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Post by coombes on Dec 6, 2010 20:49:45 GMT 1
A really hard post to write.
Sadly I have to report that Neil Grant passed away suddenly yesterday after suffering what might have been an aneurysm.
Neil was the main man of the pits crew at both Blantyre tracks and played a pivotal role in securing the reinstatement of Tigers league membership after the problems in 1987 when we were expelled from the league. HE was also the manager of the Hampden cycle speedway team and was instrumental in securing sponsorship and a council provided track at Cathkin.
A great guy who was taken far too early
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Post by bigchaross on Dec 6, 2010 20:53:37 GMT 1
sad to hear thoughts to his family. did,nt know him personally but speedway is 1 big family.
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Post by snapper on Dec 6, 2010 20:55:54 GMT 1
Just had a message to tell me the same sad news. I remember Neil from his Clerk of the Course duties at Shawfield. Total gent who will be sadly missed
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2010 21:11:48 GMT 1
work with neil on the track-staff at coatbridge blantyre and shawfield sorry to hear the terrible news r.i.p.neil
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jock
Neck and Neck with Charlie McKinna
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Post by jock on Dec 6, 2010 21:18:25 GMT 1
What can one say about Neil Grant. He went to school with the famous Nicholson brothers (well famous to me - anyway !) and soon he was a speedway fan. It did help that the Glasgow Tigers had done him a turn by moving to Hampden literally yards from Neil's home. Neil also became involved in the Hampden Hawks cycle speedway team and was himself a very good cycle speedway rider. A pivotal Tigers track staff member over a number of years with the Hampden years foremost in my memory. Picking up the stains for auld Jimmy and removing that wooden safety fence sometimes prior to jumping on a bus and going south to see the Tigers. Neil had a tremendous can do attitude and I remember he wired his dad's Hillman Imp for smashing fog lamps which I followed all the way home from Berwick one night in thick fog ! He went to Alan Glen's school in Glasgow and was one of the cleverest people I will ever know. As Snapper says a total gent with a fantastic attitude and manner. I firmly believe that we are all the poorer for his passing - RIP Neil Grant Hampden Hawks and Glasgow Tigers
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Post by jim on Dec 6, 2010 21:54:06 GMT 1
I just heard about this from another source.
Although I didn't know Neil personally, I was a contemporary and often saw him around. As others have said, he carried out an enormous amount of work behind the scenes for Glasgow and will always be remembered for that. As Coombes says ---- taken far too early. God rest his soul.
Does anyone know if Joyce Young is aware of Neil's passing? I sometimes see Joyce locally as she stays not too far away.
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Post by herbie on Dec 6, 2010 23:39:18 GMT 1
Can't believe this-like Jock I knew Neil both through the school connection and via the cycle speedway scene. No age at all to have passed on and there are a lot of people who have been greatly saddened by what they've heard today. A real behind the scenes hero for the Tigers for a very long time.
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Post by btl on Dec 7, 2010 0:51:23 GMT 1
Colin Caffray phoned me earlier tonight and told me of Neil's sad passing.
As an ex cycle speedway nut of the same period (Ralston Royals, Mill Wheelers) I remmeber the Nicks but although I have a (very) vague recollection of Neil's name can I put a face to him. The old brain cells area bit past their best these days.
Sad to hear the passing of anyone these days.
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Post by blantyre1forever on Dec 7, 2010 12:00:53 GMT 1
Neil Grant, along with Dick Barrie, played critically important roles in the rebirth of the Tigers after the humiliation of 1987 (and the slow death previously that was Craighead Park). I remember seeing him harnessed up and climbing the Shawfield floodlight pylons to direct them to the new track in advance of that unforgettable opening night when 7916 people came to see Steve Lawson win the first ever race at Shawfield.
As someone has said, Neil Grant was a very bright fellow, and it is a real shame that his talents were lost to the Tigers so soon after the 1988 rebirth.
He may not ever have scored a point for the Stripes, but Neil Grant did more for the Tigers than most who have.
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Post by KevPat on Dec 7, 2010 13:54:08 GMT 1
A sad day when anyone reports a passing, but even moreso when he seems to have been taken too early. Seems Glasgow wouldn't be here today without him as he seemed instrumental in getting you guys back up and running after some troubled times.
condolencies from the East.
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Post by Colin Mackie on Dec 7, 2010 15:51:57 GMT 1
Really nice guy and someone whos input the Tigers have missed since he moved on a number of years ago.
R.I.P. Neil
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Post by Dougie on Dec 7, 2010 16:02:43 GMT 1
I had the pleasure to work with Dr. Neil Grant at Shawfield a true gent.R.I.P
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bongobrian
Getting Lapped By Barry Booth
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Post by bongobrian on Dec 7, 2010 16:47:01 GMT 1
Didn't know Neil, as I have only been a fan for a handful of years, but as bigchaross said "One big Speedway family" and I offer my condolences. RIP Neil.
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henmar2
Getting Lapped By Barry Booth
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Post by henmar2 on Dec 7, 2010 17:32:32 GMT 1
so sorry to hear about Neils passing him and his family were next door neighbours to me in cumming drive,mt florida,his brother Colin used to ask me what speedway was like and when the Tigers moved to Hampden they both found out what it was like,just to say thinking of them at their sad loss
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Post by tyretrax on Dec 7, 2010 19:05:38 GMT 1
R.I.P Neil good to have known you.
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