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Tributes to Billy Manson: Halkirk ambassador and ‘central figure for the whole village’





Billy Manson, in his role as chairman of Halkirk Village Council, looks on as the then MP, John Thurso, unveils a Caithness stone plaque in a disused fireplace within the main hall at the Ross Institute marking its centenary in 2012. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios
Billy Manson, in his role as chairman of Halkirk Village Council, looks on as the then MP, John Thurso, unveils a Caithness stone plaque in a disused fireplace within the main hall at the Ross Institute marking its centenary in 2012. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios

Billy Manson was described as an ambassador for Halkirk and a central figure in the life of the village following his death this week at the age of 76.

He was at the heart of numerous community organisations, notably on the local sporting scene as a stalwart of the two Halkirk football clubs. He was a driving force in Halkirk Community Sports Foundation and the creation of Morrison Park as a football ground.

Mr Manson was chairman of Halkirk Village Council and served as a committee member of Halkirk Highland Games for well over 40 years. He was involved in Halkirk District Benefit Fund, Halkirk and District Community Council and the village gala, and was the first chairman of Halkirk Heritage and Vintage Motor Society.

He was present at the official opening of Halkirk Heritage and Vintage Motor Centre in 2022, describing it as “tremendous for the village, tremendous for the county of Caithness, and for the north of Scotland”.

William Manson – known to all as Billy, pronounced “Beillie” – was born and brought up in Halkirk and lived there all his life.

Janet Mowat, who served alongside him on many local groups, said: “He was just an ambassador for Halkirk.

“He was very much a supporter of everything that was going on in the village. Nothing was too much for him.

“I used to go down and help him with lots of different things, especially computer work, all the things that had to be done online. I was his private secretary for a long number of years!

“He wasn’t afraid of picking up the phone and just getting things done.

“He was totally involved in gala week as long as he was fit and able, and he looked after the hall [the Ross Institute] for a number of years, until his health stopped him. He would open the hall, close the hall, put the heating on, set out the seats and tidy up at the end of things.

“There were a lot of times where I felt that there should have been some sort of recognition for what he had done for the village. His health let him down latterly and he had to give up.”

Mrs Mowat pointed out that at the recent AGM of Halkirk Heritage and Vintage Motor Society Mr Manson was made an honorary life member.

“Everybody thought that was a wonderful idea,” she said. “There will be some kind of framed certificate and that will go to the family.”

Halkirk, winners of the Highland Amateur Cup in 1982, managed by Billy Manson (back, left). Picture: James P Campbell
Halkirk, winners of the Highland Amateur Cup in 1982, managed by Billy Manson (back, left). Picture: James P Campbell

Mr Manson played for Halkirk Football Club in the 1960s and ’70s and went on to become co-manager and then manager in his own right as the team collected multiple trophies. He was manager when Halkirk twice won the Highland Amateur Cup, in 1982 and 1985, and were runners-up in 1979 and 1989. They also won the county league four times between 1979 and 1987.

Ken Wood, a long-serving secretary of Caithness Amateur Football Association who was also part of the Highland executive of the Scottish Amateur Football Association for many years, said: “I was saddened to hear of Billy’s passing.

“For around 40 years he was a key figure behind the successes of Halkirk Football Club in Caithness and Highland football. As manager, secretary and fundraiser he saw his team lift the county league championship four times between 1979 and 1987 as well as winning the Highland Amateur Cup twice in four final appearances.

“From 1993 he was also involved in the formation of a new club, Halkirk United, to join the North Caledonian League which they won in their first season. Billy’s likeable personality and integrity were such that he earned the respect and support of people, as is obvious from his wider involvement in community organisations.”

Mr Manson was secretary and treasurer of Halkirk United and was instrumental in establishing a new ground for the team. Morrison Park was officially opened in 2013 by Andrew Sinclair, who donated over £1.2 million to the village of his birth for a sports complex.

Halkirk United chairman Willie Campbell said: “He was a central figure for the whole village. Anything that started up, he was always involved in it.

“There probably wouldn’t be a Halkirk United if it wasn’t for him. It was him that was pushing for it and he did all the donkey work, basically, and set everything up.

“It’s pretty much the same for most things in Halkirk that he was involved in.”

Even with sight loss, Mr Manson was still a regular at Halkirk United matches. His brother George would drive him up to Morrison Park.

Mr Campbell said: “With his eyesight he probably wasn’t seeing much but he just wanted to be there.”

Former Halkirk United chairman Alistair Gunn said: “He did a tremendous amount of work as secretary and treasurer of Halkirk United. He just got on with it.

“He will be a big loss to Halkirk. He had been ill for a while, in and out of hospital.

“I thought a lot of him and we got on well together. He certainly made a big contribution and probably got little thanks for a lot of it.”

Billy Manson at the official opening of Halkirk Heritage and Vintage Motor Centre in 2022. He had been the first chairman of Halkirk Heritage and Vintage Motor Society. Picture: Alan Hendry
Billy Manson at the official opening of Halkirk Heritage and Vintage Motor Centre in 2022. He had been the first chairman of Halkirk Heritage and Vintage Motor Society. Picture: Alan Hendry

Mr Gunn also recalled that Mr Manson was a keen badminton player and indoor bowler.

In 2012, in his role as village council chairman, Mr Manson helped organise the Ross Institute 100th anniversary celebrations, describing a centenary ball held there as “a cracker of a night”.

The following year he raised £2600 for a sight charity based in Aberdeen. He marked his 65th birthday party by encouraging friends and relatives to raise money for Saving Sight in Grampian, explaining that for a number of years he had been travelling to the city for treatment.

Halkirk United manager Ewan McElroy said: “It’s an incredibly sad time for everyone who knew Billy. He was the heart and soul of Halkirk United.

“Everyone who knew him well knows exactly how much work he put into both Halkirk United and the wider community in general. He absolutely loved local football, was always informed about the club, and always took the time to speak with both new and old players on a regular basis.

“He was the main reason I started managing a team in winter football and, although he started out as practically my boss, he very quickly became a good friend to me and latterly to my young family as well.

“Our thoughts go out to Billy’s family at this time and on a personal note I will look back with hugely fond memories of a remarkable man who contributed enormously to both Halkirk as a village and football in Caithness in general.”

A social media post from Halkirk Football Club said: “His time as manager was unprecedented in terms of success as we enjoyed a hugely successful period in the 1980s. Beillie would go on to collect a fantastic 59 trophies. Our thoughts and condolences go to his family and friends at this time.”

Billy Manson, kneeling, second from right, and his Halkirk team-mates before a cup final in 1969 (photographer not known).
Billy Manson, kneeling, second from right, and his Halkirk team-mates before a cup final in 1969 (photographer not known).
Halkirk's successful team of 1973, with Billy Manson seated, extreme right. Picture: James P Campbell
Halkirk's successful team of 1973, with Billy Manson seated, extreme right. Picture: James P Campbell

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