DUMBARTON FC chairman Neil Mackay has paid tribute to our late former club photographer Donald Fullarton, who passed away earlier this week.
The much-loved Helensburgh resident, who was 77, spent over 50 years taking pictures of Sons in action. Neil said: “We are genuinely stunned and deeply saddened to have lost Donald, who was a long-time supporter and great friend of the club. He was very much a part of the Dumbarton FC family and it’s difficult to imagine match days without him.
Not only was he a skilled and talented photographer, but he provided assistance at the club in other ways which were greatly appreciated. Our thoughts are very much with his family and friends.
Recognition of Donald also took place at last night’s Sons Supporters Trust AGM, with the trust board agreeing to contact Donald’s family to register their condolences.
Several supporters and former players have also responded to Donald’s passing on social media, showing how popular he was around the club. As before, we will post details of Donald’s funeral when we have them.
Dumbarton Football Club and the Sons Supporters Trust
Businessman Robert Ryan, who worked with Donald on a number of local community initiatives, said: “There weren’t many things that got Donald animated, but Helensburgh and its history and Dumbarton FC were two exceptions. I was privileged to share these passions with him and saw the immense amount of work and enthusiasm he devoted to both. He contributed much to the DFC website and of course was photographer for the local press and the club over many decades.
“His legacy to Helensburgh and District is considerable, much of it via the Helensburgh Heritage Trust Website and the 1000s of articles he wrote for the Helensburgh Advertiser – in recent years under the nom de plume Leslie Maxwell.”
Samantha Poling, an investigative reporter with the BBC, was one of many journalists who began their successful careers in local newspapers.
Donald taught news writing to students at Strathclyde University and Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) – but it was from his time as the Advertiser’s editor that he is remembered best.
Sam, who was brought up in Helensburgh, said: “He believed in me and gave me a chance when I needed it. These moments and acts of kindness come rarely. I am thinking of his family at this time.”
Former BBC journalist Christine Jardine, who taught alongside Donald at the Scottish Centre for Journalism Studies – a joint venture between Strathclyde and GCU – in the early 2000s, and is now the Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, said: “What always struck me about Donald was how much he simply loved being a journalist. That enthusiasm was infectious and helped to instill an understanding of the role of the local reporter and their newspaper in the community.
“His contribution to the industry over the years was huge. There are journalists up and down Scotland who will always be grateful for the guidance of this genuine gentleman.”
Cardross resident John Young, who began his career as a professional photographer with the Advertiser and later head of pictures for the Glasgow-based Herald and Times Group.
John said: “Like many Donald gave me my first start in journalism back in 1983. “As well as a fine writer Donald was a great advocate of newspaper photography and first to offer praise when you produced a good picture. He understood the value of good picture in his newspapers.
“He was always encouraging except when it came to photographing his beloved Dumbarton FC, which he obsessively insisted on covering himself.
“I was only on the staff of the Advertiser and Reporter for a couple of years before moving to Glasgow to work for the Herald and Times, but I will always look fondly back at my time working here value the experience it gave me before moving into nation newspapers.
“Scottish journalism, and this area, has lost a great champion for local newspapers – which have always played a vital part in our community. And sadly many of us have lost a good friend.”
Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton constituency MSP, said: “It is incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Donald Fullarton. He was a true gentleman who was well known both in Helensburgh and at his beloved Dumbarton FC.
“Donald played a key role within the local press across several decades and was well respected by journalists and politicians. Also a keen historian and photographer, he played an important part in charting events in the local area which I am sure will form part of an incredible legacy.
“Above all, Donald was a family man who will be most sorely missed by his children and wife who have my sympathies at this sad time.”
Drew Cochrane, who retired in 2014 after 40 years as editor of the Largs and Millport Weekly News, added: “I remember him fondly as a wise counsel, an excellent writer and, to be old-fashioned about it, a sophisticated gentleman with our common interests in football and theatre.”
Journalist cum bistro owner Cara Page wrote: “What a man. Good bless. Gave me my start as a cub reporter at the Helensburgh Advertiser aged 16 along with Fiona Howard. Remember being slightly intimidated as a youngster of him behind that big desk with his bellowing voice of authority. Hot metal, typewriters, copy paper, King Street. Thank you Donald Fullarton for giving me the start that changed my life .”
Andrew Galloway– This was the last picture Donald Fullarton took of Dumbarton in action – celebrating an injury time winner against Raith Rovers in February 2020. Not a bad legacy to leave. Sleep well, Donald. Thanks for everything over the years.
Pauline McLean, left, BBC Scotland Arts and Culture correspondent: “So grateful to Donald for the start he gave me. A towering, and slightly intimidating presence at first, he was kind, fair and encouraging to the many, many reporters who passed through the Reporter. Although we caught up again in recent years, when he was teaching and taking photos, my fondest memories are from the 1980s, typewriters clattering, chattering with Tina Kemp Liz Gallacher Donald Cowey and Elizabeth McLaughlin.
“Donald would arrive in the office with briefcase and wry smile and you’d hear the scratch of pen on paper as he subbed our copy, followed by a sigh (me) a chuckle (everyone else) and more worryingly of all, a long pause, followed by further scratching. He knew Dumbarton (and the Vale of Leven) and what people wanted to read about. He encouraged the community to submit reports and reviews (which required a lot of subbing but gave the Reporter a range of voices to share). He instilled an understanding of balance in his team. There are always many different opinions in any community – and it’s important to represent them all. It was probably the most important lesson I learned, and certainly stood me in good stead for a career at the BBC (and I was glad I was able to tell Donald that). He fiercely defended his reporters. I recall a complaint of bias about an early review I wrote (religious, bizarrely!) and a JP insisting female reporters shouldn’t wear trousers in his court room. Both given short shrift in polite but firm terms. People talk about the end of an era, but in this case, it really is. RIP Donald Fullarton and condolences to Phyllis and family, and to his wider newspaper family, of which there are many of us.”
Elizabeth McLaughlin wrote: “Pauline McLean very happy days at the start of our careers. Behind that intimidating look was the best heart. Every birthday copied into his diary in his tiny bit perfect hand writing including when my babies came along. He forgot nothing and no one.
Sam Poling wrote: “Pauline McLean What a wonderful and absolutely accurate tribute to our Donald. Because he was all of ‘ours’ just as we were all his. What a legacy he has left behind and yes, as you say, the end of an era. Xx
Liz Gallacher wrote: “Pauline McLean Lovely tribute. Great memories from the ‘80s at Station Road. Top team! Donald was a true champion of local journalism and knew its value. A former boss and then a friend whose kindness and support will never be forgotten. RIP Donald x”
Author cum poet Billy Scobie wrote: “Mr. Fullarton was kind enough to publish my long poem ‘Levenach’ in the Reporter back in the 1980s. I’ll always be grateful for that.”
The Rev Tina Kemp, pictured, former editor of the Reporter and later minister of a number of local Church of Scotland charges, wrote: “A good man and a good friend to many, he was a great encourager and a fine example of a true newspaper man. He led a great team at the Advertiser and Reporter – the fun we had! I’ll miss our lunches and catch ups. Rest in peace, my dear dear friend.”
Former Helensburgh police officer Sophia Ayre Travers, wrote: “Very sad to hear the news. I remember him well from his days as a reporter and I was in the Sinclair Street police office. A quiet, effective man.”
At the opening of the Clyde Naval Base at Faslane in 1968, Donald is in the back row of this line-up of a motley crew of local journalists – Bill Heaney, Gerry Fitzgerald, John Esplin, Donald Fullarton, Naval top brass, Angela Sandeman, Alex Aitken and Terry Duncan.
A very warm, detailed and comprehensive tribute Bill.
Wonderful tribute Bill.
Thanks John. I hope all’s well with you. Bill
Thank you bill happy memories of you and Bernadette all those years ago when we were young from Phyllis p