It is with a heavy heart that I post this message today. Our friend and fellow supporter John MacKenzie, known as "Johndo" or Immortal Howden Ender (and likely quite a few other things to some of you) passed away this morning while waiting for surgery.

More details and tributes to follow from many of us I am sure. 

On a personal level, I have known Johndo since I was a kid in Dalneigh. Johndo was a few years older than me, and he was always one of those you looked at as one of the cool kids.

Quite apart from his role as Dad and Granddad, he was also a hardworking and dedicated mental health medical professional in real life, but outside of that stressful environment, most of us knew him more as a joker, irreverent character,  and a wind-up merchant extraordinaire when it came to the football, whether that was Caley before the merger, or by embracing Caley Thistle after the merger, and inevitably becoming a lightning rod of criticism for those who didn't agree with his choice to follow the new club. 

Above everything else, Johndo was a friend to all who knew him.

If there is a group picture of Caley Thistle fans, be it in Romania, at Hampden, or some far flung lower division ground, Johndo is probably in it, marshalling the support somewhere. 

I am really lost for words of tribute for him right now as I have a thousand memories going through my head ... being led astray in the Tarry on occasions when visiting in recent years, unexpectedly seeing his mug on my telly in Toronto when the fans got interviewed at Hampden, or just reading his pearls of wisdom on here and looking beyond the wind-up merchant to the deep thinker he actually was.

Rest in Peace Johndo. I will miss you my friend. 

Will raise a large Voddie & Coke to you tonight and I know you will be having a sesh up there with Brosno, Big Stew and others. 

 

 

 

 

This just happened to pop up on my timeline today. 9 years ago.
"When I die and they lay me to rest, gonna go on the piss in Bucharest" 
 

I know IHE was properly ICT most fanatical fan, however without being crass, I just hope the club don’t have the temerity to take advantage here and issue some half assed sympathy note to curry some (false) credit. IHE will be remembered long after this board are long forgotten! 

5 minutes ago, big cherly said:

IHE will be remembered long after this board are long forgotten! 

I agree with your post, and he will indeed but let's keep this thread about Johndo. Sympathy and memories.  Anything else can go to its own or another pre-existing thread. 

How could we forget this. 3-0 down at Kilmarnock and who else would start a conga........

Absolutely brilliant. Some guy!

Jump to 1:40 and all will be revealed ❤️💙❤️

 

I'll see Kilmarnock and raise you a Europa League draw song: 

 

Sorry Don.....you're beat. A one-off. Certainly enriched my life.

Holy ****.

I've just seen this. Johndo was one of the first of the ICT fans I went to an away game with. He couldn’t have been a kinder or funnier man, and treated me like I’d been going to away games with him forever.

Every memory I have of him is positive and happy, from Ayr away in The Ship when we went back up, to having the daftest Voddy and Coke crawl from Easter Road back to Waverly.

If any of his family are on here, my heartfelt condolences go out to each and everyone of you.

The (Immortal) Howden Ender will never die

My heart sinks when I see someone's name as a thread title - awful news and my sympathy to all his friends and family. A football club is nothing without fans and Johndo was such a big part of this club, so recognisable

Taken from Facebook.

My dads funeral is going to be on Thursday the 15th of august at 1.30pm at Charnock Richard crematorium, please come dressed how you feel my dad would want to see you and we are asking for no flowers just donations to British Heart Foundation 💙

There will be no official wake but we are currently looking into somewhere to raise a toast to my dad , details to be confirmed.

I'm shocked, he was totally larger than life and one of the most interesting characters I've met through posting here. Will be missed. Raising a wee glass to him now (before dinner, I feel he would approve) x

A wee heads for all of Johndo's mates, friends,  fellow Caley and ICT fans, For fans who may know of him but never met the man.

The club have agreed to make an announcement before the game and will also have a wee tribute to Johndo on the official site. There will also be a minutes applause at the 6th minute of the game and it would be a fitting gesture for all to join in!

Johndo's daughter Isla is making the journey north to be at the game, and i'm she will appreciate this tribute to her Dad.

 

 

 

Great article in the Courier now: 

https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/johndo-remembered-caley-thistle-fans-make-poignant-700-mi-358356/

 

 

As I said on Twitter I really enjoyed reading that. It's going to be so, so strange heading to an ICT away match and not seeing / hearing Johndo 

Great read which said it all. His passing is still hard to take in. I considered heading to Chorley today but I am in the midst of house-moving so sadly decided agianst it. Well done to those who are going......he deserved such a turn out. I cant find out if the service can be watched online but I will set my watch and pay my own private respects at 1.30. Goodbye old friend.

1 hour ago, Naelifts said:

I cant find out if the service can be watched online but I will set my watch and pay my own private respects at 1.30. Goodbye old friend.

Doesnt look like it. Shame, as we tend to take that for granted these days since COVID and like you I thought I would be able to tune in.  

Doing some googling and the funeral directors have a page here for Johndo: https://johnmackenzie.muchloved.com/ and their main presence seems to be Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bliveseyltd/?checkpoint_src=any which lists a website that appears to be 'under maintenance'. https://bliveseyltd.co.uk/ . 

Its morning for me so no Voddie and Coke but will raise a cup of coffee with a hint of Espresso to Johndo around 8:30am my time. Not sure I would get away with starting a conga around the office though. 

 

 

You can now rest in peace Johndo. Your work on here is now done and Alan Savage will hopefully be the man to get us back on an even keel. I'll send you some old Canned Heat LP's. How about On the road again. That might be appropriate for you given the mileage you put in following the club.

For now you must rest as Big Stu & Bronson are waiting for you with a double voddie and coke.

Rest easy and let us carry on your good work.

The Supporters Trust, along with some others, are dedicating the Kelty away game on Saturday as a 'Johndo Awayday'. We are delighted that once again his daughter Isla will be joining us as we pay tribute. We have a Johndo special bus running with proceeds being donated to the British Heart Foundation in his memory.

 

Bus leaves the Stadium at 9.30am and will cost £20 per head. There will be some fundraising activities en route.

 

We can also accept cash donations at the game but if you prefer you can donate using the following link:

 

https://johnmackenzie.muchloved.com

 

Please also gift aid if appropriate.

 

Drop us a message on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ICTSupportersTrust) to book or e-mail us at [email protected]

Edited August 18, 2024Aug 18 by ICT Supporters Trust

On 8/18/2024 at 12:08 PM, ICT Supporters Trust said:

The Supporters Trust, along with some others, are dedicating the Kelty away game on Saturday as a 'Johndo Awayday'. We are delighted that once again his daughter Isla will be joining us as we pay tribute. We have a Johndo special bus running with proceeds being donated to the British Heart Foundation in his memory.

 

Bus leaves the Stadium at 9.30am and will cost £20 per head. There will be some fundraising activities en route.

 

We can also accept cash donations at the game but if you prefer you can donate using the following link:

 

https://johnmackenzie.muchloved.com

 

Please also gift aid if appropriate.

 

Drop us a message on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ICTSupportersTrust) to book or e-mail us at [email protected]

We still have some seats available for the coach on Saturday.

The coach hire cost has been covered, so any more seats sold will increase the donation to the British Heart Foundation.

Details of how to book your seat are in the post above.

We hope to see you there!

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the 'Johndo Away' day out to Kelty on Saturday.

Thank you to D&E for looking after us, to everyone who travelled (including the virtual travellers) and the fans in the social club at Kelty who all played a part.

We are delighted to confirm a donation of £500 in his memory.

Memories are something we will all have plenty of and he will indeed forever be the Immortal Howdenender. ❤️