Club Statement

After forty years as a member of the Board of Directors at Forfar Athletic, David McGregor has intimated to his fellow Board members that it is his intention to retire as a Director at the end of the current month.

During those forty years David has served as Chairman for ten years and as Club Secretary for 37 years, from 1984 until the summer of 2021. David who has actually been actively involved in the running of the club for over half a century stated that it had not been an easy decision for him to make but one he’d been giving consideration to for some months.

He went on to add “it has been a huge privilege to serve my hometown club in various capacities for over fifty years and being appointed a Director in my early thirties back in 1983 was a moment I always cherish. Over the ensuing years we have had our ups and downs to say the least, but also many memorable moments that have been shared with the most important people at the club, the supporters.When I handed over the Chairman’s reins to my great friend Neil Wilson in 2007, I said to him that I would probably continue to serve as a board member for a couple of years. Sixteen years on I have decided the time is right to have a wee rest !”

David continued, “I may have made an enemy or two in my time at the club, hopefully not mind you, but I have made many friends both within the Forfar Athletic family and throughout the Scottish game, sadly some of whom are not with us today. Certainly when my own late father took me up to Station Park in the late 1950’s for the first time to see the then green clad ‘Loons’ in action neither he nor I could have realised what a huge part the club was to play in my life!

As I enter my last month as a Director there are so many people I would love to pay tribute to and thank, but to single out any individual and miss out so many would be wrong. Simply a huge thank you to all who have been a part of the ‘Loons’ journey throughout my tenure. I look forward to hopefully seeing the current squad under the very able management of Ray McKinnon end the season on a high note on Saturday first and continue to progress.

My fellow Directors have a very difficult task, in fact a huge one these days, as is the case at many other clubs of our stature in putting a competitive side on the pitch and also balancing the books. To Scott and his colleagues they know they have not only my best wishes but my wholehearted support in that quest.

I would close up by saying that when Sam Smith invited me to join the Board of Directors all those years ago, he said that as the then ‘young kid on the block’ he hoped I would be a custodian of this great club for quite a few years to come. I hope looking down he thinks I have done my best to repay that faith?"

David still intends attending the Athies fixtures both home and away because in his own words, ‘what else would he (I) do?’ Furthermore on occasion, perhaps especially at home match days he will assist the club in some capacity if and when required.

Chairman Scott Murdie commented, “David’s knowledge of the game is second to none, his ability to remember games, players, scores, even who the ref was is incredible.
He also knows the complicated rules and regulations for players, teams in league and cup games inside out.
A gentleman of high integrity who is highly respected by many a club, one of the most experienced directors in Scottish football.
David will be missed around the board table his level head and experience has swayed many a decision.”

Former club chairman and current vice chairman Alastair Donald wished to express his gratitude to David. “This is a sad moment for our club, be under no illusion, the contribution and commitment David has given to Forfar Athletic is immeasurable. Every director who has served alongside David over the years will have benefitted from his knowledge and wisdom in the game. We can only be thankful that he will stay involved in and around the club and continue to support us in his usual professional manner.”

C’mon the ‘Loons