11-03-2013, 12:31 PM
It is a very sad day for junior chess in Lanarkshire, without Joe there would have been no junior chess in Lanarkshire, he is the man that started it all.
Joe was one of the best, if not the best, coach I have ever seen working with beginners and enthusing them about chess. How many talented players came through Airdrie YMCA/Airdrie Junior Chess Club.
I always used to joke that Airdrie YMCA was the best feeder club Holy Cross/Hamilton had.
It was truly an honour, to learn how to coach (not teach) from the master.
Alongside Eric, Joe taught round the schools in Airdrie/Coatbridge for about 25 years before the council did the dirty on Airdrie YMCA.
Even now Hamilton is getting the benefit from Joe and Eric's enthusiasm with David Borland now wanting to be an arbiter and coach the young juniors at the club.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
RIP Joe.
Joe was one of the best, if not the best, coach I have ever seen working with beginners and enthusing them about chess. How many talented players came through Airdrie YMCA/Airdrie Junior Chess Club.
I always used to joke that Airdrie YMCA was the best feeder club Holy Cross/Hamilton had.
It was truly an honour, to learn how to coach (not teach) from the master.
Alongside Eric, Joe taught round the schools in Airdrie/Coatbridge for about 25 years before the council did the dirty on Airdrie YMCA.
Even now Hamilton is getting the benefit from Joe and Eric's enthusiasm with David Borland now wanting to be an arbiter and coach the young juniors at the club.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
RIP Joe.