'A proper Bluenose': Our readers pay touching tributes to Tam Forsyth

A SAD loss. As a Celtic fan, I hated it when he was playing against us. As a Scotland fan, I loved it when he was playing. Good no-nonsense defender, but a lot more skillful than a lot of people thought. He read the game well, seldom being caught out of position. We all know he could tackle but was a lot more. RIP.
Ned Kelly

Heartbroken. Big Tam was a legend and one of the best tacklers I have ever seen. He got a nose bleed in the opposition half, but what a centre-half for Rangers and Scotland! His winning semi-fluffed tap-in to win the 1973 Scottish Cup Final against Celtic was the stuff of legend, as was his last-minute world-class tackle to deny Mick Channon an equaliser at Hampden in, I think, 1976.

Tam was a proper Bluenose, and uncompromising in his love of Rangers. He worked as a club ambassador/legend in the club deck hospitality area right up until last season.

Davie Cooper was welcomed to Ibrox by Tam Forsyth and John Greig

When a legend dies, like big Caesar, Harry Hood, Tommy Burns or big Tam, a part of every true Scottish football fan, of a certain age, dies with them. They are irreplaceable legends who lived the dream by playing for their beloved clubs, without making a fraction of the money that the current wonder boys earn.

I am a Bluenose through and through, and Tam commanded the penalty box in my formative years. Others will have memories of legendary Celtic men who have passed away.

At least we saw them play.

Can’t believe he has gone, to be honest.

RIP Big Bam-Bam. WATP.
Derek Miller

LIKE every player of that era, no matter your preference, an absolute gent.
John Davidson

I AM a provincial club fan but Tam Forsyth was the same age as me and was part of my football upbringing. A fine defender and good Scotland player in an era when we qualified for most tournaments. Condolences to his family and thanks for the memories!
Nick Robinson

That tackle on Mick Channon against England in 1976 when we were 2-1 up was up there alongside the thunderbolt that won Rangers the Scottish Cup. Rest in peace Tam.
Richard Smit

HALF a second earlier he misses the ball and Channon is thru on goal, half a second later, it’s a penalty.

Possibly the best-timed tackle ever in such an important game?

Does anyone remember Tommy Docherty’s “cart horse to a thoroughbred” comparison with Martin Buchan before kick off?

Don Mason, Bruce Rioch, Danny McGrain, Kenny Dalglish, Tom Forsyth and Colin Jackson, pictured as Scotland played England in 1976

One of my abiding memories of Tam is the sheer joy on his face when holding the cup aloft after winning the treble in 1976!

I lifted my seven-year-old brother over the turnstile and my mates helped with "shoulder" duty during the game. I loved the guy! My son and I were discussing "real" centre half's during the Barca game midweek and I just thought that Tam wrote that particular book.
Bill Barrack

AS a Dons fan I was no fan.of Forsyth but would have had him in the team in a heartbeat. A far better player than the hardman reputation he had. RIP.
Paul Muir

RIP Jaws. A true gent.
Moonk Calder

Sad. A great servant to the club who will never be forgotten. Always a winner.
James Street

Rest easy big man. Rangers legend.
Neil Kennedy

So sad a great Ranger and a stalwart for Scotland. He was one of my all time favourites of the era along with Sandy Jardine and Danny McGrain in the back line for Scotland they were the best defensive line Scotland has had IMHO.

Rest well big man
Malcolm McBlain

Sad news. One of the best goals nearly missed to win a cup final.

Should be mourned by all Scottish football fans.
Neil O'Donnell

That's a terrible shock – Tam Forsyth is one of my early heroes from an era of total devotion between player and fan and fan to player.

Partick's Tony Higgins is shackled by Tam Forsyth in a 1-1 draw at Firhill in 1981

My second-ever Rangers game was seeing him scrape the ball over the line with his studs from four inches – I can still see the joy in his face even now, and I loved him from that moment on.

Seventy-one is no age at all – massive respect Jaws. If ever the term Rangers Legend applied, you are one to me.
Graham Wilson

Very sad news, condolences to Tom's family and friends, always remembered Tom.
Ralph Ballintyne

Sad news, condolences to his family and loved ones.
Donald Webster

RIP Tam from someone who as a teenager cursed you when you played against Celtic, cheered you when you played for Scotland and respected you as I respect all the greats from that era.
John Dolan

Sad news. Rest easy big fella.
G. Mac

Sad to see the death of a great player. He was one of the old school who played hard but fairly. As a celtic supporter I had a great admiration for him as he always gave 100% for his team. Rest in peace.
Patrick Connolly

RIP Tam Forsyth. You were one of the inspirations of many a young football hopeful, and inspire you did. Sad to hear you're gone and condolences to your family.
Barry Egan

So sad to hear of the passing of Tom Forsyth.

I've always believed if your defence is sound, then it allows the team to attack with confidence and win football games.

Big Tam knew his job and was a first name on the team sheet for Rangers and Scotland.

If you had characters in your team in them days, you were awarded a nickname.

Tam's was Jaws. Fellow Ranger Bobby Shearer was Captain Cutless. Celtic's Billy McNeil was Cesar. Ron "Chopper" Harris for Chelsea. Norman "Bite Your Legs" Hunter for Leeds Utd and many more.

Seems to me all the characters are disappearing too soon these days.

Thanks for the memories Tom Forsyth.  True Blue until the end.

One of the People.
John Stevenson

One of my earliest footballing memories was watching, on TV, Tam Forsyth use the studs and sole of his boot to score the winner in the 1973 cup final, and break my young heart.

He didn't play for my team, but he was a big name from my footballing childhood. RIP Tam.
Peter Kelly

The Gers side lining up at Hampden before the 1981 cup final against Dundee Utd, from left: John Greig, Ally Dawson, Jim Stewart, Sandy Jardine, Colin McAdam, Jim Bett, Ian Redford, Gregor Stevens, Tam Forsyth, Tommy McLean, Bobby Russell, Willie Johnstone, John McDonald, Dave Cooper

Crunching tackles across the cosmos.
Cameron Kennedy

Sad news, indeed. Tom Forsyth was an outstanding defender, and never more so than when making that tackle on Channon which has already been referenced a number of times on this thread.

That moment is an unforgettable memory, and exemplified all the qualities which made Forsyth such a legendary figure.
Rest in peace, Tom.
John Kelly

Just watched that tackle again on YouTube. Brilliant! Rest In Peace, big man.
Fran Ger

On the pitch, a club legend, and lived up to his nickname of "Jaws" off the pitch. One of the world's nice guys, I am so sorry to hear this news, my deep condolences to all his family and friends.
Ian Wood

Sad news for a true Rangers legend – always gave 100% for the jersey and a true gentleman off of the pitch. Today's players could learn a lot from the likes of Tam. Safe in arms of Jesus – God Bless.
James Wilson

A travelling Scotsman was crossing the remote wastes of the Arizona desert when he came across a bar in a tumbledown shack in the middle of nowhere. The Scot goes in to find the place empty except for the barman and a wizened old Native American sitting in the corner. Ordering a drink, he asks the barman about the auld fella.

"He's the Hopi Memory Shaman – if you buy him a drink, he'll answer any question you've got. If he can't, he'll buy you one." says the barman.

Taking up the challenge and hoping to catch him out, the wily Scot goes up to the shaman and asks: "Who won the Scottish Cup Final in 1973?"

Without a pause, the Shaman replies "Rangers beat Celtic 3-2 in front of 122,714, Connelly and Dalglish for Celtic, Conn and Parlane for Rangers and Big Tam Forsyth got the winner. I'll have a large bourbon with a marischino cherry."

Impressed by this amazing memory and detail, the Scot buys the old guy his drink, finishes his own and sets out on his way.

Ten years later, the same Scotsman comes across the same bar, goes in and sees the same barman, and the Hopi Shaman in the same corner. In respect for the Shaman's memory, wisdom and knowledge, the Scot approaches him with the traditional greeting: "How!"

"Scuffed it over the line from four inches with his studs," says the shaman. "I'll take another large bourbon and don't forget the cherry this time."

Fondly Remembered.
Graham Wilson

Fantastic player, underrated by some. Surprised that he only got 22 caps. Rest in peace.
Robert McCormack

Loved big Jaws. Another of my childhood heroes gone. RIP big man and thanks for all the memories.
Gordon Smith

Tam Forsyth is tackled by Wilhelmus Van De Kerkof in Scotland's 3-2 win over the Netherlands at the Estadio San Martin in the '78 World Cup

RIP Tam, always a Thoroughbred never a Clydesdale.
Alistair Waddell

As a supporter of the other half of the "Old Firm" I have to say my thoughts and prayers go to his family, friends and all at Rangers as Tam was a loyal servant of his club and that commitment alone is due respect regardless of where your loyalties lie. May he Rest in Peace.
JB B2019

Sad to see another great player from the time we used to regularly produce them. A much better player than he was given credit for. May he rest in peace.
Tony Paterson

His name was synonymous with the hard-tackling type of sixties player who would gladly break a leg for the jersey. Such commitment and loyalty are rare in today's game.

He was simply known as "big Tam" to all us Celtic supporters in the Wishaw area.

Sad that another great name has exited from my childhood memories.

RIP Big Tam.
James Reilly