Tribute to Denis Martin

Words from Graham Robertson:

Denis Martin, lovely man, hands on, dry humour, vocal umpire! To understand that last comment you would have to have been standing at the wrinkly corner end of the terraces. Not in the corner, that was reserved for the over 75’s unless especially invited. Perhaps not known to the vast majority of club members, Denis’s legacy can be seen around the club and its surrounds. His son Steve played in goal across the club and this was Denis’s introduction to the club. One close season Denis completely painted the interior of the clubhouse from top to bottom on his own, in between helping me on different projects. For this effort Denis was quite rightly made club person of the year in 2017.

He was involved with myself, Dave Lee and Keith Martin installing the new kitchen units. Pulling the large cables from the undercroft right up and over the lounge ceiling into the kitchen. Look at the kitchen ceiling. Denis measured the new plastic ones, I cut them and Denis fitted them in place. Fitting the stainless sheeting to the walls. Look at the door catches on the terrace doors. Painting the terrace benches. The blue goals he helped erect. Green netting around P1. All the Easter weekend of the Women’s Euros Denis was there doing whatever was necessary. All the bits and bobs that had to be done to keep the clubhouse functioning and tidy, Denis was there either with me or on his own.

I will miss him on match days, his ribald comments, his dry humour, his knowledge of what was going on in the club. How did he find out all that stuff? He wasn’t a drinker but I won’t hold that against him.

The clubhouse interior has been re-decorated since Denis did it and so all those that chipped in and did that will know the supreme effort Denis put in. Don’t let Denis down, keep it clean, keep it tidy.

Rest in peace old mate.

Robbie