Former Inverness footballer struck down by sepsis while on holiday
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A super-fit grandfather from Inverness has died of sepsis while on holiday in Tenerife.
Frankie Watt, an ex-Highland League footballer and retired fire service officer, mistook symptoms of his body’s reaction to an unknown infection for classic holiday ailments and harmless aches and pains.
The highly-active 62-year-old deteriorated rapidly overnight and died in hospital last Tuesday – within five hours of an ambulance being called.
His death brings heartbreaking loss to wife Lorraine (51), an ex-Millburn Academy pupil born and raised in Inverness, son Owen (28) from Nairn, and older daughter from an earlier marriage, Amy Martin.
Amy has a daughter Hollie (6) and son Dillon (11), who is a goalkeeper with Caley Thistle under-11s.
The sudden nature of his death has also shocked friends, family and ex-Caledonian team-mates who shared a famous league and cup double triumph with the right-sided attacker in 1977.
Dr Watt’s brother-in-law Ross Nixon spoke of a much-loved character who shared a great “lust for life” and sense of adventure with his wife, who he met while she was working in the Inverness fire brigade control room. The couple married in 1999.
Dr Watt, who grew up in Torvean Avenue in Dalneigh and attended Inverness High School, latterly lived in Chesterfield where he ran a business consultancy. Despite leaving school with modest qualifications, he had recently earned a doctorate from the University of London.
Tragedy struck during a three-and-a-half week stay at the Spanish island’s Golf Del Sur resort in San Miguel.
Mr Nixon (46), a fire brigade station manager from Lochardil, said: “It is a terrible shock to us all. Frankie was very fit. He loved a whisky, but kept himself in great shape. He was an exceptional footballer and squash player.
“He and Lorraine recently walked the world famous El Camino de Santiago long-distance trail in Spain, toured Italy and bagged quite a few mountains.
“They had been across Asia and Frankie recently reignited his boyhood love of casting a line off the Ness Islands, while fishing in Australia.
“He packed such a lot into his 62 years and that’s part of the tragedy. He and Lorraine weren’t letting the grass grow beneath their feet.
“They shared a real lust for life and so many adventures. Lorraine kept him young. It’s a real tragedy.”
With sepsis, the body’s immune system reacts to infection by producing antibodies that harm the organs.
Mr Nixon stressed: “Exactly because he was in such good condition, the symptoms weren’t apparent. We’re not sure how he got the infection.
“The symptoms were not unlike what you might expect from holidaying abroad, including mild sickness and diarrhoea.
“He was complaining of sore joints, but put that down to playing walking football over there.
“It was a very rapid deterioration, but the hotel and medical staff couldn’t have done more.”
Dr Watt’s parents, the late Nancy and Frank, were originally from Merkinch. He is survived by brother Mike.
His body is yet to be repatriated and a date for his funeral in Inverness is still to be set.
After 34 years in the fire service, Mr Watt ended his career as acting assistant chief officer in Derbyshire, having left the city in 1995.
Football was a passion with 35 appearances and two goals for Caledonian. With Highlands and Islands Fire Brigade he won the British Services Cup in March 1987
Ex-Caley team-mate Billy Urquhart said: “Frank and I signed for the club together in 1972. I remember him from as far back as our early school days as being a very talented footballer.”
