Albert Moir, who has died aged 81, was an unsung hero of north-east football who poured his heart and soul into his beloved Culter FC.
Mr Moir was a leading member of the Crombie Park club for more than 50 years from 1962-2013.
Tosie, as he was known, was happy to carry out myriad roles and offer his help and support to anybody who required it.
He was a ball boy, player, club secretary, treasurer, historian and comfortable wearing more hats than Audrey Hepburn.
His father, Albert Snr was also a former player with Culter FC, with the proud record of never having being booked, sent off or missing a penalty during his career with the club.
The organisation’s president, Gordon Thomson, recalled many occasions when his friend and colleague went above and beyond the call of duty.
He said: “Albert was meticulous in his role as secretary with Culter FC and, long before the days of computers and social media, he ensured the village and supporters were kept updated with the weekly bulletins.
“He hand-delivered them every Sunday morning along with selling raffle tickets.
“Albert Snr often assisted him and they were normally offered a dram at every house, so instead of taking an hour to deliver the bulletins and raffles, it invariably took four to five hours every Sunday to complete his rounds.”
“Albert had a fantastic office in his house which I visited on many occasions.
“It was filled with Culter FC memorabilia. His three boys, Duncan, Gordon and Neil, had to share one bedroom growing up.
“His [late] wife Wilna was very understanding.”
When Mr Moir Jnr joined the club, they were in the second division of the Aberdeenshire Amateur Football Association.
After signing local boys Alex Irvine, Doug Jamieson and Eric Duncan in 1969-70, however, the team won promotion.
That trio are still actively involved with the club at grassroots level.
Mr Thomson added: “They went from strength-to-strength and won numerous trophies – 25 – in the amateur divisions from 1972-1987.
“During this period, a new pavilion was built in 1981 and we played Aberdeen FC in our opening match, with a young lad called Alex Ferguson as their manager.
“Albert was a main part of the success of Culter FC off the pitch during the period he was with the club and he will be sorely missed by us all, the committee, the players and supporters, and the village and community. He was a true legend.
“I collected an award for him from the Scottish Junior FA when he completed 50 years of service to Culter FC and he got a standing ovation when I spelled-out his outstanding contribution to his beloved club. RIP Tosie!”
Mr Moir’s funeral will take place at Peterculter Parish Church on Friday, March 6.
