Former ICT youth coach, Caley manager and Inverness youth football stalwart John Beaton died today. I think he would have been 71/72. Sad news, football was his life. RIP.

Edited July 22, 20196 yr by caleyboy

Sad news indeed! He was captain of the 10th BB when I was there, affectionately referred to as 'JB' or 'Jelly Belly'. An influence and guidance on so many lives. A genuine, and funny, guy who will be missed.

Very sad news.  Was a huge figure in Inverness football over the years.  Used to come into my work when I was still at school/uni and was always good craic.

Recall the classic "Fat John, Skinny John's Barmy Army" chant back in the day celebrating the ground breaking Beaton/Docherty co-management duo.

RIP.

JB also had brief spells as manager of Clach and Nairn County. Lived for football.

Sad news indeed. Sincere condolences to his family and friends. I met John a few times during those Caledonian days pre merger. R.I.P John.

I would hope our club acknowledges JB by having a minutes silence or applause prior to ko tonight.

Has already been announced.

Legend on the local scene.

RIP John.

I have largely withdrawn from this site but am compelled to add to the tributes to John Beaton.

A true stalwart of football in Inverness for decade upon decade. A staunch Caley man who became an equally staunch Caley Thistle man. One of the best who will be missed but never forgotten.

huge loss to north football. RIP. 

Very sad news this.  Football in inverness owes a massive debt of gratitude to John for the amount of work he put in over such a long period. He must have helped launch so many careers at so many levels during that time. It was always a pleasure to play in his teams.

Very sad day for youth football in Inverness RIP John  remember playing in the same bb team when he broke a leg and carried on   remarkable guy

Massive part of so many of our lives, gave up everything for his teams, not that we properly appreciated him, but the influence he had on so many young people will stand. 

He would rant on for nearly all of half time, then with about a minute left would turn to     Jackie and ask if he had anything to add. 

‘No John, I think you’ve covered everything.’

The Beaton Generation.

Sad to hear. RIP John.

Fat John, Skinny John’s Barmy Army.

My football skills were practically non existent, but JB always welcomed me along to training with the same enthusiasm as thise who had talent in abundance.

I doubt any individual worked harder for football in Inverness than he did.

RIP big fella.

On 7/22/2019 at 10:25 PM, caleyboy said:

Former ICT youth coach, Caley manager and Inverness youth football stalwart John Beaton died today. I think he would have been 71/72. Sad news, football was his life. RIP.

John went through primary and secondary school with me, so he was aged 69 coming up 70. He was a polio victim and for some time wore callipers to school.

l remember one day after school aged about 6 or 7, he asked me round to his house to play a game he got for Christmas.

It was called  “Subuteo”. Was that the present that sent him on his love and complete understanding of the wonderful game?. He lived and breathed football, so sorry to hear of his passing.

6 minutes ago, een said:

John went through primary and secondary school with me, so he was aged 69 coming up 70. He was a polio victim and for some time wore callipers to school.

l remember one day after school aged about 6 or 7, he asked me round to his house to play a game he got for Christmas.

It was called  “Subuteo”. Was that the present that sent him on his love and complete understanding of the wonderful game?. He lived and breathed football, so sorry to hear of his passing.

He had polio. I don't think, however, that the big man ever regarded himself as a victim. It just wasn't in his nature.

Great bloke on and off the pitch. He was coaching when I was at Caley and two great years with John and Tommy Cumming in charge with Columba in the Welfare. Great memories of a man who lived and breathed football.

One of the best, first met him at 12th BB"s in Dalneigh, encouraged us with 2 left feet to the same level as those more talented. RIP John 

One time at training, the new thing was 'change of pace,' so all the drills were about change of pace and beating yer man, all that.

Next game, up at Milton, JB on the touchline as animated as ever. The rather rotund full back, 'Donnie', gets the ball, big bit of space in front of him, into which he lumbers gradually.

'Change of pace, Donnie, man, change of pace...' JB yells.

Donnie's mind is willing, he pushes his head forward to see if that will help, but to no avail, still in slow motion...

JB punches the ground, raging.

'Aw fer fck's' sake, Donnie, ah didn't mean to fckn go slower...'

One of my funniest memories is the game where the team consisted of a Dodo, Gogo, Coco, Tommo, Jojo, Johndo and Robbo. Lets just say that Mr Beaton was tongue tied and entertaining - until he ran out of expletives and gave up  !!!

11 hours ago, IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER said:

One of my funniest memories is the game where the team consisted of a Dodo, Gogo, Coco, Tommo, Jojo, Johndo and Robbo. Lets just say that Mr Beaton was tongue tied and entertaining - until he ran out of expletives and gave up  !!!

That's because the lot of you were no f...... use?

Having officiated  at many games were John was in the dugout I always listen to what John had to say it was funny and in most cases made sense

Fat John Skinny John’s barmy army

RIP

Dougal

 

 

Any news of funeral details yet - I’ve been asked by folk in Aberdeen and South who want to make travel and work plans ASAP.  Thank you.  

 

Funeral is on Tuesday 6th August at 12.15 pm in the Methodist Church, Huntly Street, Inverness, thereafter to Kilvean.