A Hamilton Accies superfan has been described as a “proper gentleman” after passing away last week.
George Hosie supported the club since he was a young boy and has been a season-ticket holder with Accies for 84 years.
The 90-year-old suffered a mini-stroke earlier this year and had an underlying heart condition, before contracting Covid-19 and passing away.
His grandson Stephen Whiteside described Accies as “his absolute passion” and has fond memories of going to the old Douglas Park with him – and the celebrity welcome he would get on a matchday.
“He used to take me to the old Douglas Park and lift me over the turnstiles,” said Stephen.
“He used to know the man who worked in the turnstile and he had his season ticket and the wee man just let him lift me over the top.
“We used to do that every Saturday afternoon, and it went full circle, because in his latter years it was me who was taking him into games. He was a mad Accies fan. When they were winning they were the best thing since sliced bread, and when they were losing they were atrocious.
“Him and my gran were inseparable – apart from on a Saturday.
“There were many arguments over the years about games. I remember there was a game on New Year’s Day and my gran had to delay the dinner until my grandpa was back from watching Accies.
“It was his absolute passion to go and see Accies.
“It used to take me about 20 minutes to get up the stairs with him because he was so well-known and had so many people he wanted to say hello to.
“Everybody wanted to stop and talk to him.”
Stephen fondly remembers the banter George would have with Accies stars from the stands on a matchday, adding: “He used to sit near the press area and was near where the players would sit if they were suspended or injured.
“He wasn’t shy in telling them what they needed to do to improve their game.
“He became pally with Darian MacKinnon.
“MacKinnon wasn’t playing for a while and my grandpa used to joke with him ‘is that you suspended again for thumping somebody else?’
“MacKinnon knew he was only taking the mickey.
“Brian Easton used to talk to him quite a lot as well. He was his favourite player for many, many years. He would always have a chat with my grandpa and it used to make his Saturday afternoon.
“Even though he was an older man he still got a buzz from speaking to some of the players.
“My grandpa had a ridiculous sense of humour.
“He could be quite cheeky with people in a really funny way.”
Stephen’s mum Lynn passed away earlier this year after a battle with cancer, and he admits it has been comforting to imagine George being reunited with his family.
“We have had a lot of kind messages from people saying that he was a proper gentleman.
“He would do anything for anyone. As a family we rallied round him but it’s been tough not being able to see him.
“My gran died about 11 years ago and my grandpa used to say things like if he could open up the cupboard and get a staircase to talk to my gran he would just go.
“We lost my mum back in February as well. He is where he wanted to be.
“With my gran, with my mum and we are taking comfort from that he wanted to be back with my gran and that’s ultimately where we believe he is.”
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