John Bain Ferranti Thistle

[Lago]

Thought it worth while mentioning that John has died aged 95.

John played for and managed Ferranti Thistle & was heavily involved with them when they became Meadowbank Thistle. Even when the club moved to Livingston John was there, he was happy man at a certain 2004 cup final which some on here may remember.

I first met John at Ferrantie's Dalkeith factory where he was a planning engineer, we both eventually moved to Robbie Ave.

John loved his football & was a real gentleman, lovely guy.

[Malthibby]

RIP.
Ferranti's used to run skittles leagues in Murrayfield ISC so I followed the footie team. Remember the move to Meadowbank, way too big for the 60 or 70 I remember
watching from the main stand. Were my second team until they started beating us.

[where'stheslope]

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Thought it worth while mentioning that John has died aged 95.

John played for and managed Ferranti Thistle & was heavily involved with them when they became Meadowbank Thistle. Even when the club moved to Livingston John was there, he was happy man at a certain 2004 cup final which some on here may remember.

I first met John at Ferrantie's Dalkeith factory where he was a planning engineer, we both eventually moved to Robbie Ave.

John loved his football & was a real gentleman, lovely guy.

I'm sure he was still honorary Chairman at Livingston.
Great guy loved his football.

[Lago]

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I'm sure he was still honorary Chairman at Livingston.
Great guy loved his football.

Correct

[KSA Hibee]

Lovely man and fond memories of discussions about footy and golf and not much work ....pretty standard at Ferranti mind you.

any idea of funeral plans as I would like to pay my respects ?

[Lago]

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Lovely man and fond memories of discussions about footy and golf and not much work ....pretty standard at Ferranti mind you.

any idea of funeral plans as I would like to pay my respects ?

I worked hard at Ferranti 😉

No sorry don't have that info

[StevieC]

RIP

I worked at Ferranti, and even played for the Ferranti Thistle team (post Meadowbank Thistle).

Its nice to see so much respect for someone that put their heart and soul into something they loved.

[Lago]

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RIP

I worked at Ferranti, and even played for the Ferranti Thistle team (post Meadowbank Thistle).

Its nice to see so much respect for someone that put their heart and soul into something they loved.

There is a lovely tribute to John on the Livingston web site.

[where'stheslope]

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There is a lovely tribute to John on the Livingston web site.

John Bain: a Thistle to a Lion

Thursday, 7 February, 2019

I’d like to acknowledge John Bain’s remarkable contribution to Scottish Football, and to say that for all of us at Livingston FC, John is undoubtedly the greatest servant any Club could ever hope for, and we will miss him greatly.
Over 70 years at the heart of the Club game. Few will ever come close to this.
I am proud to have a signed copy of his book, “Public Parks to Premier League” which every Livi fan should read, and remember fondly his own pride in being Honorary President for Life at our Club.
He was a regular in the Directors Box until a couple of seasons ago when he decided that one of the glass boxes would be a warmer, more comfortable place to watch matches, because “I’m getting on a bit.” I think he was 95 at this point.
He had strong views on the league structure in Scotland, and supported the pyramid system which allows modern day Ferranti Thistles to climb to the top. He believed that the traditional support for the big clubs continues to hold our Club back, but was optimistic about our future as a Premiership side. Strongly held views to the end.
He’d seen it all: from Amateur Works team in the Welfare League – which he played for, captained, coached ( there was no coaching, only training he told me) – through to the East of Scotland League. Then a change of Club status and name to Meadowbank Thistle in the Scottish Football League, before finally relocating to become the Livingston FC we love today.
He saw more ups and downs than anyone should have to cope with. But he never lost faith.
It is often said when a great figure passes that ‘it’s the end of an era’. Well, John presided over several eras at our Club, and he was the one constant our fans could look to. If it is the end of an era, what an era it is with John’ Club competing well in the Scotland’s top flight.
A new era is about to start without John. I hope we can continue to do him proud.
Thank you John Bain.

Gordon Ford OBE

RIP

[Hibernia&Alba]

95 - fantastic! RIP indeed; a full life well lived.

[Lago]

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John Bain: a Thistle to a Lion


Thursday, 7 February, 2019

I’d like to acknowledge John Bain’s remarkable contribution to Scottish Football, and to say that for all of us at Livingston FC, John is undoubtedly the greatest servant any Club could ever hope for, and we will miss him greatly.
Over 70 years at the heart of the Club game. Few will ever come close to this.
I am proud to have a signed copy of his book, “Public Parks to Premier League” which every Livi fan should read, and remember fondly his own pride in being Honorary President for Life at our Club.
He was a regular in the Directors Box until a couple of seasons ago when he decided that one of the glass boxes would be a warmer, more comfortable place to watch matches, because “I’m getting on a bit.” I think he was 95 at this point.
He had strong views on the league structure in Scotland, and supported the pyramid system which allows modern day Ferranti Thistles to climb to the top. He believed that the traditional support for the big clubs continues to hold our Club back, but was optimistic about our future as a Premiership side. Strongly held views to the end.
He’d seen it all: from Amateur Works team in the Welfare League – which he played for, captained, coached ( there was no coaching, only training he told me) – through to the East of Scotland League. Then a change of Club status and name to Meadowbank Thistle in the Scottish Football League, before finally relocating to become the Livingston FC we love today.
He saw more ups and downs than anyone should have to cope with. But he never lost faith.
It is often said when a great figure passes that ‘it’s the end of an era’. Well, John presided over several eras at our Club, and he was the one constant our fans could look to. If it is the end of an era, what an era it is with John’ Club competing well in the Scotland’s top flight.
A new era is about to start without John. I hope we can continue to do him proud.
Thank you John Bain.

Gordon Ford OBE

RIP

Thank you for putting that up. Both my wife & myself worked at Ferranti, we both have fond memories of a lovely man, but a hard task master. 👍

[famous_fife_hibby]

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RIP

I worked at Ferranti, and even played for the Ferranti Thistle team (post Meadowbank Thistle).

Its nice to see so much respect for someone that put their heart and soul into something they loved.

My Late Brother-in Law Harry Martin played for Ferranti if I remember rightly, he worked at Robbi ave and at both Ferry road sites.

[son of haggart]

Can anyone clarify where they played in the early 60s, prior to moving to City Park. I have a childhood memory of watching them somewhere off Fishwives Causeway - probably somewhere between 1962 and 1964

[Lancs Harp]

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Can anyone clarify where they played in the early 60s, prior to moving to City Park. I have a childhood memory of watching them somewhere off Fishwives Causeway - probably somewhere between 1962 and 1964

They played at Crew Toll in the 60s. Edinburgh Corporation had plans to build a college and offered Ferranti Thistle City Park which I think was Edinburgh Citys old ground.

[where'stheslope]

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They played at Crew Toll in the 60s. Edinburgh Corporation had plans to build a college and offered Ferranti Thistle City Park which I think was Edinburgh Citys old ground.

Yes it was behind the Old Bonn Amee which was next to the Bowing Green.
I remember as an apprentice going to the Bonn Amee for lunch as it was an overspill for the Crewe Toll canteen.

[son of haggart]

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They played at Crew Toll in the 60s. Edinburgh Corporation had plans to build a college and offered Ferranti Thistle City Park which I think was Edinburgh Citys old ground.

Thanks must have been an away game I saw then