RIP: Uncle Albert !

[Scotty]

Feel like I have had to write too many of these posts more recently. Gutted to hear earlier today that a staunch ICT supporter and good friend to all of us who used to frequent the Caley Inn and Innes Bar has passed away.

https://williamtfraserandson.co.uk/notices/david-shields-inverness/

David "Uncle Albert" Shields was a gem of a man who I was proud to call a friend. He was on the receiving end of much of the banter from myself, Big Stu, Calum and others over the years and was nicknamed "Uncle Albert" by us in reference to the character in Only Fools and Horses after he had made one too many references to what he did in the Navy. He took it all in the good nature it was meant, even using @UncleAlbert as his login name on here, and we always had a laugh in both pre and post-match "get togethers".

In terms of ICT he was a staunch supporter, and while fit and healthy, was always there to the side of the tunnel with his wife and fellow ICT stalwart Kay who was also - for a time - a moderator on here when I needed a few people I could trust to help out.

Sadly, ill-health overtook Dave and I don't think he made it to too many games in recent years, but I will always remember one thing from quite a few years ago, when we were having money troubles at the club (sounds familiar). He and Kay bought and paid for a set of electronic substitute boards for the club. No fanfare just asked what was needed and then went and got them sorted out with the things they needed. Thats the kind of person he was, and they both were as a couple. Real good people, who were not in it for reward or recognition, just wanting to do what they could, where they could.  

Off field he was a friend to many, including myself and others on here, and a really close friend with Calum, Jill and their kids who called him Uncle Dave instead of Uncle Albert. Not sure who adopted who, but when they say you can choose your friends but not your family, in this case that is wrong, as they became family to each other over the years. 

David, thank you for your service in the Navy, no jokes this time, and thank you for being you. You will be missed my friend. I will likely have a nice wee (?) tot of rum tonight to celebrate your memory. 

I also want to offer our deep and most sincere condolences to Kay, his wife of countless years, and also to Calum, Jill and the kids, on behalf of me personally, and also my entire family who also knew and admired Dave. I hope the positive thoughts and memories of Dave may help lessen the grief they feel right now.  

Please feel free to share memories and pictures of Dave in this thread as I am sure there are a lot of stories and anecdotes to be told. 

 

Edited 8 hours ago by Scotty
edited to add a picture of both Dave & Kay.

[CELTIC1CALEY3]

That is a wonderful tribute Scotty.

[The Mantis]

Sad news. My heartfelt sympathies to Kay if she still comes on here. My biggest memory is after his heart op, many moons ago. At half time I came up to him and clapped him on the arm, and he yelled in pain and cursed loudly. This was in the main stand as well, causing some people to pause in unwrapping their Werthers. Apparently they took veins from his arm for the op.

[tm4tj]

Sad to hear this news. Dave was some character in his day. Loved his fake scratchcard which showed he won £50k. Got him a few new friends and beers in the Innes that day.

One Saturday we were heading to Dundee in my car. As we were cutting it fine I was tramping on a bit cross country to Dundee over the top. Dave related the good old days when he had a motorbike and used to get up to 130mph out of it. However, after getting to Dundee he was reluctant to come back with us telling the guys that he was not happy with my driving. Pot kettle sprung to mind

RIP Dave and condolences to Kay and other family and friends, you will be missed.

[IBM]

A nice tribute Scotty, I remember them both from the early away days, a lovely couple.   Condolences to Kay and her family.

[Joonya]

Seldom do I post on these forums these days, but it seems whenever I do, it's to pass on condolences and share memories of those whom made ICT such a joyous football club to support.

Dave 'Uncle Albert' Shields, alongside his wife Kay, was absolutely part of that. 

Dave and Kay welcomed us Gringo's many years ago as we travelledup from Coventry; from giving us lifts to games from the Caley Inn (in what I believe was a blue Renault megane estate?), to hearing stories from the Navy, and of course those Innes Bar days, Dave will be sorely missed by us all.

Many people on here will have heard of the Highland March - a fundraising walk between ICT's final two league fixtures for each season from 2003-2015 - What most people won't know is that if it wasnt for UA, there may not have been a HighlandMarch!

After the original support driver pulled out at the last minute, UA stepped forward to take on the task. He, alongside the late great 'Bronson', looked after us brilliantly for that inaugural event. Without their support, the Highland March would not have existed.

Dave, you gave me, my family, and so many people around you, so much joy and laughter. My condolences to Kay, Jill, Calum, and the kids. 

Rest easy kind sir x

[CaleyCanary]

Such sad news and a wonderful tribute thanks Scotty.

I had the pleasure of getting to know Dave during HM1, what a great character and he very generously tolerated having to be bunked with a member of the ‘junior’ service. I wish I could have spent more time with him.

My condolences to Mrs Guz and the rest of the family - RIP Dave, you were a legend and will be sorely missed.

[+Gringo]

Just to echo the words of Joonya, Dave and Kay made us so welcome to the Caley family. I remember the time we first met in the Caley Inn. Neither of them could believe we travelled up from Coventry to watch Caley (they were not alone in these thoughts by the way). We'd never met them before and they instantly offered us a bed at their place to save on B&B for our next trip. So many good memories that we will treasure forever. Sadly not too many photos but those I do have are the highly treasured shots from our title winning day in 2004. When we first met they lived in Ardgay. Mrs Gringo and I stay with them many years later. We travelled with them to a game in Dunfermline leaving Ardgay around 1000 and getting home via the Innes and take away around 12 hours later. We won 1-0 too - Liam Fox goal. 

Uncle Albert, we will never forget you. We send our deepest and heartfelt condolences to all his family and friends.