Mystery of the student trainer
AFTER THE MASSACRE
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.JOHN McKIE and STEVE BOGGAN
It started off with a leaflet round primary schools about a five a side football club. It ended with the massacre of 16 schoolchildren, a teacher and a suicide.
While the life of Thomas Hamilton has been well documented, the other name on the leaflet advertising for young recruits remains a mystery.
Little is known of Iain Boal, whose name, address and telephone number appears on the leaflet beside Hamilton's. He advertises himself as "Club Football Coach" but neither Dumbarton's manager Jim Fallon nor the council's former head of youth football coaching had heard his name before.
The Scottish Football Association confirmed that he had taken part in training sessions- but only for a day. He has no formal SFA coaching qualification. The student who still lives with his mother and unemployed father Thomas, he is thought to be in his early twenties. The Boals live a stone's throw from the ground of Dumbarton FC in a small council flat.
He is in the third year of a four year degree at Glasgow's Jordanhill College studying physical and sports education. It is a degree for those who intend to pursue leisure management.
He sometimes drank at The Stag's Head pub near his home. Manager Ian MacDonald said: "He's a customer in here as is his father. He was a PE teacher at Dumbarton Academy last year. He taught my 13 year-old son but he must have been on a course because he was only there for so long."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments