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Fullname: James Brogan
aka: Jim Brogan, Brogie, Crazy Horse
Born: 5 June 1944
Died: 24 Sep 2018
Birthplace: Glasgow
Signed: 11 September 1962
Left: May 1975
Position: Defender, Left-back
First game: Falkirk 0-1 away League 21 September 1963
Last game: Rangers 2-2 Hampden Glasgow Cup final 10 May 1975
First goal: Saint Mirren 5-2 away league 13 February 1965
Last goal: Dundee 2-1 away Drybrough cup 31 July 1973
Internationals: Scotland
International Caps: 4 games
International Goals: 0 goals
Biog
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“As a player, Jim Brogan is perhaps the definition of ‘unsung hero’.”
Celtic FC (Sep 2018) |
Jim Brogan signed for Celtic in 1962 from junior side St Roch’s although it would not be until the 1968/69 that Jim could regard himself as a first team player. His first appearance was against Falkirk in September 1963 when he played right half at Brockville alongside his brother and winger Frank Brogan.
Jim Brogan became a stalwart of the Celtic reserve side and could be called upon as a reliable replacement in any of the half back positions. On 5th September 1964 Jim Brogan and John Cushley stood in for the injured regulars Bobby Murdoch and Billy McNeill respectively, and helped Celtic to a memorable, if surprising, 3-1 win on a day of atrocious weather conditions when Charlie Gallagher even contrived to miss a penalty. There was a press backlash afterwards as some scribes felt the aggressive Jim Brogan and John Cushley had gone too far with the physicality, especially on the much-vaunted Rangers duo of George McLean and Jim Forrest.
One great note for Jim Brogan and his family is that he got to play along with his brother in the first team in a handful of matches, including that debut against Falkirk in September 1963. Frank Brogan is the elder brother of Jim Brogan.
“To have two boys playing for Celtic at the one time was a dream come true. I can’t remember my father ever missing a Celtic game that I played and that speaks for itself if you’re talking about family pride.”
Frank Brogan
Jim Brogan showed great loyalty to Celtic by going back in the reserves for another long period and it was only when John Clark was injured in February of 1968 that Jim was given an extended run in the side and never looked back. Jim Brogan had a great end to the season as Celtic went on a long unbeaten run and won the league at Dunfermline in their last game on 30th April 1968 to give Jim his first winners medal. He was a natural in an aggressive role at sweeper alongside centre-half Billy McNeill.
Such was Jim’s good form that John Clark was now only used sparingly by Jock Stein. Jim Brogan had a great season in 1969/69 when he helped Celtic to another domestic treble and had notable games in the European Cup against Red Star Belgrade and AC Milan. In the Scottish Cup final against Rangers on 26th April 1969 he helped Celtic to fantastic 4-0 victory and stood his ground in a physical encounter notable for many heavy tackles. This was right up Jim’s street as he was well capable of handling himself when the going got tough.
The 1969/70 season was perhaps Jim’s best for Celtic when the club reached its second European Cup Final. He had excellent games against Fiorentina and especially against Leeds when he and McNeill helped to blunt the famed Leeds strike force of Mick Jones and Alan Clarke. Sadly, Celtic went down 2-1 to Feyenoord in the final in Milan, although Jim Brogan played well and it was the creative side of the Celtic team that was found wanting on the night.
Jim Brogan continued to be a regular in Stein’s great Celtic sides of the early 1970’s and was converted to left-back in 1971 after Tommy Gemmell fell from grace and was moved on, allowing the graceful George Connelly to fill in for Jim in the sweeper’s role in defence alongside Billy McNeill. Two of his earliest outings in the number 3 shorts were in the 1971 Scottish Cup final and replay against Rangers when Celtic eventually won 2-1. Jim was up against Willie Henderson on both occasions and twice managed to win his personal battles with Rangers right-wing star. In 1971 he won four caps for Scotland such was his good form, and he had the distinction of playing against England at Wembley in a 3-1 defeat on 22nd May 1971.
Jim Brogan continued at left back for the rest of his time with Celtic and although he lacked the pace and flair of Gemmell in attack he helped to stabilise the Celtic defence in a defensive capacity and was a match for any winger in the Scottish League. In 1971/72 he won another League and Cup double and had a hugely enjoyable day in Celtic’s 6-1 thrashing of Hibernian in the 1972 Scottish Cup Final. In Europe that season Celtic reached another European Cup semi-final and Jim Brogan was injured in the first leg in the San Siro and missed the return in Glasgow, his place going to the inexperienced 18-year-old Pat McCluskey. Celtic agonisingly lost by 5-4 on penalty kicks.
By the 1972/73 season Jim was one of Stein’s most experienced and trusted men. His experience was put to good use in the spring of 1973 when Rangers pushed Celtic all the way and the 8th consecutive title was only clinched on the last day at Easter Road with a 3-0 win against Hibs in front of 45,000 fans. By the autumn of 1973 only McNeill, Johnstone, Lennox and ‘Brogie’ were still at Parkhead from the old guard of the sixties as Jock Stein went through a successful rejuvenation of the side with the younger element such as McGrain, Connelly, Hay and Dalglish now permanent fixtures in the first team.
Another League and Cup double came Celtic’s way in the 1973/74 season although the season was spoiled when the thugs of Atletico Madrid came to Glasgow and soiled the name of Spanish football with their rough house tactics. Three Atletico players were sent of that night for vicious and crude challenges and Jim Brogan could be seen ‘setting about’ several Madrid players in the tunnel as the patience of the Celtic players eventually snapped. On a happier note, Jim Brogan was in the team that won the 9 in a row League championship at Brockville on 27th April 1974 and was in the Celts side that beat Dundee United 3-0 in the 1974 Scottish Cup Final.
Season 1974/75 was to be Jim’s last with mixed results. He was in his normal left-back position when Celtic blitzed Hibs 6-3 in October 1974 in the League Cup final, although Celtic lost both the Glasgow derbies in the league, results that would ultimately cost them 10 in a row. On 14th September 1974 he was controversially sent off against Rangers at Parkhead with the score at 1-1 and this contributed to Rangers winning the game 2-1.
By the spring of 1975 he had lost his left back position to Andy Lynch and it was Lynch who got the nod for the Scottish Cup final against Airdrie on 3rd May 1975. By this time, it was announced that Jim was being released and Jock Stein made him captain in an emotional last appearance against Rangers in the 1975 Glasgow Cup Final on May 10th. This game was played in part to celebrate Glasgow’s 700th anniversary and finished in a 2-2 draw in front of a crowd of 70,000.
Jim Brogan was not noted for goalscoring but three goals stand out, and wonderfully they were all winning goals late in the game.
1. A late winner in the 83rd minute against Aberdeen in October 1969 at Pittodrie when Celtic came from behind to win after Jim had gone up or a corner.
2. A late winner in extra time in July 1974 at Dens Park against Dundee in the Drybrough Cup final, a fine shot from the edge of the area in extra time in a 2-1 win.
3. However Jim will best be remembered for his dramatic winner against Rangers on 3rd January 1972. With the game at 1-1 and in the 90th minute Harry Hood superbly controlled a ball and lobbed it across goals where Jim stole in to glance the ball past Peter McCloy to give Celtic victory.
Jim Brogan spent a year and a half with Coventry City in the English first division between Summer 1975 and Autumn of 1976. He appeared at Parkhead with Ayr United on 30th April 1977 and was given a tremendous ovation by the appreciative Celtic fans.
Jim Brogan won 7 league titles, 4 Scottish Cups and 3 League Cups and so has become one of Celtic’s most successful players.
With his whole-hearted attitude, determination and great defensive play Jim was an inspiration in Jock Stein’s successful sides from 1968-1975 and is very fondly remembered. He will also be ranked as one of the hardest guys the support will ever see wear the hoops, never taking a prisoner on the pitch.
After football he was very successful in business, with a string of pubs in Glasgow and the Falkirk area.
However, in 2008 he was sadly diagnosed with dementia, and over the next decade he fought this aggressive and degenerative disease. He faced his illness with the same steely determination he had shown on the park.
He passed away in September 2018.
Celtic aptly summarised Jim Brogan’s place in the Jock Stein era:
“As a player, Jim Brogan is perhaps the definition of ‘unsung hero’.”
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES (subs) |
LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 1962-75 | 208 (5) | 37 (1) | 55 (2) | 32 (1) | 332 (9) |
| Goals: | 6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
Honours with Celtic
Scottish League
Scottish Cup
Scottish League Cup
Quotes
“As a player, Jim Brogan is perhaps the definition of ‘unsung hero’.”
CelticFC (Sep 2018)
“Jim what was your favourite moment in football, scoring the winning goal against the Rangers or carrying the hamper for the Lisbon Lions?”
Bertie Auld in jest to Jim Brogan
Pictures
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Articles
Interview with The Alternative View 2009
Family of Celtic legend Jim Brogan say he loved life in the Hoops but football gave him dementia
18th February
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/15101895.
Family_of_Celtic_legend_Jim_Brogan_say_he_loved_life
_in_the_Hoops_but_football_gave_him_dementia/
Exclusive by Hannah Rodger @hannahwritesHT
THE FAMILY of a Celtic legend who is suffering from dementia say they are convinced his condition is linked to his football career.
Relatives of Jim Brogan are now calling for more research into the links between the disease and football.
Jim, who played left back for the Parkhead side for 13 years, was part of Jock Stein’s dream team in the 1970s.
The 72-year-old, who lives in the South Side, played for the Hoops at the 1970 European Cup Final, and won four caps for Scotland during his career between 1963 and 1975.
Sadly, the former player started showing signs of dementia more than a decade ago,while he was still in his 50s, and was eventually diagnosed in 2008.
His condition is now so severe that he no longer recognises family members, and needs constant care and supervision from his wife Joyce, 69.
According to Jim’s daughter Colette, no other members of the family, including Jim’s older siblings and his parents, have ever suffered from the condition and there is no history of it in the family.
Colette, 49, is now calling for further research into the link between dementia and football which was published this week.
She said: “We are 100 per cent convinced the dementia is due to his career as a footballer.
“There are loads of players in that era who have dementia, not just my dad.
“There is no dementia on either side of my family, in any form. Nobody has ever had it. To me it just seems to be very unusual.
“He has been playing football since he was very young. At the age of 16 he started playing Juniors, then he went to Celtic, Ayr United, Coventry City… the link is clearly there.
My grandfather is 93, and he is fine.
“My dad’s uncle is still alive. He’s much older and he doesn’t have dementia.
“My dad is only 72, he was diagnosed nine years ago.”
After his successful footballing career, which started as a youngster playing for St Roch’s, Glasgow man Jim ran a string of pubs across the city.
Included in his portfolio were the Wintersgills on Great Western Road, the Victoria Bar on Victoria Road and the Star Bar at Eglinton Toll.
He also owned a number of pubs in Falkirk.
It was while he was still working that he started showing his first signs of dementia.
“I first remember it showing when I went on holiday with my mum and dad to Portugal, it was about 15 years ago.” Colette explained.
“Dad went off to make a phone call to his business partner but he was away for hours.
“He eventually found my mother and said he had completely lost his bearing of where he was.
“We laughed it off at the time, but that was the first sign of what was to come.
“After that there were incidents in the pub where bills weren’t being paid and orders were skew-whiff, things like that. In the last eight years it has just been a slow, gradual process of deterioration but now he doesn’t recognise me. He doesn’t know who any of us are, except my mum.
“I’ll never forget the day he couldn’t remember my name. It’ll stay with me forever.”
Since July last year, the family have had to watch Jim’s health “rapidly decline”, and say there should be more support for older players with dementia.
Colette said; “It’s now getting to the point we have had to put a lock on the kitchen door as he blew up the kettle “My mother found him eating raw meat in the fridge one day, he put raw chicken wings into the kettle…
“He got up the other morning and had his coat and shoes on straight away.
“ Since July til now there has been a massive decline in his health.”
“For all the ex players, not just my dad, there needs to be more support for them. There is too much of a coincidence in the number of them who have now got dementia.
“There are all these players who, when they were diagnosed, were all youngish men and now look at them.”
Campbell Johnston 18th February 02:35 PM (Evening times)
They didn’t allow subs in those days Tom (maybe a sub gk).
Jim Brogan aka ‘crazy horse’ was one of the bravest players I’ve ever seen in a Celtic jersey. I vividly recall an all too pertinent incident in a game against Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup in January 68, it was one of those days, Celtic threw everything but the kitchen sink at Dunfermline but succumbed to a shock 2-0 defeat (remember Celtic were the reigning European champions). I recall a Dunfermline defender making a desperate clearance and leathering the ball upfield, it caught Jim flush in the face from about 10 yards, Jim shook his head like a sweating horse and immediately chased after the rebound, the whole crowd cheered, it would have poleaxed a lesser mortal.
Jim played in a different position to Scott Brown but they were very much caste in the same mould on the football park at any rate. A highly intelligent guy, a qualified accountant, he wasn’t the most cultured footballer but he gave 100% in every game.
Desperately sorry that he’s been stricken with the same ailment suffered by my old man, and I have the greatest sympathy for his family. Life is not fair at times. Best wishes Jim and thanks for the memories.
Last Updated: 18th February 05:43 PM
Jim Brogan
26 September 2018
12:58
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45632876
Former Scotland defender Jim Brogan, who played in Celtic’s 1970 European Cup final defeat by Feyenoord in Milan, has died at the age of 74.
Brogan, who won four caps, spent 12 years with Celtic before spells with Coventry City and Ayr United.
Paying tribute, Celtic described him as an “unsung hero” after making his debut in 1963 but having to wait until the 1968-69 season to become a regular.
But he won 14 honours during his 341 appearances for the Glasgow club.
And he “could rightly be considered an integral part of the club’s nine-in-a-row success, playing in seven of those nine championship triumphs, while there were four Scottish Cups and three League Cups to boast of”.
Brogan’s older brother, Frank, who spent four years with Celtic, was in the team when he made his debut.
“As a defender, he was someone that relished the physical challenges of the game, such as the memorable European Cup semi-final triumph over Leeds United at Hampden in 1970,” Celtic stated.
“He remained shy of the limelight, both as a player and after he retired from the game, though he would enjoy more success as a businessman in the years after he hung up his boots.”
Brogan passed away after a long battle against dementia.
Celtic Underground
Posted by St Anthony | Sep 24, 2018 | Season 2018-19 | 0 |
The sad news reached us today of the passing of that stalwart Celt, Jim Brogan, aged 73.
Jim signed for Celtic in 1962 from junior side St Roch’s although it was not until the 1968-69 season that he could regard himself as a first team player. His first appearance was against Falkirk in September 1963 when he played right half at Brockville alongside his brother and winger Frank Brogan, being one of a select few Celtic players who appeared for the Celts alongside a sibling.
He showed great loyalty to Celtic by performing in the reserves for a long period and it was only when John Clark was injured in February of 1968 that Jim was given an extended run in the side and never looked back. Brogan had a great end to the season as Celtic went on a long unbeaten run and won the league at Dunfermline in their last game on April 30th 1968 to give Jim his first winners medal. He was a natural in an aggressive role at sweeper alongside centre-half Billy McNeill.
Jim was noted for his no nonsense attitude and strong tackling. In the Scottish Cup final against Rangers on April 26th 1969 he helped Celtic to fantastic 4-0 victory and stood his ground in a physical encounter notable for many heavy challenges. This was right up Jim’s street and he was well capable of handling himself when the going got tough.
The 1969-70 season was perhaps Jim’s best for Celtic, when the club reached its second European Cup Final. He had excellent games against Fiorentina and especially against Leeds when he and McNeill helped to blunt the famed Leeds strike force of Mick Jones and Alan Clarke. Sadly, Celtic went down 2-1 to Feyenoord in the final in Milan, and it’s worth noting that Jim picked up an early injury which severely weakened the team on the night.
Jim continued to be a regular in Stein’s great Celtic sides of the early 1970’s and was converted to left-back in 1971 after Tommy Gemmell fell from grace and was moved on. Two of his earliest outings in the number 3 shorts were in the 1971 Scottish Cup final and replay against Rangers when Celtic eventually won 2-1. Jim was up against Willie Henderson on both occasions and twice managed to win his personal battles with Rangers right-wing star. In 1971 he won four caps for Scotland, such was his good form, and he had the distinction of playing against England at Wembley in a 3-1 defeat on May 22nd 1971.
Jim became one of Jock Stein’s most experienced and trusted men. This experience was put to good use in the spring of 1973 when Rangers pushed Celtic all the way and the 8th consecutive title was only clinched on the last day at Easter Road with a 3-0 win against Hibs in front of 45,000 fans. By the autumn of 1973 only McNeill, Johnstone, Lennox and ‘Brogie’ remained at Parkhead from the old guard of the sixties as Jock Stein went through a successful rejuvenation of the side with the younger element such as McGrain, Connelly, Hay and Dalglish now permanent fixtures in the first team.
Another League and Cup double came Celtic’s way in the 1973/74 season although the season was spoiled when the thugs of Atletico Madrid came to Glasgow and soiled the name of Spanish football with their rough house tactics. On a happier note Jim was in the team that won the ‘9 in a row’ League championship at Brockville on April 27th 1974 and was in the Celts side that beat Dundee United 3-0 in the 1974 Scottish Cup Final.
Season 1974-75 was to be Jim’s last with mixed results. He was in his normal left-back position when Celtic blitzed Hibs 6-3 in October 1974 in the League Cup final, although Celtic lost both the Glasgow derbies in the league, results that would ultimately cost them 10 in a row. On September 14th 1974 he was controversially sent off against Rangers at Parkhead with the score at 1-1 and this contributed greatly to Rangers winning the game 2-1. By the spring of 1975 he had lost his left back position to Andy Lynch and it was Lynch who got the nod for the Scottish Cup final against Airdrie on May 3rd 1975. By this time it was announced that Jim was being released and Jock Stein made him captain in an emotional last appearance against Rangers in the 1975 Glasgow Cup Final on May 10th. This game was played in part to celebrate Glasgow’s 700th anniversary and finished in a 2-2 draw in front of a crowd of 70,000.
Jim Brogan was not noted for goalscoring but he will always be remembered best for one particular goal. Against Rangers on January 3rd 1972, with the game at 1-1 and in the 90th minute, Harry Hood superbly controlled a ball and lobbed it across goal, where Jim stole in to glance the ball past Peter McCloy to give Celtic a highly dramatic victory.
Jim Brogan won 7 league titles, 4 Scottish Cups and 3 League Cups and will always be remembered as one of Celtic’s most successful players. With his whole hearted attitude, determination and great defensive play Jim was an inspiration in Jock Stein’s successful sides from 1968-1975. it’s worth pointing out that in this modern day, Jim’s 12 year’s service would entitle him to a lucrative testimonial game.
For those fans who watched Jim Brogan, they will recall with fondness his courage and determination which was on show every game he played. ‘The Brogie Man’, as he was often referred as, was one of the great Celts of a very successful era.
May Jim Brogan rest in peace and the thoughts and prayers of all Celtic supporters are with his family at this time.
Celticfc
http://www.celticfc.net/news/15001
FORMER Celt, Jim Brogan sadly passed away at the age of 74 in the early hours of Monday morning after a long battle against dementia.
As a player, Jim Brogan is perhaps the definition of ‘unsung hero’. He played 341 times for Celtic, scoring nine goals and playing his part in winning 14 honours with the club during a 12-year period. He made his debut as far back as 1963, but it wasn’t until the 1968/69 season that he could be considered a first-team regular.
He played in the 1970 European Cup final in Milan, which Celtic lost to Feyenoord. He could rightly be considered an integral part of the club’s nine-in-a-row success, playing in seven of those nine championship triumphs, while there were four Scottish Cups and three League Cups to boast of.
He followed in the footsteps of his older brother, Frank, who had joined Celtic in 1960, and the two brothers were in the same team when Jim made his debut for the club.
Frank did not enjoy the longevity at Celtic that Jim did, and he left in 1964 after making 48 appearances and scoring 17 goals for the club.
Jim Brogan enjoyed a very successful Celtic career, the reward for hard-work, perseverance and plenty of patience. Although he made a number of appearances in the first team, he had to wait until 1968, and an injury to regular sweeper John Clark, for an extended run in the top-team.
After that, though, he never looked back. At the end of that season, Brogan collected the first of his many winner’s medals when Celtic secured the league championship and then the Scottish Cup, with a fantastic 4-0 victory over Rangers.
From there on, it was Lisbon Lion, Clark that was used sparingly, as the tough and resolute Brogan formed a formidable partnership with Billy McNeill at the heart of the Celtic defence, which would be the base for a continued domination of Scottish football for years to come.
As a defender he was someone that relished the physical challenges of the game, such as the memorable European Cup semi-final triumph over Leeds United at Hampden in 1970. And in 1971, his outstanding performances were recognised when he was runner-up to Martin Buchan as the Scottish Player of the Year.
In 1975, aged 31, and with increasing competition for his place, Jim Brogan eventually left Celtic. Jock Stein handed him the captaincy for his final game, the Glasgow Cup final match against Rangers, on May 10, 1975, which finished 2-2.
The game also celebrated Glasgow’s 800th birthday and both teams shared the trophy. Typically, he finished the match nursing a broken rib. His next destination would be Coventry City, spending 18 months there, before moving back north for a spell with Ayr United to finish his career.
He remained shy of the limelight, both as a player and after he retired from the game, though he would enjoy more success as a businessman in the years after he hung up his boots.
The thoughts of everyone at Celtic Park are with the family and friends of Jim Brogan at this sad time.
Jim Brogan, June 5, 1944 – September 24, 2018.
Celtic legend Jim Brogan dies after dementia battle
https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/16899594.celtic-legend-jim-brogan-dies-after-dementia-battle/
CELTIC legend Jim Brogan has died after a long battle with dementia, his family revealed.
15 comments
The 74-year-old passed away early this morning at Moffat Street Nursing home in Glasgow.
Jim, who played left back for the Parkhead side for 13 years, was part of Jock Stein’s dream team in the 1970s.
READ MORE: ‘One of the hardest toughest Celtic defenders ever’ – Touching tributes as Hoops legend Jim Brogan dies at 74
His daughter Collette said: “Dad passed away at 1.30am this morning.
“It’s a relief really. He had been in palliative care for the last five weeks.”
Brogan was part of the Celtic side in the 1970 European Cup Final, and won four caps for Scotland during his career between 1963 and 1975.
The former player started showing signs of dementia more than a decade ago,while he was still in his 50s, and was eventually diagnosed in 2008.
His family called for more research into the links between the disease and football.
Evening Times
https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/16901599.jim-brogan-funeral-details-confirmed-for-celtic-legend/
the former footballer, who played left back for the club for 13 years, passed away at 1.30am on Monday surrounded by family at Moffat Street Care Home in the Gorbals area of Glasgow.
His funeral will be held at 10am on Saturday at St Andrew’s Cathedral. It will be followed by a short service at Linn Crematorium.
Jim’s daughter Colette Farren paid tribute to her dad saying he was the, “most outstanding daddy,” who never missed a parents evening despite his high profile footballing career.
The 74-year-old, who had a, “massive love of the Hoops” had been battling dementia, a condition his family is convinced was linked to his career on the pitch.
The club paid tribute, describing their former player as one of Celtic’s “unsung heroes.”
Brogan, who also ran a number of bars in Glasgow after he hung up his boots, is survived by wife Joyce, 70, daughters Colette, 51, Caroline, 50, sons Anthony, 48 and Mark, 46, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.