Welsh club make season long Jock Stein tribute

After a year in the Welsh town Stein had to return home for family reasons, with Celtic struggling at the time reserve coach Jimmy Gribben delved into his contact book to offer defender a deal.

Joe McHugh July 19, 2023

Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Celtic v Aberdeen - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - May 27, 2023 Celtic players receive a guard of honour by the Aberdeen players as former manager and player Jock Stein is displayed in the stands before the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Welsh side Llanelli Town will be wearing a very distinctive away kit in the 23/24 season.

Back in 1950 Llanelli was the place to be as the non-league side lured players from all over the UK with wages of £12/week which was enough to attract a certain Lanarkshire miner away from Albion Rovers.

After a year in the Welsh town Stein had to return home for family reasons, with Celtic struggling at the time reserve coach Jimmy Gribben delved into his contact book to offer defender a deal.

Injuries opened the door to the first team, the former Albion Rovers defender grabbed his chance and was soon captaining Celtic to their first post-war League and Scottish Cup double which followed on from lifting the Coronation Cup.

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This seasons away shirt is inspired by club legend Jock Stein’s journey from our club to @CelticFC, where he went on to become their greatest ever manager! #COYBIG… pic.twitter.com/f7OdM1dKpO

— Llanelli Town AFC (@LlanelliReds) July 19, 2023

Alas injury soon brought Stein’s playing career to an end forcing him into coaching. After stints in charge of Dunfermline and Hibs he returned to Celtic, leading the club to their ever successes.

Now, over 70 years after leaving Llanelli, Stein will be remembered with a strip that is closer to the Lisbon kit than the strip that Brendan Rodgers’ side will be wearing.