Tributes pour in for Tartan Army fan who died after seeing Scotland play in Boston

Donny Strathie, 76, a lifelong Scotland fan, passed away suddenly in Boston on Sunday after travelling to fulfil his dream of seeing his country play in a World Cup.

Scotland had just beaten Haiti 1-0 the night before at Foxbrough Stadium.

Now, there are plans for a minute's applause in the 76th minute of the Morocco game, also taking place in Foxbrough, and which Mr Strathie had a ticket for.

Referring to the gesture, Mr Strathie's daughter, Cheryl, posted to fellow Tartan Army fans: "Let’s see if we can all make this happen Dad."

The Scotland fan was born in Camelon and lived most of his life in Grangemouth where he was the proud captain of Bowhouse in the Falkirk Pool League and an equally proud member of the Falkirk District Tartan Army.

His death has sparked an outpour of support from fellow Falkirk locals. Heather Brown paid tribute, saying: “So sad , Donny was a great guy and so excited for the trip , he sat beside us at the Falkirk games.”

Brian Leishman, Labour MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, said: “I was incredibly saddened to learn about the death of Donny Strathie in Boston on Sunday.

“While I never had the pleasure of meeting him in person, I know he was a true stalwart of the Tartan Army and a well-known face in the pool world locally as the captain of Bowhouse.

“I am sure that the Tartan Army will come together in unison to honour him during the 76th minute of the match.

“As a prominent member of the community, Donny will be sorely missed in Grangemouth.

“My thoughts are with Donny’s family, including his two daughters, at this difficult time.”

The Tartan Army also posted a statement online which encouraged fans to partake in the one minute applause.

It read: "We've learnt some bad news that Donny Strathie passed away in Boston on Sunday.

"He had a ticket for the Morocco game, but never got the chance to realize his World Cup dream. It would mean a lot to his family if we could organise a minutes applause in the 76th minute of the Morocco game."

An online message from Mr Strathie’s family read: “Donny passed away suddenly in Boston on Sunday aged 76. He had his ticket to this match and it was his dream to see Scotland in the World Cup, but he never got the chance.

"Let’s make him proud.”

Following his death, Mr Strathie’s daughters Cheryl and Denise both shared photographs of their dad in his memory and were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and messages of condolence for him from home and abroad.

It wouldn’t be the first time the Tartan Army held the spotlight in a stadium in the US. On Sunday, thousands of Scotland fans marched with a pipe band to a Red Sox game at Fenway Park.

The baseball stadium was transformed by Scottish football chants and the sound of bagpipes as Scotland fans made themselves heard when enjoying a Boston game while in the US for the World Cup.