Amateurs legend steps down from presidential post
Bannockburn Amateurs legend Robert Beaton has retired from his post as the club’s first president after five years in the role.
He served the club for 34 years and as well as his stint in the top seat, he was player, manager and active committee member.
His character and commitment meant his contribution ranged from multiple medal winning player to team bus driver and latterly groundsman.
Before joining the Amateurs in 1986, Robert had successful times as a youth with Tullibody Hearts and Grangemouth International.
With Stirling Albion, he won a Reserve League winners’medal and played in both legs of Stirling Albion’s 1980-81 League Cup tie against Celtic. The Binos secured a stunning 1-0 win in the first leg at Annfield and took an early lead at Parkhead.
A Tommy Burns strike took the tie to extra time and Stirling were eventually overwhelmed and lost 6-2 on aggregate with a teenage Charlie Nicholas coming off the bench to score twice for the Hoops.
Robert also played in two Scottish Junior Cup finals with Bo’ness United, winning in 1984 win over Baillieston Juniors at Ibrox.
Joining Bannockburn in 1986, he helped Burn win its first Scottish Amateur Cup in 1987 and remained part of a success streak where the club won another two Scottish Amateur Cups in 1991 and 1994. He also played for Central Scotland Police and the Police international side.
As part of the Amateurs management team between 1997 and 2000, Robert and his colleague, honorary member Harry Bruce, steered the club to three national semi-finals, winning the league and the league cup then with Douglas Todd as player manager and Robert as assistant, they won another league title and West of Scotland Amateur Cup.
Robert continued as a committee member and in June 2015 accepted the role as first club president in honour of his decades of achievement and service.
Club chairman Derek Robertson said: “Robert has been a tremendous source of support to me and the club as president. His wise counsel, listening ear and advice from his huge experience in the amateur game was invaluable.
“As everyone knows, Robert epitomises a true Bannockburn Amateurs supporter. He just as easily puts the goals up as contribute to club development. We will miss his day to day input and wish him all the best.”
Robert said:“The Amateurs as a community club is part of me. I can see that there are hugely capable people running things so the club is in a great position.
“I will still be at games and back at the Tartan Arms afterwards. I’ll support the club in any way I can.”