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John Donnelly

All at the club are extremely saddened to hear of the passing yesterday of a man who was a great servant to the club in many an off-field capacity, John Donnelly.

John joined the The Bully Wee in the club’s Centenary Year, 1977, taking on the role of Pools Promoter, charged with the task of raising much needed income for the club.

He was, in fact, involved in the club’s historic shirt sponsorship deal just two years later in season 1979-78. Clyde became the first club in Scotland to display a company sponsor on the front of their home shirt thanks to an initiative involving then manager Craig Brown and John, who secured the deal with Polmadie based BOC for that coveted place on the front of the home top.

For many years, John worked tirelessly behind the scenes, covering such diverse roles as Pools Promoter, Lottery Salesman, Commercial Manager and Kitman – always with an enthusiasm and sense of pride in each of his roles. John is one of a select group of people who worked for the club at no fewer than four grounds which the club called home during the 20th Century.

Clyde’s departure from Shawfield in 1986 saw them spend five years at Firhill, before sharing at Douglas Park while a new stadium was being prepared for the club in Cumbernauld. John spent four seasons at Broadwood, before moving on at the end of the 1996-97 campaign.

The Bellshill man, highly regarded in the Scottish game, was snapped up by Airdrie where he worked for The Diamonds before retiring from football.

In all, John served Clyde during three decades and left a lasting impression on all who knew him and worked with him.

The club’s condolences go out to John’s family and friends at this sad and difficult time.

A fuller tribute to John will be published in the Clyde View for the match against Montrose next Saturday.