Rugby: Livingston mourn loss of dedicated Naysmith

CLUB rugby stalwart and former Scottish Rugby Council member Donald Naysmith has died at the age of 56.

Livingston Rugby Club president Peter Bon has paid tribute to the well-known figure who was involved with the club and Scottish rugby in general for over four decades.

Naysmith was a former captain and president at Livingston, and was the Premier 3 representative on the Scottish Rugby Council in season 2008-2009, serving on the championship appeals panel. He passed away on Saturday after a battle with cancer.

Current president Bon said: “Donald was quite simply the epitome of what a good rugby club member should be, he did so much work for Livingston over the years and that will never be forgotten by us all.

“He was a superb administrator who had so much enthusiasm for the club and he was always at the other end of the phone to help out with any queries others had regarding rugby.

“When Donald became ill I took over from him in the role of vice-president and, during that time and since I became president, he offered me such great support and I will always remember that.

“However, it is the person we will miss most. He was always the life and soul of the party and was a larger-than-life character.”

Since arriving at the club’s temporary playing fields at Bankton Mains over 40 years ago for his first training session, Naysmith became synonymous with Livingston.

During his playing days he turned out at both prop and second-row and represented Edinburgh District.

He carried out numerous committee roles after he had hung up his boots and, in 2009, a fundraising testimonial match was held in his honour.

He is survived by his wife Joan, daughter Linsey and son Ewan – all who are still involved at Livingston – and his funeral will take place at Warriston Crematorium, Edinburgh on Friday at 2pm. The family has intimated that men should feel free to wear their club ties.