CELTIC legend Bobby Lennox was the guest of honour at Netherdale on Saturday. Gala Fairydean Rovers welcomed the Lisbon Lion for a hospitality event at their Lowland League game against Edinburgh University. Following the match the former Scotland star took part in a question and answer session hosted by club secretary Graeme McIver where he kept a packed clubrooms enthralled and entertained with dozens of amusing anecdotes and stories from a glittering playing career. The event was organised by Gala chairman Kevin Temple.
Kevin told us: “It was a great honour for Gala Fairydean Rovers to welcome Bobby Lennox to Netherdale.
"He is a true legend of Scottish Football and it was a privilege to hear him speak about some of the wonderful experiences he has enjoyed for both Celtic and Scotland.
"He was very funny and engaging and I think everybody in attendance agreed that it was one of the best events we have held at the club.
"I am grateful to William and Joseph Cullis for helping me to arrange the day and to all of those who helped make the event such a great success.”
The native of Saltcoats in North Ayrshire won an incredible 11 Scottish championships, 8 Scottish Cups, 5 League Cups and of course the European Cup during three trophy-laden decades at the Parkhead club. He also scored one of the goals in the Scottish team’s famous 3-2 victory over then world champions England at Wembley Stadium in 1967. He remains Celtic’s second highest scorer of all time with 273 goals from 571 games, was awarded the MBE for services to football in 1981 and was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame in 2005. England and Manchester United legend Bobby Charlton once said of Lennox: "If I'd had Bobby in my team, I could have played forever.
"He was one of the best strikers I have ever seen."
Whilst the great Alfredo De Stefano of Real Madrid was quoted: ''... the Scotsman who gave me the most trouble was Bobby Lennox of Celtic.
"My testimonial at the Bernabeu was against Celtic as, of course, they were the champions of Europe in 1967 and, although I remember the Bernabeu rising to Jimmy Johnstone, I admired Lennox greatly.''
Guests on Saturday were treated to a meal with wine whilst watching the Ross County v Celtic game in the clubrooms before attending Gala’s Lowland League clash with Edinburgh University. A raffle for signed memorabilia was drawn by Bobby Lennox and solicited a huge ironic cheer when Rangers fan Graham Snug Wilson won a signed replica Celtic strip from Lisbon 1967. Snug has generously donated the strip back to the club to hang in the new boardroom. Bobby Lennox selected on-loan Hibs youngster Adam Watson as the home side's man of the match and presented him with a bottle of bubbly in the clubrooms.