A beloved Fife youth football coach who passed away suddenly aged just 34 has been hailed for his "dedication and enthusiasm" for the sport.
Tony Spencer, who died earlier this week, has left a lasting mark on the community after years of training young people across the county.
Bosses at Raith Rovers Football Club broke the tragic news on Thursday night with a moving statement paying tribute to their foundation’s community coach, reports the Record.
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They said: “Everyone at Raith Rovers Community Foundation and RRFC were deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Community Coach Tony Spencer earlier this week.
“Tony’s passion and enthusiasm for football was infectious and his many years of coaching young people has had a lasting effect on youth football in Kirkcaldy and across Fife.
"Tony was instrumental in helping young people find their love for football and in helping new volunteers feel comfortable as they started their own coaching journey.
“This news has come as a shock to us all and as such our sessions have been off for the last two days as we all begin to come to terms with the loss of our friend.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Tony’s family, friends and those who have been impacted by this tragic news. Rest in peace, Tony.”
His dad, John Spencer, has asked for Tony’s friends to share their memories of him as the family continue to grieve their loved one. He added: “My son Tony was my only child. I believe 100%, I was and still am one of the proudest fathers on God’s earth.
“He was a beautiful child growing up and hardly ever a problem to his mum Karen and I.
"We have a good idea of what he meant to his kids he was coaching and honestly, the thought of what the kids thought of him puts a lump in my throat the size of a brick and the tears flow.”
Clubs across the Kingdom also shared their own messages of condolence for the talented sportsman. Templehall United wrote: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Tony Spencer, a well-known face locally who coached for Raith Rovers Community Foundation, RRCC 2015s and Torbain Primary School.
"'Tony Macaroni', as he was known to many of the kids, played a pivotal part in the local community in delivering football sessions to hundreds of kids. He had a real passion and enthusiasm for the game and his bright and bubbly persona will be sadly missed by many.
“We’d like to extend our deepest condolences to Tony’s family, friends, and colleagues at both RRCF and Torbain Primary School as well as RRCC 2015s where he coached. Our thoughts are with you all at this difficult time.”
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A statement from The Young Glens added: “The club would like to extend our condolences to Raith Rovers CC, the friends and family of Tony Spencer who has passed away suddenly.
“A very highly regarded and well-liked coach of the Raith Rovers Community Foundation (who many children fondly knew as Tony Macaroni), loved by many children who he coached at camps and weekly classes and through his role as the Raith Rovers CC 2015’s coach.
“Our thoughts are with Tony’s club, the community foundation and all of his friends and family at this very difficult time.”
And Duloch Juniors FC added: “Duloch Juniors are absolutely gutted to hear this news. Tony spent a number of years taking the Duloch Yellows 2003s from fun 4s to 11s, making a lot of friends on the way.
“Tony was a very good coach and one of the few that had purely player development and improvement on the forefront of his mind. Tony was great with every child he coached and went above and beyond, giving up a lot of his free time to the benefit of others.
“Thoughts with his family at this difficult time. Rest easy Tony.”
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