A minute’s applause is being planned ahead of Loch Ness FC’s match this weekend in tribute to attacker Donald Macphee who died this week.
A flood of tributes have come in for Mr Macphee, known to friends as DJ, who died at the age of 34.
The striker’s current club and former club Inverness Athletic play one another on Saturday, and a minute’s applause has been organised between the two North Caledonian League clubs.
Family and friends have been rocked by his “unexpected” death.
Having played for the club for a total of eight years, the manager of Loch Ness FC, Shane Carling, discussed with players how best to pay tribute to their teammate.
It was decided that during this weekend’s derby match between Loch Ness FC and Inverness Athletic, a minute’s applause would take place to honour him.
Mr Carling thought it appropriate to pay tribute to Mr Macphee during Saturday’s match given his connection to both teams.
He said: “If we don’t do it this weekend we won’t be able to do it at all”.
He was also a keen boxer, winning the men’s 64kg Scottish Novice Title in 2011 and brought hometown glory for the Highland Boxing Academy.
Their tribute on social media has been widely shared, saying: “On behalf of everyone at Highland Boxing Academy we would like to pass on our sincere condolences to his family and thank DJ one last time for representing the club so successfully and helping to put HBA on the boxing map.”
Well-known and well-liked
Since the announcement of Mr Macphee’s death, tributes have been flooding in.
Some social media users commented that he was a “legend”, “one of a kind” and “a great footballer and a great lad”.
We are deeply saddened to hear of the Passing of our player Donald Macphee. DJ was more than just a player and a teammate at Loch Ness FC, he was our friend and we are all better off for having known him.
Our sympathies are with his family at this difficult time.
— Loch Ness Football Club (@LochNessFC) December 9, 2021
Mr Carling, who had managed Mr Macphee at both Loch Ness and Inverness Athletic, said: “I’ve known DJ for 15 years and he has been a big part of Loch Ness FC.
“He was a goalscorer, really fast, always on the last man, sure-footed and an all-around really good striker. If DJ didn’t score 20 goals in a season something must have been wrong.
“He had a lot of time for everyone, always there for his friends. Even off the pitch with training, running and going to the gym and if boys were struggling he was always there to help.
“He had many close friends with us, boys that he has played with for a long time. It’s not a nice day for the players. They don’t know what to say. It’s a big shock to Inverness. He was a well-known and well-liked person.”
The football community has come together to pay tributes to the 34-year-old.
Current club Loch Ness FC said on Twitter: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our player Donald Macphee.
“DJ was more than just a player and a teammate at Loch Ness FC, he was our friend and we are all better off for having known him. Our sympathies are with his family at this difficult time.”
Fort William FC added: “Our thoughts go out to the friends and family of Donald and everybody at @LochNessFC at this time.”
Former side and Loch Ness’ opponents on Saturday wrote: “Inverness Athletic FC were shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of former player DJ Macphee today.
“Striker DJ, featured for the club 15 times over a two year period, netting five times along the way under the watchful eye of then Manger Shane Carling.
“The thoughts of everyone at Inverness Athletic FC are very much with DJ’s family, friends and everyone at Loch Ness FC at this incredibly hard time.”
Our thoughts go out to the friends and family of Donald and everybody at @LochNessFC at this time💛 https://t.co/GPzk6oBWV1
— Fort William FC (@FortWilliamFC) December 9, 2021
