Blairgowrie stalwart’s special 33 year service
Changes are afoot at Blairgowrie Juniors.
The club recently held its annual general meeting in Davie Park and those gathered were told Billy Mackay – who has served the club for 33 years, latterly as president – will bring his involvement with the club to an end following the conclusion of the 2020/21 season.
Billy was appointed vicepresident until the end of the campaign at the sociallydistanced AGM and handed over the baton to new president Dennis Elder, himself a man synonymous with the club.
Martin Mackay, Billy’s son, stood down from his position as club secretary due to the imminent birth of his and wife Susan’s baby.
Derek Scott has taken on the role on an interim basis.
Long-serving treasurer Mike Coyle also announced this would be his last season. He said, after 22 years, he felt the time was right for him to pursue other interests but said he would remain involved for the time being to pass on his knowledge to his successor.
Billy, who managed the club from 1987 until 2009 and returned for a second spell from 2012-17, explained family reasons were at the heart of his decision.
He said: “I said to everyone that I would stay on until the end of this season and help in any way I can with the transition.
“I have had a magnificent experience being part of Blairgowrie JFC for the last 33 years and just felt that, with Martin and Susan’s baby due in September and our daughter Michelle and her husband Lewis’s baby also due the same month, I want to spend more time with my wife Margot and our family.
“I will undoubtedly miss it, but I am looking forward to being a grandad.”
Billy continued by expressing his delight at Dennis agreeing to take on the mantle. He said: “Dennis has been associated with the club for nearly 50 years as player, manager a n d committee member – it seems only right that he gets this honour.”
The club is now looking to recruit new committee members and has appealed to people in east Perthshire and beyond to get involved.
Billy added: “We would like to ask the local community and those further afield if there is anyone who would be interested in coming on board.
“We are looking for new committee members and, in particular, a secretary and a treasurer.
“It is a great club and I can assure anyone who is interested that it is very rewarding.”