Alb Posted April 25, 2020 Report Share Posted April 25, 2020 Heard last night that ex thistle goalie from the late 50s early 60s John Freebairn passed away, I knew John from his athletics days where he was a top level and community coach for many many a year, as well as still competing himself. Many a long chat with him about football once we realised the thistle connection, good interview with him from a few years back in the Scotsman, https://m.startfitness.co.uk/puma-manilla-gtx-mens-trainers-green-353598-03.html Condolences and thoughts to his wife and daughters. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Davidson Posted April 25, 2020 Report Share Posted April 25, 2020 Very sad news.A fine gentleman and great light events and heavy events athlete on Highland Games circuit. Playing football took away his amateur status back then otherwise he would have been an outstanding decathlete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaggernaut Posted April 26, 2020 Report Share Posted April 26, 2020 Always saddened to hear that an ex-Jag has gone. George Niven (RIP) had just replaced JF when I first started going to Firhill, but my uncles told me he was a good 'keeper. Condolences to his family and friends. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a f kincaid Posted April 26, 2020 Report Share Posted April 26, 2020 (edited) RIP. 117 appearances. 21 clean sheets. Edited April 26, 2020 by a f kincaid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exiledjag Posted April 26, 2020 Report Share Posted April 26, 2020 I saw Freebairn a number of times and thought he was the sort of keeper a defence could have confidence in and rely on. Perhaps lacking the 'wow' save but a technically very good keeper. A fondly remembered Jag. C ondolences to 'big John's' Family. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auld Jag Posted April 30, 2020 Report Share Posted April 30, 2020 Nice tribute by Robert Reid on offical site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaty FC Posted April 30, 2020 Report Share Posted April 30, 2020 1 hour ago, Auld Jag said: Nice tribute by Robert Reid on offical site. My thoughts exactly AJ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARu-Strathbungo Posted May 1, 2020 Report Share Posted May 1, 2020 A nice article here from a few years ago:- https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/interview-john-freebairn-goalkeeper-and-athlete-1549324 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaggy Posted May 1, 2020 Report Share Posted May 1, 2020 40 minutes ago, ARu-Strathbungo said: A nice article here from a few years ago:- https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/interview-john-freebairn-goalkeeper-and-athlete-1549324 Great article, thanks for sharing. He seems to have been quite a character Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lady-isobel-barnett Posted May 1, 2020 Report Share Posted May 1, 2020 Echo jaggy's comments above. RIP John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
partickthedog Posted May 1, 2020 Report Share Posted May 1, 2020 2 hours ago, jaggy said: Great article, thanks for sharing. He seems to have been quite a character Absolutely. What a guy! Loved the John Hughes story. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balintore jag Posted May 7, 2020 Report Share Posted May 7, 2020 I was a ball boy when big John Freebairn made his debut for the Jags. He commanded the penalty area really well. He could jump so high catching the ball in his chest but with a leg high out in front him. This intimidated opposition attackers. At first when he kicked the ball up the park it went high and well into the opposition half - not common at that time. I remember the crowd always giving his kick out clearances a big roar. He became a regular in the team which seemed to be the same every week - Freebairn, Hogan, Baird, Wright Harvey, Donlevy, etc. As ball boys we got free tickets for the Glasgow cup final and John had a great game that day in our 2-0 win over Celtic. It was common during my time there for ball boys to take in autograph books to the dressing room. The first time I dit it, I forgot a pen. John kindly gave me his good fountain pen for all the players to sign. Great memories for a wee ten year old at that time. Condolences to big John's family. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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