Ken’s heart was in Perthshire

Aug 22 2008 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THE Scottish football community is mourning the loss of highly regarded sports writer Ken Robertson.

The one-time chief sports writer with the Sunday Express, who was born and bred in Perth, died at the age of 75.

The funeral was held this week in Edinburgh.

During his years at the sharp end of the Scottish football scene – spanning the fifties through to the nineties – Ken honed an enviable reputation as a dedicated and meticulous reporter, winning the respect of great football luminaries such as Jock Stein, Jock Wallace, Jim McLean, Billy McNeill, Andy Roxburgh, Craig Brown and Sir Alex Ferguson.

Raised in Perth’s Wilson Street, Ken attended Craigie Primary before the family left for Kent.

Before embarking on a career in journalism, his National Service days were spent as a military policeman in Malaysia.

His daughter Linda said: “His heart was always in Perthshire. We still have strong family ties to the area.

“I once asked dad which football team he supported and he insisted he had to remain strictly neutral in his role as a sports reporter. But I don’t think it’s any coincidence that his grandson supports St Johnstone!”

Ken and his wife Dorothy also spent many happy family holidays in Bridge of Cally down the years.

Close friend and one-time weekly rival Allan Heron, of the Sunday Mail, noted Ken’s reputation extended far beyond these shores.

“Ken was highly respected among the top brass of European football.

“They regarded this sophisticated Scot as a knowledgeable football writer they could trust with confidence and, perhaps significantly, as a gentleman.

“His network of contacts throughout the game in Europe, and indeed the world, was the envy of his fellow writers.”

Ken covered major football occasions at home and abroad, including successful club campaigns and Scotland World Cup forays.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy, daughter Linda and son Kenneth, and grandchildren Chris and Linzi.