Ein stor spiller og mann som gjekk bort så altfor tidleg.
:'(
http://www.leedsunited.com/page/NewsroomDetail/0,,10273~1184936,00.html
RIP, Billy
He was the king
Yobs vandalise Bremner statue
(http://editorial.jpress.co.uk/web/Upload/LEED//TH1_812200748bremner.jpg)
Cleaning up the statue today
YOBS vandalised the Billy Bremner statue at Leeds United's Elland Road ground as the club prepared to mark the 10th anniversary of the legendary footballer's death.
Staff arriving at the stadium early this morning found blue paint daubed across the face and body of the 9ft bronze statue.
The initials "HYC" were also sprayed on its white marble plinth.
They were an apparent reference to the Huddersfield Young Casuals - a self-styled hooligan "firm" attached to Huddersfield Town, United's opponents at Elland Road today.
The derby match's kick-off time had already been moved to 12.15pm amid fears of clashes between rival fans.
Extra police were due to be on duty at the ground today.
A Leeds spokesman described the vandalism as "extremely disappointing and sad".
He said work had begun to clean up the statue as soon as the graffiti was discovered.
Ray Fell, chairman of the Leeds United Supporters' Club, said: "This is an action that will sadden all true Leeds fans.
"Billy means so much to us and we are sad that such an action could be taken.
"It is a pity that football still attracts these kinds of hooligans.
"Within the ground there is rivalry but you don't expect anything like this. It is taking rivalry too far and it is disappointing that people will stoop to this level.
"Fans don't usually damage the memories of great players."
Yesterday marked the 10th anniversary of Bremner's death at the age of 54.
A minute's applause in his memory was being held inside Elland Road before today's game.
United also produced a special tribute programme to the great man which, ironically, featured a front cover photo of his statue and the message "Always in our hearts".
The sculpture was put up at the corner of Elland Road's South and East stands in 1999.
It was unveiled by Bremner's widow Vicky and his grandson Chad.
YEP
Diverre fekk eg aldri æra av å møte kong Billy, men ein treng ikkje vere 40+ for å forstå kor stor stjerne han hadde blant med- og motspelarar, fans, trenarar osv. Klipp eg har sett og historier eg har lese talar for seg
Lenge leve kong Billy!!!
Never forgotten
Phil Hay, Inside Elland Road
Of all the memories resurrected today by the incomparable Billy Bremner, few can raise a smile so swiftly as the thought of Chelsea and Arsenal dismissing the Scot's potential on the tenuous premise of his lack of height.
It is not difficult to imagine Bremner's features as he learned the news, his disappointment hidden behind the rugged and steely complexion that years of photographs captured so well. London's loss was Leeds United's gain, as the nameless individuals who belittled his talent discovered soon enough. It was, and is, a magnificent lesson in understanding the value of stature.
I was never fortunate enough to see Bremner's performances in the flesh â€" age is an immovable barrier â€" but you could not grow up in Scotland without discovering the legend that was born in Stirling. Bremner did not involve himself in Scottish club football, but nobody north of the border resents that. It is perhaps with regret that so many Scots realise how infrequently they witnessed the sheer ability of one of their country's finest exports.
As sad as it sounds, few youngsters on the streets of Edinburgh or Glasgow would be able to talk about Bremner with great awareness today. Some may never have heard of him. It has, then, been an absolute delight to discover the reverence and passion with which Leeds United â€" the club and their wider family â€" treat the late midfielder's reputation. The day that football forgets Bremner is the day that football sells its soul.
I first heard of Bremner at the age of around seven, described to me as "the best midfielder you will ever see".
I loved that description, especially because primitive technology and a lack of media penetration in the mid-1980s â€" the days before YouTube â€" meant he was something of a mythical figure. In grainy black-and-white pictures, he looked almost frightening, the type of player you would always select first for a playground kick-about. The type of player whose inclusion in the opposite team would quickly reduce your enthusiasm. It wasn't exactly a misconception. There are few players who can be genuinely described as inspirational, but Bremner must have been one.
It is confusing, then, to discover the extent to which the midfielder polarises opinion. You will struggle to find a critical voice when discussing Bremner in Leeds.
Yet step beyond West Yorkshire, particularly to the south of England, and the attitude seems to change. Out goes the talent, and in comes tired talk of dirty Leeds â€" the late tackles, and the tricks of the trade.
With Christmas on the way, it reeks of humbug. No amount of criticism of Don Revie's team could ever persuade me that Leeds United's golden era was built on anything other than wonderful spirit and outstanding ability.
You do not dominate English football with a philosophy of disguised violence, and any suggestion otherwise is an insult to Bremner and his colleagues.
Call me cynical, but there is little doubt that Bremner would have been more nationally popular â€" during his career and after it â€" had he signed for Arsenal or Chelsea.
He would not, however, have been more revered by those who matter most.
Which brings us back to stature. The capital's assessment of the Scot's size could not have been more ridiculous. If ever there was a player who exceeded the limitations of his small and slight frame, it was Bremner. If ever there was a player whose name became almost as great as the club he played for, it was Bremner. He is a footballing giant in every sense. It has become traditional for United's supporters to turn to their finest player and captain when trouble abounds.
His statue on the corner of Elland Road is the automatic focal point of unity, in times of grief and in times of protests.
Earlier this season, a wreath was laid at the feet of his memorial in memory of the mother of an unnamed fan. "You have joined little Billy in heaven," read a simple written message.
Even now, Bremner's role is to carry Leeds United on his shoulders.
Before the club's game against Derby County at Elland Road last season, The Ballad of Billy Bremner was played out to mark the ninth anniversary of his death. It was a grim occasion, ruined by the type of depressing defeat that was symptomatic of a dreadful year which would have wounded him deeply. A decade on from his passing, a capacity crowd will be at Elland Road tomorrow to honour their skipper and support the club's recovery.
How delighted Bremner must be to know that all he fought for and all he aspired for Leeds United to be was not in vain.
YEP
Billy Bremner: 10 years on SLIDESHOW
(http://editorial.jpress.co.uk/web/Upload/LEED//TH1_712200744Billy%20Bremner.jpg)
http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/leedsunited/Billy-Bremner-10-years-on.3565624.jp (trykk på video)
HE was the footballing dynamo whose skills lit up Elland Road during Leeds United's glory years of the 1960s and 1970s.
Now chants and cheers for legendary Leeds captain Billy Bremner are set to fill the air at the famous old ground all over again.
Today marks the 10th anniversary of Bremner's death at the age of just 54.
And Leeds are doing their utmost to make sure tomorrow's home match with Huddersfield Town is a fitting tribute to the one and only 'King Billy'.
A minute's applause will be held in his memory before the game's 12.15pm kick-off, club bosses have announced.
They have also produced a special matchday programme which features a front cover photograph of Elland Road's Bremner statue along with the message 'Always in our hearts'.
News of the tribute won praise today from Ray Fell, chairman of the Leeds United Supporters' Club.
He said: "It's really good to hear that Billy's achievements are being acknowledged.
"We all have so many marvellous memories of him â€" the effort he put in and the way he led the side was second to none."
Born in Stirling, Scotland, in 1942, Bremner made 773 appearances for Leeds between 1959 and 1976.
During his time at Elland Road, he won two League Championships, the FA Cup, the League Cup and two European Fairs Cups.
The midfielder was also capped 54 times for his country.
Bremner returned to United for a three-year spell as manager in the 1980s.
His death from a heart attack in 1997 prompted a flood of tributes from across the footballing world.
Two years later a bronze statue of the great man was unveiled at the corner of Elland Road's South and East stands.
Showing Bremner with his arms aloft, it was inspired by his celebrations on the emotional night Leeds beat Barcelona en route to the 1975 European Cup final.
Leeds manager Dennis Wise said: "There should be recognition after what he did for this football club.
"Everyone's heard of him and he's a big person at this club. It's right to do something. He deserves it."
YEP
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2081/2099126686_a1f5274e85.jpg?v=0)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2336/2098360171_3055b3fe43.jpg?v=0)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2278/2099138626_dbfb2e1e4e.jpg?v=0)
(http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/2537/119390319a4b7667bc4bow1.jpg)
Fantastisk perspektiv på det bildet der, Ole. Som om Billy forsøker å mane selve Gudene og englene til kamp.
Leeds boss Wise slams 'idiot' after Bremner statue vandalised
Leeds manager Dennis Wise was furious that the Billy Bremner statue outside the ground was spraypainted before his side's 4-0 victory over local rivals Huddersfield.
The victory was a fitting tribute to former Leeds and Scotland captain Bremner, who died 10 years ago this week.
(http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/12_01/bremnerMOS0912_468x483.jpg)
Clean up: Bremner statue is repaired after being vandalised
"You don't disrespect a player of that calibre," he said.
"It is disappointing that some idiot decides to do something like that. People like that should be kept away from football."
Daily Mail