Billy Stark remembers his 'old pal' as Celtic legend Tommy Burns' story takes to the stage

It will be shown firstly at Celtic Park all this week in honour of the self-proclaimed supporter who "got lucky" in playing for and managing the club he loved. The show pays homage to the three things that Tommy Burns cherished above everything else - family, faith and football.

Billy Stark was Tommy Burns right-hand man and the pair became inseparable until his death from melanoma in 2008 at the age of 51. So much so that it was Billy Stark who was asked by the Burns family to give the eulogy at Tommy Burns funeral in the Calton. Stark revealed that their acquaintance began in the most unlikely of surroundings as they faced each other in a match at Boghead in Dumbarton.

However, Burns would remember Stark's name forever in 1977. Stark insists that he taunted Burns mercilessly after scoring the winner as a youngster for St Mirren in a shock 2-1 win at Celtic Park.

The former St Mirren and Aberdeen midfielder was also in the same group as Burns when both of them did their SFA coaching badges at Largs in 1985.

The duo became Celtic teammates during the unforgettable Centenary season in 1988 where they earned an unflattering but comedic nickname of "Statler and Waldorf" after the two old men who sat in the balcony during the Muppet Show and criticised everything. It was a nod to their experience and seniority in the Celtic side from the youngsters in the team.

Stark said: "Tommy Burns relationship with myself actually stretches back to a game we played at Boghead in Dumbarton but I got to know him really well back in 1977. I was part of a very young St Mirren side that defeated Celtic 2-1 at Celtic Park and I scored the winner. I never let Tommy forget that and I used to rib him about it all the time.

"Then when I was at Aberdeen in 1985 and, Sir Alex Ferguson 'volunteered' a squad of Dons players to take their SFA coaching badges at Largs. I was one of the volunteers from Aberdeen and Tommy was put forward by Celtic. We ended up in the same group and just really hit it off. Tommy was a wonderful guy with a cracking sense of humour.

"We became even closer during our time spent at Celtic together as teammates and we won the League and Cup double in the Centenary Year, of course, and the Scottish Cup again in 1989. That was a fantastic three years at Celtic and the younger players at the club christened us "Statler and Waldorf" after the two old guys in the Muppet Show.

"Sometimes we would walk from Celtic Park to Barrowfield for training and the other lads in the team would take their cars and they'd shout: "There's Statler and Waldorf!" out the car windows at us on the way to training. It was their way of showing respect to Tommy and myself as more senior, experienced players. We both loved it - I know Tommy did especially."

READ MORE: Tommy Burn's Celtic VHS Tapes, the overlooked Andy Thom and the Three Amigos - Pierre van Hooijdonk Big Interview

When Burns took up a management position at both Kilmarnock and Celtic in the 1990s it was Stark he turned to twice to act as both his emotional and professional crutch and support. Burns became manager of the Ayrshire side in 1992 and he and Stark took them back to the top flight a year later.

Stark jokes that the side was nicknamed Dad's Army because of the number of golden oldies in the starting eleven. Not only were Burns and Stark still plying their trade into their 30s butt the likes of Bobby Geddes Ray Montgomerie, Willie McStay, Craig Paterson, Bobby Williamson and George McCluskey were also on board.

Killie were given a £60,000 budget for players the following season in the Scottish Premier League and Burns blew the lot on defender Andy Millen. They miraculously stayed in the division.

Stark admits he knew Killie were going to be safe after Burns had the Kilmarnock players rolling with laughter in the dressing room during their first trip to Ibrox on their return to the Premier League.

Stark said: "Tommy promoted a few youngsters into the Kilmarnock team after we got promoted.

"Shaun McSkimming, Mark Roberts, Ally Mitchell, Mark Skilling, Mark Reilly had all come into the team. Not many of them had played at Ibrox against Rangers and we travelled there in August. It was an early baptism of for these boys and a few of them were shitting themselves.

"We duly arrived at Ibrox and Tommy Burns just went missing. Nobody could find him anywhere.

"All the players went into the dressing room and the kit hamper was lying in the middle of the floor. Tommy just leapt out of it like a jack in the box and the place was in an absolute uproar. He then proceeded to lay out the strips and place a nappy where Mark Roberts shorts would be. Mark was making his debut at Ibrox and he was only 16!

"The young guys were in hysterics and it really did lighten the mood. It was a managerial masterstroke as the players relaxed a bit more and the trick worked as we won 2-1. Our goals were scored by Mark Roberts and veteran Bobby Williamson that day but it was Tommy jumping out the kit hamper that paved the way for that vital win."

READ MORE: John Hughes talks Celtic, Tommy Burns, Pep Guardiola, Rod Stewart and scoring against Rangers - The Big Interview

It was Burns and Stark's time at Celtic as players and managers that they are fondly remembered for.

Although the pair won only one major trophy when they were in charge, the Scottish Cup final in 1995, Burns and Stark's swashbuckling side that lost just one league game in season 1995/96 is still revered to this day.

Stark said: "Tommy and I had similar ideas about how football should be played and we had a fantastic time implementing them at Kilmarnock. We both went to Celtic when we were just 37 years of age but it was an opportunity we couldn't turn down.

“Tommy was pretty much building a team from scratch but thankfully we delivered the club’s first trophy in six years by beating Airdrie in the 1995 Scottish Cup Final. We were up against arguably the greatest ever Rangers side in its history and we fell just short.

"He had fantastic man-management skills as he showed by handling the egos of the Three Amigos - Pierre van Hooijdonk, Paolo di Canio and Jorge Cadete. Everybody still talks about the Celtic team that lost one league game all season and didn't win the championship.

"People also fondly remember the Three Amigos side and the night that Jorge Cadete broke the Radio5 Live speaker the night he scored against Aberdeen in a 5-0 win on his debut. It is never a nice feeling to come second.

"There are not many if any Celtic teams in history who are remembered yet that Tommy Burns team is still spoken about in glowing terms by the supporters. That tells you something doesn't it?"

Stark admits that he got to see the real Tommy Burns during their managerial stint at Celtic. He understood exactly why family, faith and football made Burns tick.

The current Scotland under-19 coach said: "I've never a known a man like Tommy Burns who had three things that he treasured most in life - his family, faith and his football. Tommy was just so content with his lot.

"He loved Celtic especially and he would never tire of telling people that he was just a supporter who got lucky."

Stark, who also enjoyed stints as Morton, St Johnstone and Queen's Park boss, also revealed that Burns would always drop into Hampden when he was boss of the Spiders for a cup of tea and a slice of cake. Such was the unbreakable bond between the pair.

Stark said: "I am sad because I will be on duty with Scotland under 19 squads and I will miss the opening night of the Tommy Burns story. I am sure I will see the play at some point.

"I miss the telephone calls I shared with Tommy every day. I miss the fact that he never drops in at Hampden anymore for tea and cake which he used to do often when I was the manager of Queen's park. I miss his humour. Most of all I miss the man that is Tommy Burns."

READ MORE: Tosh McKinlay on Celtic under Tommy Burns, The Three Amigos and stopping the 10 - The Big Interview

Such was their close friendship that it was Tommy's wife Rosemary Burns who bestowed the ultimate honour on Stark by asking him to give the eulogy at Tommy Burns funeral. To this day an emotional Stark insists he doesn't know he got through it. He spoke evocative and beautiful words in St Mary's Church in the Calton - the area where Tommy grew up - as he stood alongside Burns' heartbroken family. He admits that it is the hardest thing he has ever had to do in his life but can't bring himself to watch a re-run of the funeral service.

Stark said: "I don't know how I got through that day. I really don't. I have never watched it back because I don't think I could put myself through it again. It is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life.

"I just about hold it together until the end where I have to step down and I start to get emotional. I can still hear in my head to this day the Celtic fans belting out his song: 'Tommy twists, Tommy turns, Tommy Burns!"

The words of Stark at his best pals funeral will no doubt resonate during this week's stageplay and may well be replayed on stage.

Stark said: "Tommy Burns' qualities were endless. He was a dignified man of principle, his generosity of spirit knew no bounds. He showed great compassion for those less fortunate than himself. He was a unique and special man and an inspiration to many of us."

If it's true that: "they never die in the hearts they leave behind", then one simple act by Stark during the emotional Tommy Burns eulogy ensured there was not a dry eye in the house and was thankfully captured for posterity.

Tapping the coffin as he stepped down from the pulpit, a tearful Stark said: "I'll miss you old pal."

Family, faith and football - The Tommy Burns story - will ultimately be a celebration of life and will hopefully introduce a wonderful man to a new army of fans and admirers.

It's 13 years since Tommy Burns untimely and sad passing. To borrow a quote from the great man himself: "Billy Stark was there and he was always there for Tommy Burns."

Billy Stark still misses his old pal.

RIP Tommy Burns.

God Bless You.

You can book tickets for the play here.