It is with great sadness that the Club learned of the passing on Friday 14th August 2020, of our former Committee Member, Secretary and Honorary Life Member – George Johnston.

Put simply, George Johnston was without doubt one of the most honourable and humble men you could ever hope to meet.

During his time as Secretary of Brechin City Football Club, he fulfilled a variety of different roles in addition to those normally associated with a Club Secretary. He had a large input into all the club's financial dealings, took a lead role in organising player contracts and transfers, and oversaw many of the ground improvements which took place in the 80s and early 90s.

He also acted as Minute Secretary, and the minutes from the Club's fortnightly meetings were meticulously handwritten and concise. The minute books he presided over will always be kept, acting as a wonderful and wholly accurate summation of the club's history during George's 25 years of direct involvement.

George never sought the limelight, and even in moments of great success on the park – and there were many during such a lengthy tenure – he always took a backseat, leaving it to others to bask in the glory. Above all, George was your archetypal gentleman. Win lose or draw, he displayed exceptional diplomacy in his dealings with opposition directors, management and supporters. Even after he retired from the Club's Management Committee, he was a regular fixture at home games where, behind the scenes, he once again proved to be an outstanding servant to the Club.

In a personal tribute, Chairman Ken Ferguson said, "It was George who introduced me to the official side of Brechin City FC when I was enrolled as club photographer. During a period of illness George asked me to help out with his secretarial duties. It was at this time that I grew to understand the sheer dedication and pride George took in his work for the Club.

"George, as we all know, was a mild mannered gentleman who went about his duties in a cool, calm collected way. However, if he asked for a quiet word you knew there was something important coming your way and you had better deal with the matter to the same high standard that George would have adopted himself. These high standards earned George the respect of football administrators throughout the country – many of whom became close friends and still ask for George to this day.

"George built strong and lasting relationships with so many referees and linesmen in what was a different time. The respect extended to George by the game as a whole was probably best felt at a dinner in the Glenesk Hotel, Edzell attended by the secretary of secretaries Jim Farry. It was at events like this that we witnessed another side to George’s personality – his wit and humour. On many an occasion we were in stitches at his quick, quiet one liners.

"Rest in peace George, your suffering is over. You will be sorely missed by us all.”

In his own quiet and unassuming way George Johnston was undoubtedly a genuine legend in the history of Brechin City Football Club, and his passing has left a huge hole in the lives of many of those, both past and present, associated with the Club.

The world is definitely a sadder and emptier place without George, and his overall contribution to Brechin City Football Club will never be forgotten.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to Pat and Keith, as well as his immediate and wider family and friends, at this saddest of times.