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Meet Scotland’s most successful Commonwealth athlete... Tattie, who loves lager, takeaways (and winning medals)
HE is probably as far removed from the image of an elite athlete as it is possible to get.
A little on the large side with a fondness for takeaways and his wife’s cooking, at one stage fitting in training around his job as a sales manager.
But Alex ‘Tattie’ Marshall is now Scotland’s most successful Commonwealth Games athlete after he won a record fifth gold medal on the bowling green.
While he may not have the toned physique fans expect of his track and field team mates, Marshall made history by leading his men’s fours team to victory over hosts Australia at the Gold Coast games yesterday.
The 51-year-old from Tranent, East Lothian, secured a memorable win alongside teammates Ronald Duncan, Derek Oliver and Paul Foster.
He celebrated his entry into the record books with his wife, Diane. They met 26 years ago when he appeared at her club – she is no mean bowler herself – to hand out awards.
Yesterday, she wept as she watched her husband win gold, before he headed off for a drugs test. Mrs Marshall, 46, said: ‘We’ll have a nice party.
‘These are special days and we’ll never, ever take them for granted. These are amazing days for all of us.’
This is the veteran bowler’s sixth Commonwealth Games, his first coming at Victoria in Canada in 1994.
His medal haul includes two golds in Glasgow in 2014 – where he pumped his fist in a victory celebration after beating England in the semi-final – and golds in 2006 in Melbourne and 2002 in Manchester.
He also won a silver medal in the men’s pairs with Paul Foster earlier in these Games. Speaking about his achievement yesterday, Marshall said: ‘To get five is a dream. In the beginning, all I ever wished for was one.
‘I’ve had a lot of help along the way from my players. If it wasn’t for them I would not be standing here today with five gold medals. I’ve got all these guys to thank for that. It’s a dream come true and I’m over the moon.’
Willie Wood, 71, who won two bowls Commonwealth golds, said: ‘He doesn’t really practise that much, he’s been in Australia playing in tournaments for a while now, and I don’t think he’s coming back until June or July.
‘I believe he got the nickname Tattie when he was a wee boy – he couldn’t say “daddy” and it came out as “tattie”.
‘He drinks vodka, and he likes a lager or a lager tops. I don’t know what he eats but he would probably eat anything.
‘I’ve known him since he was a wee boy – when we used to go to the games in Edinburgh he’d be with us.’
Marshall enjoys Chinese and Indian takeaways as well as his wife’s cooking and when not bowling he likes walking and watching his favourite club Hearts. In 2007 he was made an MBE for his services to bowls.
Bowls Scotland chief Alan McMillan said: ‘Everyone at Bowls Scotland is delighted with the whole team performance at the Gold Coast.
‘However, the highlight has to be Alex winning his fifth gold medal and becoming Scotland’s most successful Commonwealth Games athlete. It is great for Alex and a great honour for our sport.
‘I am sure there will be a big party at Gifford Bowling Club when Alex comes home.’
Stewart Harris, sportscotland chief executive, said: ‘Congratulations to Alex, Paul, Ronnie and Derek on winning gold at the Commonwealth Games.
‘A special mention for Alex who has become Scotland’s most successful Commonwealth Games athlete.’
Scotland has now had its most successful overseas Games with 39 medals, eight of them gold.
Team Scotland won a record 53 medals at Glasgow 2014.
Its previous best performance at an away Games was at Melbourne in 2006, when it won 29 medals.