Jack Dryburgh, former Fife Flyers coach and rink manager dies aged 81

Jack Dryburgh, one of the foremost people in the history of ice hockey in Fife, has died at the age of 81. He passed away on August 21.

An outstanding ice hockey player in his own right, Jack spent his life rinkside as coach to Fife Flyers and manager of Fife Ice Arena, as well as working around the UK.

His contribution to the game was immense.

Born in MIller Street, a slapshot away from the rink, he was skating by the age of three, and playing by nine.

But his career took him south and abroad rather than into Fife Flyers’ dressing-room. Other than sporadic guest appearances, Jack never iced for his home town team after fate intervened.

The club folded in 1955 just as he was due to make the step up from the junior team, Kirkcaldy Flyers.

Aged 17, he headed south to play for Nottingham Panthers, but he struggled to find work , and returned north where Edinburgh Royals snapped him up for the 1957/58 season which saw him crowned the top points scorer in the North British League.

After a second season with Royals, he returned south and joined Southampton Vikings, making a memorable debut by scoring four goals. He ended the season as their top points scorer.

The 1960s dawned with a move to the legendary Brighton Tigers, one of the UK’s most successful sports teams of the time. The club was run by Benny Lee and Alan Weeks - one of the BBC’s most renowned sports commentators.

They signed a host of talented Scots who became part of Tigers’ history. Jack, was joined by luminaries such as Johnny Carlyle, Red Imrie - who also passed away this week - and future Flyers stalwart, Les Lovell.

For the next four seasons, he topped the club;’s points scoring, and was a huge hit with the fans who thrilled to his playmaking skills and agility, and dubbed dubbing “the wee McGregor.”

His total of 474 points made him the third highest scorer in the club’s history but the demolition of the Brighton rink forced Jack to re-think his plans.

Jack went abroad and played for Liège in the Belgian League as well as Kitzbühel in the Austrian Tyrol, and, after hanging up his skates, began a career in rink management.

He put Aviemore on the map when he was appointed to run the town’ new rink, and managed Solihull Ice Rink as well as coaching Solihull Barons to the top of the Southern League before returning to Scotland and, eventually, Kirkcaldy Ice Rink.

He was given a mandate to reignite the sport - and fill the building. Ahead of the 1984/85 season, he and the late John Haig, went to Canada to recruit players specifically to re-ignite the sport in town.

They found the Plumb Line - Ron Plumb, Dave Stoyanovich and Danny Brown – who went on to become club legends, culminating with victory in the 1985 British championships

In 1988, Jack embarked on another remarkable adventure that put Flyers on the map as the first UK team to sign three world class Czech players - Vincent Lukac, Jindrich Kokrment and the late and much missed, Milan Figala. Their skill levels took the breath away, and, 30 years later they remain one of the greatest line-ups in the club’s 83-year history.

Jack served several spells as coach to Flyers, and returned to manage the rink once more.

He was also a key player in establishing ice hockey in Dumfries, mentoring many young local players, and served as manager at Dundee Ice Rink.

A life spent in dressing-rooms and rinkside offices, his anecdotes were also legendary - he was a natural storyteller he regaled one and all in his office or up in the Fife Lounge long into the night.

In 1991 he was formally inducted into British ice hockey’s hall of fame - a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much to the sport.

> With thanks to Stewart Roberts for providing Jack’s Hall of Fame citation.

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