Big Jock Knew

"Big Jock Knew" is a song sung by the supporters of Rangers F.C. It is aimed mainly to antagonise supporters of their Glasgow rivals Celtic F.C. by stating that their former manager, Jock Stein, was aware of sexual abuse committed by the former Celtic Boys Club manager, Jim Torbett, and did not notify the authorities, as stated by several ex-Celtic players.

Reaction

The song has provoked controversy and is often condemned by numerous sources.[1] One of the victims involved, Alan Brazil, has said that Stein did not have knowledge of the abuse.,[2] However, Celtic Boys' Club chairman Hugh Birt has claimed that Stein and the Celtic board covered up allegations made against Torbett[3] but it also suggested during Torbett's court case that Stein was aware of and led a cover up of the events that transpired[4] but did nothing more about them.[5] UNICEF expressed concern over the song and called for it to be banned from football games.[6] The song was not originally placed on a list of banned chants by the Scottish Premier League whereas other similar controversial chants such as the Billy Boys were.[7] In 2007, the Scottish Football Association Chief Executive, Gordon Smith, called the song "morally repugnant."[8]

There have been a number of high profile mentions of it in the media. In 2007, at the end of the song "Who Knew" by Pink, Real Radio DJ Steven McKenna stated, "Big Jock". This sparked angry complaints from Celtic fans calling for him to be sacked. The radio station then issued a public apology.[9] In 2008, if the question "What did Big Jock know?" was texted to 118 118, a directory enquiries service, the answer received was "It pertains to a matter that Stein knew but didn't report to the authorities."[10]

References

  1. ↑ Thompson, Bernard (24 August 2007). "More than a game". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  2. ↑ Bendoris, Matt (7 March 2009). "Matt meets Alan Brazil". The Scottish Sun. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  3. ↑ "Jock Stein covered up sex claims to protect his Celtic; Trial told of order from manager.(News) - Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland)". Highbeam.com. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
  4. ↑ Hardaker, Paul (November 13, 1998). "Guilty Torbett faces prison over Celtic Boys sex shame; Victims blast Celtic chiefs over 'cover up' - The Mirror (London, England)". Highbeam.com. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
  5. ↑ McIlwraith, Gordon (November 7, 1998). "`Jock Stein covered up Boys' Club sex shame' Ex-chief tells court Celtic did nothing. - The Mirror (London, England)". Thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
  6. ↑ MacDonald, Stuart (10 January 2009). "Unicef: Famine Song banned". The Times. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  7. ↑ Broadfoot, Darryl (6 August 2007). "SPL urged to clarify banned chants". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  8. ↑ Spiers, Graham (24 November 2007). "Reid this and weep: accusations have no place in football world". The Times. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  9. ↑ Rose, Gareth (15 August 2007). "Club apologises to Celtic after sex abuse jibe". The Scotsman. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  10. ↑ McAulay, Robert (23 December 2008). "Big Jock Text Outrage". The Scottish Sun. Retrieved 6 March 2011.