from the First Minister
First Minister Alex Salmond said:
“I would like to thank Aberdeen Football Club for allowing me the opportunity to pay tribute to Brian Adam – MSP for Aberdeen Donside and a hugely respected local politician in the city for more than 25 years.
“Brian sadly passed away last month after a hard fought battle with cancer. Brian’s pride and joy were his family and our condolences go to his wife Dorothy, and his five children – Neil, Jamie, Sarah, David and Alan.
“On one occasion while out canvassing with his local SNP Army in Middlefield, Brian’s campaign team lost him. They retraced their steps to the door that he had been chapping. Inside, Brian was tucking into a plate of food having been invited in for his tea by the woman on the door. The point was Brian’s constituents didn’t just see him as a politician who was distant to them, but as a friend who they could invite into their home.
“Brian was a loyal Dons fan and a season ticket holder in the South Stand. Supporting Aberdeen FC was part of his family life. He took all of his children to Pittodrie at various times (and all ages) over the space of more than thirty years. He made some of the club’s more recent European games opportunities for family holidays; taking sons to the Hertha Berlin match and most recently to Munich in 2008. He witnessed in person the huge success of Aberdeen in the eighties and the more modest years since.
“Brian’s son Neil told me of how, like many Dons fans, he did occasionally question keeping the Pittodrie faith at the end of poorer seasons. Before there was a chance to seriously discuss renewing season tickets Brian would have already signed them up for another year.
In Brian’s time as an MSP I know that he worked closely with the club over various ventures including potential stadium moves. He also made efforts to support the AFC Heritage Trust. He was dedicated to his beloved city’s club. Through the good times and bad he remained a steadfast supporter always viewing the next home game at Pittodrie with optimism rather than fear. Indeed he would regularly be anxious to get votes done quickly at Holyrood so he could be on time for the late evening kick-offs. I recall one such evening going to Pittodrie to see the UEFA Cup tie in 2007 when Aberdeen thrashed Copenhagen 4-0 to reach the knock-out stages. I don’t think I have ever seen Brian so chuffed with his beloved Dons!
“It truly was a pleasure to be able to call Brian a friend. He will be sorely missed and I know that sentiment will be shared by all those who met and knew him.
RT HON ALEX SALMOND – FIRST MINISTER OF SCOTLAND
