Tributes to junior football’s Alex,80
Shotts Highland Games Assocation pay their respects
Tributes were this week paid to a former supremo of junior football who died aged 80.
Hundreds of mourners including family and friends attended the funeral of Alex Hamilton, a former president of the Scottish Junior Football Association, last Thursday.
Alex was a honorary president of Shotts Highland Games Association and was involved with the group for more than three decades and had a long association in the past with Shotts Bon Accord Football Club.
His funeral was held at the town’s Congregational Church at 11am and was laid rest at Benhar Cemetery.
This was attended by a number of former Chieftains, representatives from the SJFA, East Region and Shotts Bon Accord.
He is survived by his wife Betty, 80, two daughters Kate, 48 daughters 40- year- old Fiona and two son-in-laws and grandchildren Jordan, 21, and 15-year-old Lewis.
Daughter Fiona Connolly, 40, said she will remember her dad for his kindness and wicked sense of humour.
Speaking from her home in Shotts, Fiona told the Wishaw Press:“Everyone knew my dad.
“It didn’t matter where we went in the country or even if we went to England, he would bump into someone he knew.
“He had time for everyone and have a laugh and joke with them. “He was always up for a laugh. “He was a great guy,” Born and bred in Stane, Alex attended Calderhead High School.
After leaving school, he became an apprentice with Honeywell.
Later Alex and Betty married at Shotts Congregational Church 59 years ago.
Robert Williams, chairman of the Highland Games Association told of his sadness at Alex’s death.
He added: “The members of Shotts Highland Games Association have been saddened by the death of our honorary president Alex Hamilton.
“Alex has been involved with the Highland Games for more than 30 years, during which he served as a convener, secretary and chairman, always giving complete commitment to the organisation of annual Games.
“He is only the second person to have been honoured with the title of honorary president.
“He was always at Hannah Park in the days before the Games, working with the council personnel with the track and field preparations and the team of volunteers he had recruited.
“His leadership was exemplary and his sense of humour legendary.
“Alex will be greatly missed by the Highland Games Association and in the wider community.”
Alex worked for the SJFA as kitman for the Junior Scotland team.
National manager Keith Burgess said he was sad to hear of his death.
“Alex was a brilliant kitman and an absolute gem of a guy,” he added.
SJFA secretary Tom Johnston also paid tribute to Alex and described him as a “great character and great servant to football.”
He added: “Alex must have given around 40 years service to the junior game, from his early involvement at Shotts, where his brother-in-law was a former SJFA president.
“He was a great character and the junior game has lost a great servant.”
Everyone knew my dad . . . he had time for everyone Daughter Fiona