WATCH: Wonderful turn-out for football match fundraiser in memory of late Aviemore Primary School janitor Stevie Gibb
There were mixed emotions for the Gibb family as a huge turn-out yesterday paid their respects to late Aviemore Primary School janitor Stevie Gibb.
A select Speyside United side - the club founded by Mr Gibb - took on local Badenoch and Strathspey Welfare League champions Aviemore Thistle in what was a pulsating encounter in searing heat at the village’s football pitch.
An estimated 350 to 400 spectators - young and older - turned out for a colourful celebration of Mr Gibb’s life, bringing two of his closest passions together.
Mr Gibb loved his footy and the village’s primary school where he had worked for the past 17 years until his untimely death in February.
And fair play to both sides who put in a great shift under the blazing sun.
Fortunately for the older Speyside United players - many of them ex-local welfare - they had a pool of 18 players so were able to rotate.
The older legs - boosted by Buckie Thistle Highland League striker Josh Peters who netted twice - were trailing 4-1 at the interval but surprised the reigning welfare league champions with a second half fightback which came up just short in a 4-3 defeat.
Some of the former Speyside players had not played competitive football for over a decade and they had only one training session ahead of the fundraiser for Aviemore Primary School.
Stevie’s son Kenny, now a personal trainer based in Hull, paid tribute to the two teams and all those who had come out to cheer them on.
“This has really honoured my dad’s memory. It is such a big event which started out as such a small idea - it is just incredible,” he said.
Acting Aviemore Primary School headteacher Chenelle McMaster said afterwards: “Mr Gibb’s memorial match was such a special event and so well-supported by the community.
“The children were amazing at encouraging the Strathspey United players with enthusiastic chants and banners.
“We were also so overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity people showed towards the fundraising.
“Mr Gibb would have been so proud of his wife Angela, his two sons (Kenny and Ross) and his wider family who worked so hard to make today a success.”
It is now hoped the Mr Gibb football match will become an annual fundraising fixture.]
Mr Gibb died of natural causes at his home in the village’s Craigellachie Crescent just a few days before he would have turned 57.
The sudden death of the popular janitor came as a huge shock to the whole community.
He was a well-loved and respected figure with pupils, parents and staff over the years at his workplace.
More on this story along with more pictures in the next Strathy out on Thursday.