The Club was deeply saddened to learn that Kenny Robertson passed away peacefully, at Perth Royal Infirmary on Thursday 29th February 2024.
He was the beloved husband of the late Marlene, a much loved dad to Kenneth, Duncan and Iain, grandad, great-grandad, father-in-law and brother.
Kenny was also a huge figure in the history of Breadalbane Football Club. It is no understatement to say that the current Youth set-up would not exist had it not been for him and a few other like minded individuals, sadly also no longer with us.
Kenny's involvement in the Club can be traced back to 1976/77 when a persuasive Jurek Dolzanski asked him to help with the Breadalbane Amateur team. Billy Ross and George Scott were the other key figures responsible for driving Breadalbane forward both on and off the pitch at that time.
School football teams ran on Saturday mornings thanks to the dedication and commitment of Breadalbane Academy teachers, John (Big J) Wyllie and Tom (Wee Tom) MacDonald.
However, as far as we are aware, there was never any Youth Association football played on Sundays until 1977/78. At this point an U16 team with Kenny as manager and an U14 side managed by Billy Ross were created to take on the might of Perthshire youth opposition.
As so often the case in Breadalbane's history, things did not turn out as originally planned. The intention had been to field a single team at U15s but the Management had to swiftly change course after a mix-up over players' dates of birth led to a protest from Perth opposition. No doubt some oversight surrounding league registration paperwork also played its part. Undeterred, Kenny and Billy simply resolved to enter two youth teams.
Bear in mind, transporting two teams of unruly teenagers to Perth was no mean feat in the late Seventies especially during the winter months. A team bus with multiple pick-ups en route would often arrive in Perth just before ko. Opposition sides preference would always be to claim the points rather than play the Highland upstarts should the visitors arrive late. One memorable occasion saw a disgruntled St John's side impatiently waiting on the pitch with the referee on the point of awarding them the game before a minibus arrived in the nick of time, players pouring out of the back door, fully stripped raring to go with manager Kenny calmly proclaiming " dinnae worry it's under control ! ". Breadalbane left Perth that day with both points after a stirring performance and a 4-2 victory.
Players from later Youth sides would remember away journeys in smoke filled minibuses with Kenny and Jurek puffing away at the helm. The benefits of pre-match passive smoking were not fully understood in those days.
The presence of Breadalbane teams in the Perth Youth leagues set-up was often seen as an inconvenience by opposition given the long trip to Aberfeldy.
Perth feathers were certainly ruffled and it is estimated that Kenny guided teams to no less than 10 youth cup finals despite never managing an elusive win. One Perth team would usually prove just too strong but only after having to rely on cherry picking the best players across the City.
It needed a female touch before a youth side could lift any silverware. Kenny's wife Marlene would guide an U13s Boys Brigade team to Cup victory. Boys Brigade football in those days was highly competitive with most towns boasting a Brigade Company and with it a football team. Marlene shrewdly enlisted the coaching support of two older U16 players, son Duncan Robertson and Kevin Ross who expertly prepared the boys for the final.
Kenny's last role at the Club in recent times was that of groundsman. Perhaps his proudest moment during his long involvement came in the Centenary 1980/81 season in the Perthshire Cup Final in front of a record crowd of 2200 at Foxhall Park, Coupar Angus where Police had to be called to control the crowd and clear the build up of traffic.
Kenny was part of the management team that evening but, more importantly for him, two of his former U16 players played a key role in the victory. David (Moose) Cameron and son Kenneth Robertson scoring both goals as Breadalbane came from behind to defeat heavy favourites and recently crowned league champions Blairgowrie sparking jubilant celebrations amongst the huge travelling support. Celebrations that would continue long into the night in the Square Grill on their return to the Town. Great times, gone but not forgotten.
The Club and it's flourishing youth section today with over 200 members is thanks to the role played by Kenny & Marlene Robertson, Jurek Dolzanski, Billy Ross and George Scott who were hugely influential in shaping the Club during the Seventies and Eighties. Standing on the shoulders of Giants indeed.
Kenny was laid to rest on Thursday 14th March at Aberfeldy Cemetery. RIP Kenny.
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