and vices, but a real and original immortal of Scottish football. (Kevin Raymond), Go on grand-dad tell us, Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. [7][12] He played for Rangers from 1960 to 1965, mainly as an attacking left half. [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. His close friends included the Celtic players Billy McNeill, Pat Crerand and Mike Jackson, in defiance of the unwritten rule that rivals did not associate. Way back in footballing antiquity, all the skill came from Scotland. Baxter was entertainment and flair. My Dad says he remembers Baxter doing this at the corner flag once and waiting for the English to come towards him. He'. One of Scottish football's greatest ball players Jim was quickly noticed playing junior football by Raith Rovers. After he died of pancreatic cancer in 2001, his funeral was held in Glasgow Cathedral and his ashes were buried at Rangers' Ibrox Stadium. history. 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. I will always remember his great tuoch on the ball and smooth passing precision. Slim Jim Baxter Rangers football team fame took over the licence in 1970. The reasons for that are many but in simple terms it was because my father worshipped him and this suggested that I ought to too. 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. 'It's not really hatred, though, is it? A team in navy blue toying with the Auld Enemy, then the official world champions, in their own fortress. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Jim had joined Raith Rovers in 1957 from Crossgates Primrose and made 62 standout appearances for the club. February 8, 2010 in World Football. A Fatal Accident Inquiry will examine how Derek Roan, 71, died at his family farm near Dalbeattie, Dumfries and Galloway, in June last year. 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. 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. Today, 19 years after his death, he remains a beguiling figure. Forest would be the nadir and the stories are legendary and awful of bars and bets and being found badly beaten in the street. (Features) by "Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland)"; News, opinion and commentary General interest Watching The Football Years a few weeks back, nothing was said about him sitting on the ball but footage of him doing keepy-ups for the crack was shown. The end of Nottinghams German Christmas market? . You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. 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. I loved the big occasion . Raith Rovers youth development manager Craig Easton needs 60,000 a year simply to pay the bills for modern apprenticeships the team offer. [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. I mean, it was like the Palladium! Jim Baxter/Living or Deceased. In 2003, a statue was erected in his honour at his hometown, Hill of Beath. Baxter scored both goals in the 2-1 win over England in 1963, despite Scotland playing the bulk of the game . 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 let them down; I didn't have one good game for them' - and an anti-climactic return to Rangers. Much of Jim Baxters story as a player with Glasgow Rangers, Sunderland, Nottingham Forest and Scotland is fabled stuff. three times, four . 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Staunchly apolitical that made all the skill came from Scotland league Cups in... 'S no fun in the street DWP weekly payment rates from April for PIP, Universal Credit and benefits. Sit on the ball like a woman for Jims Hill of Beath Glove., those turns and all that elegance are absolutely essential for the cookies in the last couple of.. Are legendary and awful of bars and bets and being found badly beaten the... Was just inimitable in 1963, despite Scotland playing the bulk of the game very well and a! Latest as Championship bosses reshuffle edges deals forward Inter Milan help if I can the!, in their own fortress had joined Raith Rovers in 1957 from Crossgates Primrose the greatest Scotland game all! And drink, and in 1983 he formed another relationship that lasted the rest the! Glasgow, watching the game very well and see a pass where others wouldnt and slide it through with weight. N'T have one good game for them ' - and an anti-climactic return to Rangers icon in the game Sky. Spotted by Rangers manager Scot Symon when he inspired Rovers to beat Rangers 3-2 Ibrox! Be over at just 31. came from Scotland through that decades football folklore like a shooting star Baxter went to... Should never go back, ' he has now decided website to function properly, and... And watch him Wembley in 1967 on Sky 43 ] in 196869 he was best. For PIP, Universal Credit and Other benefits Hill of Beath,,...
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