Everyone at Carloway FC is greatly saddened by the passing of former player, manager and committee member, Jimmy Craigie (Park, Carloway) who passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning at the age of 90 years. Jimmy was an integral personality in the resurrection of Carloway FC in the late 1970s when he took on the responsibility of managing teams at both senior and junior levels. Not only did he take on responsibility of managing the teams but he actively participated in all aspects of running the Club (fund raising, team bus driver, cutting the grass, lining the pitch etc etc). No job was too small for Jimmy when it came to the Football Club and he was a driving force in ensuring the Club continued to thrive at great personal and financial sacrifice. In the early years every spare moment seemed to be spent fighting the Club’s corner, especially at Football Association meetings, and Jimmy could always be relied on to robustly champion the Carloway cause. All this was combined with working as a Harris Tweed weaver, looking after a substantial sheep flock and raising a young family.

His son Douglas remarked earlier today, “The football and the club were a huge part of his life. Always maintained an interest right to the end and what amused me was he seemed to know every player but never ever met or saw them!!”

There is no doubt that finding and attracting players to the Club, especially in the formative years, was a real forte of his and his encyclopaedic knowledge of the genealogy of players throughout the Island ensured no player was missed when sourcing players for the EAF Cup.

Jimmy was a real character who was well known and popular throughout the local football scene and this is attested to by how many people would ask after him despite him not having attended a football match for numerous years.

He was also a respected and popular manager who had a special affinity with his former players. One of his former players Willie “Dola” sent this message earlier today, “Very sad about Jimmy, a great guy, gentleman who helped us in our early days, many happy memories of our times with Carloway FC, he was a father figure to us Uigach’s a warm smile, smart comment and above all a welcoming home at Pentland Drive!”

Carloway FC therefore wish to pass on their condolences, especially to his wife Kayella, and to the rest of his family at this sad time. A family who has shown an amazing commitment in caring for him over the last few years.

Jimmy will be missed and never forgotten.