Remembering Gary Riddell
Saturday, 8th Nov 2014"Gary Riddell would have been a 48 year old man in the prime of his life right now had he not been struck down at the all too young age of 22."
On the way to Peterhead on Saturday directors, officials and fans of Dunfermline Athletic gathered in the cemetery in Ellon to remember former Pars player Gary Riddell who tragically died while taking part in the 1989 Dunfermline Half Marathon.
Jim Leishman, current director, and manager while Gary was at East End Park, led the tributes at Gary's graveside. In the presence of Gary's Mum and Dad, Kathleen and Edwin and Gary's brother Kevin and his family, Leish, struggling to hold back his emotions at times, told an audience of around 100:-
“Gary Riddell was born here in Ellon on the 9th August 1966, and would have been a 48 year old man in the prime of his life right now had he not been struck down at the all too young age of 22. As most of you will know, Gary passed away whilst doing good for others, raising money for the Hillsborough victims who passed away just two months before he ran the fateful Dunfermline Half Marathon on 11th June 1989.
"95 people died at Hillsborough in 1989 (and a 96th later on in 1993) on football’s darkest day. Gary personally took on the mantle of raising money for victim’s families with his half marathon run raising sponsorship for those very people who had recently suffered such tragic losses."
Gary started his footballing career with Deeside Juveniles at the age of 11 and later joined Aberdeen Football Club at a time when they were the most successful team in Scotland, and one of the finest in all of Europe. 1983 saw the club lift the European Cup Winner’s Cup and the Scottish Cup within a week of each other.
"A young teenage Gary signed S forms with the club, which was still managed by Alex Ferguson at the time, and went on to play for the club at various level for four years. He played many East Reserve League games as a teenager, including one at the ripe old age of 15 at East End Park! He spent a season playing juniors with his local Ellon United side whilst still at school and then signed his first full time contract with Aberdeen. A broken ankle put him on the sidelines for many months, but after playing a few Highland League games with Rothes, Aberdeen were satisfied the injury had cleared up and he returned to full time training with his parent club.
"During his time at Pittodrie, he also represented Scotland at Schoolboy and Youth international level. Alex also included Gary in his first team squad on a number of different occasions, but left the club and made a rather big move to Manchester United in 1986, and Gary fell down the pecking order with a change of manager to Ian Porterfield.
"He was adaptable whilst at Aberdeen, as he started out as a midfielder during his schoolboy days, also playing as sweeper on occasion. After signing for Aberdeen initially, he was coached as a right back, before eventually settling at centre half.
"The opportunity to play first team football came about later in 1987, with Dunfermline Athletic playing their first ever Premier League campaign in 1987/88. After being watched by myself, Gary signed a two year contract with The Pars in September that year and made his debut in a match at East End Park against Morton on 19th September 1987 in front of five and half thousand fans. He did pretty well for a newcomer, helping the team win 4-1 on that afternoon!
"With lots of competition for a centre half position, Gary held down a regular starting place in the team alongside Norrie McCathie and the experienced John Holt who signed at the same time as Gary. Despite a few niggling injuries, Gary started for Dunfermline Athletic 24 times in his first season. We were relegated that season but were all determined to come back bigger and better. Gary was an absolutely integral part of the side that wanted to come straight back at the first time of asking.
"Gary played in 22 league matches that following season, richly deserving the league winner’s medal that came his way. He was part of a team that won the First Division Championship for the first time in Dunfermline Athletic’s history, and will always be remembered by all generations of Pars fans to come.
"Unfortunately, he never managed to play his part the following season after his tragic death just one month after being part of the celebrations that saw the championship trophy lifted at East End Park. 51 first team appearances under his belt, but we’ll never know how much more he would inevitably have gone on to achieve in his chosen sport."
Gary was also a scratch golfer and in the year he died had won club competitions in Ellon and beyond.
Dunfermline's vice-chairman at the time of Gary’s death was Bill Braisby, he made a Press statement and his son, Billy read that out at the graveside:-
''Everyone at the club is deeply shocked at Gary's death. Only two weeks ago, he was with the rest of the players on an end of season tour to Tenerife and seemed in perfect health. He was very clean living, a non-smoker, and an absolute credit to the club. We are deeply upset.''
Jim Leishman explained how Billy had organised a plaque (above) to be placed at Gary’s grave to signify that he is still in the thoughts of us all at Dunfermline Athletic.
"We were proud to hear back from Mrs Riddell a few weeks ago and this seems like the ideal opportunity for the club to make a formal visit to Gary’s final resting place as we are passing by on our way to a match up the road in Peterhead."
A moment of silence was observed to remember Gary and three other Pars players who died while still on the playing staff, namely John Lunn, Ian Hall and Norrie McCathie.
Gary's father Edwin (above centre) was very grateful to Jim Leishman for his tribute. He thanked the club and elaborated on some little known facts when he told this website:-
"It was a very emotional day. That's twenty five years and still the club has kept in touch with the family. We are very touched with this gesture and tribute.
"Gary attended Ellon Academy and with Scottish Schools he played at Wembley and in Switzerland. He had a Higher exam to sit and he actually sat that while in Switzerland, and he passed it as well. He played under Archie Knox in the youth set up at Aberdeen. In the latter stages he was part of the first team squad but never played in a senior game because at the time Aberdeen had Miller, McLeish and Irvine. Jim Leishman and Iain Munro became interested in him and I think they paid Aberdeen around £35,000.
"Gary thoroughly enjoyed his time at Dunfermline, he saw it as a good move and he was in digs for a start. Then he moved in to share with George Cowie. He enjoyed Jim Leishman as his manager and celebrated winning promotion. He had bought a house in Dunfermline, he was all set up but you just never know what's ahead of you. Just like that it all ended.
"This is a sad time and your memories always flood back. Dunfermline is a family and community club. According to Jim Leishman and Billy Braisby that is what they are trying to get back to now and that is good. It is tremendous for all these Dunfermline supporters to come in past, thank you all."
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