Tribute/ Eulogy
24/01/20
 
Introduction
Ladies and gentlemen, I am very honoured to stand in front of you today to pay tribute to our smiley, diminutive, cheeky , ingenious , daring  and courageous teammate and friend Allan Booth, Boothie , Smooth or if you were in the Indian with him Mr Boot !
 I would like to build on what has already been said , in the context of how  we knew Allan as a sportsman, a teammate, a leader and a tourist particularly in his favourite sport of rugby.
Allan didn’t make many hospital passes but I think he managed a final one to me here because my first thought when asked by Elaine to do this was
“ How do I speak about Smoothie for 10 minutes in a church and keep it clean !?**
So he has had the last laugh for sure !
The first duty of any pack of forwards in rugby is to protect your scrum half so I am very happy to try to do that I hope in protecting his reputation and helping honour him to help see him on his way upstairs today.
Set scene
Allan loved his sport. All sport but particularly team sport. Like most sports, nicknames abound but just to avoid any doubt his nickname Smooth is rhyming slang not an adjective !
Allan was game for anything if it involved competing. From an early age he always with a tremendous can do attitude and loved challenging himself. Meeting Allan for the first time aged 8 at BB football in the mid 1970’s I was very impressed with his speed and capacity for work in our team. When he pitched up we all thought he was exotic because he didn’t come from Cupar but that galaxy far far away….Rathillet !
 
 
 
He tried many sports at least once and excelled in rugby , cricket and athletics in particular. He epitomised in every way what is positive about the benefits sport can bring in life, transferring his gifts from his family upbringing and his working experience to his enjoyment of sport and vice versa.
Allan’s attributes were many He loved to participate rather than observe. He especially enjoyed the brotherhood and camraderie  found in teams . Above all that he loved the way sport enabled him to meet new people, be they opposition, spectators or all comers, to build relationships and to enjoy the bond of friendship that couldn’t be done in any other way.
Having discussed this often with him he believed in having the reputation you deserved. He believed in earning  a reputation based on gaining respect from opponents through personal performance , not by being either a plucky contender or by being lucky in any way. Allan had a clear focus on goals. And while always having a will to win this applied regardless of both winning and losing.
 In the words of Kipling , ( no not “exceedingly good cakes Steph “ ) he really could  engage with the spirit of the lines in the poem  “ If”.
 
 
“ If”
“If you can dream and not make dreams your master
If you can think and not make thoughts your aim
If you can meet with Triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same “
 
Allan could easily manage that and he certainly achieved many of his dreams as a sportsman.
Ethos and achievements
Allan was incredibly sharp, quick witted and strong mentally  . Confident but never over confident in his own ability he was able to support others less blessed. When winning games he never gloated afterwards or over did things with his opposition unless he was celebrating with them which was the majority of the time ! He was a true gentleman with high standards of ettiquete and sportsmanship and the first to commiserate with others if he had beaten them.
Allan understood that you couldn’t win all the time and knew how to handle a defeat. He certainly had plenty of practice at the latter over the years playing for the Howe and Cupar Cricket Club  !
When losing he hurt like everyone but he  seemed to bounce back quicker than anyone I can remember , pocketing the experience in a mental bookcase that he was able to draw on when he needed the reference.
Other qualities besides that friendly sporting nature was that he ensured that people felt involved or included, nurturing inexperience. He was determined , stubborn even , but above all when on the pitch he had a real will to win .
Underpinning these qualities he was a natural planner or problem solver, helpful from his work as a scientist.
He moved up to Bell Baxter and took to the mixed sports available well with rugby, cricket and at athletics being the areas of focus.He represented the school in Fife championships and also Fife athletic club in track events. He was a 1st xv regular at rugby until becoming captain in his 6th year. Allan’s standout performance that season was to turn around a game under the lights at Duffus park , beating  Auchmuty HS. scoring the winning points and setting a trend that recurred through his playing career. Allan also regularly played for both the school and Howe Colts on the same day many times so in love with the game did he become.
Leaving school at the same time as starting his vocation as a scientist he then embarked on his long and distinguished senior career at the Howe playing for every team from 1983 until his final game in the firsts in 2009. Allan played 325 matches for the Howe firsts over this time which is some achievement. With other games played for other teams the final tally must be close to 550 .
No record exists of the number of tries he scored but amongst the brains trust here today we feel it must number in the hundreds also. What a record.
He played his first 1st XV match in a league game at Duffus, against Glasgow Accies in Sept 1983. He was playing on the same pitch as John Beattie, then a recently returned British Lion who was playing for Accies. To be picked for the Howe 1sts at that time, aged 19 was a big deal. Howe were then one of Scotlands top 24 clubs, oozing class . He more than earned his place and acquitted himself well enough over the next 2 seasons to earn regular 1st XV slot and a call up to N & M U 21 team .
Allan was a stereotypical scrum half . He possessed guile, pace, imagination, cheekiness and on occasion when needed real grit or hard headedness. He was great fun to play with as he often did the unexpected , backing himself confidently when he spotted a gap for example. He also understood the value of a wind up which could be torment for his opposite number if he got the better of him.
We have already heard about Allan’s prowess as a scientist and I think his abilities there often translated well on the field having a consistent method and an ability to solve problems when needed very quickly.  Allan could no doubt have left the Howe to seek fortune at a higher level, it was obvious he had the ability, the attitude and opportunity especially when playing for the district when he was in the shop window. He opted to stay at his own club and community instead.  
We discussed this a few times as recently as last year and he absolutely believed he had done what was right. “ I couldn’t look myself in the mirror if I put myself before my club”.  
Allan was a one club stalwart , hugely loyal and embedded in doing the best for his club. He was especially proud to be elected club captain and served with distinction. His team talks could be fiery affairs on occasion however more likely they would have specific messages and a well thought out plan for battle which he would have been meticulous about.
His various achievements quickly listed are as follows
 
 
Date Team Achievement
1975-1977 BB Football team X2 Fife Cup finalsNE Fife district winner 1975,76 & 77
Bell Baxter HS 1st XV1980-82Captain 1981-82 tbc
Athletics Competed for Fife AC and BBHS on track events tbc
Howe of Fife RFC 1983 - 2015 1st XV debut 1983For all teamsPlayed every position in backline for 1stsLast 1st XV game 2014 Assorted 7’s medals including Howe 7’s 1986 which he was v proud of 352 Appearances over a 26 
North and Midlands U21 1984-85 X 4 appearances (tbc)
Coaching Ux4 teams used as consultantFll time coach with Colts season2013-14U16 2015  Caley cup finals.Several representative honoursFuture Scotland caps including George Horne.   
Committee Seasons as 1st XV captain  
 
Running through Allan’s achievements as a player is only half his story however. He kept himself very fit, and coached several groups of boys over the last 20 years off and on. He contributed greatly to the major success story that was Howe’s academy or youth system for player development. It is apt that 1/3 of the current young Howe 1st XV were coached by Allan to U16 level .  He excelled with youngsters in his later playing days almost coaching them play by play while on the pitch with them and transitioned to coaching well. He loved to see people develop and fulfil potential
His tactical and leadership ability grew with experience and I have no doubt this contributed to his lengthy playing career as he understood when to face a problem and when to run away and avoid it !
Tales
However he could get it wrong on occasion.
Like in Shrewsbury on tour , a memorable trip to play in Roddy Webster’s adopted club tournament. Picture the scene, we had travelled from Scotland on the Friday with a round robin tournament planned for the Saturday Allan, myself and the Fraser brothers, Murdo and Kenny were in one car. All the way down we had had a great laugh and we had talked moves, tactics and other nonsense to pass the time.
We had already played a couple of games on the Saturday, with Allan contributing well ,when Stewart Jacobs ,our prop , collapsed feigning an injury as he was blowing and needed a rest. A huddle developed around him when Smooth popped his head in to say he needed to be excused from the pitch he had an urgent problem to solve. Kenny Fraser then caused chaos by throwing a major tantrum as having heard the words “Smooth, fart and follow through “ he complained “I don’t know that move ! “ Allan was last seen hurtling to the pavilion……..
Qualities
Allan’s long playing career benefitted from a committed attitude to his training which meant he rarely got injured and was in great nick throughout his playing career and beyond.  Obviously as a scientist he could analyse performance as we have said but he also enjoyed a laugh, with his smile and enjoyment after matches and on tours be it rugby or cricket was obvious.
Tributes that have come in have often included the nature of the smiley wee man with a cheeky grin. He was a smiley chap, which was even better when he lost his teeth on the Forth road Bridge out the window coming home from Greenock ! “My teef my teef “ was the cry, too late they were on their way to the river Forth……
On match days when things were tense before a game his was always a face everyone looked forward to seeing because Allan balanced the pre match tension with a dose of nonsense. That came from his belief in his own ability. Everyone else knew that Allan could play and could back up any pre match chat so the result was that people thought “well if Smoothie is relaxed we should be too”. Those that played alongside him got more than playing ability.  They got a real box of tricks so what else did he bring to the party ?
Tours
Rugby trips and Allan went together like mince and tatties. Playing rugby in Scotland means lots of time travelling to play across the country. His love of meeting people was vivid. That nature was invaluable when amongst strange people in strange lands, like the Rhonnda Valley, Ireland, Belgium, Shropshire and Dunfermline.
This was handy for example when he set off as a first timer on tour with the Howe to Wales in 1984, a memorable year for any Scottish rugby fan . Year of the grand slam and that began a lifelong love affair between Allan and his extended Welsh family and close friends rom the Rhonnda many of whom  are here today.
He was never more focussed than when he had a goal to achieve , whether on or off the pitch. As I have said he understood and worked hard his areas of weakness. This was only too well illustrated when on tour in Wales he eventually found the best way to cook a Dress Kilt jacket was 220 degrees highest heat until the buttons burnt through, which Ewen Roberstons was eternally grateful for.
I could go on.
Ok I will .
On the same trip a few of us were late back to Penycraig clubhouse  to find a male voice choir sat around the outside of the bar walls giving it laldy with some Welsh song. It really was beautiful , with Allan who was slap bang in the middle of them , in his kilt , socks doon, with somebody else’ Deerstalker hat on sideways singing away with his eyes closed. He had no idea of what he was singing but he was in bliss.
Finally and you are getting the theme he was so consciencious about work  that he wanted to go home one night a crew had ended up at Porth RFC deep in the Rhondda after a Scotland Wales international.  He had a work presentation on the Monday in Newcastle and wanted to be fresh….this was Saturday !!
He made a huge point of this so much so he was completely ignored by all and told to pipe down. So 3am , 4am the 5am came and went and eventually dummy being spat out, Allan decided he would make his own way home with no way of knowing how or which way to go. A fair challenge in the valleys where one street blends into another.
Naturally his comrades showed no concern and carried on. The smart money was on him sitting outside the club on the pavement. When they did decide to go they emerged blinking but no sign of Allan outside so  they thought “ ach we will pass him en route”  however they didn’t and when home found him snoring in bed.
When finally awake they were told he left the club completely lost no navigation skills at all as his vertical hold wasn’t working. He chanced upon Jones the milkman delivering blue top milk around the valley .  Jones the milkman came back to his milk float to find a kilted warrior in his van who pleaded with him to take him home to the address he had in his pocket !  Well done Jones the Milk !
Inclusiveness
I’d like to make sure I mention Allan’s inclusive nature with people. Allan made a huge effort with people. He was a selfless character who worked hard at looking after anyone who lacked confidence or experience with his most recent triumph being his fit club he ran with Yvonne up at the parks on early mornings.  
Another example of his inclusive nature was when he was club captain he insisted the end of season photo wasn’t of the 1st XV on their own but a club photo involving over 50 people from every age and team.
Illustrating inclusiveness once again after a Howe 7’s tournament he led a few of his opposition colleagues from the final on a Wild West tour of Cupar introducing Kenny Grieve from Glenrothes RFC as his wee brother , generally looking after him to make sure Kenny started the singing wherever they went. It didn’t matter to Allan what club you came from he made you feel welcome and brought you into his world to start and maintain friendships.
Allan kept in touch with people , he didn’t brag or get too carried away he had strong views on sport which when prompted he would share but he wouldn’t brag , just be quietly confident. He didn’t let relationships wither on the vine.  He made a point of always looking up old friends from school, including friends from tattie roguing days with the Arbuckles or from college usually when a rugby international was on.  When on his work visit to Oz, he even met up with old Cupar cricket chums as he felt duty bound.
When he became club captain on the x2 trips to Wales he drew up tour booklets- some of the tales in them will be better served up at the club later rather than here just now but I would like to read an example or two of the way Allan helped inclusion, camaraderie and bonding :-
Firstly Mike Black Height 6ft weight 14 stone i.e. 4 bags of tatties.
Occupation – part time farmer as endorsed by his father.
Mike is our vice captain, he has never toured Wales before getting homesick if away from the Melville Lodges roundabout too long. He unfortunately has the rugby player’s blight of being a back row forward with no pace. His speed of the mark is also hindered by wind resistance caused by his large ears.
Secondly Fin Graham Height – 5ft 10 i.e. taller than Linday Urquhart.  weight 2 stone heavier when his hairs wet.
Fin probably comes into tour veteran category . He is instantly recognisable with his flowing blonde locks which take a week to perm. Fin has an unfeasible ability for narcolepsy and can sleep standing up with a fish supper in his hand. Fin has many talents coupled with great skills, good hands, good feet, and good vision and when he gets out of the car he’s an average rugby player.
Allan could usually also be relied on with his aptitude for good planning to have done some reconnaissance of the locality unlike the trip to Coleraine where , he was leading the band of 12 players into a pub and the barman said “ Stop right there boys this is a wine bar we don’t sell beer “, Allan without breaking step said “ That’s fine, 12 pints of wine please !”.
These tales really only scratch the surface of a very well rounded sporting  life which delivered so much on and off the field .
 
 
 
 
Tribute & Close
The Tributes to Allan am sure bring great comfort to all here today and I sincerely pass on all of Allan’s sporting friends condolences to the whole family especially Holly and Mum Booth.
I would like to finish with words that Allan once again wrote himself in 1996 for the Wales trip that year. I think this tells you pretty much all you need about Allan, Boothie, Smooth , Mr Boot.
In this booklet he explained what the trip meant to him personally in the introduction:-
“the tour of 1984 was historic. Not just for the Grand Slam, but the spirit on which the trip was founded. This was the thing that most impressed me. Club members being players or non players committed themselves to each other. You can never really find out what a person is like unless you’ve been on tour with him and that went well due to the bad weather in 1984. It took us an extra x2 days to return home because of snow. We had stops in Carlisle and Dumfries and money had to be wired to us ! We only had Jimmy Lindsay’s singing to keep us amused….. but I felt the club was stronger for this experience. What I am trying to say is enjoy yourself on this trip whether you are an old stager or a first timer. Your hosts will treat you as you would treat them. Friendship and rugby should always be the winners no matter what the score was on the pitch “
I shared some of Allan’s achievements earlier but surely his greatest achievement is the respect, admiration, friendship and love that has rebounded to him because of how he treated others.  
Heavens gain is very much our loss and he will now be enjoying the best of times with those gone before him.
Allan, we will always remember you for the difference you made to everyone with your gregarious nature and desire to involve all of us . We will all miss your infectious and cheeky smile however we are all richer for the memories created with you through sport due to you being the class act you are
You are and always will be remembered fondly by all who were with you in all aspects of your sporting life. When we think of you and we will often, I am sure we will see you smiling inanely.
Especially with your teeth in.
Thankyou Smoothie for your friendship during your life’s journey and the memories we all have.
God bless and keep you.