Three volunteer stalwarts of our sport are fondly remembered

Tuesday 14th October 2025

Des Gilmore Memorial

Glasgow University athletics stalwart Des Gilmore passed away at the start of July.

Des was a hugely committed volunteer in athletics and cross country and well-known across our community.

Glasgow University Sports Association have asked us to flag up a Memorial for Des which is coming up at the end of the month.

*The memorial will take place at the University of Glasgow Chapel on Thursday 30 October at 11am.

If you need any further details please email gusa-president@glasgow.ac.uk

+++

George Wright

We are sad to report that well-known North Official, George Wright, has passed away.

George had been officiating at both domestic and Highland Games for approximately 30 years; many in the North District but also other events across Scotland.

A member of Elgin Amateur Athletics Club where he coached mainly field events, George passed away suddenly at home.

A private funeral was held on October 9 with his family and close friends present.

Mike Archibald told us: ‘George was a real gentleman who will be truly missed. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.’

+++

John Davies Tribute

The passing of John Davies (JD), coach at East Sutherland AC, in June of this year, has left a huge void not only in the club, but in the wider field of North and Scottish athletics.

In the early 2000s, JD retired from teaching in Bristol and moved to the Highlands of Scotland with his wife, Olympian Karen Macleod.

He immediately established a small athletics group in his home village of Rogart, encouraging young athletes to train and compete locally.

His enthusiasm, knowledge and dedication were very quickly recognised and from then on, the training group grew to include all ages and stages in the Sutherland and Ross-shire areas.

Initially his athletes competed with much success for Caithness AC, but thereafter, with the support of a dedicated group of parents, JD was instrumental in creating and establishing, East Sutherland Athletics Club.

Whatever the weather, two, three or even four times every week, all year round, JD would without fail set up routes for his athletes over fields, forest, roads and even beaches. Indeed, during one severe winter he was often seen clearing snow on the local beach so that his group could train for a January national cross country event. Such was his commitment to his athletes.

JD must have walked and cycled miles over the years, getting the measurements exactly correct down to the last metre. He was a stickler for numbers; after all, as well as PE, he did teach mathematics! At no time was this a paid role, every hour he dedicated to his athletes and club was totally voluntary.

East Sutherland AC secretary Ruairidh Gollan told us: ‘JD travelled extensively to encourage and advise his athletes, showing the same enthusiasm and positivity equally to the U11 athletes, competing at their first North league event, or to his top athletes at national and international competitions.

‘JD was a truly unique and influential coach, who possessed a knowledge about athletics that few could match. He inspired and transformed so many athletes and athletics, in the North of Scotland.

‘He will be sorely missed by all who knew him but his legacy lives on through his athletes past and present, many of whom agree that they would not be who they are today had it not been for JD.’

+++

Tags: Des Gilmore, George Wright, John Davies