JUNIOR football has been left all the poorer for the passing of one of its truly outstanding characters - Tommy Douglas.

The Benburb player, manager, match secretary and club official for nigh-on 60 years lost a long battle against illness and sadly died last Sunday morning.

Tommy's playing days were mainly spent with Benburb, although he also served Ashfield and Kilsyth Rangers with no little distinction.

But it was undoubtedly his displays for the Chooky Hens that earned him acclaim as one of the best and most feared left-wingers in the Junior game.

And no less a footballing icon than Sir Alex Ferguson has gone on record as saying Tommy was one of his favourite Bens players.

The legendary former Manchester United boss was taken along to Tinto Park as a schoolboy during his Govan childhood in the 1950s.

He hero-worshipped Tommy for his scintillating wing play and this long-standing boyhood regard extended to the former Manchester United boss calling in to see his fellow-Govanite when time allowed.

Just two weeks ago SportTimes carried a "Blast from the Past" feature on one-time St Roch's full-back Peter Flynn, who had no hesitation in picking out Tommy as the most difficult opponent he came up against.

"He was a cut above the rest and regularly gave me a roasting," said Flynn.

Peter's choice of words will undoubtedly have put a smile on the faces of the 1980 Benburb playing squad - Eddie McKim , Grant McIntosh, Stevie Whitehead and the rest - who Tommy, as Bens team manager, steered to the Scottish Junior Cup final.

They lost 2-0 after extra time in a Hampden Park replay against Baillieston after a memorable 2-2 stalemate.

The first-round draw earlier that season had seen the charismatic Tommy publicly vow not to have his hair cut until the Bens exited the cup. Close on ten months elapsed before he walked through his local barber's door again.

THE current Bens gaffer Frank Lovering bemoaned the timing of his long-time friend's death.

He said: "Tommy's health had been failing for some time and everyone wanted him to pass the landmark of his 85th birthday, which he duly did on July 4.

"My own wish was for him to be around for the opening of our new state-of-the-art ground but, unfortunately, it wasn't to be. However, our club officials will see if there is any way to fittingly commemorate what Tommy Douglas meant to Benburb FC when the building work is complete.

"It's difficult to imagine the place without him as he was the face of Benburb for countless years and was well-liked and respected by the entire Junior fraternity."

Meanwhile, Super Premier Division Petershill have signed 'keeper Danny McLeay from Kilbirnie Ladeside, while offloading frontman Ryan Smillie to Carluke Rovers.

Kilwinning Rangers have snapped up teenage prospect Dean Agnew from Stranraer.