Hibernian FC fans are being asked to applaud during the 68th minute of the Edinburgh team's next fixture in tribute to a team super-fan who died after contracting invasive Strep A.
Hibee-daft dad John Slater died on December 5 after being struck down by the disease following a family holiday. The Leith-born husband, described as the "life and soul" of any room by his family, fell ill at a hotel near London Gatwick airport.
Medics rushed the 68-year-old to hospital but his condition deteriorated and he developed sepsis. Despite their best efforts, he died less than 24 hours later.
Speaking to our sister site Edinburgh Live, John's daughter Alana and widow Sandy said it would mean the world to him if Hibs fans could break into a round of applause during the Cabbage's Sunday fixture against Hearts. Despite latterly moving to Jersey, John regularly returned to the capital to cheer on his beloved team.
Sandy, who was by John's side as he died, recalled of how the couple met: "It was after his break up with his first wife that John and his best friend Bruce decided to go on an adventure down to England. On their way down they ended up in the middle of a roundabout and where they left the car for the evening.
"They spent time working in bars before getting a ferry across to Jersey which is where we met. It was 1979 in the Top Hat nightclub.
"We met again shortly after and I remember him telling me that he was a 'transparent wall maintenance engineer.' I hadn't a clue what that was until he later revealed it was a window cleaner.
"In 1989 we decided to get married in Cambridge which was a small affair and in 1991 we had our darling daughter Alana. Alana is the love of his life and their friendship and the sense of fun they had was amazing to see.
"He left her with his legacy for the passion and love of his team Hibernian as well as Rod Stewart who was his idol. He would sing with any chance he could get."
John cleaned windows on the island of Jersey and was known for his kind character, often stopping to share a cuppa and a biscuit to listen to clients' stories. He then took a driving test for his PSV to become a taxi driver where he once took a guitar off of someone for payment for a fare.
He was said to practise on it all the time whilst making a "right racket" in the house. He later became a bus driver in 2007 where he was famous for having an ability to calm the rowdy youths.
John was also known for his active and adventurous lifestyle playing several sports, scuba diving and fishing on a boat he had purchased - not to mention the Spanish classes he and his wife would attend and often disrupt like misbehaving teens. The family also enjoyed holidays to Asia and Europe where they had many happy memories together.
In 2000, his wife Sandy remembers the couple buying a puppy named "Hibby" whom they took everywhere, whether it was for a window cleaning shift or long walks on the beach. In 2019 his newest grandchild Charlie was born.
Sandy added that John's love for him was immeasurable and that they played all sorts of games and had precious time together, especially when John picked him up from nursery.
Paying tribute to her father, daughter Alana, 31, says that Charlie was her dad's shadow and would go everywhere with him. She added that John would come home regularly to attend Hibs games and meet up with friends and family back in Edinburgh and the Lothians – and that the happiest day of his life was getting to see Hibs lift their first Scottish Cup in over 100 years in 2016.
Alana said: "Dad was my whole entire world, my best friend and the most caring father you could ever ask for. He was tragically taken from us far too soon and he will be deeply missed by everyone that knew him.
"The funeral which was held yesterday (January 19) was beautiful and I hope I made him proud. The crematorium was almost double the capacity which shows how loved dad was, I am just so proud to call him my dad.
"Dad was a lifelong Hibs fan, and this meant that I am also Hibs daft as is his grandson Charlie. He was lucky enough to be at the big game on May 21 2016. It would be an honour if an applause could be arranged during the 68th minute for my dad this Sunday."
A service took place at Jersey Crematorium on January 19. John is survived by his wife Sandy, kids Samara, John and Alana as well as four grandchildren, Ellie, Megan, Lewis and Charlie.
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