A new trophy has been donated to Arbroath Football Club, courtesy of the family of the late Geordie Baird, who sadly died earlier this year.
Geordie died suddenly, aged 83, and was a life-long “Lichties” supporter, who valued his Saturday afternoons, at Gayfield with his football pals.
The trophy will be awarded annually to the Management Team’s “Player of the Year” and this year it was won by Thomas O’Brien who was handed the trophy before kick off on Saturday by Geordie’s son, George together with Wife Linda and their son Reece.
Arbroath FC is recognised as a real community club, which means more than just being a football team in the “Toon o’ Arbroath.”
As a mark of respect, and an acknowledgement of Geordie’s loyalty to the Club, the flag at the Club was flown at half – mast at the next home game on the Saturday, and again on the following Tuesday, as the cortege took Geordie past his beloved Gayfield for the very last time on his way to Arbirlot kirkyard. As a mark of respect the cortege slowed as it passed Gayfield.
Geordie’s son George, wife Linda, and their son Reece, decided that they wanted to acknowledge and commemorate the link between Geordie and the Club, and have donated an impressive silver Quaich to the Club, to recognise the enjoyment Geordie gained from being a life – long supporter, and also to commemorate his name, his memory, and his unstinting loyalty as a supporter.
His son George, said, “My Dad loved his football at Gayfield, and loved his Saturdays with his football pals, and we wanted to find a way of thanking the Club for the pleasure they gave to my Dad over the years. On his 80th birthday he received a letter from the then Club Chairman John Christison, recognising his loyalty as a supporter, and it became one of my Dad’s prized possessions.”
Another interesting connection was, that the present Club Chairman, Mike Caird, and George Baird both played for the Lad’s Club, and his Dad and Mike’s Dad helped run the Lad’s Club for a short time.
As a mark of respect, Mike Caird, Chairman of Arbroath Football Club, was present to pay his respects at Geordie’s funeral, with the funeral tea being held in the Hospitality Suite at Gayfield. A fitting finale!
Chairman of Arbroath Football Club, Mike Caird said, “I knew Geordie for many years and like many others at the club appreciate his loyal and faithful support for Arbroath Football Club. We had many a chat about the fortunes of the team over the years so it is a fitting tribute his family have donated this trophy to be presented each year in his honour.“
