Raith Rovers president Turnbull Hutton dies following short illness
Wednesday 8 April 2015 15:07, UK
Raith Rovers honorary president Turnbull Hutton has died following a short illness. He was 68.
Hutton, a former chairman at Stark's Park, died a year to the day since his club beat Rangers 1-0 to win the Petrofac Training Cup at Hibernian's Easter Road.
A statement on the club's website read: "Raith Rovers FC are sorry to announce that our Honorary President and former Chairman Turnbull Hutton passed away last night.
"Turnbull was recently diagnosed with leukaemia and had been admitted to the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh just over a week ago.
"Our thoughts are with his family, particularly his wife Margo, his son Neil and daughter Lindsey and all his many friends in football and business. He will be sorely missed. Today, we are all Turnbull Hutton."
Hutton will be remembered most by those outside Stark's Park for his outspoken stance against plans to allow a Rangers team into the second tier of Scottish football following their financial meltdown in the summer of 2012.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, a lifelong Rovers fan and season-ticket holder, led the tributes, saying: "Turnbull Hutton will be sorely missed. A lifelong supporter of Raith Rovers he will be remembered for his dedicated leadership of the club and his winning approach to football.
"While other clubs went under or stayed in the red, Turnbull Hutton's financial acumen steered Raith Rovers to financial stability, paving the way for its Ramsden's Cup trophy win against Rangers under his chairmanship.
"Even after he stepped down as chairman he remained honorary president of the club he supported since growing up in Fife. Our thoughts are with his wife Margo and family."
Scottish Professional Football League chief executive Neil Doncaster said: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Turnbull Hutton.
"I was fortunate enough to get to know Turnbull during the period of reconstruction and since.
"He was an individual who added great colour and personality to the Scottish game and has made a tremendous contribution to both Raith Rovers and to Scottish football in general over the years.
"The thoughts of everyone at the SPFL are with the family and close friends of Turnbull at this very sad time."
