The Club are still struggling to come to terms with the sudden and tragic passing of our dear friend and Vice Chairman David Laing late last week.

David joined the Board back in 2011 making a significant contribution throughout his 12 years of devoted service, playing an important role as the Club emerged from years in the wilderness into the most successful period in our 144 year history. 

David’s efforts were recognised in 2017 when appointed Co-Vice Chairman, and this additional responsible saw him become a familiar face at Hampden, regularly representing the Club at SFA and SPFL meetings, gaining respect from his peers as a wise and thoughtful contributor.

David was always keen to push the Club forward, and, at personal expense, was the driving force behind the ‘Home Dugout’ trial back in 2015, bringing a retail presence for the Club to the centre of the town.

A very sociable and well known character, David was always well connected with the fans and many will remember the infamous away trip to Stranraer back in 2020, when a group from the Golf Inn, including David thought it a great idea to have a Friday night out in Belfast, only to awake the next morning to the news the game at Stair Park had been cancelled, leaving a long ferry and train trip home.

Now many may imagine David’s highlight at Links Park would be the lifting of the League 2 trophy in 2018, but this was in fact eclipsed the following year when the sponsor of the Challenge Cup was announced as Tunnocks Caramel Wafers, his favourite guilty pleasure of all time.

We will all have our own memories of David, his friendly nature, sense of humour and dedication to his family and Montrose FC. Many of the Board were in fact the last to spend time with David on Friday as he took part in the Club’s annual Golf Day, and whilst obviously tragic, it is some comfort to know he was his usual happy self, enjoying his favourite hobby and supporting his beloved Club right to the very end.

Our sincere and heartfelt sympathy, thoughts and condolences remain with his wife Jen and family at this most difficult of times and the Club will hold a minutes applause on Saturday in tribute of David ahead of kick off – a true gent, a great friend, a lovely man and a huge, huge loss…