Ex-Bristol Rovers winger Munro dies
Former Bristol Rovers player Alex Munro, who made 169 league appearances and scored 11 goals for the club between 1962-71, has died in Cornwall aged 64.
Born in Glasgow, he made his first appearance for the club in a 3-3 home draw against Bradford Park Avenue in December 1962 – and unwittingly created a record when he became the first Rovers player to score an own goal on debut.
-
Old Bristol Rovers fans will recall Munro - who scored an own goal on his debut
He gradually established himself as a first-team regular, playing in a number of positions but featuring mainly on the left wing or at left-back.
Munro, whose father Alex Dewar Munro won three Scottish international caps, broke his leg in the Gloucestershire Cup final against Bristol City at Ashton Gate at the end of the 1967-68 campaign.
That restricted him to just one appearance in the following season, and although he then won back his place in the 1969-70 campaign, he was eventually to lose the left-back berth to Lindsay Parsons.
Munro left Bristol in the summer of 1971 and moved to South Africa, where he played for Durban, Durham City and East London in the Natal Province.
He returned to England two years ago, settling in Cornwall, and died in St Austell on Sunday.
2 Comments
by Andy, Bristol
Thursday, May 28 2009, 6:27PM
“Many years ago, way back in the sixties, Rovers used to regularly train on the lower part of Eastville Park.
Myself and other young lads would watch them train there during the school holidays and eagerly obtain their autographs afterwards, even walking back with them carrying a bag of balls, past the old cinder pitch and greyhound kennels at Eastville stadium.
Alex was a firm favourite along with the rest - Alfie Biggs, Harold Jarman, Ray Mabbutt and Doug Hillard to name but a few.
Sometimes during a practice game the ball would shoot over the steep bank and roll 40 yards down into the lake.
All action Alex would charge straight after it, wade straight into the lake and then come powering up the embankment ball in hand all in the twinkle of an eye - a great spectacle!
A hard tackling, no-nonsense defender Alex always gave his all - and then some.
Condolences to the family and friends of a great, dependable footballer, but most of all a genuine, friendly, approachable superhero to us young lads.
Thanks for the memories.”
by John, United Kingdom
Thursday, May 28 2009, 5:37PM
“Sad news. I remember Alex as a totally committed tough tackling player. He always gave 100% and was a firm favourite with the North Enclosure fans. He particularly enjoyed playing against the City as I recall.”