It is with sadness that Marr Rugby reports the recent passing of a former Marr College FP player and Marr Rugby member Bob Yates, who passed away last week in Troon following a long illness.

Bob was educated at Marr College and like most of us in those days played both rugby and football.

On leaving school Bob initially opted for football and played at Junior level.
However the pull of rugby was too much and he came to play for Marr College FP in the 1960’s before the club went open. He played full back and stand off and was considered pretty good at reading the game. Playing alongside Gordon Brown, Alex Graham, Jim McGuffie, Tony McGuffie, Hamish McCulloch, Guy Stevenson, Bert Johnston and others he’s been described as “a steadying influence for the 1st XV when they won the Fourth Division in the original National Leagues.”

Bob also contributed to the club in many ways off the pitch, becoming Social Convener and later Bar Convener.

He was one of the first Marr former players to go in to refereeing and he became a referee throughout Glasgow and District.

In later years Bob left Troon to live in Spain which he enjoyed but ill health meant he had to return home.

Due to the restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic funeral arrangements will strictly be close family only.

Our thoughts are with Janice and his son Mark at this difficult time.