Arbroath FC Thank Neil Douglas / @36nilTV
Arbroath FC Thank Neil Douglas / @36nilTV
As you all know, our good friend and club videographer Neil Douglas suffered a stroke at Gayfield on 16th March during the half time interval as we faced East Fife.
Neil showed great determination and so much fight in his recovery from such a life changing event. With his wife Natasha giving him vital support, Neil was able to undertake physiotherapy which allowed him to get home, somewhere he hadn’t been for over 12 weeks.
With a passion for videography and Arbroath FC, and only months later Neil returned to Gayfield on Saturday 27th July to film our Betfred Cup match against Alloa Athletic.
Despite not being able to take his position in the TV Gantry, Neil adapted as he has done on many occasions and filmed the games from above the tunnel.
Neil also returned to Gayfield to film our League One Title Flag unfurling in our Championship debut against Queen of the South, then our winning game against Dunfermline Athletic.
However this week Neil has decided that he is going to step down to focus entirely on his health.
We know this is a big decision for Neil as it something he loves, but there is so much work (and stress) that most fans don’t see from filming the match and staying behind to film the post-match interviews, but it is the sacrifice of giving up your Saturday with your family and also sitting down behind a computer for several hours to seamlessly edit the footage, create graphics and then upload the footage before sharing it on social media. This process can also be stressful!
We know just how far Neil has come in such a short period of time and we are so grateful for everything he has done for Arbroath Football Club but healthcare has to come first and we are here if there is anything we can do to help Neil and Natasha.
Arbroath Football Club would like to thank Neil Douglas for the dedication and time he has given not only us as a football club, but to the hundreds and thousands of supporters out there who have enjoyed his videos and interviews all over the world.
Neil is a Lichtie and through his YouTube Channel, Instagram Page and Twitter Page of 36nilTV we would be treated to match highlights, post match interviews, Goal of the month, Goal of the season, Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner Dances, End of season awards and so much more.
Neil’s Youtube channel has had over 320,000 views and contains hundreds of uploaded videos since he began in the summer of 2016 and captured that amazing day in Stirling from start to finish not to mention all of the stunning goals captured and his footage has been used frequently on the SPFL Official pages as well as on the BBC and STV news – and not to mention a View from the Terrace!
In recognition of his services as a volunteer to Arbroath FC, Neil was awarded “The John Christison Community Services Trophy” this season which was picked up by his wife Natasha at the end of season awards before being presented to Neil in Hospital from Captain Mark Whatley, where Mark also brought the Ladbrokes League One Trophy as a surprise.
From absolutely everyone at Gayfield and on behalf of all the Arbroath supporters near and far we thank you for your commitment and dedication Neil!
Please keep on that path to recovery and take time to focus on yourself and your health.
