Dundee-born former Scotland and Arsenal footballer Alex Forbes has died at the age of 89.
He emigrated to South Africa after his playing career and became one of the first white managers to cross the racial divide and take charge of a major black team, Orlando Pirates, in 1975.
The tough-tackling wing half came to prominence as a player for Dundee North End and in 1944 he was signed by Sheffield United where he made 61 appearances in four years.
He was transferred to Arsenal in 1948 and was part of the Gunners side that won the FA Cup in 1950, beating Liverpool 2-0 in the final at Wembley.
He played 240 games and scored 20 goals for Arsenal in six seasons. He also played 14 times for Scotland and also represented his country at ice hockey.
Finishing his football playing career with Leyton Orient, he returned to Arsenal to coach the youth side before emigrating to South Africa.
He first coached the Wanderers side and then became manager of Orlando Pirates, one of the country’s biggest teams.
There was also a spell as assistant director of coaching for the South African football team.
Alex also had a coaching role with the various works football teams of South African electricity suppliers, Escom, and taught at Yeshiva College in Johannesburg.
Snooker was a favourite pastime, and he won more tournaments on the green baize than he did as a footballer.
On a trip to Dundee in 1983 to visit his mother, he met former Courier football writer Tommy Gallacher for a few frames.
Tommy recalled at the time that Alex was “as nifty with a snooker cue as he was on the football field”.
Alex, who died in South Africa, is survived by his wife, Peggy.