Farewell to John Clark, a great Celtic man
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2025/july/04/farewell-to-john-clark–a-great-celtic-man/
General
By Paul Cuddihy, Celtic View Editor
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04 Jul 2025, 3:28 pm
The Funeral Mass for Lisbon Lion, John Clark, took place today (July 4) at St Mary’s Church, Calton, as his family and many footballing friends and former colleagues gathered to pay tribute to a great Celtic man.
The Mass was celebrated by parish priest of St Mary’s, Fr John Mulholland, while the homily was given by Fr Mark O’Donnell.
He spoke about the most important thing in John’s life – his family – emphasising that, while he was proud of his incredible football achievements, he was, first and foremost, a husband, father and grandfather. And that was the perfect illustration of a humble man.
It was a moving and beautiful Mass, with many supporters also gathered in St Mary’s with their own memories of a Celtic legend.
The Celtic board were there, along with Brendan Rodgers and many of the first-team squad, along with a number of former players, including John’s friend and fellow Lisbon Lion, Jim Craig.
And towards the end of the service, veteran journalist and broadcaster, Archie Macpherson, delivered a eulogy, with his own memories of John as a player and also his most recent and last meeting with him before he sadly passed away.
The funeral cortege then made the short trip along from St Mary’s – the spiritual home of Celtic – to Celtic Park, where fans gathered to pay tribute one last time to a legend of the club and a fellow supporter.
Funeral Mass for Celtic legend, John Clark
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2025/june/29/funeral-mass-for-celtic-legend–john-clark/
Club News
By Celtic Football Club
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29 Jun 2025, 6:00 pm
The Funeral Mass for Celtic legend, John Clark, will be held this Friday, July 4.
While the service will take place at St Mary’s Church in the Calton at 12noon, we ask supporters to be mindful that space at the church is limited.
The Funeral Mass will, however, be broadcast live on the club’s official YouTube channel, giving supporters everywhere the opportunity to join the club in remembering a true legend.
For those wishing to pay their respects, John’s funeral cortege will travel down The Celtic Way at approximately 1.15pm, and fans are welcome to gather at Celtic Park to say a final farewell to one of the club’s greatest ever servants.
John Clark was a Lisbon Lion, a cornerstone of our greatest ever team, and a dedicated servant to Celtic across seven decades. This Friday, we come together to honour his incredible legacy.
Final farewell at Celtic Park for Lisbon Lion John Clark
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g20g6g3d4o.amp
Video caption, Celtic fans pay tribute as Lisbon Lion John Clark’s cortege passes the club stadium
4 July 2025, 06:07 BST
Updated 2 hours ago
Mourners have gathered in Glasgow to mark the funeral of Celtic legend and Lisbon Lion John Clark.
Celtic invited fans to meet at Celtic Park to say a “final farewell to one of the club’s greatest ever servants”.
Clark, who died last week at the age of 84, won several major honours in more than 300 games for the Parkhead side.
His greatest achievement came in 1967, when Celtic defeated Inter Milan in Lisbon to become the first British team to lift the European Cup.
In a statement, Celtic said: “John Clark was a Lisbon Lion, a cornerstone of our greatest ever team and a dedicated servant to Celtic.
“We come together to honour his incredible legacy.”
A man with white hair and a green suit jacket and tie gives a small smile to the camera
Image source, SNS
Image caption, John Clark died last week at the age of 84
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said: “John’s continued presence at Celtic across so many decades I know served as an absolute inspiration to so many players.
“Through his knowledge, his wisdom and his true love for Celtic, John has made such an important contribution to the club.”
The Scottish FA also paid tribute to Clark after a “glittering career”, having represented Scotland four times.
A black and white photo of three footballers, two in stripped celtic tops, the man in the middle has a number six on his shorts and kicks a whie ball
Image source, SNS
Image caption, Clark made his debut in 1959 and returned to Celtic after his playing career
Clark’s funeral mass began at midday at St Mary’s Church in Glasgow’s Calton area.
Celtic owner Dermot Desmond and former players Roy Keane and Ian Wright were seen arriving for the funeral, as well as manager Brendan Rodgers and team captain Callum McGregor.
Portuguese flags hung from the balconies inside the church during a service that also heard the Celtic anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone played on the organ.
At the start of the mass, priest Father John Mulholland extended his sympathies to Clark’s widow, Eileen, his children Mairi and Martin, his three grandchildren and other family members.
He reflected on the legacy created by the Clark and his teammates from 1967.
“How many people would be able to name those 11 men without even thinking,” he said.
“They are second nature to all of us, simply because of what they did that afternoon.
“That immortality has gone with them for what is now nearly 60 years – wee boys at school can rhyme off the names of the Lisbon Lions.”
In a 25-minute eulogy, renowned Scottish football commentator Archie MacPherson hailed Clark as the “most modest and genial footballer” he had ever encountered.
The service was broadcast live for fans on the club’s YouTube channel and finished at about 13:45.
Afterwards the funeral cortege travelled down The Celtic Way outside the stadium in Parkhead.
Supporters and squad members applauded as the cortege drove up to Celtic Park and paused briefly outside the main entrance.
Celtic scarves had been tied to the metal fences and floral tributes were left outside the stadium.
Video caption, Tribute: Lisbon Lion John Clark remembered
Clark, who made his Celtic debut in 1959, served the club for over four decades.
He returned to Parkhead after his playing career to work in the youth set up.
Clark became assistant to Billy McNeil, his defensive partner during the quadruple-winning 1966-67 season, at Aberdeen then at Celtic.
He also managed Cowdenbeath, Stranraer and Clyde but again went back to Celtic, serving as kit man for almost 20 years.
Peter Lawwell, Celtic’s chairman, described Clark as a “very dear friend and colleague”.
“John was actually a hero to me and so many others,” he said. “Someone who achieved the greatest feat of all in club football but did so, along with his great team mates, with such grace and humility.”
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