Cathedral funeral for ex-director
The life of former St Johnstone director and well-known Perth businessman Dave Sidey will be celebrated today at a service in St Ninian’s Cathedral at 10.30am.
He died suddenly at his Fair City home at the age of 81.
A native of Perth, Dave was proud to be appointed to the board of his beloved Saints in 1986, when Geoff Brown took over an ailing club anchored in the lower reaches of the old Second Division of Scottish football.
A club spokesman said: “After many years of sterling service to Geoff and the board, Dave stepped down as director but remained a great Saints fan and was always a welcome and ‘weel kent’ face at McDiarmid Park.
“The thoughts of everyone at the club are with his widow Flora and all his family at this time.”
Paying personal tribute, former club chairman Mr Brown said: “Dave was one of the nicest men I have ever known. He was kind, generous and a very, very good friend to myself and many others.”
Dave’s widespread contacts in the business and local football community proved invaluable in assisting with the turnaround in St Johnstone fortunes and he became a popular figure in boardrooms across the country.
Famously, following a 1991 touchline spat involving Perth manager Alex Totten and Rangers boss Walter Smith, the pair retreated to the Sideys’ Oakbank home to patchup their differences and watch Dunhill golf action as the match continued in their absence.
After being schooled at Perth Academy, Dave spent his National Service with the army, initially at Aldershot before becoming a training officer at Blandford Camp and travelling north by motorbike to visit Flora on leave.
He returned to Perth to work in, and build-up, his father’s business, Sidey The Glazier, which moved from North Methven Street to the Old High Street, York Place and finally to Feus Road.
In addition to interests in Dalreoch Homes, The White Horse Inn and the Alexander Street laundrette, he built-up a portfolio of city centre properties before selling the successful glazing business nearly 30 years ago.
St Johnstone played a major part in his life but Dave also turned out as a goalkeeper for junior clubs Kinnoull and Jeanfield Swifts and also helped coach Errol Rovers U14 and Jeanfield Swifts U16s, famously winning the Scottish Cup.
Dave, who underwent major heart surgery 33 years ago, enjoyed fishing and also golfing with close friends at King James VI and, in recent years, Blairgowrie Golf Club. He was also a keen member of the Perth Whist Club in its heyday.
Dave is survived by his wife Flora, who he married at St Ninian’s Cathedral in 1955, their children Carole and Fraser, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Geoff Brown’s 1986 Saints board, with Dave Sidey (back row, second right)