Boss who led Scots to famous Wembley victory dies aged 96

Tributes have been paid to Bobby Brown - one of Stirlingshire’s most decorated sporting figures - who died aged 96.

The former Scotland manager from Dunipace masterminded the famous Wembley win over Alf Ramsay’s newly crowned world champions England in 1967.

And as a goalkeeper he was part of the legendary Rangers team who secured the Ibrox club’s first ever domestic treble in the 1948/49 season.

He spent a decade at the club who said he will be remembered as a “gentleman of the game” - and had an incredible clean sheet record of 109 in 296 appearances.

Bobby was a member of the famous ‘Iron Curtain’ defence for Rangers that included the likes of George Young and Jock Shaw.

Bobby, who lived for a time in Cambuskenneth, started his career at Queen’s Park and finished at Falkirk before moving into management. He was in charge of the Scotland team from 1967 to 1971.

It was in this role that he secured one of the nations most famous results – beating England 3-2 in his first game.

Rangers chairman Dave King led the tributes to the legend and said: “All of us connected with Rangers are deeply saddened to hear that Mr Brown, a genuine Rangers and Scotland legend, has passed away. Our thoughts are with Mr Brown’s family at this time.

“He was a wonderful servant of our club and we will remember him with great fondness. He was a gentleman of the game and set standards which typify what Rangers is about.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Football Association said: “Everyone at the SFA is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Scotland player and manager Bobby Brown. He will be sadly missed.”

He was inducted into the Scottish football Hall of Fame in 2015.

In 2017 a book detailing the achievements of the legend - Bobby Brown: A Life in Football, From Goals to the Dugout – was released.

As a boy, Bobby attended school in Falkirk and captained his school team. He was spotted by scouts from Queen’s Park FC who were impressed.

He won his first cap for Scotland in 1946 and was the last amateur to play for the full international team.

He crossed Glasgow in 1946 to sign for Rangers, where he would spend a trophy-laden decade playing in the same team as the likes of Sammy Cox and Willie Waddell.

After leaving Rangers he spent two years playing for Falkirk under Bob Shankly – who later managed Stirling Albion – and then stepped into the managerial hotseat at St Johnstone.

Nine years in Perth followed before Bobby landed the top job in the country, as Scotland boss, and began his role with the victory at Wembley.

Bobby stepped away from the sport after his Scotland managerial career ended to pursue other interests.

Rangers will hold a minute’s silence will be held prior to their Scottish Cup clash with Stranraer on Friday night.