A stalwart of Raith Rovers FC who is dying from cancer has begged MSPs to give him the right to end his life.
Ally Gourlay, 52, who is PR chief at the Kirkcaldy football club, has made the moving plea after Holyrood rejected a bid to legalise assisted suicide.
Mr Gourlay, who has been running a blog on his condition, believes they would think again if they were in his shoes.
He said: “They have condemned people like me to a suffering end. The Bill has got to come back on the table.
“I want politicians to rethink it and meet people who are in situations like mine.”
The grandfather added: “I feel cheated by the politicians as they haven’t done enough to discuss this with the public.”
MSPs last week voted 82 to 36 against the Assisted Suicide Bill. It was the second time in five years that the plans to allow people with fatal and life-shortening illnesses to end their lives had been thrown out.
The failed bid was steered by Green Party leader Patrick Harvie.
Campaign group My Life, My Death, My Choice, staged a demonstration at Holyrood ahead of the decision and have vowed to continue their fight.
The Care Not Killing umbrella body also handed in a petition with 15,000 signatures opposing the plans.
The father-of-three was diagnosed with cancer of the gullet in March last year. He was told it was inoperable the following month.
As the condition worsens, medics cannot tell him how long before the illness kills him.
Mr Gourlay is chairman of the Raith Rovers Former Players’ Association and well-known on the local music and radio scene. His positive attitude has impressed his friends.
He said: “I am managing to lead a relatively normal life. I am on pain management but leading a fine life really.
“The support I’ve had from friends and family has been huge.
“I’m not planning to give anything up until I have to. I love Raith Rovers Football Club and they have been brilliant.”
A recent poll showed 73% of Scots back euthanasia in principle.
Green leader Patrick Harvie took over the campaign from MSP Margo MacDonald, who died last year.
Her attempt to change the law was beaten by 85 votes to 16 in 2010.