Obituary: Jimmy Beaton, director of Glasgow Tigers speedway team

Died: January 9, 2018

Jimmy Beaton, who has died aged 90, was the promoter and director of Glasgow Tigers speedway team for nearly 20 years.

After his formal involvement ended in 1989 he continued to help out in various ways and was appointed honorary president. He also became the first non-rider to be inducted into their Hall of Fame and but for his involvement it is highly unlikely there would be a club in existence today.

Born to George and Sarah in Blantyre, after he left school he undertook an apprenticeship as a heating engineer with the local council and began an interest in motor cycles, becoming a member of the local club.

He showed an aptitude for mechanics and carried out repairs on bikes which he also raced successfully on beaches throughout the country and in other events.

Having met Hamilton girl Betty Thomson at a party they started going out together and married in 1950 in her town’s South Church manse. They went on to enjoy over 66 years of happy marriage during which they had four children, George, Bobby, Jim and Jacqueline.

While still working as an engineer he and his wife bought a motor cycle shop in Glasgow Road, Burnbank which they ran together. In the early 1960s he bought an accident damaged coach which he repaired himself to make it roadworthy and then began operating it, thus launching Beaton’s Coaches, later based in John Street, Blantyre.

The company expanded over the years to the point where it ran 17 vehicles; sons Jim and Bobby were also directors while daughter Jacqueline worked for the firm for 22 years.

On 11th March 1983 as he drove a bus along Quarry Street in Hamilton returning to his depot, he saw a house in flames with children’s faces pressed against the first floor windows screaming for help.

Showing considerable resourcefulness and courage, he stopped parallel to the house, climbed on to the roof of his vehicle and extricated the family of nine to the safety of his roof with the help of a passer by. A police spokesman commented, “Mr. Beaton’s bravery undoubtedly saved their lives.” Strathclyde Fire Brigade awarded him a commendation for his actions, the first time this had been given to someone not a Brigade member.

All three sons took up speedway racing for Glasgow Tigers which in part led to their father becoming promoter/director of the club in 1971 when based at Hampden Park. These were lean times for the sport and the contribution of Mr. Beaton in countless ways such as financial input and fundraising was instrumental to keeping the Tigers afloat.

As promoter he was involved in everything from the ensuring the track’s condition, erecting safety fences, arranging ticketing and programmes, engaging riders and officials, liaising with the media and opposition, and sometimes driving fans, riders and bikes in a company coach to fixtures, particularly when the club was briefly based in Workington.

After his formal speedway connection finished in 1989, Mr. Beaton concentrated on his coach business till he retired at 77 in 2005. Life was so busy there was little time for holidays although he and his wife enjoyed attending the annual speedway conferences in Benidorm.

A dementia diagnosis about five years ago caused difficulty in his latter years and after being cared for by his daughter he moved into a care home in Lanark. His wife died in 2016, eldest son George having died in 1972 as a result of an accident. He is survived by his other sons and daughter and ten grandchildren and great grandchildren.

JACK DAVIDSON