Andrew Mitchell, who played a central role in the success of Middlefield Wasps, despite battling ill health, has died aged 54.
He became involved in the Aberdeenshire football club when his son Alistair was a player and went on to devote 16 years to its development.
Even after suffering a series of strokes and undergoing a triple bypass to his heart, Andrew, known as Andy, continued to work to build up the teams.
Perseverance
After his heart attack in 2016 when it was found his heart was only operating at 50% capacity, Andy would still set up the goals and corner flags for games and cones for training.
His wife, Eileen, said: “All of his energy was taken up just getting through the day but he was motivated by his two sons.
“He shared a love of heavy metal music with Gavin who played the drums, and he supported Alistair who played football with St Joseph’s Primary and then Middlefield Wasps.
“It was when Alistair joined the Wasps in 2008 that Andrew became a parent volunteer.”
Progress
At that time, the once successful side was down to 10 players but together with then president Mark McCreary, Andy built it up to around 300 players.
Mark said: “The aim was to have teams in all age groups. Andy did all the background work, player registrations, PVG checks, the accounts and all legal matters.
“Latterly he was treasurer and he made a massive contribution to the club over many years.”
Wise counsel
Current president, Nick Runcie, said: “Andy was commonly known as Mr Middlefield as he had been ever present and had carried out virtually every role within the club without a second thought.
“He was the first to offer assistance or advice, always with a steady head and a sound voice.”
Andy was born in Ashington, Northumberland, in December 1967 and moved to Wick with his older brother Colin and mother Christina, a nurse.
West Lothian
The family moved to Livingston in the late 1960s when Christina began work at St John’s Hospital. It was there his younger brother, Craig, was born.
Andy was educated at West Calder High School and went on to study chemistry and computing at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, graduating BSc (Hons).
He had known his future wife, Eileen, through West Calder High School and the couple married at Glasgow University Chapel in April 1993.
Humour
Eileen said: “I always knew he was the one for me; I was taken by his outstanding sense of humour and intelligence.”
Andy had had a summer job at an industrial estate in Livingston and it was there he became acquainted with staff from London Fittings and Flanges.
He was offered a job in Aberdeen in 1993 and he spent he entire career with the firm in IT support and sales.
Setbacks
Eileen said: “In 2010 he had his first stroke and lost his speech. In 2011 he had a second stroke and lost movement on one side of his body.
“He spent four weeks in hospital before being transferred to a rehabilitation unit where he learned to walk and write again.
“LFF kept his job open. They were so loyal to Andrew and he was eventually able to return to work.”
Eileen, who had taught languages at Portlethen, Mearns, Torry and Kincorth academies before being appointed head of languages at Inverurie Academy, gave up work to look after Andy.
She said: “In February 2016 he took his first heart attack and needed four angiograms, then a triple bypass and then two angioplasties.
“It has been a bonus having him here for the past five or six years.”
Tribute
Nick Runcie of the Wasps added: “People will say there are people like Andy involved with most clubs but I must disagree as there was only one Andy Mitchell who was an absolute legend of our wonderful club.”
Andrew’s funeral will take place on Monday, July 18 at 2.15pm at Aberdeen Crematorium West Chapel.
For those who cannot attend a live stream can be accessed here.
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