As with so many who have commented on this Tribute, Dave Bichan was my friend for over 40 years.  Through Uni, through his endless studies for his C.A. exams, through marriage and parenthood and ageing disgracefully Dave has been a constant friend.

He was the best of husbands, the proudest of dads, and a wonderful, wonderful man.  Above all it is his genuineness, his charm and wit, and his silliness, stories and laughter that I will remember forever.

He was of course a great footballer and a legend of McTeagle. Along with Billy Allen he epitomised what the team was created for.  Play good fitba, try and win, but remember that stepovers, nutmegs and outrageous skill were really what McTeagle was about. And partying. Oh, how we loved to head to the Blue Lamp, the PoW and the Kirkgate to drink and laugh.  Most weeks the ‘craick’ was much better than the fitba.

Dave had the most magnetic of personalities and I, along with so many others, would always make a bee-line towards him whenever we got together at Shirley’s or at our annual jaunts in Edinburgh.  Lorna always remarked how his deafness made him even more endearing (was it possible?) as it meant that when you were talking with him, he genuinely listened to what you were saying and bathed you in the light of his undivided attention.

We all loved to be in his company and always said that everyone wanted to marry Dave, even the blokes.

Dave was also the luckiest of men. He found in Val the love of his life, he put her through the trauma of Anderson Drive, and was married to her for 30 years.  Dave was never the demonstrative type but his love for Val and pride in Finn always shone through.

I will miss you enormously Dave. The best of friends and truly the best of men.

Geoff