Keith FC Appoint John Curran III as Honorary President
Left to right: John Curran III, Andy Troup and Charlie Simpson
It was cloak and dagger stuff on Saturday 8 May, although it wasn’t Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson, but Keith FC Chairman Andy Troup and Vice Chairman Charlie Simpson, who travelled into Aberdeen on the train. The pretext was to meet up and have lunch with John Curran III to celebrate his landmark 70th birthday which occurred in February.
The lunch apart, the main purpose of the journey was to bestow the honour of becoming Honorary President of Keith Football Club. The previous Hon Pres, Alex Rutherford junior had sadly passed away last July. When the subject arose at a Board Meeting there was no debate, it was a unanimous decision to offer the position to the former bemedalled Maroons’ winger, and a suitably inscribed Quaich was obtained to mark the occasion.
The name Curran is synonymous with Keith FC, firmly steeped in the Club’s long history. John Curran II was a much travelled and vastly experienced goalkeeper, including being between the sticks at Aberdeen before joining the Maroons in 1958, ending up winning five honours, including being part of the first ever championship side in 1961-62, and their first two Qualifying Cups.
John Curran III carried on the tradition in 1973, signing from Rothes and then spending the next nine years as part of an absolutely halcyon period in the Club’s history. Three successive Highland League Cups, three successive Highland League titles and three separate Aberdeenshire Cup wins were all crammed into 296 games and 87 sparkling goals. His ‘play anywhere attitude’ saw him don no fewer than nine different numbered jerseys for the Club.
The presentation of the Quaich and the reason for it, rendered the sharp as a tack JC, a retired solicitor, speechless for several seconds before gathering himself to humbly accept the honour with the same aplomb he used to collect passes from the full back. He was genuinely taken aback but unreservedly honoured to accept the position.
Andy Troup said, “I am delighted that John Curran III has accepted the honour to become our Honorary President, John is steeped in the history of the club and the board could not think of a better person to take this distinguished role. We look forward to seeing John Curran III at Kynoch Park more in the future.”
John Curran said, “It’s ‘nae like you JC III” I hear both of them say but I was just about lost for words and blown away when Andy and Charlie asked me to accept this appointment. The club, and the people involved, have held a special place in my heart since even before I had the privilege of demonstrating my unselfish standing on the left wing of ‘the field of dreams’ during the 1970s and ‘80s.Great times that I’ll never forget and I’ll do all that I can to justify the great honour that the club has seen fit to confer upon me. OAMAAM”
His Granda, Granda Jock, JC I, made a name for himself in footballing circles in America before returning to these shores.
Since hanging up his boots JC III has made many appearances at the ‘Field of Dreams’ on hospitality days, and also attended many Club Sporting Dinners down through the years. Following his presentation the afternoon and evening were spent regaling tales and memories of his time as a Maroons stalwart.
#OnceaMaroonAlwaysaMaroon