Dr J Fitzsimons

THE death of Dr John Fitzsimons earlier this month touched generations

of Celtic footballers.

''Fitzie'' was the man who looked after the Parkhead players for

around four decades -- and, for another lengthy spell, was also team

doctor for the Scottish international side. The Doc or Fitzie, as he was

known to the players, was more than Celtic's club doctor. He had played

for the club and had an understanding of footballers' foibles. Even late

in life he enjoyed nothing more than joining the players in training

games.

His influence inside the Parkhead club also extended well beyond the

treatment room. During the reign of the late club chairman Sir Robert

Kelly, Dr Fitzsimons was a valued member of the chairman's kitchen

cabinet, a group Sir Robert regularly took soundings from regarding club

policy. The doctor, with his penchant for discussion and argument was an

important member of that group. And, when he voiced his opinions, the

chairman would listen.

Fitzie also liked to look after the spiritual needs of the players in

his care. He was, of course, a devout Catholic and I can still remember

an occasion in Rio De Janiero when he took several players off the team

bus which was heading for a Sunday morning training session and took

them instead to mass!

On that same trip in 1972 the then Scotland team manager Tommy

Docherty told me at the Maracana, that shrine of Brazilian soccer:

''I've never seen Fitzie happier -- he's just found a chapel in the

dressing room.''

Dr John Fitzsimons who was 80 years of age became in his lifetime a

part of the folklore which surrounds Celtic. That is how he will always

be remembered.