Tributes paid to Tony McGinley

David Christie 1563 - 1563 • Published 1 Dec 2008 17:10 0 Comments

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TRIBUTES have poured in following the death of dedicated Dumbarton FC supporter and former sports editor Tony McGinley of Helensburgh.

Perhaps better known under his pen name of Gare Clyde, Tony was a permanent fixture in the Dumbarton crowd with his notebook in hand.

Reporting on the matches for both the Helensburgh Advertiser and Dumbarton Reporter, he had a unique style that was essential reading for Sons fans.

Following a short period of illness, Tony - who was 75 - passed away at the weekend.

A committed Son of the Rock, Tony started out shortly after the Advertiser was first founded, working his way up the ranks to caseroom manager and was soon proffering his wisdom on the plight of the Sons.

Honorary Dumbarton FC president Ian MacFarlane remembers seeing Tony on the terraces back in the 40s.

He said: 'I started going to games as a five-year-old kid and Tony was the same, so it"s been a long time on the terraces for us both before our official connections with the club.

'You always remember the people who stood on the terraces and Tony"s is a face I saw there often.

'I had the highest admiration for him. He would travel all over the country to lend his support and write his report.

'I didn"t always agree with him, nor he with me, but I have tremendous admiration for the man and his strong dedication to the club.'

Dumbarton FC chief executive Gilbert Lawrie said: 'Everyone connected with DFC past and present will be saddened by the death of Tony.

'He was an integral part of the public perception of DFC and was the conduit of news good and bad to our support close to home and abroad via his Gare Clyde persona within which he remained an optimist at all times."

In recognition of his passion for Dumbarton FC, the Sons Trust presented him with a lifetime achievement award.

The funeral service will take place at Cardross Crematorium on Thursday December 4 at 3pm to which all friends are invited.

This article appeared in Helensburgh Advertiser 01 Dec 08

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