TRIBUTES have flooded in for a “wonderful” Scotland supporter and Tartan Army stalwart who died in his sleep during a trip to Germany for the Euros.
Colin King, from Blantyre in South Lanarkshire, went to bed in the early hours of yesterday morning but tragically didn’t wake up.
The 57-year-old attended the Euro opener against Germany on Friday in Munich and spent the day exploring Dusseldorf on Saturday.
Colin’s devastated nephew Christopher O’Rourke revealed news of his death on Facebook.
He wrote on The Tartan Army Group: “After the dream of qualification became a reality, and the scramble for tickets and flights, after the disaster that was the opening match, it all feels so unimportant now!
“It’s with a broken heart and tears streaming down my face I am reporting the loss of our fellow Tartan Army footsoldier Colin King.
“He attended the match on Friday and met up with us in Dusseldorf on Saturday, spent Sunday enjoying the city and went to bed in the wee hours of the morning but tragically never woke up on Monday.
“He was many things to different people, a father, a husband, a brother, a friend, a colleague, a boss to many but to me he was my uncle Colin, always on the wind up.
“He loved his trips away with Scotland and luckily I got to share a few with him just sadly this was his last. This trip will be memorable for everyone but for different reasons.”
Gutted supported flocked to the comments to express their condolences and share their fond memories of Colin.
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One wrote: “Unbelievably sad news, cracking bloke, met him in Cyprus and Sevilla. Condolences to all.”
Another said: “My sincere condolences to Colin’s family. I’m sitting here having breakfast before travelling through to Cologne, devastated and very much in disbelief hearing this sad news.
“Colin was a work colleague and friend for many year and one of the genuine good guys… RIP mate.”
A third added: “Colin you were a “classic”, rest easy mate.
“If we learn anything today it should be that life is never a guarantee.
“Appreciate the ones that are still here as you just never know when it becomes time up.”
A fourth said: “Sorry for your loss, another footsoldier gone but never forgotten.”
Colin’s distraught family vowed to keep his memory alive with a tribute at tomorrow’s match against Switzerland.
A close family friend is urging the national team to honour the Tartan Army hero with a minute-long cheer at Cologne Stadium.
An online post reads: “At the request of the family, I’d like to ask everyone to share this status so it reaches the Scotland National Team.
“Colin King was a massive Scotland supporter, and he sadly passed away in his sleep on Sunday night when in Dusseldorf for the game against Germany.
“Colin was an amazing person and to honour him we are asking if there could be a minute of cheer and applause on the fourth minute at the Scotland v Switzerland game tomorrow night.
“The family would appreciate this so much at this difficult time.”
Elsewhere Colin’s daughter Stephanie paid tribute and hailed “the most amazing man ever”.
His youngest girl Caitlin updated her social media picture to include an image of her late dad.
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “We are in contact with the local authorities following the death of a British national in Dusseldorf.”
It comes as tens of thousands of Scotland fans hit the roads and railways from Munich to Cologne as a Tartan Army convoy travelled in hope of a Euros resurrection.
Scotland got mauled in Munich in a demoralising opener defeat against Germany.
Steve Clarke’s side take on Switzerland in their second match of the Euros campaign tomorrow.
We told how a Scotland fan involved in a head on crash going to the Euros suffered a broken back – as he spoke for the first time from his hospital bed.
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Gary Ellis, 23, thanked wellwishers as a fundraiser was set up to help him return to his home city of Dundee to recover.
The fan was travelling with his four pals from Weeze Airport when the horror smash occurred.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
