ian1964 10,728 Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 SCOTTISH football journalism lost one of its most authoritative voices yesterday with the death of Glenn Gibbons. The former chief football writer of The Scotsman, who had borne a serious illness with fortitude for several months, was 69. In a career which began with DC Thomson in Glasgow during a glorious era for Scottish football in the 1960s, Gibbons went on to become one of the most recognisable and formidable figures in his profession in the pages of the Scottish Daily Mail, the Guardian and The Scotsman. Among the many high-profile names in his contacts book was Sir Alex Ferguson, who became his close friend as well as dealing with him in a professional capacity. The former Aberdeen and Manchester United manager led the tributes to Gibbons last night. “Glenn was a journalist of substance,” said Ferguson. “He had a wonderful, lucid writing style but everything he wrote was underpinned by an unwavering accuracy. “His great knowledge of football was complemented by a fearlessness. He always expressed what he believed with courage and style. He was a marvellous chronicler of Scottish football and beyond. He had a passion for the game and his knowledge was unsurpassed. “He was a tremendous source of information and I referred to him regularly, particularly before the publication of my autobiography when he checked out many of the facts. He was simply a great journalist.” As well as being a colourful observer of the action on the pitch, Gibbons was also a pugnacious commentator on football’s off-the-field issues. Peter Donald, the former secretary of the Scottish Football League, was among the administrators of the game who admired his work. “I always found Glenn to be extremely knowledgeable about the game,” said Donald last night. “He understood the political machinations of football and could see inside the story. “He was very well connected within football. You could always speak to him openly and feel comfortable that he would develop and write his pieces without necessarily putting you in the centre of the story. “Glenn was hugely respected within football and I know that I always felt good after speaking to him. I’m deeply saddened to hear of his death.” Gibbons joined The Scotsman in 1999 and made an immediate impact on these pages, being named Scottish Sports Journalist of the Year in 2000. He retired in 2009 but maintained a weekly presence in the paper with his Saturday column. Donald Walker, assistant editor and former sports editor of The Scotsman, said: “Few could match Glenn’s eloquence and authority in the sports pages of the Scottish press, and his passing marks the loss of one of football’s best-read commentators. His experience, judgment and professionalism shone through during his ten years as chief football writer with The Scotsman, and his weekly column was required reading. We will miss him enormously, and our thoughts are with his family.” Gibbons is survived by his wife Mary, son Michael and daughter Samantha. http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/english/sir-alex-leads-tributes-after-glenn-gibbons-dies-1-3578697 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Cooper 0 Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 One of the most poisonous Rangers haters. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juancornetto 1 Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 A man who used his last months on earth to sink the boot into a supposedly dead football club. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whosthedado 1,691 Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Hate to say this but there wont be many tears shed down Ibrox way at this news 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zappa 0 Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 I would like to offer my condolences along with a tune from this wee violin. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zappa 0 Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 A man who used his last months on earth to sink the boot into a supposedly dead football club. I'm sure he'll be fondly remembered by the Celtic family for his focus on Rangers. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juancornetto 1 Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 I'm sure he'll be fondly remembered by the Celtic family for his focus on Rangers. Candlelight vigil anyone? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zappa 0 Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Candlelight vigil anyone? Midnight at Brother Walfrid. Bring Roman candles instead of tea lights. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juancornetto 1 Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Best use of smiley's in a thread award 2014, goes to....... Zappa! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearman 9 Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 I had no idea who this bloke was until I 'googled' him...what a nasty little man he was!!! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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