Mourners say farewell to Celtic Park fall victim

The funeral of Nathan McSeveney at Masonhill Crematorium near Cumnock, Ayrshire. Picture: Hemedia

Nathan McSeveney from Cumnock, near Ayr, died after falling three storeys down a stairwell at the stadium shortly after the Scotland v Ireland Euro 2016 qualifier match on Friday November 14.

Nearly 200 people were inside Masonhill Crematorium, near Ayr, as his coffin was carried to the front to the tune of Aloe Black’s “The Man”.

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The service was conducted by celebrant Drew Brady, who described Mr McSeveney as having a Del boy-like nature who wanted to “make his own way in life” and become a millionaire.

To the amusement of mourners, he told of Mr McSeveney’s get-rich-quick money-making schemes which saw him selling friends counterfeit goods from an online website while claiming they were nicked from a truck.

Throughout the service, friends and family members consoled each other as they recalled a character described as “everyone’s mate” who was “up for a laugh and some banter”.

Mr McSeveney had been rushed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary after his tragic fall, but was pronounced dead shortly after.

He had attended Cumnock Academy and afterwards worked for Trac Engineering near Motherwell as a rope access technician who was “always happy to take on an extra shift”.

A memorial Facebook group, “R.I.P Nathan McSeveney, Tartan Army and Friends and Family will miss you” set up after his death has gathered more than 15,000 likes.

Floral tributes were left at the crematorium from devastated family members.

One read: “I will treasure each precious memory of your beautiful face and keep you in my heart forever. Love always, mum and martin xxx” [sic]

Another read: “You will always be in my thoughts. Love you forever, Dad x.”

A spokesman for Trac Engineering said: “He was a nice guy and a really good worker.

“You just need to look at his Facebook to see how popular he was.

“He loved his football. He’d recently booked time off to go to the Old Firm game in the New Year.”

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan previously spoke on learning the circumstances of Nathan’s death.

In a statement he said: “I would like to send my condolences to Nathan’s family.

“It took our breath away when we got the news on the bus.

“The Scottish Football Association will do as much as they can do to help them through this difficult period.”

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