EVERYONE connected with Tweeddale Rovers was saddened to hear of Hed Davidson's passing away last month.

Heb was a Tweeddale Rovers stalwart who contributed hugely off the park to the smooth running of the club.

When I agreed to write a few words about Heb's service to the Rovers, I consulted the book “C’Mon the Dale” which I researched, and indeed I interviewed Heb for the book. Heb was a great source of information and recalled many stories about the club and its characters both on and off the park, many which were used in the publication. However, what was noticeable was that he failed to mention himself and the service he gave to the club. I think this says a lot about Heb.

It is generally accepted Heb's first connection with the club began in the late 50s when he watched the club play at Kerfield. By the early 60s he had joined the committee and worked with Jimmy Grant to see the pavilion come into fruition. It wasn’t long before Heb then took over the Secretary role which he was fondly remembered for carrying out for many years, especially through the 1970s when Tweeddale Rovers probably had their strongest ever team. Hebs favourite memory came from this period when Tweeddale defeated favourites, Girling, in the last 32 of the Scottish Cup at Kerfield. Heb had attended the draw in Glasgow and when the tie was announced, everybody laughed at Rovers chances. But Heb reminded them, “It’s not over, until it’s over!”.

In the end, Rovers caused a major shock by winning 2-1.

Heb was heavily involved with the South of Scotland Football Association and attended countless meetings over the years.

He was Chairman in the Mid 1980s for a period.

It was also around this time that Heb was recognised for this long and dedicated service to Tweeddale by the presentation of a silver salver, an award which was fully deserved.

As late as season 1993 – 1994 Heb was appointed as Chairman of the club and he continued to follow the team by watching them at home and away well in to the 2000s.

Ex-player Lawrence Forrest recalls that Tweeddale always had a really hard working committee and people like Heb Davidson were a prime example of this.

My final words come from the book “ A History Of Peebles” which reinforces Forrests words when talking about Tweeddale Rovers, “ The club has been fortunate, not only in its players but in its dedicated committee member and officials and notable club secretaries such as Heb Davidson”.

Gareth Smith