Ron Scott (journalist)
Ron Scott | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ronald Scott 1947 Dundee, Scotland |
| Died | 5 May 2018 (aged 70) Dundee, Scotland |
| Occupation | Journalist |
Ronald Scott (1947 – 5 May, 2018) was a Scottish football journalist who worked for The Sunday Post for nearly fifty years. He was sports editor at the newspaper for 28 years.
Early life
[edit]Scott was born in Dundee in 1947.[1] Jimmie, his father, worked as a scout for English club Preston North End north of the border.[2]
A "promising full-back", Scott earned a trial with St Johnstone, and marked Willie Johnston, Rangers' quick outside left, in his only game.[2]
Journalism
[edit]After his football career failed, Scott began work as an apprentice with DC Thomson, which was based in his hometown. He reported on his first match, a pre-season friendly, in the summer of 1968.
He was present at the Hillsborough disaster of 1989.[2]
Scott became Chief Football Writer at the Post in January 2002.[2] His column was called The Voice of Experience.[2]
Up until his retirement in 2012, Scott phoned his match reports to a copytaker.[2] For his retirement celebration, Sir Alex Ferguson recorded a tribute message to Scott.[3]
Personal life
[edit]Scott was married to Wendy. He had a brother, Bruce, and a daughter, Susan.[2]
He was a Dundee F.C. fan, and also served on the committee of Dundee Violet F.C.[2]
In 2007, at the age of 60, Scott became the president of the Scottish Football Writers' Association. He remained in the role for three years.[2]
Death
[edit]Scott died on 5 May 2018, aged 70, after a short illness. He submitted his last column from his bed at Dundee's Ninewells Hospital[2] just over 24 hours before he died.[4]
Tributes to his life came from Gordon Strachan and Walter Smith, amongst others, with the latter saying:
He was the first journalist to ever show an interest in me as a footballer when I was at Dundee United and was the first man to interview me. He took me for lunch that day – a couple of Scotch pies and a few pints! That was about 50 years ago and our relationship remained intact as I trusted him 100%. He was a genuine man who enjoyed life, enjoyed his work and loved his family. He has gone far too soon, and will be missed.
— Walter Smith, May 2018[2]
References
[edit]- ^ "Tributes paid to Sunday Post columnist and former chief football writer Ron Scott" – The Sunday Post, 6 May 2018
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Proud and fully paid-up member of the old school Ron Scott would’ve had a good laugh at finally being a hit on social media" – The Sunday Post, 13 May 2018
- ^ "The legendary Ron Scott: a personal tribute" – The Courier, 7 May 2018
- ^ "SFWA mourns Ron Scott" – Scottish Football Writers' Association – 7 May 2018