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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Iona Young

East Lothian footballer 'carved from Scottish granite' dies as tributes flood in

An East Lothian footballer who has been described as 'carved from Scottish granite' has tragically died aged 78.

Eddie Colquhoun, from Prestonpans, played for the national team nine times. The Scottish star made his Football League debut for Bury before joining West Bromwich Albion in 1967.

He then carved out a career at Sheffield United where he was made captain and went on to become a club legend. He then moved out to the US as the professional game took off in the States and attracted luminaries including Pele.

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Sheffield United posted a touching tribute which reads: "Eddie was strong and quick as well as being exceptional in the air, and his partnership with John Flynn became the very heart of the defence of arguably one of our greatest teams, and he missed just 15 first team games in the red and white stripes in his first seven seasons with the club.

"In 1978 he moved out to America to join Washington Diplomats, but that was after making 430 starts for United, scoring 23 goals with an additional three appearances from the bench.

"The proud Scottish footballer represented his country on the field on nine occasions, and it was one of the most unforgettable moments of the 125 Dinner at Ponds Forge back in 2014 when working with the SFA and his wonderful wife Maureen.

"The club arranged for a Cap to be awarded to him as, back in the day, Scotland didn't issue one unless you had played in all the home internationals that season, an accolade he missed.

"Stuart McCall, then manager of Motherwell, drove down specially to do the honours to a shocked and bemused Eddie - a man that didn't court attention or fuss was the centre stage in front of over 1000 people, and the gesture and applause brought him to tears."

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It continued: "Eddie was a true gentleman. He loved his career and adored his Blades, and it was no surprise that after his American adventures, he returned to the area and stayed, working in a number of roles until his retirement.

"He was carved out of Scottish granite both on the outside and on the field of play with the heart of the lion displayed on his country's coat of arms, but his warmth on the inside and generosity to friends and fellow Blades was and is legendary.

"The club will miss him hugely, and his loss leaves another colossal hole in our family and, of course in his own, and our love and thoughts go to Fiona, Heather and all of them at this saddest of times."

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