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Details
Title: Smiler:The Neilly Mochan Story
Release Date: 1 Dec 2015
Player Homepage: Neil Mochan
Link: Smiler Doc by False9
Synopsis
The magical story of Celtic Football Club reads like an elaborate fairytale, which has enraptured their worldwide fanbase for over 127 years.Throughout the club's illustrious history, no other figure has experienced as many triumphs as Neilly Mochan.
As player, trainer and kitman, Mochan was an integral figure in some of Celtic's greatest teams. A hero of the 1953 Coronation Cup winning side and the record-breaking 7-1 team of 1957, Neilly went on to become a trusted lieutenant of Jock Stein after hanging up his shooting boots and was Celtic's first team trainer throughout the nine-in-a-row era when Celtic were feared throughout Europe, winning their most glittering prize in 1967 on an unforgettable afternoon in Lisbon.
Neilly's successes continued into the 1970s, when ten men won the league in 1979, and into the eighties, when Celtic won an emphatic League and Scottish Cup double in their centenary year of 1988.
From the pinnacle of European success to the depths of 1990s despair and the subsequent Fergus McCann takeover, 'Smiler' tells the unrivalled story of Neilly Mochan and his 40-year Celtic Park odyssey.
Review
(review by JBCity)
This documentary is just such a delight. It's such a rare treat to actually watch a wonderfully put together DVD on anything football related that you really need to be upfront in a review when you enjoy one.
We have here a cross section of names reminiscing about Neil Mochan, an Ex-Celt who played for the club during those frustrating days in the 1950s but was a pivotal member of the Celtic coaching staff under Stein. His tenure at Celtic lasted long after too and the wealth of players willing to recall old stories about Mochan is testament to the genuine love they had for him.
Amongst the contributors are former players from across the ages (e.g. David Cattenach, Davie Hay, Andy Walker, John Fallon, Brian McClair etc), journalist Archie MacPherson, family members and notable Celtic authors.
The documentary is so well edited that it's not just a mish-mash of talking heads, but a flowing series of interlocking tales that gives a flavour of the man. Simply, two key attributes come out about Mochan, first is the love for him from all and secondly the man's humour (Mochan wasn't called Smiler for nothing).
One of the most entertaining contributors is Frank McAvennie, and it's an achievement to finally listen to him without Frank resorting to his usual bawdy tales on himself. One of the best gems is the story on a bet between Mochan and Andy Payton, I won't spoil it but look out for it.
There is little to be negative about anything here, okay maybe the narrator was poor but there was so little of him that it would be churlish to mark this down due to that.
This is simply a joy and I can't recommend it enough. Lots of wonderful anecdotes, and not some back slapping exercise as is the norm in many sporting documentaries. Probably this isdue to that Mochan is from the days long before the greed centric environment we have now in football. Mochan loved Celtic and it shows here wonderfully, and in return everyone loved him too.
One I'll be rewatching more than a few times, so many great anecdotes to listen to and immerse yourself in.
(review by CUnderground)
http://celticunderground.net/smiler-the-neil-mochan-story-film-review/
There are not many perks to be had in CU towers but I recently had the privilege of an early viewing of ‘Smiler’ – The Neil Mochan story.
This is a production directed by Luke Massey and assisted by the Celtic writer, Paul John Dykes, the author of the recent highly acclaimed book, ‘The Quality Street Gang’. It’s worth noting that Paul is in the process of writing a detailed book on Neilly Mochan’s career to go in tandem with the release of the DVD.
Most Celtic fans are familiar with the basics of Neilly’s Celtic career as player and trainer and for those who are not, it is a magnificent story.
Signed in 1953 from Middlesbrough, Neil, a proud Celtic fan, jumped at the chance of a move to Parkhead and was an instant success. His career highlight came in May 1953 when he scored one of the iconic goals in Celtic’s proud history against Hibs, in the final of the Coronation Cup at Hampden, from an estimated 35 yards.
Further success came in 1954 wen the double of league and cup was secured and, if that wasn’t enough, Neilly was immortalised by scoring two goals in Celtic’s legendary 7-1 League Cup final win against Rangers. As it tells you on the film, this is still a record winning margin in any British senior cup final.
Fate took a hand in 1964 when Neil was appointed as Celtic’s first team trainer and when Jock Stein returned in March 1965, the good times started rolling.
Much is made of the fabled Liverpool boot room during Bill Shankly’s time with Bob Paisley, Ronnie Moran and Joe Fagan being the trusted lieutenants. Stein also had his own boot room team and he relied heavily on Neilly, Sean Fallon, Bob Rooney and Jimmy Steel to create that special atmosphere which helps to breed success and Neil Mochan was at the forefront of that
The film informs you that he served Celtic in one position or another for 37 years and during that period the club won over 50 major trophies. That’s the basic story but this film does well to put flesh on to the bones. There are interviews with Neil’s family which set the tone and there are some magnificent stories and anecdotes from the Celtic players of each period, from Mike Jackson and Charlie Gallagher in the late 1950’s to Frank McAvennie and Andy Walker from the 1990’s.
Neil Mochan was a very proud but modest man and this film pays him the tribute of helping to make the Lisbon Lions the fittest outfit in Europe. Celtic didn’t only play Inter off the park in Lisbon; they ran them off it.
This story is very poignant and Neil’s last days as a Celt before his sad passing in 1994 are very touching. It’s worth noting that every Celtic manager from Jimmy McGrory to Tommy Burns kept Neil in their back room team and that is a most fitting tribute.
This is a story told with great enthusiasm and affection which every Celtic fan will hugely enjoy, no matter what age you may be.
If you’re a Celt then watch this film and you’ll be a ‘smiler’ as well.
The film is due for release on December 1st and a trailer and further details can be found on http://www.smilerdoc.com
Product Details
Publisher: False 9
Language: English
Running Time: 90mins
ISBN: […]
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