Bobby Munro was a formidable goalkeeper for Highland League side Clachnacuddin FC in the 1950s and 60s, earning the nickname The Cat.
Mr Munro, who died aged 85 in an Inverness nursing home after a long illness, replaced a Clach legend, Eck MacDougall, father of Manchester United and Scotland striker Ted MacDougall, between the sticks in 1958.
He spent four years at the club, becoming a mainstay of the team and a highly respected and popular player for the ‘Lilywhites’, albeit after an inauspicious start.
Mr Munro was sent off 20 minutes into his debut following an exchange with an opposing forward.
He and his wife Molly lived close to Clach’s ground, in the Merkinch area of Inverness, and were well-known locally.
Mrs Munro also looked after visiting players and officials in the club boardroom on match days.
A bricklayer to trade, he visited the ground regularly after he hung up his boots to work on odd jobs to help the club.
Billy Corbett, a lifelong Clach fan and former club committee member, said: “It was with great sadness that we learned of Bobby’s passing.
“Although he played for other clubs, including junior sides, with getting married to Molly, a Merkinch lass, it was always on the cards he would end up playing for Clach.
“He was highly regarded as a player and after retiring he helped out because of his love for the club.
“Even when his health deteriorated greatly, Molly always said the first thing he asked on a Saturday was ‘How did Clach get on today?’
“Bobby was a true club legend who will be greatly missed.”
