IAIN ASHCROFT R.I.P.

ASHY…GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN…HOW COULD HE BE ?

And on a sad note …thought it would be disrespectful to be reminiscing with some notable Blast From The Past on the same day as Ashy’s funeral so apologies to anyone who has previously read the tribute (below) from the week before last..

“With a big grin across his face “was my unusual answer to being asked earlier this week, “How do you think you will remember Iain Ashcroft? ” a former player of no little repute who tragically and unexpectedly died at his Barrhead home on Tuesday.

This response evoked a somewhat bemused look to the inquirer’s face and straightaway I knew he wasn’t one of the many friends and former team mates that Big Ashy (as he was genially known) had amassed over the past 60 years or from his feted footballing stints with Hamilton Accies, Arthurlie, Shettleston, Irvine Meadow(x2), Pollok, Hurlford United , Saltcoats Vics , Beith and Scotland Juniors.

I say this because if the asker had indeed been one of either number then he would have been nodding his head knowingly and most probably smiling had an image of the big man come to mind.

Describing him as a legend in his own lifetime…and one don’t use the word lightly… is particularly apt because if as is often said a legend lives on in the stories that people relate to each other then expect Ashy to be a name on lips for some considerable time yet.

An unstinting sense of humour along with a mindset (did I hear someone say warped?) for coming up with a whole assortment of pranks and practical jokes were at the very core of what marked him out as a `one off“ and those of us who periodically were at the butt of his shenanigans can only imagine what it must have been like for Christine, David and Lee to be around him 24/7

Ashy’s infamous dressing room antics are up there and measurable against the standards set by the notorious Wimbledon Crazy Gang yet he could also play a bit, as a total of 7 caps conferred on him during his heyday by Tommy Reynolds and then Dennis Gray bear testimony which is backed up by his collection of every possible winners gong (some twice) in the Junior game. To this day, he is fondly remembered at every one of his former clubs and it speaks volumes when they are all planning to pay tribute to his memory, starting tonight at Meadow Park where Irvine Meadow , his two separate playing stints include being part of their 1994 Ayrshire First Division title winning side, are hosting the visit of Beith for whom he operated as a coach during Johnny Miller’s time at the helm.

And Pollok where he figured at the very heart of the 1996/97 team that was crowned Scottish Junior Cup winners over Tayport are planning to respectfully commemorate his sad passing at their last home game pf the season against Cambuslang Rangers this coming Saturday

Ashy’s funeral service is scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday 19^th April (12 Noon), at the Hurlett Crematorium in Barrhead.

ASHY TAKING CENTRE STAGE AT YET ANOTHER TROPHY WIN

FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY 22^nd APRIL 2023 (2PM unless stated): P.D.M.Buildbase Premier Division. Kilwinning Rangers v Clydebank, Arthurlie v Auchinleck Talbot, Beith v Troon, Largs Thistle v Hurlford Utd, Petershill v Glenafton,Pollok v Cambuslang Rangers,Rob Roy v Darvel , Cumnock v Irvine Meadow.PDM Buildbase First Division. Gartcairn v Benburb, Thorniewood Utd v Rossvale, Blantyre Vics v Cumbernauld Utd , St Rochs v Rutherglen Glencairn, Drumchapel Utd v St Cadocs, Shotts Bon Accord v Bonnyton Thistle, Neilston v Whitletts Vics, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Johnstone Burgh.PDM Buildbase Second Division. Glasgow Utd v Greenock, Kilsyth Rangers v Wishaw, Yoker Athletic v Ashfield, Glasgow University v St Anthonys (Friday 8PM), Maryhill v Forth Wanderers, Glasgow Perthshire v Craigmark, Maybole v Renfrew. PDM Buildbase Third Division. Port Glasgow v Saltcoats Vics, Lanark Utd v Newmains Utd, Carluke Rovers v Bellshill Athletic, Kello Rovers v Lesmahagow, Vale of Leven v Finnart, Dalry Thistle v Irvine Vics, Larkhall Thistle v Girvan, East Kilbride Thistle v Royal Albert, Vale of Clyde v Lugar Boswell.PDM Buildbase Fourth Division Campbelltown Pupils v Thorn Athletic BSC Glasgow v Rossvale Academy.