Waysiders Drumpellier players and guests from other clubs formed a guard of honour for club stalwart Gerry Brankin, after he suddenly passed away earlier this month.
Mr Brankin’s death on November 4 was unexpected and hit the Langloan club hard, with his funeral taking place at Daldowie Crematorium on Saturday, November 16.
A former team manager and general manager at W/D, Mr Brankin dedicated most of his life to rugby with roles at other clubs, but Waysiders/Drumpellier was his first love.
Boss Stevie Conroy said: “It was very sudden and very sad news. Gerry was the team manager for many years, but also had many different roles throughout the club, he was on the committee and things like that. It was a real shame.
“Gerry was an absolute legend, he really helped myself both as a player and as a coach, and nothing was ever a hassle for him.
“He was also a really fun guy to be about, really knowledgeable, regarding rugby and the organisation of running a team, which really helped me as a young coach.
“He had time for everybody, he had a really good heart, was really funny and really approachable, and was somebody who was really easy to deal with.
“It will be a massive miss and a hole left in the club. Gerry was still an active member of the committee and on the management committee for the whole club. Even just his presence is going to be missed about the club.”
Stevie continued: “There was a massive turnout for his funeral, the boys did really well.
“There was a really nice guard of honour for him arriving at the crematorium, so it was really good, and there were good tributes from the club.
“A lot of past players and current players were there. The rugby community is a big one, so boys who played against us over the years were there, and he had dealings with other clubs as well.
“Gerry was fixtures secretary as well, and had been with other club over the years, so he had good friendships with a lot of other teams, and there was a lot of outpouring of support from other clubs, local and further afield.”
• Waysiders/Drumpellier were not in action on Saturday as their clash with Strathendrick was beaten by Storm Bert as it battered the country with heavy snow.