Arthur Monford: Past rector
Published: 5 December 2014
Arthur Montford was probably best known for his catchphrase ‘What a stramash’. However he also served as rector at the University of Glasgow from 1974-1977.
TV sports broadcaster, Arthur Montford was remembered at his funeral service held on 3 December.
He was probably best known for hosting more than 2,000 episodes of STV's Scotsport programme and for his catchphrase ‘What a stramash’. However he also served as rector at the University of Glasgow from 1974-1977.
Montford was a popular choice for rector and his campaign was enthusiastically supported by students who, at a time of bitter ideological debate in the UK, were reacting against the tradition of electing heavyweight "political" rectors.
He beat six opponents to the spot these included the cartoonist Ewen Bain and the Labour politicians Janey Buchan and Lord George-Brown.
He was the first television personality to be voted as rector.
An article in support of Monford was published in the Glasgow Guardian in October 1974, it read:
‘Here at the rectorial society we feel that in Arthur Montford we have found the man for the job as rector. He will represent the interests of ALL students. He is a sincere man prepared to do his upmost for you.’
Rectorial Address
Monford delivered his rectorial address on 25th April 1975 to Glasgow students and staff.
In his address he praised people he knew who carried out charity work and good deeds in the Glasgow area.
He said: “If we look around us, and not very far either, we can see that there are a great many people who are willing to work to help our fellow man.”
Fondly Remembered
Broadcaster Sally McNair, who worked with Montford in the sports department at Scottish Television in the 1980s, said he had spoken fondly of his time as Rector, and loved the time spent with students.
She said: "Arthur was the most encouraging, humblest, kindest individual, and professionally he was up there with the best. His memory was encyclopaedic and his knowledge of sport unmatched.
"He was old school - my parents' generation, a traditionalist. Yet when I was foisted on him as the first woman to co-present a TV sports programme, Arthur was generous with his advice and counsel and welcomed me into the hitherto all-male fold.
"He was a simply delightful man who delighted in helping others and was the sort of person we should all aspire to be like."
One liners
McNair continues: “He had some great one liners too... on one occasion when STV had to credit the BBC for using their pictures of a Scotland match at Hampden, Arthur wound up the programme thanking the BBC for allowing us to use their footage of the game - and then apologising that the quality wasn't up to scratch..."
First published: 5 December 2014
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