‘Charlie was a legend’

Charlie Campbell, 54, played for the Dundee Whalers and Strathmore Scorpions, where he was involved in the running of youth and senior teams.

The father-of-two, who latterly lived in Montrose but grew up in Broughty Ferry, died on Tuesday, having battled bowel cancer.

Stewart Adam, 39, from the Ferry, knew Charlie for almost 25 years.

He said: “I started off playing American football when I was 16.

“There was a group of us who all started out together and played for the youth team, Dundee Storm.

“Charlie had played himself over the years for Dundee Whalers and was heavily involved with Dundee Storm.

“From that group of players, most of us went on to play for the senior team of the Dundee Hurricanes, where Charlie was eventually chairman. though he was terminally ill and I live in Glasgow now.

“He still had his sense of humour. A big part of my life is now missing.”

Bruce Foster, a former head coach of Dundee Hurricanes, who now lives in Australia, said he had lost his “football brother”.

He added: “I first met Charlie back in the 1980s when he played at the Whalers, He then went on to play for Strathmore Scorpions.

“He offered to help me run Dundee Storm and helped lay the foundation on which the team found success. That foundation was easily transferred over to the Hurricanes.

“Charlie’s family has lost a loving man and I send my heartfelt condolences.

“It’s a sad day for American football in the city of Dundee and Scotland.

“The community has lost a man who thought about the game ahead of his time.

“I personally have lost my football brother. He will be greatly missed.”

Charlie is survived by his wife Elaine, sons Craig, 34, and Ross, 33, and grandchildren Ethan and Ella.

TRIBUTES have poured in for a “legend” of Dundee’s American football scene after he lost his battle with cancer.

Kris Gibson, Mike Dotts and Charlie Campbell. Charlie is helping an injured Mike off the field during a game for the Dundee Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes in action.