Johnny Campbell, Newtonmore | |
01 August 2016 It was with deep regret that Newtonmore Camanachd announced the passing of one of their legendary players, Johnny Campbell. Johnny Campbell played during four decades and he was one of shinty’s great players of the post war era. Whilst all clubs have, over the years, had their great and skilful players - and Newtonmore have had their fair share – but in Johnny Campbell they had someone special. He played in his first Camanachd Cup Final in 1948, when Newtonmore beat Ballachulish 4-1 in Inverness. He continued to represent Newtonmore with honour throughout the 1950s, 1960s and into the 1970s, captaining Newtonmore to Camanachd Cup success at Old Anniesland, Glasgow in 1972 when they defeated Oban Celtic 6-3. Johnny Campbell scored two goals that day and, aged 43; the wing forward was awarded the prestigious Albert Smith Medal for man of the match into the bargain. This went some-way to eradicate the disappointment of losing 4-1 to the same side in the 1954 Camanachd Cup Final when he was also captain. He retired from shinty in 1974 with Newtonmore at the top of their game although he is believed to have played in a challenge match in 1977. Johnny Campbell amassed a staggering eleven Camanachd Cup winning medals during his playing career, a feat only bettered at the Eilan by David “Tarzan” Ritchie and Hugh Chisholm who have a dozen apiece. There is a special shield on display in Newtonmore’s shinty pavilion at the Eilan which is adorned with some 70 of Johnny Campbell’s medals. It’s a collection that is unlikely to be equalled in the game and quite correctly affords Johnny Campbell legendary status in the game of shinty. Speaking to the Herald newspaper in 1998, Johnny Campbell told of his dedication to Newtonmore and the sport of shinty. ''I grew up at a time when boyhood in Newtonmore meant endless practice in all waking hours, with no counter-distractions like modern-day television. It was a period, too, of effective indoctrination from great role models.'' Newtonmore were going through a difficult period at the time of the interview and he added, ''I regret the downturn in fortunes of the famous club, but I see a hope of reincarnation in the sons now emerging of the players from the golden 70s era.'' When Newtonmore won the Camanachd Cup in 2011, beating great rivals Kingussie 4-3 after extra-time, to lift the famous trophy for the first time in 25 years, no one was more pleased than Johnny Campbell. Naturally, the players visited him afterwards with the trophy when he commented with a wry smile, “It’s heavier than I remember.” Johnny Campbell spent his working life in the building trade and he was a popular figure on and off the shinty field. He took an interest in all other shinty teams and had friends in all corners of the shinty world. He played other sports too; football included, and was a devout Hibs supporter all his days. Johnny Campbell passed away peacefully at Mains House Care Home, Newtonmore on Wednesday 27 July 2016 and his funeral will take place at the Eilan at 12 noon on Thursday 4 August 2016 and thereafter to Banchor Cemetery. The sympathies from everyone in the game of shinty are offered to Johnny’s sister Mary, brother Donald and the extended family in Newtonmore and beyond. |