Elgin football fan donates five-figure sum to Forres Mechanics
A pensioner has donated a five-figure sum to a local football club he has supported for most of his life.
James ‘Jimmy’ Raeburn from Lossie Wynd, Elgin, told his friend Meg Grant that he intended to leave the money to Forres Mechanics in his will but she suggested that he might prefer to see the funding’s positive effect for himself.
Jimmy said: “Money is tight for the club at the moment and I want to help. There’s no point in keeping the money until I die - if I donate now I’ll get to see the benefit of it.
“The board will know how to best invest it.”
Jimmy was welcomed to Mosset Park on Saturday afternoon by chairman David ‘Toshie’ Mackintosh, manager Steven ‘Biscuits’ MacDonald, committee member George Alexander, secretary Tony Broadhurst and Youth Development coordinator Dave McCartney to tour the ground and meet the staff before watching a friendly.
Meg accompanied Jimmy with their friend Karen Hoyle and photographer Graham Cormie on his “amazing day”.
She said: “It was so lovely! Mechanics made us feel really welcome. They organised such great hospitality - it was a great experience. I’m so glad we went along - the look on James’ face alone was worth it!”
She added: “Representatives met us from our taxi looking smart in suits and ties. Everyone took the time to talk to him. We were invited into the boardroom where the team manager shook James’ hand and thanked him.
“When they presented James with a framed picture and plaque, we started crying because his face was a picture of happiness.”
Mechanics were scheduled to play Banks o’ Dee in a postponed Highland League match. Instead, they played a closed-door friendly so Mosset Park was relatively busy with playing and backroom staff.
After Jimmy presented his cheque and received an official thank you from Toshie, the party enjoyed afternoon tea and swapped stories about great Mechanics teams of the past. Jimmy was also presented with a framed strip and a bag of club goodies.
“He enjoyed pointing out the team pictures on the walls and talking about his memories of players,” said Meg. “The current players shook his hand then everyone posed for a team picture.
“He watched a bit of the game outside but it was too cold so we went back into the stand.”
The 85-year-old started supporting the Cans in the 1950’s when, as a teenager, he worked with team trainer Jim Buchanan.
He said: “I cleaned the players’ boots!
“My favourite memory is of us winning the North of Scotland Cup in the 1957-’58 season. I was there! I saw the cup being presented under the stand. There was quite an attendance and a very good atmosphere.”
The former kitchen hand at Westhill Hotel, Aberdeen, made a previous sizeable donation to the club he loves around 25 years ago. A club spokesperson confirmed it was invested in players.
He said: “We are are absolutely delighted to receive another magnificent and generous donation. We will discuss its investment at a board meeting.
“We thank Mr Raeburn for his unwavering loyalty to Forres Mechanics FC.”
Meg added that Toshie phoned them on Sunday to say thank you and welcome them to return anytime.
She finished: “I’m pleased James got to do what he wanted and his wish was fulfilled. He is absolutely delighted. He left his house with his old Cans scarf on and came home with a new one!”
