Shevlane, Chris – The Celtic Wiki

Personal

Fullname: Anthony Christopher Shevlane
aka: Chris Shevlane
Born: 6 May 1942
Died: 13 March 2023
Birthplace: Edinburgh
Signed: 21 June 1967
Left: 16 May 1968 (to Hibernian)
Position: Right-back/Defence
Debut: Celtic 5-0 Partick Thistle, Glasgow Cup, 22 Aug 1967
Internationals: Scotland (U23); None for senior side; Scottish League XI
International Caps: 0 Senior Caps; 1 cap for Scottish League XI
International Goals: 0 Senior Goals

Biog

Scotland Under 23 international Chris Shevlane (an “inspiring, attacking captain” in 1964) had been a promising youngster with Hearts before the Edinburgh club released him in 1967 at the age of 25 amid concerns over an arthritic ankle. He had damaged that ankle playing for Hearts during the 1966-67 season and had missed most of the season. At the time of the injury he had been advised to give up playing and Hearts released him on a free transfer at the end of the season.

It was quite a blow, especially as he had once shown enough promise that he even won a place in a Scottish League XI that drew 2-2 with a League of Ireland XI in 1964.

He fought hard to get back to fitness through swimming. Jock Stein thought he was worth a gamble, and after discussions and a full medical at Celtic Park, Celtic signed him up. Jock Stein was looking to strengthen the defensive pool in the squad, as possible cover for the departed John Cushley. Celtic were European Cup champions and had completed a near perfect season, so Chris Shevlane was arriving at Celtic at the top to help bolster the squad.

Chris Shevlane’s first team debut came in a 5-0 Glasgow Cup triumph over Partick Thistle on 22 August 1967. He played three further games for the first team, an easy league win over Clyde (3-0), one league cup win (2-0 v Ayr) and a final league game in Dec 1967 (1-1 draw with Dundee Utd).

Most often Chris Shevlane was used as cover for Jim Craig, but he couldn’t dislodge Jim Craig from the right-back berth and would stay at Parkhead for just one season. He made in total four appearances (including the Glasgow Cup game) – before being released in May 1968 and joining Hibs. It was too difficult a task.

He was to leave Celtic having played a part in the 1967-68 season following the legendary Lisbon Lions season, so a wonderful experience. He left undefeated in those few appearances with just the one goal conceded, a fine record. He got to play a bit-part to help Celtic to carry on their fine record with a further league & league cup title that season.

Known at Hibs as ‘The Shev‘ he went on to have a good career, and was their player of the year in 1970, having been an aggressive, all-energy style type player which endeared him to their fans.

On notable reunion with Celtic was a difficult one, reaching the 1968/69 League Cup final against Celtic which ended in a 6-2 defeat for Hibs.

After Hibs, he had a two year stint at Morton, after which he retired from play.

After football, he ran ‘Shevlane’s Bar‘ in Springburn, and was said to take a keen interest in the antiquarian and second-hand book trade.

He passed away after a long life in 2023.

Playing Career

APPEARANCES	LEAGUE	SCOTTISH CUP	LEAGUE CUP	EUROPE	TOTAL
1967-68	2	0	1	0	3
Goals:	0	0	0	0	0

Honours with Celtic

Scottish League

1966-67

Scottish League Cup

1967-68

Pictures

Player Pics

Articles

Welcome to Shevlanes, one of Glasgow’s oldest bars!

(source: http://cc.bingj.com/cache.aspx?q=Chris+Shevlane&d=5036813127781611&mkt=en-GB&setlang=en-GB&w=1L24XiE7SqPyem0Z2XaeXDLZweWsLFlu)

Shevlanes Bar has been owned and run by the Shevlane family since 1980 when Chris Shevlane former Celtic and Hibs player took it over.

The Bar was previously know as the Victoria Bar prior to this. Shevlanes is currently under the stewardship of Paul Shevlane, Chris’s son ably assisted by Yvonne the manager and a great team of staff. The bar sits at the heart of the community of Springburn and hosts many celebrations as well as a few funerals and wakes too.

Originally, In 1886 this was a restaurant owned by David Hope. Two years later publican William Moffat took over as the new landlord and In 1897 William McFarlane took over the licence – for years this old pub sold nothing but beer and porter.

The McFarlane’s named this popular Springburn hostelry the “Victoria Bar.”

Chris Shevlane actually became a Springburn licensee in 1972, taking over The Terminus Bar at the corner of Springburn Road and Elmvale Street which was demolished in 1978 to make way for the new roadway – see the picture below with the McEwans sign on it.

To this day you can see scenes of old Springburn on the walls of Shevlanes and some of the people that have frequented the area over the last 125 years.

Anthony Christopher ‘Chris’ Shevlane

Published on 17/03/2023

https://www.heraldscotland.com/memorials/death-notices/death/30534006.anthony-christopher-chris-shevlane/

SHEVLANE – Anthony Christopher ‘Chris’ Peacefully, on 13th March 2023, in the wonderful care of the Coronary Care Unit, The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow. Chris, aged 80 years, former professional footballer and publican. Beloved husband of Colette, much loved father of Laura, Paul and Nicola and a proud Grandpa of Clodagh, Ruairidh, Dominic, Anya, Sean, Zara and Tilly. Fortified by Rites of Holy Church, R.I.P. Reception and Vigil at St Andrew’s R.C. Church, Bearsden G61 2SN on Thursday 23rd March at 6pm. Funeral Mass on Friday 24th March at 12 noon. Funeral thereafter to Langfaulds Cemetery, to which all friends are respectfully invited.

Chris Shevlane Scottish , Former Celtic and Hibs player died at 80

Scottish former footballer Chris Shevlane dead at 80. What happened? Learn more about Chris Shevlane death and obituary.

by Morrison Liam, SNBC13

March 14, 2023

Chris Shevlane Death – Former Celtic and Hibs player Chris Shevlane has passed away suddenly. Scottish former footballer Chris Shevlane died last night. He was announced dead today, Tuesday, March 14th 2023. Shevlane was 80 years old at the time of his passing. He had an incredible life. Shevlane was always a gentleman. Hard-working, a real family man who wanted nothing but for his family. No cause of death was reported for Chris Shevlane.

Who was Chris Shevlane?

He began playing football at a young age, having been born on May 6, 1942, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Back in the day, they would all play in “The Meadows,” and it was here that friendships and talent in the football world would blossom. He joined Edina Hearts and rose through the ranks to the senior squad, eventually becoming club captain in the 1960s. He went on to play for Celtic, Hibs, and Morton, as well as captaining Scotland u23s.

Like many footballers at the time, he got into the bar business and learned his trade in Kelvingrove’s Calypso bar. He then purchased the lease on the Terminus Bar in Springburn and, in July 1980, purchased the Victoria Bar on Springburn Way and renamed it Shevlanes. He developed a terrific tavern with a great work ethic and a desire for getting to know all the folks in Springburn, and his legacy goes on. Excellent personnel and people have contributed to its success over the years.

About Shevlanes Bar

Shevlanes Bar has been owned and run by the Shevlane family since 1972 when Chris Shevlane former Celtic and Hibs player took it over. The bar is currently under the stewardship of Paul Shevlane ably assisted by Yvonne the manager and a great team of staff. The bar is at the heart of the community of Springburn and hosts many celebrations as well as a few funerals and wakes too.

Chris Shevlane Celtic Football and Morton fame became a Springburn licensee in 1972, taking over The Terminus Bar at the corner of Springburn Road and Elmvale Street which was demolished in 1978 to make way for the new roadway. To this day you can see scenes of old Springburn on the walls of Shevlanes and some of the people that have frequented the area over the last 125 years.

Chris Shevlane obituary and funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date by the family.

Condolences after the passing of former Celt, Chris Shevlane

https://www.celticfc.com/news/2023/march/14/condolences-after-the-passing-of-former-celt–chris-shevlane/

By Celtic Football Club

Everyone at Celtic is saddened to hear of the death of former player, Chris Shevlane, who has passed away at the age of 80.

Chris, who was born in Edinburgh, joined Celtic in June 1967 after several years at Hearts and just a month after the club’s European Cup triumph in Lisbon, and he made his debut in a Glasgow Cup tie at home to Partick Thistle in August of that year.

A right-back, Chris went on to make three appearances in that 1967/68 season, two in the league and one in the League Cup, before leaving the following year to join Hibernian.

After three years at Easter Road, he moved to Morton, remaining there for just under two years before he retired.

The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic are with Chris’ family and friends at this extremely sad time.

Chris Shevlane, former Hearts and Hibs defender, dies at 80

Former Hearts and Hibs defender Chris Shevlane has died at the age of 80, it has been announced.
https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/chris-shevlane-former-hearts-and-hibs-defender-dies-at-80-4065822
By Patrick McPartlin
Published 15th Mar 2023, 15:35 GMT- 3 min read
Updated 15th Mar 2023, 15:35 GMT
The Hibs Historical Trust confirmed the sad news on Wednesday morning, writing on social media: “Everyone at the Trust is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Hibs player Chris Shevlane. Chris joined Hibernian in 1968; nicknamed ‘The Shev’, he was Player of the Year in 1970. His memory marches on.”

Shevlane also played for Celtic and Morton and was involved with Scotland Under-23s during a 12-year professional career.

Born in Edinburgh in May 1942, right-back Shevlane began his career with Edina Hearts and Loanhead Mayflower, eventually joining Hearts and making his debut in a benefit match against Duns in April 1962, with Hearts winning 6-0, although his first competitive start came in a 7-3 victory over St Mirren at Love Street in April 1963.

During his time in Gorgie he was capped four times by Scotland at under-23 level playing against Wales twice, France, and England and sharing a dressing room with the likes of Billy Bremner, Peter Cormack, Jim Cruickshank, John Greig, Jimmy Johnstone, Neil Martin, and Bobby Murdoch.

Shevlane also turned out for the Scottish League XI, in a match against a League of Ireland XI, and also in a mid-season trial match between the Scottish League XI and the Scottish FA team.

He played 146 times in maroon, his last match a 2-0 defeat away to Dundee United, but was released after suffering an ankle injury that kept him out of most of the 1966/67 season. Although Shevlane was advised to hang up his boots, he took up swimming to improve his fitness and earned a surprise move to Celtic.

The Hoops had just won the European Cup and Shevlane was mostly used as cover for Jim Craig but, unable to dislodge the Lisbon Lion from the right-back berth he made just four appearances before leaving for Hibs. The flame-haired full-back featured against Partick Thistle in a Glasgow Cup tie, in a 2-0 League Cup win against Ayr United, and in league matches against Clyde and Dundee United, which ended in a 3-0 victory for Celtic and a 1-1 draw respectively.

[….He moved to Hibs…] where he would make 91 appearances in all competitions including featuring against Vitoria Guimaraes, Malmo, Hamburg, Lokomotiv Leipzig, and Olimpija Ljubljana in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup competition.

Shevlane also played in every round of the 1968/69 League Cup, including the final against Celtic which ended in a 6-2 defeat for Hibs. He scored one goal against Raith Rovers in September 1969, sharing the scoresheet with Peter Marinello and Joe McBride in a 3-1 league victory, and won the club’s Player of the Year award in 1970.

Shevlane joined Morton in 1971 and spent two years at Cappielow before returning. After football he spent time working for James Thin booksellers and in the second-hand book trade, and also ran Shevlane’s Bar in the Springburn area of Glasgow, which is still run by the family.

A statement from Celtic read: “Everyone at Celtic is saddened to hear of the death of former player, Chris Shevlane, who has passed away at the age of 80. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic are with Chris’ family and friends at this extremely sad time.”

Obituaries: Chris Shevlane, footballer who crossed Edinburgh divide with Hearts and Hibs

https://www.scotsman.com/news/people/obituaries-chris-shevlane-footballer-who-crossed-edinburgh-divide-with-hearts-and-hibs-4096427
Chris Shevlane, footballer. Born: 6 May, 1942 in Edinburgh. Died: 13 March 2023, Glasgow, aged 80

By Jack Davidson
Published 8th Apr 2023, 07:00 BST
Chris Shevlane was a well known footballer who enjoyed a successful decade-long career from the early 1960s onwards during which he represented both capital clubs Hearts and Hibs with distinction as well as brief spells with Celtic and, at the end of his career, Morton.

An early example of the attacking full-back, blessed with skill and pace going forward, he was also a doughty defender who seemed destined to become truly exceptional but for injury problems hindering fulfilment of his potential. When making his name with Hearts, several big English clubs including Liverpool and Chelsea tried to sign him but in those pre-Bosman days the club refused to sell.

Despite injury difficulties he played over 250 games in the top league here and represented Scotland at under-23 level four times, twice as captain, while he also represented the Scottish League twice. He captained Hearts, played in Europe with both Hibs and Hearts and in the 1969 League Cup Final for Hibs, for whom he was the club’s Player of the Year in 1970.

Chris Shevlane with the Hibs’ Player of the Year award he won in 1970.
Chris Shevlane with the Hibs’ Player of the Year award he won in 1970.
Once retired from football he entered the licensed trade, acquiring the eponymous Shevlane’s Bar in Springburn, Glasgow in 1980 where he was a hugely appreciated and highly regarded ‘mine host’.

Anthony Christopher Shevlane was born in Morrison Street, Edinburgh to parents Anthony and Barbara, originally from County Mayo, Ireland. Father Anthony worked as a labourer on canal barges and although there was not much money around, Chris was brought up in a warm and supportive household along with older brother Patrick as the family moved to the capital’s Spittal Street, below the Castle.

He initially attended St.Peter’s Primary School before going on to St Anthony’s Secondary and loved football from an early age. Games at school and in the Meadows provided a good foundation as his talent led to his signing for well known juvenile side, Edina Hearts. There his form caught the eye of Hearts manager Tommy Walker who signed him provisionally as a 17-year-old before farming him out to junior side, Loanhead Mayflower to further his development as he worked as an apprentice bookbinder.

In late 1960 Chris was called up to the senior squad, playing initially in the reserves before making his debut against St.Mirren in April 1963.

He made rapid progress as part of a fabled back three of ‘Cruickshank, Shevlane and Holt’, becoming a first-choice full-back who could play either side. His consistently impressive displays attracted the attention of national selectors and his being chosen later that year for Scotland under-23s against Wales and England, while he also featured for the Scottish League in a trial match against a Scotland XI at Ibrox. By mid-1964 Liverpool had increased their offer for Chris to £35,000 with Hearts still refusing to sell, while an end of season highlight was Chris’ selection as captain of Scotland under-23s against France in Nantes, the team recording a creditable 2-0 win. Another one was playing for the Maroons in the New York summer tournament against top foreign opposition.

Under his captaincy the following season Hearts were very disappointed to lose the league title on miniscule goal average while Chris’ representative career concluded with an appearance for the Scottish League against the League of Ireland and a final game for Scotland under-23s against Wales, with him captaining the team to a resounding 3-0 win.

Although a serious ankle injury in 1967 led to medical advice to give up playing and Hearts awarding him a free transfer, Chris persevered, doing a lot of swimming training to strengthen his ankle. Another medical opinion persuaded Jock Stein to sign him for Celtic, essentially as defensive cover for the newly crowned European champions. Although he only played four times he made the most important ‘match’ of his life, meeting future wife Colette Smith through the club. The couple wed in June 1970 in St Mungo’s Church in Townhead, Glasgow and enjoyed a long happy marriage during which they had Laura, Paul and Nicola.

After a year at Celtic he joined Hibs where, despite his Tynecastle connection, he was popular with the fans who nicknamed him ‘The Shev’ and admired his energetic style of play. He contributed to their European Fairs Cup campaign in games against Malmo, Lokomotiv Leipzig and Hamburg among others and in 1969 helped Hibs reach the League Cup Final.

After 91 games, in 1971 he joined Morton for whom he played for two years before hanging up his boots and entering the licensed trade, initially learning the ropes at the Calypso Bar in Kelvingrove. Thereafter he took over the Terminus Bar in Springburn before buying the Victoria Bar also in Springburn and renaming it ‘Shevlane’s’, which remains a family concern.

He worked hard to make the business successful and built up a well run bar while not being tolerant ‘of any nonsense’.

Chris was first and foremost a family man and thrived on their company, extending unconditional support and love to all including his seven grandchildren on whom he doted. Other than family life and business, he enjoyed playing golf and was a member at Cawder Golf Club at Bishopbriggs near the family home. He also enjoyed table tennis and badminton and began following rugby when son Paul started playing.

In retirement he and wife Colette travelled worldwide on holidays and for Xmas 2021 organised a memorable get-together for the whole family at Turnberry Hotel. A very popular individual, he has been the subject of many touching tributes, one of which encapsulates him: “A gem of a human.” He is survived by his wife, children, brother and grandchildren.