Did Arbroath’s historic chair go up in smoke?

Now Red Lichtie chief would like to solve a 60-year mystery

The search is on to trace a piece of Arbroath FC history which could be sitting in someone’s front room.

The president’s chair was donated in 1938 to mark the club’s 60th anniversary but its whereabouts are now a mystery.

Some say the seat went up in smoke during a devastating blaze in 1958 which destroyed the main stand including the boardroom.

But no records exist for what was actually lost in the fire and there are hopes it might have been moved elsewhere and could still be in existence.

The chair’s whereabouts have been the talk of the boardroom since a newspaper clipping from 1938 set tongues wagging.

Chairman Mike Caird said the club was appealing to supporters to check their own furniture to see if they have a piece of Arbroath history tucked away.

“The ‘president’s chair’ is yet another one of those beautiful football stories that has slipped through history, until now,” he said.

“There is every chance this chair could be sitting in someone’s dining or living room.

“Everyone at Gayfield would love to see if it is still out there.”

The fire in 1958 destroyed the west and central portions of the main grandstand at Gayfield with damage estimated at between £6,000 and £7,000.

The home and away dressing rooms, treatment room, referee room, secretary’s office, treasurer’s office, board room and press box were all ruined.

All the photographic records of Arbroath’s great teams from the past were lost, along with playing kit, training kit, boots and footballs.

The fire broke out in the early hours of the morning following a match against Partick Thistle. People living a quarter of a mile away were wakened by the noise.

Fire crews from Arbroath and Carnoustie managed to prevent the blaze from spreading. But did the president’s chair survive? It was donated to the club in 1938 by cabinet maker Alexander Neilson as a token of his lifelong support.

The seat was made by Red Lichtie Mr Neilson in polished mahogany to mark the club’s 60th anniversary with the inscription ‘AFC, 1878-1938’.

Mr Neilson presented the gift during his annual visit to Arbroath after spending more than 40 years living in Beith. The chair was “greatly admired” by officials from other clubs when it went on view in the boardroom.

The devastating fire in 1958 wiped out dressing rooms and the boardroom in the main stand.

Mike Caird in the current boardroom.