Shinty moderniser and football administrator

Born: June 28, 1953;

Died: June 14, 2019

KEN Thomson, who has died aged 65, was arguably, one of the first true modernisers of shinty, who brought his business acumen, administrative skills and massive personality to bear on his first love, the game of camanachd. In a sport where community, loyalty and a sense of belonging are defining characteristics, he stood out in many ways.

Steeped in the history of the game in Cannich and Strathglass (a hugely important place in the history of the organised game), due to his father’s occupation with the Hydro, there was possibly only ever going to be one choice - the caman and ball, and he distinguished himself in the history of shinty both on and off the field, as a player, referee, administrator and fan.

His CV in shinty is unmatched from his success on the field of play in the 1970s Aberdeen university team which produced three presidents of the Camanachd Association and was peerless at junior level; to his contribution to the Aviemore indoor sixes, shinty journalism and the Shinty Yearbook/Shinty World, the Referees’ Association (of which he was also president) and his beloved home club of Strathglass which befitted from his generous sponsorship and kindness for over 30 years.

Ken peaked in shinty teams as president of the Association from 1990 to 1994 when he faced a number of challenges as the game moved from its amateur status to one of professional administration. As he chronicled himself in the recently published history of the CA from 1993 to 2018, he was the first finance convenor and channelled most of his energies into commercial aspects of the game’s needs, forging a fruitful relation with Glenmorangie and the legendary Peter Cullen in particular.

Two key areas of the game were also allocated his time and energies – the appointment of the first full-time administrator for shinty and the centenary celebrations of 1993. That particular year saw him accept a cheque for £100,000 from the then convenor of Highland Council, through Objective One European Funding for the improvement of shinty facilities.

As with most presidents, Ken faced more than his fair share of trials and tribulations, including legal threats, hostility to change and difficulties with the main funding agency Sportscotland. It is to his eternal credit that he maintained his sense of equilibrium and humour which sustained him through trying times, leaving the sport in a much better state than he found it.

He shared his shinty skills and experience with the fledgling Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football club over the years from their establishment 25 years ago, serving as a director and in due course vice-chairman, seeing the club advance through the leagues, win the Scottish Cup and play in Europe.

The current chair Graham Rae paid fulsome tribute to the huge contribution Ken made to the club during his two spells on the board of directors.

He said: “Ken’s commercial and financial expertise were great assets during his long service with the club. His good humour and diplomacy were also hugely helpful in the boardroom where he brought many great ideas to the table.”

Fulsome tributes were led at the funeral service (on Tuesday 25 June), which Ken had organised himself, by long-time friend Bill McAllister and business associate Alan Nelson.

Bill’s memorable run through their many escapades far and wide attending shinty and shinty/hurling matches in Scotland and Ireland captured the essence of a remarkable, find, caring and diligent individual, hilariously detailing Ken’s love affair with the potato in various forms, but mostly chips.

Ken died peacefully at home on Friday 14th June 2019, in the loving care of his family, wife Tan, and he was a proud and devoted dad to Aoom and Arm, a dear brother of David, brother-in-law to Chris Ann and a friend to many. He will, undoubtedly, be sorely missed.

The funeral service was held on Tuesday 25th June in Inverness, where the cortege left the funeral home passing through a guard of honour of shinty players, officials and administrators. He was laid to rest in Kilvean Cemetery, Inverness.

HUGH DAN MACLENNAN