BY IAIN COLLIN – Capital City Press
Raith Rovers have formally renamed their main stand at Stark’s Park in honour of former chairman Turnbull Hutton, who died earlier this year.
Hutton had two spells at the head of the Kirkcaldy outfit but will be most remembered for the steadfast way he stood against moves to parachute Rangers into a mooted SPL2 following the Ibrox club’s liquidation in 2012.
The retired former drinks industry director joined the Rovers board in 2000 and, after stepping down as chairman at the turn of the year, passed away in April aged 68 after being diagnosed with leukaemia.
The Fife outfit used the visit of a Celtic XI on Tuesday night, in a match that ended 1-1, to unveil the ‘Turnbull Hutton Stand’.
Chief Executive Eric Drysdale said: “Turnbull did a huge amount for this club and Scottish football, and he departed this life far too young. We wanted to make sure his name will never be forgotten.
“It is particularly appropriate because around 12 years ago, when this club was in financial trouble, we needed to replace the roof of the main stand but we simply did not have the money.
“Turnbull paid for that out of his own pocket, which just sums up the man. It’s fitting that stand will bear his name now.”
Raith have also announced a move to ensure that all of its non-footballing staff will be paid at least the Living Wage of £7.85 per hour.
Drysdale added: “Turnbull, more than anyone, recognised the value of loyalty and hard work in everybody at the club. The players are the ones that get the headlines and the football is what it’s all about, but a club is definitely more than the team on the pitch.
“This is something we wanted to do. Our non-playing staff are every bit as much a part of the club as the team. It’s very easy to forget what goes on behind the scenes but in my role as chief executive I know we are fortunate to have some real gems working for us.
“They’re not well paid in comparison to footballers but they do work extremely hard to keep this club going and this is a small way of recognising that.”
