SFWA mourns Ron Scott

THE SFWA has lost one of its most colourful and popular characters following the passing of former president and Sunday Post stalwart Ron Scott.

The Post’s former Chief Football Writer passed on Saturday after a short illness having been admitted to Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital.

The news stunned colleagues and friends who had shared so many occasions with the larger than life character who was not only great company but a highly skilled journalist.

Ron – or Ronnie as those in the West of Scotland always referred to him – worked for DC Thomson for 50 year and continued to write an insightful column after his retirement in 2012.

He lit up press boxes all over the country and all over Europe following the Scottish national team and our club sides in UEFA competition.

“Scotty” also had a superb contacts book and was close to the biggest figures in our game in recent times, most notably Sir Alex Ferguson, Walter Smith and Jim McLean.

Ron, who was 70, was an active member of the SFWA and held the office of president between 2007 and 2010.

Current president Stephen Halliday said: "We have lost a great friend and fine colleague.

“Ron's passing has come as a dreadful shock to the SFWA and will be felt throughout the wider Scottish football community where he was such a popular and well-respected figure. Our thoughts are with his wife Wendy and the rest of his family at this sad time."

Sunday Post Sports Editor David Walker said: "As he travelled the globe covering our clubs and country, Scotty filed from some weird and wonderful places.

"His final column was sent from his hospital bed in Ninewells, even though his health was ailing. A little over 24 hours later, he was gone.

"Our last conversation ended with him declaring: "As The Jolly would say, 'Son, I'm just toddlin' doon the brae.'

"We shared a laugh over that.  Tragically, however, he had got his facts right again.

"For the best part of 39 years, Scotty was a wonderful friend and colleague, and he leaves a huge void in The Sunday Post."

Dundee colleague Ian Roache of The Courier said: “I was privileged to call Scotty a friend as well as fellow football writer. He was a pal in the pub as well as a trusted mentor, with a knowledge of the game as wide as the Tay.”

The SFWA will pass on funeral arrangements as soon as we have them.