Minute's applause for Scotland fan who died while fulfilling World Cup dream

A minute’s applause will be held for a Scotland fan who died in Boston before he could fulfil his dream of watching the team play at a World Cup.

Donny Strathie travelled to the United States with friends to see Scotland on the biggest stage for the first time in 28 years, after spending decades following the national side at home and abroad.

The 76-year-old celebrated Scotland’s historic 1-0 victory over Haiti, and was set to achieve a World Cup dream by attending Friday’s Group C clash against Morocco at the Boston Stadium before his sudden death.

“His big thing was wanting to see them in the World Cup,” family friend Lynne told STV News.

Donny Strathie and friend Stewart Easton Supplied

“Since Scotland qualified in November, he’s never shut up about it. He was telling everybody this was his lifelong dream.

“He thought this was his last chance. He was 76, and you never know when Scotland are going to qualify for the next one.”

The Scottish national football team confirmed on social media that a minute’s applause will be held in the 76th minute for the grandad during the Morocco game.

They said on X: “There will be a moment’s applause in the 76th minute of tonight’s match to honour Donny Strathie.

“Donny sadly passed away this week in Boston, having travelled to fulfil a life-long dream of supporting Scotland at a World Cup.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Manager Steve Clarke also paid tribute on Thursday, saying: “Among all the great news around the World Cup for Scotland, this is obviously very sad.

“It’s sad for his family, his daughters and his grandchildren

“I think Donny’s ambition was to see Scotland at a World Cup again.

“Thankfully, he managed to do that before he passed, but my thoughts and condolences are with his family.”

‘It was all he wanted to do’

Donny died suddenly in Boston on Sunday, June 14, before he could attend Friday’s match.

He leaves behind a loving family, including daughters, Cheryl and Denise, and grandsons Arrain and Ryan.

They said that after his wife’s death a few years ago, seeing Scotland compete at a World Cup became Donny’s ambition.

“He was a great family man and loved his football”, Lynne said. “He was a huge Scotland and Falkirk fan. With Scotland, he’s travelled all over the world for 30 or 40 years, including France, Norway, the Netherlands, Lithuania and Malta.

“But he hadn’t seen them in America, so this was a big trip for him.

“Football and Donny were just inseparable. It was all he ever chatted about except his family. He just wanted to be there in the flesh and was so thrilled that Scotland had made it.

“To get the chance to see them on the biggest stage and cheer on the boys in blue, that’s all he wanted to do.”

Donny’s family say the gesture is a way of ensuring he remains part of the occasion he had waited so long to experience.

“It means everything,” Lynne said.

“The family’s thinking is that it’s the nearest thing to him being at the game, like it still helps him be a part of it and live out his dream for him.

“His family is obviously devastated, so upset, but comforted in the fact that he went out doing his dream.”