The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
‘Invincible’ rugby legend Roy, 97
Legendary player Easton Roy was known as “the ultimate champion” of the game within Scottish rugby circles. Often described as the world’s oldest amateur player, he began turning out for Stirling County RFC in 1950s and was still going strong well into his 10th decade.
The retired roofer, who has died at the age of 97, played at prop and kept fit in his home gym.
He regularly took part in legends matches and last took to the pitch to celebrate his 96th birthday last year.
Mr Roy had been looking forward to pulling on a County jersey again for a charity match at Bridgehaugh Park to celebrate his 97 th birthday in March, only for the game to be postponed due to lockdown.
He died at his home in Cambusbarron, Stirling, on Friday, after a short battle with leukaemia.
John Jeffrey, Scottish Rugby interim chairman, 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 condolences to his family and friends. He was the ultimate champion of our game.”
His own club, Stirling County RFC, described him as a “warrior and a real legend of the club”.
Former Scotland star Kenny Logan, who came through the ranks at Stirling and knew Mr Roy well, said he had lost “a hero” and “an inspirational man”, while BBC presenter and former British Lion John Beattie said he had “embodied what being a club rugby man was all about”.
Mr Roy took up rugby aged 21, when he joined the RAF during the Second World War.
He began his playing career at Stirling County and starred for the first team for 27 years, later playing for County’s 2nd and 3rd XVs before turning out for the club’s “Wolfhounds” and other “old crocks” teams.
Mr Roy, whose wife Sadie died in October 2016, is survived by his younger brother Donald, daughters Christine, Sheila and Ellen, grandchildren Easton, Ruth, Sarah and Amy and great-grandsons Easton and Gavin.
His daughter Sheila said: “We always thought he was invincible, but he made use of every second of his 97 years.”