Jim Tait

Jim Tait, who has died aged 78, was a successful gambler, bookmaker, greyhound trainer, bon viveur and passionate Scotland football supporter who famously drew up plans to charter a submarine to the World Cup in Argentina.

He was one of those rare individuals who could mingle with celebrities without getting starry-eyed and his death robs Scottish sport of one of its more Pickwickian characters. He travelled all over Britain's myriad horse racing courses during his life, combining scientific analysis of the betting market with a relish for entertaining those in his company with his rich stream of anecdotes.

Mr Tait, who was born in the family home in Blantyre, first worked as a bookmaker, and regularly plied his trade at greyhound tracks, such as in his home town and Wishaw.

A peripatetic individual, he eventually graduated from turf accountancy to earning a living as a professional punter, and he was a beetle-browed devotee of the racing and football markets, although he never let his enthusiasm for betting distract him from enjoying sport in many different forms.

In 1977, he famously drew up plans to charter a submarine, which was intended to transport Scotland fans from the Clyde to the 1978 World Cup in Argentina – he was hoping to make the journey with 180 passengers at £595 for the return trip – and although the plan eventually fell through, the episode summed up his ability to generate global headlines, while fever surrounded "Ally's Tartan Army".

He considered himself fortunate to have lots of confreres from bookmaking, horse racing, football and hospitality interests and his friends included the TV commentator, Archie Macpherson, the former Manchester United star, Paddy Crerand and the television executive, Richard Park.

Yet some of his closest allies have testified to how he could light up any company, both with the effervescent force of his personality, and his determination to pick a fresh winner, on his whistle-stop tour of Britain and Europe.

"Jim had a great list of contacts for accommodation, restaurants and entertainment. These outings were great fun and Jim would be the last to bed at night and the first up in the morning to phone his contacts and then go off for a run and swim before breakfast," declared his long-time comrade, Frank Cornfield.

"He was a very good judge at racing and football betting. When he was at race meetings, he would always be found at the pre-parade ring, having a close look at the horses as soon as they entered. A paddock inspection of the runners was also a must before he made his bet. He was very well informed from a network of well-connected people in racing and football and was often the first to know of any significant news breaking that could influence the market."

His grandson, Gary MacLean, recalled how Mr Tait fell in love with European soccer, and made frequent trips to such stadiums as the Camp Nou to watch matches. Indeed, even when he was stricken with serious illness, nothing was allowed to interfere with his passion. "When Jim was in hospital, being treated for cancer a few years ago, his bookie friends joked that he was 66-1 to survive," recollected his friend, Joe Sanderson.

"The nurses were glad to see the back of him. They were getting his Racing Post and the telephone every 10 minutes to place his bets and then running to the day room to get the latest results on Teletext. Jim was a special guy to all those who knew him."

That sentiment was echoed by many and explains why there will be a large attendance at his funeral at High Blantyre Old Parish Church on Saturday. Jim Tait is survived by his daughters, Karen and Kim, his grandson, Gary and his sister, Jean.