There were smiles, songs and more than a few emotional moments in Craigneuk on Saturday as a stunning statue of Celtic legend and Lisbon Lion, Tommy Gemmell was unveiled in his hometown. Hundreds gathered for the unveiling, including Martin O’Neill and club legends Roy Aitken, Tom Boyd, Peter Grant and Joe Miller. They were joined by a number of well-known faces, including actor Tony Roper. The much-anticipated tribute now stands proudly in the heart of the community that shaped Tommy, a lasting reminder of the boy from Craigneuk, famed for scoring in two European Cup finals for Celtic, while never forgetting where he came from. The landmark project, to honour the memory for Tommy who passed away aged 73 seven years ago today on March 2, 2019, was led by the Tommy Gemmell Project Committee and supported by North Lanarkshire Council’s Community Partnership Team.Tommy’s wife, Mary, said: “It’s just incredible. The statue looks so like Tommy, the likeness is unbelievable. Andy Edwards has done such an outstanding job. When I first saw it properly, it really took my breath away. “This has always been about more than a statue. It’s about bringing Tommy home and celebrating him in the community he loved so much. I can’t thank everyone enough for the support, the fundraising and the kindness shown throughout this whole journey.”Martin McCrum from the Tommy Gemmell Project Committee, paid tribute to the sculptor and the community effort behind the project. “Andy Edwards is an incredibly talented artist, and he’s captured Tommy perfectly, the stance, the expression, even that quiet determination. It’s like he’s standing there ready to strike a ball again. “I was lucky enough to call Tommy a close friend for many years. We travelled together, did business together, and spent hours talking, not just about football, but about Craigneuk. He never forgot his roots. He cared deeply about this area and the people in it.“When Tommy passed, people said we needed a statue. At first, I wasn’t sure I was the right person to lead it. But after seeing the challenges our community faced, I knew we needed something positive. Something that could inspire hope. “That’s why this has always been about more than a statue. It’s about giving the community something to believe in, a focus for good, and a reminder that someone from here made it to the very top and never forgot where he came from.”“A huge thank you as well to the pupils and teachers from Berryhill PS who took part in the ceremony, and to the council school pipe band for piping guests on the day, including well-known football figures from past and present. It was a real community celebration, just as Tommy would have wanted. “The statue is not just a tribute to a footballing great, it is a symbol of community spirit, resilience and ambition. Tommy Gemmell is home. And his legacy now stands proudly in the place it all began.” Heartfelt thanks were extended to everyone who supported the project, donated, volunteered, attended fundraising events and came along on the day. Together, they have created something lasting in the place it all began for Tommy Gemmell
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