ALLOA’S Co-op Funeral parlour was packed on Tuesday 6 January, with mourners paying their last respects to former Commonwealth Games wrestler Ronnie Mitchell.

Born in 1937 in the mining community of Lethan, but brought up in Fishcross, Ronnie was always very competitive in his youth, whether taking part in football, wrestling or boxing.

However, it was as a wrestler he excelled, winning the Scottish middleweight championship, the British Territorial Army under-23 title and then proudly representing Scotland at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.

He moved into coaching and travelled the world with teams as the Scottish coach and manager.

Ronnie had first made his mark as a trainer when he took over the reins from Jock Davidson at Tullibody Wrestling Club – and over the years it produced a stream of young stars, at one time boasting no fewer than seven British champions.

In later life, Ronnie concentrated on his other passions – hunting, shooting, fishing and a love of the great outdoors.

Ronnie had worked as a coal miner for 34 years before taking a job with Clackmannan Council’s housing department where he was site officer for 16 years at the local travelling people’s site.

He is survived by his widow Cathie, son Stuart and his beloved grandchildren.

Sadly, he was predeceased by his first-born son Ronnie in 2010. The Mitchells lived in Fishcross for 47 years until moving to Alloa.