TRIBUTES have been paid to Musselburgh stalwart Alexander (Sandy) Brown, who has died at the age of 83.

Born on October 13, 1940, in Fisherrow, Mr Brown attended Campie School and Musselburgh Grammar School.

On leaving school at the age of 15, he went to work as an office boy at Millars, an Edinburgh-based construction company. He attended night school, attaining his chartership in quantity surveying. He worked with Wimpey and Crudens over the years, and latterly worked with Scottish residential estates.

He married Isobel Strain, from Danderhall, in 1964 and they went on to have two daughters, Jennifer and Carolyn. Mr Brown was widowed in 1979 when his wife died suddenly.

Mr Brown was involved with the community council in Musselburgh and was also the chair of the Fishermen’s Walk council. He also served on the board of the Musselburgh Common Good Fund and spent some years as a Justice of the Peace. He was the assistant turf cutter at the 1974 Riding of the Marches in Musselburgh.

Mr Brown married Dorothy in 1986 and later moved to Dalkeith. She passed away in 2015.

He enjoyed playing golf and was a member of Monktonhall Golf Club.

He had a single-figure golf handicap for most of his playing days.

Sandy Brown in his younger days

Mr Brown, a grandfather of five and great-grandfather of two, passed away at Archview Lodge care home in Dalkeith on August 1.

His funeral took place on Monday at Mortonhall Crematorium, which was followed by a funeral tea at Musselburgh Rugby Football Club (MRFC).

Blair Stewart, president of MRFC, said: “Sandy was a pivotal figure in the club’s history, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s, when he spearheaded the club’s relationship with its then main sponsor, Cruden Homes. We’ve received many messages since his passing confirming he was a much-loved and respected figure at MRFC. He will be sadly missed.”

Mr Brown’s nephew Graham Jamieson, an ex-club captain and board member at MRFC, also paid tribute to his uncle.

He said: “Sandy was a passionate Musselburgh rugby man and started his rugby journey at Musselburgh Grammar School, playing the odd game here and there with a light-hearted commitment.

“However, things really took off during the 1957/58 season, when he played a prominent role in the unbeaten Musselburgh under-18 team, this being 17 wins and one draw against opposition made up of the elite Borders clubs.”

Mr Jamieson added: “Sandy would continue to make progress with his rugby career and would play in the firsts for several seasons.

“He was fast and strong, and, unusually for a prop, a fine sevens player. He quit playing at the relatively young age of 28 – now qualified as a chartered quantity surveyor, work demands took over.”

Mr Brown remained involved at the club and became the first ever Colts coach in the 1973/74 season, with the backing of George Innes, his second-row colleague and lifelong friend.

“Notable names he coached – all first-team players of the future – were Donald MacDonald, Derek Watson, Brian Telfer, Graham McKean and Tinker Ritchie. Sandy’s name was highly prominent during the Colts’ 50th anniversary dinner last year,” said Mr Jamieson.

He added: “Beyond playing and coaching, he played a part in the Stoneyhill clubhouse being built and took ownership of the car park being laid in 1969.

“He was a regular at home games at Stoneyhill, taking his favourite position on the community centre side under the canopy.”