FORMER Celtic chairman Jack McGinn has passed away at the age of 92.
The Hoops players will wear black armbands as a mark of respect during this evening’s Premiership encounter against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
A statement from the club said: “Everyone at Celtic Football Club is extremely saddened at the death of former Celtic chairman, Jack McGinn, who has passed away at the age of 92.
“Jack first joined Celtic back in 1965, having previously been a newspaper executive, in order to help the club establish its own newspaper, an idea he had brought to the board.
“That was the Celtic View, which was first published on August 11, 1965, and it remains the oldest club publication in football some 40 years later.
“Jack was the first editor of the Celtic View, a position he would hold for a number of years, and he always remained a strong supporter and avid reader of the publication.
“Appointed the club’s Commercial Manager in 1981, he was given a seat on the board, becoming vice-chairman in 1985 and Celtic chairman a year later.
“Jack would remain as chairman for five years, and his tenure included the unforgettable Centenary season, when Celtic, then managed by Billy McNeill who had returned to the club at the start of the campaign, won a league and cup double.
“He remained as a non-executive director after stepping down as chairman, eventually standing down in August 1994.
“Jack also occupied a number of roles within the SFA, which culminated in him becoming SFA chairman in 1997, a position he held for almost six years.
“He always remained a dedicated Celtic supporter and he was a regular presence at Celtic Park over the past few years.”
Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell said: “I would like to offer my sincere condolences to Jack’s family following his sad passing.
“I first met Jack 35 years ago, and he was a fine, humble, unassuming man, a true Celtic man who always did his very best for the club he loved.
“He gave his full energy and commitment to Celtic across a number of roles, often in difficult times for the club but always working in the best interests of Celtic.
“I know he will be sadly missed by his family, friends and so many people at the club. We send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers.”
The statement concluded: “The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic Football Club are with Jack’s family at this extremely sad time.”
Celtic book author Alex Gordon also paid his respects as he added: “It was late 1974 when I was asked to help out with the Celtic View. I was a sports sub-editor at the Daily Record at the time.
“The chap who took care of the editorial and the lay-outs was going on holiday for a month and I received a message from chairman Desmond White.
“I was happy to get involved and that was when I first met Jack, who was editor at the time. I liked him immediately. He was an unassuming bloke who just let me get on with things.
“The guy who was on holiday tagged another fortnight onto his break and I was delighted to extend my stay at The View.
“I was sports editor at the Sunday Mail when Jack was chairman during the centenary year and we met each other quite a lot at that time.
“Jack never changed. He remained kind and courteous. My thoughts are with his family at this most difficult time.”
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