The night Hearts players pushed Pilmar home in a trolley '“ Brian Wilson

By The Newsroom
Published 1st Dec 2018, 11:36 BST
Updated 1st Dec 2018, 12:45 BST
Pilmar Smith, a socialist bookie and former Hearts chairman, was a man who knew the odds (Picture: Neil Hanna)Pilmar Smith, a socialist bookie and former Hearts chairman, was a man who knew the odds (Picture: Neil Hanna)
Pilmar Smith, a socialist bookie and former Hearts chairman, was a man who knew the odds (Picture: Neil Hanna)
Pilmar Smith, Hearts vice-chairman from the Wallace Mercer era, was that rarest of creatures, a socialist bookie. He also enjoyed a warm relationship with the players.

John Colqhoun’s story at Pilmar’s funeral this week helped explain why. He was delegated to lead a pre-season tour of California with the instruction to keep a close eye on the club’s prime asset, Craig Levein, who was injured but fit enough to socialise.

The team soon alighted upon the Mucky Duck in Santa Monica, run by a gentleman from the Raploch. Pilmar fulfilled his duty of care, said John, “if matching us drink for drink meant taking care”.

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