A CAMPAIGN for a posthumous knighthood for Jock Stein has gained momentum after declassified documents revealed why the honour was originally rejected. Livingston MP Jim Devine revealed yesterday that he would be writing to the Prime Minister asking him to recognise Stein's achievements in the New Year's honours list.
Stein received no honour after Celtic became the first British club to win the European Cup in 1967. Matt Busby was knighted when he managed Manchester United to success in the same competition the following year.
Stein had to wait until 1970, after Celtic had lost the European Cup final to Feyenoord, to be made a CBE.
Now government papers released under the Freedom of Information Act show that Stein was in line for a knighthood in 1967 but his name was removed because government officials were concerned giving him such an award would not look good after the violent clashes in the World Club championship match between Celtic and Racing Club in Montevideo in November 1967.
Mr Devine said: "I will be writing to Gordon Brown today requesting he makes things right and grants a posthumous knighthood to Jock Stein."
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