Ex-Scotland and Ayr United manager Ally Macleod died earlier today. He led Scotland and the 1978 World Cup and he built the greatest Ayr United team ever. I was shocked and upset when I heard the news. My thoughts go out to his friends and family at this time. He was much loved and respected amoung the Ayr United crowd and he regulary attended games and did the draw for the treble chance tickets.
RIP Ally Macleod. We'll miss you.

RIP:(

RIP

I found this on a website:

Scottish football today united to mourn the death of former Scotland manager Ally MacLeod, who died this morning.

MacLeod, who led his country to the 1978 World Cup finals in Argentina, passed away peacefully at his home in Ayrshire at the age of 72 after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

Former Scotland international and Liverpool star Kenny Dalglish, whose Blackburn Rovers side played a testimonial game for him in 1993, led the tributes.

“Ally was a real larger than life character,” he said. “He was somebody who brought a great deal of humour into whatever company he was in.

“He will be sadly missed by everyone that knew him not just in Ayr. The game nowadays could certainly do with more characters of his kind.”

Scotland legend Joe Jordan said he was very sad to hear of MacLeod’s death.

“He was always the optimist,” Jordan told the Press Association. “That’s what I would remember of him. He loved his football.

“It is a shame. It is very sad to hear of someone who has died at a relatively young age.”

Jordan, who best remembered for his time at Manchester United, said he first worked with MacLeod when he played for Scotland.

“He was a person that never really changed – he was the same,” Jordan said.

“He only did a little bit during the World Cup in Argentina, when we were all under pressure.”

Jordan, who is now a soccer pundit, added: “I know that he was always very fair to me as a player and he was a person I worked with for a number of years at international level.

“I worked with him in 1978 at the World Cup and in 1977 when Scotland toured South America. I was injured for that tour but Ally still asked me to go anyway.”

The Scottish Football Association also paid tribute.

An SFA spokesman said: “Obviously everybody in Scottish football is saddened to hear of his death and although he is perhaps best known as the Scotland manager in ‘77 and ‘78, Ally was a guy who devoted his entire life to football as a player with several clubs and then as manager with Ayr, Aberdeen, Motherwell and Queen of the South.

“He was at Hampden as recently as last July to accept an award from the Tartan Army who presented him with a crystal decanter set in appreciation of his services to the national team and to Scottish football in general.

“That shows the high regard in which he was held by the people of Scotland.”

A left winger in his playing days with Hibernian and Blackburn, MacLeod began his management career at Ayr before moving on to Aberdeen.

He returned to club management with Motherwell and Airdrie after Scotland’s poor World Cup showing in Argentina, when defeat against Peru and a draw against Iran prevented them progressing from the group stages.

Ayr director John Dalton described the news as “devastating”.

He said: “I’m on the board of Ayr United and I received a call today to tell me the sad news.

“It’s devastating news for every Ayr United supporter because Ally MacLeod meant so much to us.

“He has been manager of the club three times and was a success every time and took Ayr United from nothing to a team to be reckoned with the likes of Rangers and Celtic.

“He was made freeman of the town and he was an absolute legend and his passing is a great loss to football.

“My thoughts are with his family. He meant so much to Ayr United, Scottish football and supporters everywhere.

“He was a fantastic character and his style of management was legendary. He got the best out of part-time players.”

R.I.P Ally.
:( :(

RIP ally
:(

Once again, one of Scottish football's greats. :(

a true legend that laid the foundations for alex fergusons hugely successful era in charge of aberdeen. he even made scotland believe we could win the world cup!!

R.I.P :(

Sad news indeed. :(
"We're on the march wi' Ally's Army..."

really sad that he'd had altziemers too..........you just dont hear about these things until its too late............i 'spose he'll be playing a round o' golf now .....at the 19th hole in the sky.......:rockman:

rip

:( :(

R.I.P.

RIP

R.I.P ALLY MACLEOD
a true scottish football legend
:( :( :(

rip

RIP :(

He had alzhiemers disease. RIP Ally :(

RIP ally :)

super ally super ally :)

ally you will be missed by all of scotland.

R.I.P :(

RIP Ally.

RIP Ally

We'll miss ya.

legend. :(