Born and bred in Stenhousemuir, it was no surprise that young Douglas was introduced to football at Ochilview, especially as his father James was a committee member. In his teens, he started coming to games at Brockville and so began a lengthy connection with the club. He was a successful local businessman and managed Murdoch Smith a Stenhousemuir-based building company which employed eighty staff at one time.
Murdoch Smith were regular supporters at Brockville and were generous in their sponsorship and at major events. Like all Falkirk fans, he was devastated to see the club decline and face provisional liquidation with debts of over £1.5m. In March of 1998, probably the darkest hour in the club’s long history, Douglas helped form a consortium of like-minded business people, and became Chairman. With major financial backing from Hull-based entrepreneur, Eddie Healey, Douglas joined with Martin Ritchie, William Moffat, Anne and Stephen Joyce and Colin Liddell to save the club and wipe out the debts which had risen to £1.7m. Douglas was quoted as saying, ” We are anxious to bring it back to the community rather than it being controlled by one person.”
Under his stewardship, the club started the slow process of rebuilding, and he was quick to acknowledge the crucial role played by Back the Bairns in saving the club from going out of business. He stood down as chairman due to health problems but was invited back to join the board again in 2010. He was a key investor in the club’s work at
the new stadium and was a member of several companies linked to the development of events, property, and catering facilities. He resigned as a board member in 2016 and in his later years did not enjoy the best of health. Despite this, he kept a close interest in the club and was a frequent attender at games.
Those who knew him well recognised his talent and abilities, his business acumen, but especially his steadying influence, the wisdom of his counsel and advice and above all his wholehearted dedication to Falkirk Football Club. He will be sadly missed, and the club will pay tribute to Douglas before the game against St.Mirren on Saturday September 13th.
As per his own request, there will be no formal funeral. A minutes applause will be held ahead of tomorrow’s game against St Mirren
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