Popular Fed committee man Alex Middleton, 67

Tributes have been paid to a dedicated and hardworking stalwart of Broughty Athletic Junior Football Club.

Committee member Alex Middleton, 67, who died on Sunday, had been involved in the club for nearly 20 years and was known and loved by everybody there.

President Jim Finlayson, who had known him for two decades, said: “He was really hard working.

“He was always doing something, putting the goal posts up and the corner flags out, helping in the shop. He was a really genuine guy.”

Alex, from Kirkton, Dundee, was previously a goalkeeping coach at the club before he suffered a stroke last year, and then turned his hand to other things.

Jim added: “Everybody knew him – the players and the staff. He was a popular guy.

“He had time for everybody and was very well known in junior circles. Alex loved his football so much he sometimes took two buses to get to training. He was the first to grab a bag and help out.”

Chairman of the club Gordon Deuchars said: “I got involved with the club in 2002 and Alex was already there.

“At that time he was the goalkeeping coach. He would turn his hand to everything. He loved his football and was just a great guy to have around the club.

“We are absolutely devastated at the news of his passing.”

Player-manager at the club, Jamie McCunnie, said: “He was at the game on Saturday and his usual self, really encouraging.

“I got the news on Sunday evening and was really shocked.

“He was there every single training session and was just a really, really nice guy.

“He loved the people at the club and the people at the club loved him. It won’t be the same without him.”

Alex is survived by his wife, Margaret, and family.

Alex Middleton was popular with everyone at Whitton Park.