Former Brechin City captain Archie Simpson, 86

Dundee footballer Archie Simpson, a former captain of Brechin City, has died aged 86.

Mr Simpson, right, who was well known locally as a footballer in the 1950s and 1960s, died in Ninewells Hospital on Sunday July 28 of Parkinson’s and pneumonia.

Born on June 8 1933 in Hindmarch Avenue, Dundee, he moved with his family to Sandeman Street as an infant.

He was the sixth of 11 children born to Henry and Annie Simpson and attended Dens Road Primary and Stobswell Secondary School.

Archie started his football career with Stobswell, Dundee Schoolboys and his father’s team, Ashdale, winning many awards with the side.

He also played internationally as a youth in the Scottish under-16s Amateur Cup, before signing for Dundee FC at 17, having joined the ground staff at 15 years old.

In 1948 he played right-back with the Scottish Schoolboys in the Victory Shield.

After completing his national service, he signed for Newcastle in 1955, Barrow in 1956, then moved to Brechin City as captain in 1959.

He was married to Nan, and father to Grant and Gillian, and a loved grandad, great-grandad and a dear father-in-law, brother and brother-in-law.

After he retired he moved back to Dundee and worked at Astral and Timex for many years.

When mass unemployment hit the city in the 1980s Mr Simpson secured a post with Tayside Regional Council as a school caretaker at Whitfield High, now Braeview Academy, before retiring in June 1998 aged 65.

Mr Simpson lived with Parkinson’s disease for 16 years, and was diagnosed with dementia in 2012.

He was looked after by his wife and family at home, until his difficulties with walking and other illnesses required full-time nursing care.

He moved to Grange Nursing Home in February 2014, with his wife Nan joining him in 2017.

Mr Simpson’s funeral service will be held at Dundee Crematorium on Wednesday at 2.30pm to which all friends and family are respectfully invited.