Brown McMaster

Died: November 4, 2015

Brown McMaster, who has died aged 66, was chairman of Partick Thistle for many years and a well-known figure in Scottish football.

Born Thomas Brown McMaster (but known to everyone as "Brown"), he joined the family business, Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd, which was based for many years in Partick and spent the rest of his working life there.

In May 1989 he became a director of Partick Thistle Football Club and continued to serve in that capacity for almost 20 years except for a few months in 1997.

At that time the Jags were toiling in the old First Division and the prospects were bleak. The stadium was decrepit and crowds were falling as the team struggled. Changes were urgently needed.

Mr McMaster was appointed vice-chairman under Jim Oliver and during those years major works were carried out to Firhill Stadium including new floodlights, under-soil heating, a new hospitality facility and the magnificent Jackie Husband Stand.

The long awaited promotion to the Premier League came in 1992 during the managerial tenure of John Lambie. Thistle were truly rising again.

At this time also, Mr McMaster became the second largest shareholder in Partick Thistle.

Many supporters who were lucky enough to enjoy match day hospitality in the new Aitken Suite in those days will remember the warm welcome he gave to everyone as he took on the role of Master of Ceremonies. It all helped to make it a day to remember for everyone there especially if the team won.

Unfortunately, relegation in 1996 after a play-off defeat at the hands of Dundee United helped to bring financial problems. Mr McMaster left the board in February 1997 prior to a proposed takeover by the former owners of Clydebank FC.

The takeover did not proceed and by that time the club was losing £10,000 a week. Debts to the bank stood at £1.8million and other creditors were owed around £600,000. The situation seemed hopeless and many associated with the club had given up hope of Partick Thistle surviving.

Mr McMaster thought otherwise and with typical passion and energy he returned to the board, this time as chairman.

A Glasgow accountant, Tom Hughes, offered his services to deal with the club's many creditors while "Save the Jags", conceived and masterminded by a supporter, Allan Cowan, roused the support and raised much needed cash to pay ongoing bills.

For several months, the future of Partick Thistle was in the balance but all the time Brown was effectively running the football club and dealing with the football authorities as efforts continued to reach agreement with creditors.

Eventually, after a share issue and much fund-raising, the announcement was made that the Jags had been saved but it could not have happened without Brown McMaster's efforts. Football debts were paid in full and other creditors received an agreed payment to settle their claims.

A new board of directors took control and Mr McMaster continued as chairman for a few more eventful years during which the North Stand was built. The construction was completed in the nick of time as League rules required clubs seeking promotion to have 10,000 covered seats in their stadium. This deadline was met in no small part due to his drive and determination.

He finally stepped down as chairman in 2005 although he remained a director until 2008. He was then approached by Stenhousemuir FC and spent a short time there as a director giving them the benefit of his experience in the game.

He had joined the League Management Committee in 2005 and was elected Scottish Football League President in 2008. Unfortunately, ill health forced him to step down from these positions.

Outside of football, his other sporting passions included tennis, curling and golf. He was president of Newlands Tennis Club no less than five times in 1979, 1994, 1995 and 2006. During his stewardship membership increased from 400 to around 1100. He was also a past captain of Pollok Golf Club.

An active member of Newlands South Church of Scotland, he held various offices there including property convenor. He was also president of the Glasgow Eastern Merchants and Tradesman Society as well as contributing to his local community council

Although ill health latterly prevented him from attending Firhill, he always maintained a keen interest in Partick Thistle and the fortunes of the team.

Even with all these wide and varied interests, he always found time for his family to whom he was devoted. He is survived by his wife, Jean, his children Craig, Scott, Jill, and John and by his grandchildren Ava, Judy, George, Ewan and Kim.