Glowing tributes have been paid this week to hugely popular former footballer and broadcaster Hugh Drennan, whose funeral was held at Fullarton Parish Church on Monday.

The 80-year-old longtime Irvine resident was one of the most wellkent figures in the town, becoming fully involved in a host of organisations.

He was married to Nan with the couple celebrating their Golden Wedding in March and they had two daughters, Gillian and Claire and a son-in-law Iain.

Born on June 19 1937, Hugh was brought up in Galston. Hugh attended Galston Junior Secondary School, where he became the Dux medallist and sports champion and then finished schooling at Kilmarnock Academy.

He left school and took up employment with SSEB (South of Scotland Electricity Board) National service interrupted his service at SSEB and then signed for Dundee FC, playing for four years He returned to SSEB after Dundee where he quickly progressed to Head of Accountancy department where he worked for until he retired. 

Over the years Hugh played for several other teams including Dunfermline, Stranraer, the Scotland International youth team, Irvine Meadow and Troon Juniors FC.

Hugh joined the Irvine Speakers club which kick started his career in public speaking and opened many doors for him and enjoyed speaking at formal events and sportman’s dinners.

Jim McSherry asked him to join West Sound Radio as a junior football reporter where he reported on junior games every Saturday for around 30 years.

Hugh was invited to join many clubs where he was extremely involved and these included Irvine Incorporated Trades, where he had the honour of becoming Deacon Convenor, and Irvine Burns Club, where he became president and a director.

He was also heavily involved with Seagate Rotary Club. Iain Ferguson was Sports Presenter from 1987-1989 and from 2003 to 2005 at West Sound and worked with Hugh over these years.

Paying tribute he said: “Hugh epitomised what Ayrshire junior football is all about. He was passionate for the game and had a style all of his own when broadcasting from matches.

“You could rest assured every incident of note was relayed to the listeners in a fair and unbiased way.

“I loved when he came into the studio to join in our junior round up with the rest of the team and he never swayed from giving his informed opinion.

“I also spoke at dinners with Hugh on a few occasions and this was another area in which he excelled.

“In fact the last time I saw Hugh was at a ‘Wee Pie’ in Irvine where he had asked me to speak.

“Hugh will be sorely missed and the world of Ayrshire junior football has lost one of its greatest ambassadors. My thoughts are with Nan and their daughters.”

Irvine Times sports reporter Stewart McConnell knew Hugh for almost 30 years.

He said: “I met Hugh when I worked on the sports programme at West Sound Radio and was immediately impressed with his wealth of knowledge and authority on the game.

“I also had the pleasure of interviewing him as a cub reporter for a feature on his senior football career and spent a good couple of hours chatting and getting to know him.

“He also got me into the Coopers trade and we attended several functions. We would meet regularly at games, he would keep me right, give me teams if he had them first and also make make me laugh at times.

“I was always amused that as he started making his way for half-time refreshments, someone would inevitably score a goal. He was a great character and a real family man.”

Matt Speirs, former Ayrshire Junior FA Secretary said: “Hugh was a great ambassador for junior football with West Sound and also writing for the papers. He was a big help to a lot of clubs with his after-dinner speaking and chairing after dinner speaking. He was a nice fellow, you always found him the same way. Hugh was also a terrific Meadow supporter.”

Fullarton Church minister the Rev Neil Urquhart added: “We give thanks to God for Hugh Drennan, this brave, loving, loyal, dependable, honest, dry humoured, funny, sporty, fitba-daft, thoughtful, kind hearted, self-effacing, courageous, determined, faith-full, God-honouring, family loving, legend and gentleman.

“Right to the end Hugh retained his sense of humour, gratitude for 80 years of a packed fulfilling life, a Golden anniversary with Nan, two wonderful daughters Gillian and Claire, and son in law Iain, and reams of precious friends.

“We salute you Hugh and trust you into God’s hands and fresh half-time and full-time reports on high!”