SCOTLAND’S oldest groundsman has shared the touching story of his involvement with his club.
Cecil Jack is 82 years of age and has told all on how working at Elgin City helped him through the loss of his wife.
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Borough Briggs – the home of Elgin CityCredit: PA:Press Association
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Cecil Jack, 82, is Scotland’s oldest groundsmanCredit: SPFL
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The club helped him through the loss of his wife June, pictured here with late Elgin Supporters’ Club president Ronnie EddieCredit: SPFL
Cecil spends almost every day at Borough Briggs – the home stadium of the League Two side – preparing the pitch and generally being a handy helper.
He’s been cheering on the club for more than six decades and late wife June did too. She also used to work in the club’s pie stall.
The granddad-of-one still makes the long trips across the country to see every game, which has kept him busy in the nearly 20 years since June passed. She lost a battle with cancer aged 59 in 2006.
Cecil first became connected to Elgin’s football team when he was 15, selling raffles and running supporters coaches.
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Speaking as part of the SPFL’s Unsung series, he said: “Elgin City’s been a huge part of my life. I spend more time here than I do at home.
“I said I’d help out as groundsman for a few weeks around two decades ago and I’ve been there ever since. The pitch looks as good as it has in my whole time here, which I’m really proud of.
“Football gives me a lot of fun, even at this age. I’d be bored sitting at home watching daytime TV without Elgin City, so it keeps me going.
“The club really helped me during my mourning process of losing my wife June and being involved in the club has helped me immensely in recent years.”
Both he and his wife served on the supporters’ club committee where Cecil later became vice-president and then president.
During her bowel cancer fight June persuaded her husband to join the club board, which subsequently led to his involvement as groundskeeper.
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He said: “June was unwell when I was asked to join the club board, and I wasn’t sure if it was the right time, but she said I should do it as that’s where I belonged. I went on the board with her blessing and it was the best thing for me.
“I’ve travelled home and away to every game since I joined the board 17 years ago. I’ll have been a few years round the world following Elgin, and I do it because I love it.”
The club’s vice-chair Isla Benzie is a lifelong friend of the 82-year-old, she said of him: “Cecil’s whole life is Elgin City. He’s at the club every day.
“He’s a huge character. I’ve known him all my life. He portrays himself as Mr Grumpy but he’s a great guy.
“He’s an encyclopedia on club history. Pretty much everyone in Elgin knows him.
“Joining the board has helped keep him young and keep going after June’s death, which has been great.”
The northern club still have hopes of promotion to League One this season as they kick off their playoff campaign tonight against Annan Athletic.
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Elgin beat league winners Peterhead 4-0 last monthCredit: SNS
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