City rugby legend dies at 56

CAPITAL rugby legend Bruce Hay has died after a long illness. The 56-year-old Boroughmuir stalwart passed away this morning after battling a brain tumour.

Hay, a hugely popular figure in Capital rugby circles, gained 23 caps for Scotland and played three Tests for the British Lions.

The full-back/winger, who worked as a pit electrician for the National Coal Board, also captained the Lions twice, against Country Districts and South East Transvaal, on the 1980 tour of South Africa.

In May, his two former clubs, Liberton FP and Boroughmuir, staged a charity match at Kirkbrae Park with all the proceeds going to the Western General’s neurology unit, where Hay underwent treatment.

At the time, Hay said: “I had great days at Liberton and they opened the door for me to go on and represent the Lions.

“My highlight was being picked for Edinburgh against Glasgow in a play-off to decide the Scottish inter-district championship in the early 1970s."

Hay’s association with ’Muir led to the club staging a testimonial dinner in his honour with friends travelling from all across the UK to attend.

He said then: “That dinner was special because it proved to me how lucky I am regarding the fellowship that exists in rugby.”