Tributes paid to ex Carluke Rovers star Kenny Parry

Popular Kenny Parry (39) collapsed in the early stages of the Carluke over-35s match, played in Shettleston, and was rushed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary but later died.

Kenny’s father Bob said: “He was a loving dad. He lived for his wife Isobel and his two boys, Logan (6) and Millar (2).

“Kenny and Isobel would have been celebrating their seventh wedding anniversary in two weeks’ time. Kenny’s mum Moira and myself are heartbroken but all the messages of support have been really overwhelming.

“He was such a loving son. He called us every day.”

Kenny’s brother Scott (28) continued: “Kenny taught me everything. He was 10 years older than me so I looked up to him. We were very close and the support from everyone who knew him has been incredible.

“I’ve been keeping my mum and dad up to date with some of the comments people have been leaving for him.”

Friend Gregg McFarlane was a team-mate of Kenny’s for more than a decade and lined up alongside him on Friday for the Carluke over-35s game.

Gregg said: “It was only his third game on Friday but he was definitely enjoying it.

“I think he enjoyed being back in amongst the guys.

“I was a team-mate of his for a long time. He was a really chirpy guy but he loved a moan on the football park. I think that was his release.

“He was a keen golfer and runner but he lived for his family.”

Carluke Rovers held a minute’s silence for Kenny before last weekend’s game against Vale of Clyde.

Manager Colin Slater added: “Kenny was an absolute gem of a guy. When I was playing, he was an opponent as well as a team-mate and he always kept himself very fit, so this is a real heartbreaker.

“He wasn’t just a very good footballer, he was a great golfer as well, but his family always came first.”

Brother Scott has set up a Just Giving page raising funds for the British Heart Foundation and already £1,500 has been raised.

You can donate by logging onto www.justgiving.com/kennyparry75.

No funeral arrangements had yet been made as the Gazette went to press.