Stirling County mourns the loss of the‘world’s oldest player’
Easton Roy, the grand old man of Scottish rugby, has died at the age of 97.
Tributes have been paid by his friends at Stirling County, clubs near and far and Scottish legends including John Jeffrey.
Cambusbarron man Easton died last Friday having played for County since the 1950s.
Jeffrey, Scottish Rugby interimchairman, said:“Easton was the embodiment of why so many of us love rugby. Just because he reached a certain age, there was no reason for him to turn his back on the fun and camaraderie that are part and parcel of our game.
“On behalf of Scottish Rugby, I send my sincere condolences to all his family and many friends at Bridgehaugh and beyond. He was the ultimate champion of our game.”
Easton, described as“the world’s oldest amateur rugby player”, last played on his 96th birthday last year against a Welsh touring team of mixed ability players Swansea
Gladiators.
Watched by his family, Easton played the first 25 minutes and the last 20 minutes and afterwards Gladiators captain Leuan Stichbury said:“It was an honour to have played in a game with Easton.
“Some of us didn’t realise he was 96 until halfway through the game! He’d already taken a couple of tough knocks by then and been involved in many of the rucks.”