Tribute to 'custodian' of Dundee Utd
I am sure you will forgive me if I neglect politics for a moment. Many of you will have heard the sad and tragic news that Eddie Thompson, the chairman of Dundee United, has died.
I was proud to count Eddie as a personal and family friend. He was, quite simply, a superb human being: a great family man, a talented entrepreneur, a warm thoughtful friend - and, of course, the guiding spirit at the club I have supported, like him, for more than 40 years.
At Tannadice, Eddie called himself the custodian for the fans. And he fulfilled that role to perfection. Not for him the cool, dispassionate summation of the balance sheet.
If we lost, he was inconsolable, angry even. If we won, his smile was broad and boyish.
Eddie had a mischievous sense of humour. His banter with Craig Levein was a joy to behold.
I also recall him welcoming the bosses to Barcelona to Tannadice. Eddie thanked them elegantly for their visit, noted that United had played the Catalan giants four times in Europe - then added with a grin that diplomacy prevented him from mentioning the results. United had of course won all four.
He will be an enormous loss to the club and to the city of Dundee. My deepest sympathy to his charming wife Cath and the family. The Arabs have lost one of their own.
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