Kitman Peter's played a key role at Livi for 33 years

Published on Monday 14 December 2009 08:56

Peter Reynolds, the long-serving kitman of Livingston FC, has retired at the age of 76 after 33 years of dedicated service to the club.

Born Peter Stevenson Reynolds on his mother's birthday, 26 July, 1933, Mr Reynolds was the youngest of 11 children. The mischievous baby of the family spent his youth skipping school to play on the streets with his brother John.

Mr Reynolds married his wife Agnes "Nessie" Reynolds on 13 October, 1955.

They have five children, daughters Sandra, Linda and Brenda and sons John and Cameron.

Mr Reynolds worked as a grass cutter for the council for 20 years in the parks and golf courses across Edinburgh. He retired from the job in 1995.

In 1976 he started as part-time kitman at Meadowbank Thistle FC and followed the team when they relocated to Livingston and were renamed after the town in 1995.

He was affectionately known as "Biscuits" by his colleagues because of his fondness for stealing them from the club tin.

Mr Reynolds was born with a leg deformity and had both limbs broken and set in casts while still a baby, but the affliction had little impact on his footballing career.

His son John said: "He was a footballer when he was young, he even had trials for East Fife and Kilmarnock, although he didn't play for them.

"I think it was too expensive to get there back then, people weren't paid like they are nowadays."

Mr Reynolds often brought his work home with him. His son said: "All of the kits used to soak in our bathtub. No-one could get a bath between Saturday and Monday because mum would be washing the kits."

He added: "When she had finished washing them mum used to hang them out the back of our corporation house.

"One day she went out to bring them in and they were all gone, they'd been stolen off the line. We're a big family and we still never managed to find out who did that!"

A high point for Mr Reynolds was the day Livingston beat Hibs to win the Scottish League Cup in 2004. He was presented with one of the cup winning medals by the club.

His time at the club was also honoured last Saturday at a half-time presentation.

He has been an indispensable part of the Livingston staff for 33 years and will be much missed by the club. Charles Burnett, Livingston's commercial director, described Mr Reynolds as "an absolute gentleman", adding: "He was forever obliging.

"He has done a lot for the club for a long time. He will be very much missed. He was a really a nice guy who always had great stories to tell."

Mr Reynolds has 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

One of his grandchildren, Emily, 12, has learning difficulties and family praised the way he always had extra time for her.

His daughter Sandra said: "He loves all his grandchildren but he'd walk ten miles for Emily."