A PROMINENT athletics coach who mentored Central AC athletes and coaches has suddenly passed away.

Sandy Robertson, 73, sadly passed away last week after a stellar career in athletics, a community in which he was a well-known figure in.

He was a current coach to some of Central’s athletes and acted as a mentor to the Club’s coaches, many of whom gained invaluable experience from Sandy.

Central AC released a statement regarding his passing. It read: “Sandy was hugely-respected by athletes, officials, coaches and club volunteers with whom he was involved in a long career serving the Sport.

“We join the rest of the athletic community in offering our condolences to Sandy’s family and friends at this sad time.

“Many Central AC athletes have had the benefit of Sandy's experience and wisdom through the Scottish Schools Athletic Association SSAA system, as have many others from other clubs. He will be missed.”

As a former Scottish Schools Athletic Association President and coach and team manager Sandy will have been to known to most athletes representing Scottish Schools down the years and would have been a big influence in their development.

Sandy also led the Malawi athletics team into the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1974 as their national coach.

He accepted the post, which was based in Blantyre, Malawi's largest city, and the upshot was the Malawian squad he took to Christchurch in 1974 included cyclists, boxers, badminton players - and eight athletes. He returned to Scotland in 1975.

Athletics has long been a considerable part of Mr Robertson's life.

Not only is he a Master Coach in athletics - one of only five such people in Scotland - but he spent 30 years as a principal teacher of physical education in West Lothian.

Among those to pay tribute to him on Twitter in the past few days have been the likes of Eilidh Doyle, Chris Bennett, Toni Minichiello – among many others. One of the descriptions often repeated has been ‘true gentleman’.

Scottish Athletics Chief Executive Mark Munro paid tribute, saying: “There are very few people who will have touched and inspired as many young people (and older) in a lifetime, but Sandy was certainly one of those rare characters.

“A former Scottish Champion and internationalist in hurdles, BAAB/UKA Master Coach and coach to numerous international athletes, innovative teacher, coach educator, mentor and all round gentleman.

“Both Sandy and his wife Evelyn were a unique and inspirational force within athletics in Scotland and Sandy in particular was also a very passionate supporter and led the cause for greater investment and support into multi-events for many years.

“A gentleman, an educator, he was one of the rare breed of coaches who could turn their hand to most events, Sandy Robertson will certainly be sorely missed.”

Funeral details have now been confirmed and Sandy’s family have asked us to share those for his many friends in athletics: 1pm - Monday 7 August at Mortonhall Crematorium, Howden Hall Road, Edinburgh, EH16 6TX (Big chapel)