THE close-knit Junior football community is in mourning this week following the death of football stalwart Sheena Thomson.

Irvine Victoria secretary Sheena, mother of club treasurer Derek, died in her sleep between late on Saturday night and early on Sunday morning aged just 65.

Sheena, who was born in Saltcoats, had been with the Irvine club since 2003 and prior to that clocked up around 13 years of service with Saltcoats Victoria.

Sheena had a longtime interest in football and was one of the most well-kent faces in the game.

In a male-dominated era of smoke-filled rooms she was one of the first women to take a leading role in a Junior football club when she came on board at Campbell Park in around 1990.

Aside from being interested in football, she loved cats and also shopping.

Tributes have been pouring in for the popular official and flowers were left over the weekend at Victoria Park.

Former Ayrshire Junior Football Association secretary Matt Speirs said: “Sheena was very diligent in all her duties and she was also very popular. She was always quite cheery and the first thing she would ask at the ground was if you would like a cup of coffee. She will be sadly missed.” Vics manager Stevie Wilson said the club had been very badly hit by the loss of Sheena.

He said: “Everyone is absolutely devastated. I have known Sheena for a long time since I was a player at Winton Rovers.

“I was talking to her on Friday night and she said to tell the players the Marymass game was more about bragging rights and the Annbank game was the more important one this Saturday. I got on really well with Sheena.

“The players all met on Monday night but we didn’t train, we had a chat with the committee as we felt it was a time for us to come together and have a chat. Sheena was really good with the players. It will be a very difficult week and we will try to win the Annbank match for Sheena. She was a real gem and will be missed by everyone. She was on the phone three or four times a day to me and I will really miss that.” Vics chairman Robert Hanvey added: “I was talking to Sheena on Saturday and she was laughing on the phone. I remember I was ill for the first game of the season and she told me to make sure I went to the doctor. She was always thinking of others. She is a big loss to us and Junior Football as a whole and our condolences go to the family. We have had a lot of tributes to her from other clubs and that is much appreciated.” Former Vics chairman Bert Loach said: “Sheena was very good at her job and will be missed by everyone.” Saltcoats Victoria chairman Ray Montgomerie also took time out to pay tribute to the former Seasiders club secretary and said: “I was talking to Sheena when we played Irvine Vics a week or two ago and asking her how long she has been involved in the game. She has done so much for Irvine Vics and I thanked for her time at Saltcoats. She was a real unsung hero in football.” Irvine Meadow manager Stevie Rankin said: “Sheena was a lovely lady, I saw her on Friday night and everyone here is gutted at what happened. Condolences to the family.” A minute’s silence in memory of Sheena is set to be held at Irvine Victoria’s home clash with Muirkirk a week on Saturday.

Sheena Thomson is survived by husband Allan and sons Derek and Stuart