Tragedy as rugby stalwart dies at 62

Death of legend of Highland Club announced aged 62

Matches at all levels involving Highland Club cancelled

Highland rugby stalwart Alister Wemyss, who latterly served as a coach for Highland Rugby Club, has died suddenly aged 62.

Mr Wemyss, a council electrician, was a respected member of the north’s rugby community. He is survived by wife Valerie.

Last night friends and club officials – many of whom knew him as “Porky” – spoke of their devastation at his loss.

Former club chairman Andy Little, who coached Mr Wemyss, said: “I am just shell-shocked.

“I have known Porky since 1974 as a player coming through the youth system. He was a great player although not that big for a prop but with his stature he was hard as nails.

“He was an inspiration to quite a lot of people who played with him and he was well respected and formed great friendships.

“Porky was a great influence on younger players and he really brought them on. There is going to be nobody like him around. He really was a one-off. He was a great guy and will be sadly missed.”

Mr Wemyss’ whole playing career was with the club he then coached, playing as tighthead prop before joining the off-field team six years ago when head coach Davie Carson took the helm.

Mr Carson said: “I’m devastated. Our two families were very close and I was round with his wife Valerie all this morning.

“I found out at tea time on Thursday. I got the call from Valerie when we were just about to start training.

“Given what he did as a player with the North and Midlands team, and with the character he was, he was my first port of call for the coaching team when I took over the firsts six years ago.

“He was the same with all the young guys at the club. There have been a lot of messages online from guys who have been under his wing about what he has done for them.”

As a mark of respect the club have postponed all matches this weekend.

Mr Carson added: “All our rugby this weekend has been postponed – firsts, seconds, under-18s and juniors. Nothing is getting played.

The club has announced it will be open today from 3pm for anyone wishing to come along for “a beer and a chat, in tribute to Porky”.

“He was not big for a prop but he was hard as nails”

LEADER: Alister ‘Porky’ Wemyss inspired and influenced his fellow players and, later, his charges as coach, whom he took under his wing