Tributes paid to County athlete

Oct 8 2008 by Alan Rennie, Stirling Observer Wednesday

FORMER Scotland B and Stirling County winger Alan Armstrong died last Thursday at Strathcarron Hospice after a long and courageous fight against cancer. He was 55.

Richie Dixon, who coached Armstrong at both district and B international level, led the tributes. “Alan was an unassuming, nice guy but when it came to his rugby he was very competitive.

“He was an under-rated player, deceptively quick and very much part of Stirling County’s elevation to the upper echelons of Scottish club rugby.

“I’ll remember his committed performances whether for Jordanhill, Stirling, Glasgow or Scotland B.”

Former County and Scotland hooker Kevin McKenzie was upset by the news. “I’ve always said that Alan was really the first athlete to play rugby in Scotland,” he said. “And he was really a nice guy.”

A former pupil of Stirling High and graduate of Jordanhill College, Armstrong taught PE at Denny High where he joined the staff in 1976. Prior to becoming a teacher, he had served in the Merchant Navy.

Armstrong, who played his club rugby for Jordanhill and Stirling County, represented Glasgow on 26 occasions between 1979 and 1985, scoring eight tries.

He notched a hat-trick in a match against the Irish Army and also faced the touring New Zealanders in 1980 and the Wallabies in 1982.

He played twice for Scotland B, against their French counterparts in 1981 and 1982, marking his B debut with one of Scotland’s two tries in an 18-4 success at Millbrae, Ayr.

While at Bridgehaugh, Alan helped County in their progress up the leagues and always shone at the annual County Sevens tournament.

His pace made him a constant attacking threat but his tackling in defence was also exemplary.

He was also keen on basketball playing for Stirling in the National League and sprinted competitively for Falkirk Victoria Harriers in athletics.

When his playing days were over, Alan took on a coaching role with the same enthusiasm and was involved at 1st XV level at Stirling County and then, for a number of years, with under-18 teams.

He loved the outdoors and had a great appreciation of Scotland’s flora and fauna.

He had climbed every Munro in Scotland, and was working his way through the Corbetts. He also scaled a number of peaks in the USA, South America and Africa. He was predeceased by his father Alastair four years ago but is survived by his mother Marion, with whom he lived at the family home in Airthrey Avenue, Bridge of Allan, and younger siblings Kenneth and Elizabeth. They have travelled home from Kuala Lumpur and San Francisco respectively for the funeral at 2pm on Friday at Falkirk Crematorium.