Thistle salute lottery winner after death at 71
A minute’s applause was held ahead of kick-off yesterday at Partick Thistle’s first game following the death of Euromillions winner and Jags fan, Colin Weir.
Players took to the field wearing black armbands in tribute to the club’s owner for the away fixture against Morton following Mr Weir’s death from a short illness.
Mr Weir and his wife, Chris, from
Largs, Ayrshire, claimed the £161 million prize in July, 2011. A spokeswoman for his lawyers reported on Friday evening “with deep sadness” that Colin, 71, had died after a short illness.
In 2013, the couple set up The Weir Charitable Trust and made a donation to a community football club in Largs.
They also invested in Partick Thistle Football Club, which led to the youth set-up being rebranded the Thistle Weir Youth Academy and a section of their Firhill Stadium being named the Colin Weir Stand.
In November of this year, Mr Weir secured a majority shareholding at the club and promised to give the 55% shareholding directly to a fans’ group by March, 2020.
The Weirs had confirmed earlier this year that they would divorce after 38 years of marriage. They have two grown-up children.
Partick Thistle FC said yesterday that armbands would be worn and a minute’s applause held “to commemorate the sad passing of lifelong Jags fan Colin Weir”.
Thistle chief executive, Gerry Britton, said: “Obviously our first thoughts are with Colin’s family and friends, we feel for them massively at this time.”
The pair’s £161m prize was the UK’S biggest win until October this year, when an anonymous ticket holder claimed a £170m jackpot.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also paid tribute Mr Weir and said she was “incredibly sad” to hear of the death.