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Scotsman
5 hours ago
- General
- Scotsman
Scotsman Obituaries: Alan Rennie, journalist whose devotion to his patch saw him nicknamed ‘Mr Stirling
Alan Rennie, journalist. Born: 28 March 1951. Died: 3 July 2025, aged 74 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Some individuals are destined to become influential figures whose success in life will impact significantly on people, communities and events. Alan Rennie was one. A highly talented journalist, Alan's enormous contribution to the Stirling Observer, very many people (including me) and the royal burgh, towns and villages in which he lived and socialised cannot be exaggerated. In Alan's case, however, what set him apart from and above other similar souls was his humility, deference and humour. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Alan, I suspect, never had any inkling of the colossal regard and affection which many of us had for him. He was my first boss in his role as chief reporter for the Observer and proved to be a brilliant editor, tutor and guide. To his great credit, however, he had no concept of this. I am one of many journalists whose careers owed much to Alan. There is still an unlikely number of Scotland's preeminent journalists and media figures who owe at least part of their success to Alan. For me (and I claim no pre-eminence), perhaps most importantly, we remained friends for life. Alan Rennie was was a Stirling man through and through, a Son of the Rock (Picture: Stirling Observer) Away from newspapers, however, many other people shared the same extreme respect for Alan. Indeed, in the days after his death there was an outpouring in just about equal measure of affection for him as an individual and admiration of his professional achievements. In sport, he was rugby daft and a lifelong member of Stirling County RFC. Some stalwarts of the club credit him with helping County's rise to Scottish champions in 1995. That team's scrum-half, Kenneth Harper, said Alan's promotion in the Observer of all things County drove up interest, attracted players and spectators, and contributed to the title win. Mr Harper also suggested that the change in emphasis from soccer and Stirling Albion to rugby and Stirling County was a brave revolution that had never been done previously. Alan was also a keen golfer and was a member of Stirling Golf Club for many years. In his younger days, he played football to a very decent level, turning out for Bannockburn Amateurs during the club's very successful seasons in the early 1980s. Cricket was another game he played, featuring for the Stirling Observer team in the Palmer Sevens tournament run by Stirling County Cricket Club; and he was known to take to the area's bowling greens from time to time. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Alan was a Stirling man through and through, a Son of the Rock, born in the Raploch, in the shadow of Stirling Castle. His father was a policeman who was posted between Stirling and Falkirk, which meant Alan's education was split between schools in the latter, but mostly at St Ninians Primary and Stirling High School in the former. His working life began as a trainee journalist with Outram, a company which then owned the Glasgow Herald and a stable of local titles. Alan started at the Herald but moved to the Perthshire Advertiser, where he became chief reporter before transferring back to Stirling with the same position at the Observer. His wife, Mary, said: 'Alan's mum once told me that all he ever wanted to do from when he was a small child was to become editor of The Stirling Observer, and he got that in 1982. In 1987, he was offered the job of deputy editor at the Glasgow Herald, and he swithered about it but decided against it.' It was far from journalism alone, however, that marked Alan as a very special person; he had deep roots in his communities and gave back by the bucket-load. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He sat on – and chaired – the community council where he lived near the village of Cambusbarron; he was a Rotarian who toiled through the auspices of his local club for good causes; he served on the board of the highly regarded Smith Art Gallery and Museum in Stirling; he was a trustee of the William Simpson Residential Care Home; and he was, as mentioned, a grand sportsman. He parted ways with the Observer in 2009 after more than a quarter of a century running the paper, the severance prompting thanks from local people. Mary recalls: 'There was a letter in the paper saying that he was 'Mr Stirling' because he knew so much about the place. He was headhunted by Keep Scotland Beautiful because of what he knew and who he knew. He was there for three years until he took early retirement. 'In 1992, he was contacted by someone in London saying he had been chosen to represent the Guild of Newspaper Editors, of which he was president, at a conference in Colorado Springs in America. He thought it was a joke call but it wasn't. He went off to Colorado and had a great time.' A keen traveller anyway, Alan later took Mary to the same place and they became frequent visitors to the United States, journeying to Colorado annually. He also made yearly trips to South Africa with golfing chums. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'He would do anything for anybody and was well liked by his staff,' said Mary. 'He had a great sense of community; he was also a member of the Guildry of Stirling and the Stirling Hammermen; and he was chieftain of the Stirling Highland Games in 2004. "But he never did anything for personal kudos.' Another of his achievements was being a major influence in delivering city status for Stirling in 2002; the paper campaigned hard for the accolade. Alan was a loving husband to Mary, whom he married in 1987; she was equally devoted, as was evident during his last weeks and days when Mary was seldom away from his bedside, often sleeping in a chair beside his bed in hospital and care home. The best of company, he was well-known for enjoying a drink and over-imbibing on occasion. Famously in Stirling, he once approached the door of a nightclub in the town after a tipple or two more than was advisable only to be told he would not be admitted. 'Do you know who I am?' he demanded. The bouncer shook his head. 'I'm the Observer of the Stirling Editor!' he proclaimed. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He was not, of course; he was the Editor of the Stirling Observer – and a damned fine one. His funeral is on Monday 28 July at 10.30am in Holy Spirit Church, Stirling, then Falkirk Crematorium at 12.15pm. Obituaries
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Yorkshire replace Ruturaj Gaikwad with Pakistan batter after CSK captain abruptly ends county stint
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was all set to represent Yorkshire in the County Championship 2025 season. However, due to personal reasons back home, the right-handed batter abruptly ended the stint and flew back home. Yorkshire have now confirmed his replacement, signing Pakistan opening batter Imam-ul-Haq. The left-hander will be available for the club straightaway, representing the team against Surrey at Scarborough. Yorkshire confirm Ruturaj Gaikwad's replacement for the remainder of the County season. (PTI) Imam-ul-Haq will remain with the team for the remainder of the County season and the Metro Bank One Day Cup. The left-handed batter is the nephew of the former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq. He averages 43 in first-class cricket, and he had recently helped his side, Pakistan Television, win their domestic first-class trophy, the President's Cup, in March. Speaking of Ruturaj Gaikwad, the batter was ruled out of the IPL 2025 season midway due to a hairline fracture on his elbow. He was then named in the India A squad for the two unofficial Tests against England Lions; however, he did not make it to the playing XI. According to an official statement, Yorkshire's general manager of cricket, Gavin Hamilton, worked together with Anthony McGrath, the county's current head coach, to get Imam-ul-Haq on board on a last-minute deal following 'complications' with Ruturaj Gaikwad. Imam-ul-Haq has played 101 international matches for Pakistan. Even his uncle, Inzamam, represented Yorkshire in 2007. Also Read: Why Ruturaj Gaikwad abruptly ended his County stint with Yorkshire and flew back home Imam represented Pakistan at the 2019 ODI World Cup in England and the 2023 World Cup in India. He was also called up as a replacement for Fakhar Zaman during the 2025 Champions Trophy. Imam is now the second Pakistani player to represent Yorkshire this summer after Abdullah Shafique. What did Yorkshire say about Imam's signing? In the official statement, Gavin Hamilton said that the club is delighted to have Imam on board and to have him available immediately for the contest against Surrey. 'We're delighted that Imam has joined us and that he will be available immediately. Whilst we were naturally disappointed that Ruturaj couldn't join up with the squad, in Imam we have an exceptional player of proven international quality," he said. 'Imam has an impressive record and is already familiar with domestic cricket in this country, which will stand us in good stead for a crucial block of fixtures. We are grateful for the speed in which he has arrived in the country and everyone at the Club is looking forward to working with him through until the end of the season," he added.
Edinburgh Reporter
a day ago
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Ross County test for Edinburgh City
Edinburgh City make the long trip to Dingwall on Tuesday (19.45pm) as they continue their journey in the Premier Sports Cup. It will be a huge test against Ross County who were relegated from the William Hill Premiership last season, sensationally losing out to fired-up Livingston in the play-off final with the decisive, second-leg, in Dingwall. The Staggies obviously seek an instant return to the top league and the match at the Global Energy Stadium is another step on that road. County come into the game after busy week which has seen them travel over 1,000 miles with trips to Stranraer and then Dumfries to face Queen of the South. They can't wait to have a home game and manager Don Cowie, who once played for Hearts, said post-match at Dumfries that it was a really hard-fought victory. He praised Queen of the South for their performance but added that he noted moments of quality in the first half from his men, but the ball just did not drop for the visitors. The manager felt his men improved in the second-half and he said they then took control of the game. A 'real moment of quality', he said, put The Staggies ahead and then it was about making sure County came away with a win which improved their position in the section. He added: 'I was delighted with the clean sheet and the three points.' Cowie will look for a further three points in Group B against the Citizens. The Staggies record so far? County drew 1-1 at Stranraer in their opener and edged Queen of the South 1-0 with midfielder Jay Henderson netting after 73 minutes. Partick Thistle, who beat City 4-1 at Meadowbank in their opener, currently top the section with six points with County tucked in behind on four. Queen of the South sit in third with three points, all having played two matches. Stranraer are fourth also on three points but they have played three games, the same number as City who prop up the table with two points, but fans must have been were encouraged by a 5-3 shootout success over Stranraer at Meadowbank Stadium on Saturday after the sides were deadlocked at 0-0 at full-time. Manager Michael McIndoe will also be pleased that City had 62 per cent of possession against Stranraer against 38 per cent and he was really encouraged by the showing of his younger players, one of whom, Aidan Burgess, netted the winning penalty. FLASHBACK: Partick Thistle at Meadowbank Stadium in Match One of the Premier Sports Cup. Picture Tommy Lee Like this: Like Related
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
I played in Prem and for Panathinaikos, they'll beat Rangers
Rangers face Panathinaikos tomorrow night at Ibrox in the huge second qualifying round tie before they have to travel to Athens for the return. Ikonomou had two separate spells at County before winning a dream move to his homeland with Panathinaikos in 2018 and played there for two years. And he's convinced the Greeks will be celebrating at the end of the second leg. Read more: He said: "I think Panathinaikos has a very good chance of getting through. Panathinaikos have better players than Rangers right now. "For me, it's 70 per cent that Panathinaikos will qualify. "I don't think either team are 100 per cent because it's so early in the season. "But I believe continuity is another advantage for Panathinaikos because they have the same manager from last season and Rangers do not. "From my experience in the Scottish league, Panathinaikos should be wary of the physical side of the game. And long balls. It is a characteristic of the country's football. "Rangers will try to play with more quality and they do create a lot of chances at home. "I know Ibrox is a big stadium with a great atmosphere and it's purely a football stadium, unlike the Olympic Stadium. "But when the Olympic is full, it can be very intimidating. "I don't think Rangers will have as much pressure to win as Panathinaikos. "I really enjoyed my time in Scottish football with Ross County. It was a very good experience for me and I enjoyed the physicality of Scottish football. "But I think Scottish football is a few steps lower in standard than Greek football."
The National
2 days ago
- Sport
- The National
I played in Prem and for Panathinaikos, they'll beat Rangers
And he reckons his Greek countrymen simply have better players than Rangers. Rangers face Panathinaikos tomorrow night at Ibrox in the huge second qualifying round tie before they have to travel to Athens for the return. Ikonomou had two separate spells at County before winning a dream move to his homeland with Panathinaikos in 2018 and played there for two years. And he's convinced the Greeks will be celebrating at the end of the second leg. Read more: He said: "I think Panathinaikos has a very good chance of getting through. Panathinaikos have better players than Rangers right now. "For me, it's 70 per cent that Panathinaikos will qualify. "I don't think either team are 100 per cent because it's so early in the season. "But I believe continuity is another advantage for Panathinaikos because they have the same manager from last season and Rangers do not. "From my experience in the Scottish league, Panathinaikos should be wary of the physical side of the game. And long balls. It is a characteristic of the country's football. "Rangers will try to play with more quality and they do create a lot of chances at home. "I know Ibrox is a big stadium with a great atmosphere and it's purely a football stadium, unlike the Olympic Stadium. "But when the Olympic is full, it can be very intimidating. "I don't think Rangers will have as much pressure to win as Panathinaikos. "I really enjoyed my time in Scottish football with Ross County. It was a very good experience for me and I enjoyed the physicality of Scottish football. "But I think Scottish football is a few steps lower in standard than Greek football."
