Happy 50th Birthday Martin ‘Tino’

Everyone at Forfar Athletic would like to wish Martin Gray a very happy 50th Birthday and hope he has a special day with Liam, Abbie and not forgetting Lizzy.

The word ‘legend’ tends to be used in football circles to describe an iconic player. Someone with the ability to change games with flashes of brilliance. The player who scores title-winning goals. A stopper who defends resolutely or a keeper who wins the all-important penalty shoot-out. Legends are the players that we will all remember long after they’ve hung up their boots.

However, at many clubs the real legends are those behind the scenes working day in and day out for the love of their club.

Martin is no exception at Forfar Athletic. He is truly a Loons Legend.

Joining the Loons in the late 1980s (and prior to that working as a volunteer), his title is ‘Groundsman / Kitman’. However, that title does not tell even half the story of all the work Martin does for our Club.

It is safe to say that Martin has tackled almost every job there is around Station Park. From maintaining the pitch to keeping the terraces clean and safe.

He prepares the kit and training gear for the training and match days – loading up the endless hampers and making sure everything is in place and ready for away trips.On a match day if you venture up the corridor all you hear is ‘Tino where is my …?’, ‘Tino have you got …?’ ‘Tino can you …?’. Now it would be safe to say these requests are often met with a particular kind of Martin ‘response’ but he always solves the problem in the end!

After a home match, Martin is at the ground well into the night tidying and cleaning the ground, stand, corridors and dressing rooms and sorting out the endless pieces of kit for washing. Even after a long trip to Stranraer and back, Martin has the kit unpacked and tidied away that same evening well before Match of the Day starts!

One thing that supporters may not be aware of is that Martin also welcomes many visitors to Station Park on non-match days when ground-hoppers or ‘exiled’ Forfarians drop by to get a photo. Martin never turns anyone away, often providing a wee cup of tea and lots of chat about his beloved Loons (not before making sure they purchase something from the Club Shop!).

Martin can sometimes be witnessed donning the Baxter the Bridie mascot outfit especially at the annual Forfar Gala day representing the Loons in the most fun way with amazing moves!

He is the official Mr Fix-it for odd jobs around the ground including the Wall of Fame plaques where he has one in his honour. It reads ‘Martin Gray – one in a million’. He certainly is and he is at the heart of Forfar Athletic.

There may not be so many boots to clean these days but ‘Tino’ is still King of the Station Park boot room. What must be hundreds of players over the years have passed through that room, helped and encouraged by Martin with life-long friendships formed among the ever more colourful boots and footballs.

In honour of Martin and all that he does for Forfar Athletic, and all that he means to players (past and present), managers, coaches and backroom staff, supporters and officials, the Forfar Athletic Directors have named the Station Park boot room ‘The Martin Gray Boot Room’. This is a very small tribute to the massive contribution Martin makes to our Club. Martin joins a very unique list of names that have had a room at Station Park named after them. The list includes other FAFC legends Sam Smith, Doug Houston, Ian McPhee, Stewart Kennedy and of course Archie Knox.

It is difficult at present for us all but none more so than for Martin who we know misses Station Park terribly. So on his special day in these strange times we all want him to know that he is much loved by everyone connected with the Loons.

And to reassure him that when we are all back at football and Martin arrives at the ground on his trusty bike normal service will quickly be resumed with ‘Tino where is …?’, ‘Tino can you help me …?’ ‘Tino you are a legend!’ ringing out along the Station Park corridor.

Have a great day Martin!