Celtic legend’s medals come up for auction

The 1970 European Cup runner’s up medal belonging to Celtic legend Jim Brogan will be one of the highlights in an auction of Sporting Medals and Trophies in Glasgow on Friday 28 August.

The historic piece is part of a collection of 22 medals belonging to the late Celtic defender that will go under the hammer at McTear’s Auctioneers. Included in the auction will be six Scottish League winners’ medals, four Scottish Cup winners’ medals and two Scottish League Cup winners’ medals.

Commenting on behalf of the family, Jim Brogan’s daughter, Colette Farren, said: “My dad wasn’t just a great footballer, he was an amazing family man too. Although he put heart and soul into Celtic he would always find time to take us swimming, attend a parent’s evening or go for an ice cream at the Derby Café in Glasgow’s southside.

“Out of all of dad’s games, it was his last for Celtic that has the fondest memories for me. It was against Rangers in 1975 and the whole family was there to watch him walk out as captain. Even after a bad tackle broke four ribs he was fighting to get off the stretcher and continue the game. That was a true mark of the man – fearless, determined and loyal to the end.

“We are so proud of everything dad achieved and it is lovely to look at the medals, but they will never replace the memories we have. After a long discussion the family decided it was time to let other football fans get some enjoyment from the collection and that was when we approached McTear’s.”

James Bruce from McTear’s, added “Jim Brogan was a key squad member during Celtic’s golden years under Jock Stein, with the player forging a reputation as a skilled and uncompromising defender who could perform at the highest levels of world football.

“A quick glance at the multiple honours included in the auction illustrate how important a player he was, with the archive painting a fascinating picture of Celtic’s cup winning run from 1968 to 1974. This is an incredibly important collection and I have no doubt there will be considerable interest from football and sporting fans across the UK and overseas.”

Jim Brogan played for Celtic between 1963 and 1975, making 341 appearances for the Club, scoring nine goals and picking up four Scotland caps along the way. He played in the 1970 European Cup final in Milan - which Celtic narrowly lost 2-1 to Feyenoord - was part of the squad that achieved a record nine-in-a-row Scottish League championships in 1974 and scored Celtic’s 5000th goal. His brother Frank also played with Celtic and the pair shared the pitch together on Jim’s debut in 1963.

Following a long battle with dementia, Jim Brogan passed away on 24th September 2018, aged 74.

Experts believe the collection could fetch over £20,000 with the European lot valued at £2,000 to £3,000. The League Championship, Scottish Cup and League Cup winners’ medals are estimated at between £1,000 and £2,000 each.

The Sporting Medals & Trophies Auction will take place at McTear’s Auctioneers on Friday 28 August at 3pm.

Click here to view the full auction catalogue. >>

McTear’s is Scotland’s only auction house to host a Sporting Medals & Trophies Auction. For a complimentary, no-obligation valuation contact James Bruce on 0141 810 2880 or james@mctears.co.uk.