Former Aberdeen striker Ian McNeill, aged 85

Ian McNeill, the Aberdeen FC striker called “the mighty atom”, has died at the age of 85 after a battle with alzheimer’s disease.

The forward had a long association with the club before eventually passing away at a Granite City care home.

Glasgow-born Mr McNeill signed for the Dons in 1949 at just 17 but had his career interrupted when he was called up for national service in 1952.

He made his senior debut for the club in January 1951 and left five years later to join Leicester City. After moving into management, he steered Ross County to their first Highland League title in 1967 and later returned for a second spell in charge.

He led Wigan into the Football League in 1978, before joining Chelsea, who were then in the second division, as assistant manager under John Neal in 1981.

The duo signed a number of players who went on to become major figures at Stamford Bridge and elsewhere.

Among these were Duncan Shearer, Billy Dodds, Kerry Dixon, Steve Clarke, Gordon Durie, Joe McLaughlin and Pat Nevin. Mr McNeill finally retired in 2006.

Former Dons star Mr Shearer, who was 21 when he was spotted playing for Clachnacuddin in the Highland League ranks, said: “Without that man, I wouldn’t have been a footballer, there’s no question about that.”

A spokesman for Aberdeen FC said: “It was with great sadness we learned of his passing.”

Ian McNeill was nicknamed the Mighty Atom.