The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Winger was fans’ favourite
Footballer Robert “Bobby” Prentice, who made a name for himself at Hearts and fast became a fan favourite, has died aged 65.
Born on the September 27, 1953 in Lanark, as a young boy he watched Hearts’ triumph at Hampden Park in the 1962 Scottish League Cup final and quickly became a supporter.
From an early age, Mr Prentice’s own skills on the pitch were noted and he would go on to be hailed as a skilled and speedy winger.
He was signed to Edina Hibs as a teenager, moving on to Dundee briefly before legendary Celtic manager Jock Stein signed him in 1971.
Though he began his senior career with the Hoops through in Glasgow, Mr Prentice still played for Newtongrange Star and won two junior international caps with the East Lothian team.
Two years later, he would finally join his childhood favourites, going on to make 240 appearances and score 26 goals for Hearts.
He proved himself to be a vital member of the first team, known for helping to create goals for his teammates. With him in the side, they qualified for the new 10-club Premier Division and reached the finals of the Scottish Cup and League Cup between 1976-77.
A highlight of his career was playing in one of Heart’s most memorable European nights, defeating East German side Lokomotive Leipzig 5-1 in the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
The Tynecastle team were beaten by eventual winners Hamburg in the next round.
He was also at Tynecastle for two relegations. He played in North America, for Canada’s Toronto Blizzard and in an indoor six-a-side league in the US.
Hearts supporters celebrated him on the pitch with their signature song “we’ve got Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby Prentice on the wing”.
Hearts historian David Speed said Mr Prentice had “brightened a dark time for the club” with his passion for both the game and the Tynecastle team.
“Bobby Prentice brightened a dark time for the club”