Give it a cuddle, caress it a wee bit, take your time, and you'll get the required response". Now if there's a smile on my face (Image: Real Edinburgh). [44] In the December 1999 issue of World Soccer magazine he was voted by a readers' poll into a list of the 100 greatest players of the 20th century. At the end of the 1959-60 season, in June 1960, he joined Rangers for a Scottish record transfer fee of 17,500. 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. The light blues are seven unbeaten under the new boss, winning six of them, but Joe Wright is optimistic. The other twenty one? He would eventually find his bed at 9am, but not before another dance with the Glasgow nightlife. He was mischief. David Nash, 26, passed away following four "shambolic" calls with NHS 111 when he was trying to get an urgent in-person consultation. But Scotland led by Baxter Possessed with ball at feet 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. 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. I dont think Ive ever seen a player with a finer touch, one so deft. (Features) by "Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland)"; News, opinion and commentary General interest The teams emerge at Wembley in 1967 before Scotland's crowning as the 'Unofficial World Champions', Baxter holds up the Scottish Cup for Rangers. Where was Jim Baxter buried in his hometown? Baxter was also addicted to gambling, and is estimated to have lost between 250,000 and 500,000. What kind of football player was Jim Baxter? We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Jim Baxter played that in front of ninety thousand fans, [26][27] Teammate Denis Law expressed opinions on both sides of this debate, saying that Baxter was "the best player on the park" and the main reason for the Scots' victory,[13] but complaining that Baxter's lack of urgency had prevented Scotland from thoroughly avenging the 93 defeat in April 1961. But Baxter tantalized and sucked them in he never showed any regret for his lifestyle and we should remember he left his elegant footprint on football more than most. We had the support of Sir Alex Ferguson and even former England players such as the late Alan Ball. Jean married golfer William McCondichie three years later. [8][21], According to many commentators, his greatest performances were against England in 1963 and 1967. In his words, "One day, I was a Raith Rovers player who couldnae pull the birds at the Cowdenbeath Palais. England 2, Scotland 3 never to be forgotten. . Jim also joked: If I dont turn it on here you can kick me up the backside.. This was world champions England. [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. [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. 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. [33] In 196869 he was not selected to play in any of the qualifiers for the 1970 World Cup. 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. The night before the second game, Jim Baxter didnt sleep. In photographs taken at full-time, when Scottish fans had invaded the pitch and one was caught, draped around Baxters neck, it wasnt a Slim Jim anymore. [17] He was noted for accurate passes, for sending opponents the wrong way with a swivel of his hips, and for inspiring teammates with his confident approach. I was at that game and Baxter stuck the ball up for Stevie Chalmers to score very early on for Scotland. Calls have been made for an inquiry into a number of patients who have discovered 'Do Not Resuscitate' on their medical files without their knowledge. Did they try to stop him playing? The other thing he will always be known for is for kicking his career away at a very early age. 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. It was Baxter at his most charming. till i die. . Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Its one of the anecdotes which sustains Baxters legend. [7] As Scotland were the first team to beat England after the 1966 FIFA World Cup, the Tartan Army proclaimed themselves "unofficial world champions". He was earning 7 a week sorting the stone from the coal at Fordel Colliary and 3 a week in Raiths reserves. [14] He described his approach to playing football as "treating the ball like a woman. 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. 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. Anas Sarwar warns UK Government has taken 'wrong approach' by blocking Holyrood gender reforms. With a taunt, a feign, a pass, They tried hard to get the ball off him 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. He was indulged in ways that other players werent and had an aversion to nurturing his gifts that was never properly challenged. 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). After a further year with Rangers Baxter retired from football in 1970, at the age of 31. I rate him the best I've ever seen at Ibrox and I go back to the late 50's. Flawed character though. By 1965, his relationship with Rangers was close to fracture. Stephanie Bain, 29, believes little Finlay would have died if a Scottish Ambulance Service call handler hadn't told her how to perform a life-saving chest massage on her young son after he became unresponsive. Scotland made the trip to Wemberly in 67 The club did too. [7] He came on to the field in the second half, and his performance won the admiration of Ferenc Pusks. I've just spent the last two hours watching England v Scotland in 1967 for my Sports Journalism class. For a nation once more proud The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". [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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. [7][20] In 1961 Scotland had lost 93 to England at Wembley, and April 1962 Baxter and Crerand played brilliantly, helping Scotland to gain some revenge with a 20 win. Jim Baxter is hugged by fans as Scotland beat England in 1967 (Image: PA Wire) "Just give the ball to me," said Jim Baxter. [17] After Baxter's performance in the 1963 "rest of the world" vs England match, Ferenc Pusks asked, "Where has this fellow been hiding? Simply the Best. He could tease with the ball, twisting defenders into a knot. 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. Jim was certainly a one-off wasnt he. 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. The way that Job stroked the ball around was just inimitable. Jim Baxter was like no other football player Ive seen. 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. And a lot of womanising. Pancreatic cancer . I had never been asked that before, but when pondering my answer, I realized there was only one obvious response. 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 . 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 marriage broke up in 1981, and in 1983 he formed another relationship that lasted the rest of his life. Baxter who died in 2001 at the age of only 61 is folklore in Fife. He initially remained part-time, though. He also broke with Glasgow tradition by becoming friendly with several members of their major Glasgow rivals, Celtic. TO say Jim Baxter had enjoyed his first trip to Wembley is more than an understatement. I also spoke at his funeral in Glasgow Cathedral. Tell of us of the day? But Saturday, April 15, 1967 has stood the test of time. 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. You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. One of their coaches gave a Brazil pennant to each of us who was there. My, how those English boys did try we'd decided he sounded just like this comic, Jimmy Clitheroe, so at the beginning I sidled up and said, "Is that right? At one point though he puts his foot on it, gestures to McCreadie to come over for it, then walks away :(. BA1 1UA. Good luck to Sunderland for the coming season. 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. A team in navy blue toying with the Auld Enemy, then the official world champions, in their own fortress. Even conservative estimates pitched his winnings at 1,800. 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. HMRC has also confirmed the new rates and thresholds for Child Benefit and Tax Credits. As expected, I pretty much concentrated on Jim Baxter's performance for the whole match and by God was he good. He chose the shirt God wore that day as the one object which should sum up the twentieth century. He had touch, balance, vision and just this wonderful aura" Rangers manager Willie Waddell said, "Jim was the finest left half ever produced by Rangers." His words, `` one day, i was at that game and Baxter stuck the ball for! Greatest performances were against England in 1963 and 1967 his words, `` day. The cookies in the category `` performance '' content in the second half, you. At the age of 31 need to be a member in order to a... Tradition by becoming friendly with several members of their coaches gave a Brazil pennant to of! 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