John Blackhall still fondly remembers his first visit to Borough Briggs in 1939.
The same year that World War II broke out, the seven-year-old, then seven, was able to watch Elgin City FC play for the first time.
Watching his beloved club play on Boroughbriggs Road has been a constant life for John, even when he lived elsewhere for work.
Now 91 years old, the Elgin resident is still a regular face at the stadium and Elgin City FC’s longest-standing supporter.
“I’ve always been back and forth to Elgin City between everything,” he said. “No matter where I was, I’d come back to watch them play.
“I’ve had that connection with the club. “
Over the past 85 years, the “true gentleman” has become well known to all at the club.
“I’ve noticed a lot of other people like that in that time,” he said. “I’ve been a supporter all my life and I’ve met a lot of other people. “
He has also experienced the loss of a number of fellow fans, including his good friend Dougie Sinclair at the end of last year.
His death was acknowledged by all in the stands of Borough Briggs during a game last month.
“I looked around and he wasn’t next to me,” John said.
John was born in his relatives’ home in Elgin in 1932 and now lives in the space next door.
He lived in Elgin for most of his life, along with his wife, three children, and three grandchildren.
His late wife, Pat, arguably wouldn’t have shared her husband’s love of football, but they bonded thanks to their shared talents on the dance floor.
John spent many evenings doing “hokey pokey” at the balls at Bishopmill Hall and in the assembly halls; he and Pat first met in 1957.
“I took dance classes for three years,” he shared. “I trained to do the Tango and then all the girls would ask me up to dance.”
Although John’s brother was a talented footballer, he says he lacked skills and felt more comfortable in the stands.
However, his fondness for this beautiful game led him to become president of the Elgin Boys’ Club in his mid-twenties.
Aside from his determination for football, John ran at just 14 years old when he began his training as a painter.
“There was no health and safety in those days,” he said. “We were just told to be careful when near the edge of a building.”
He eventually went on to start his own window cleaner business which achieved great success, including a contract at RAF Lossiemouth, for three decades.
While taking the time to watch Elgin City FC play, of course.
In pictures: Elgin’s charming town centre in the 1960s and 1970s