Footballing memories rekindled following death of former player who played for Inverness Thistle and Inverness Caledonian
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Footballing memories have been rekindled following the death of a former player for Inverness Thistle FC and Inverness Caledonian FC.
Sandy Ballantyne, who was in a cup-winning Caledonian team, died aged 85.
He played right back during the 1950s and 60s.
A former team mate, Alex Grant (86), recalled their playing days together at Caledonian.
“He was a thoughtful player,” said Mr Grant who played right wing. “He used his brain more than brawn.”
The pair were in the winning Scottish Qualifying Cup team of 1961 when Caledonian beat Peterhead.
“The club had not won it for the previous 10 years so there was a bit of excitement at the time,” recalled Mr Grant, of Inverness.
It was a two-leg final with Caledonian winning 1-0 at home and then drawing 2-2 away at Peterhead.
The other team members were Ian MacDonald, Ian Mackintosh, Ally Patience, Jimmy Davidson, Dave Christie, Harry Smith, Dave Reid, Rod Clyne and Hamish Munro.
They were also in the team which played against a Rangers/Celtic Select side to mark the opening of the new floodlights at Telford Street on March 11, 1959. The select side won 4-2.
Nessie hunt scuppered first footballing floodlight system
Mr Grant knew Sandy Ballantyne from their earliest playing days when they played in the Inverness and District Juvenile League.
Mr Ballantyne played for a team called Albert before going on to play for Thistle and subsequently Caledonian.
“We used to come across each other quite regularly,” Mr Grant recalled.
Mr Ballantyne was married to Marie for 61 years and had two daughters.
He was buried at Daviot Churchyard following a funeral service at D. Chisholm & Sons in Inverness. Donations were invited for Highland Hospice.
