John Fallon

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

When starter Ronnie Simpson was struck by a brick (described by chairman Sir Robert Kelly as a 'flat iron bar') during the second leg of the Intercontinental Cup against Racing Club, Fallon had to play. He kept goal through a bad-tempered match and an even worse play-off in Montevideo. His string of saves led one commentator to ask: 'If that's the reserve keeper, what must the other guy be like?'

In Their Own Story

The night after winning the European Cup, Fallon received his winner's medal from captain Billy McNeill at a post-match dinner, only for it to be taken in suspicious circumstances. Manager Jock Stein reportedly asked for the real medal back; Fallon was given a replica while the original went to Sir Robert Kelly. Decades later, in May 2019, an 'eagle-eyed good samaritan' spotted the lost medal and returned it to Celtic, reuniting Fallon with his true trophy.

Reader's Guide

Fallon's career at Celtic spanned from 1958 to 1971. He debuted in September 1959 against Clyde and played a key role in the 1964 Cup Winners' Cup run before losing his place to Ronnie Simpson. After Simpson's retirement, Fallon returned as first choice until a long illness cost him his spot for the 1970 European Cup Final. He left Celtic in 1971 to play for Motherwell and Morton before retiring from senior football.

Did You Know?

• Fallon was the only Lisbon Lion who did not play in the 1967 European Cup Final because he served as the sole permitted substitute goalkeeper.
• His original winner's medal was taken after the final and held by chairman Sir Robert Kelly until it was returned to Fallon in May 2019.
• He made a heroic appearance for Celtic in the Intercontinental Cup play-off against Racing Club after starter Ronnie Simpson was injured by debris thrown from the crowd.