The promising 18-year-old footballer died in May as a result of a collision involving the car in which he was travelling, and his family has since been deeply touched by the reaction from those who knew him in the form of a floral tribute near his home and numerous cards and flowers of condolence. “It’s every parent’s worst nightmare, but people have been great,” said Alex Snr, 38. “For a lad we thought nobody knew, I didn’t know he had so many that liked him. Life will never be the same for those who knew him – he was such a bubbly character. “His mates are broken-hearted and his family are obviously devastated.”
An estimated 500 people – a mix of football coaches and officials, friends and family – attended the funeral at Mortonhall Crematorium. Those gathered witnessed a humanist address about Alex’s life, while the ceremony culminated with the Tina Turner song Simply The Best, the adopted anthem of Alex’s favourite football team, Rangers. “His whole life was about football,” says his father, “and the game dominated his life. He was so laid-back, a happy-go-lucky guy. Nothing bothered him – nothing. He was such a likeable lad, and the players who played with him describe him as a gentleman on the pitch. Alex combined an apprenticeship as an electrician with a football career playing for East Fife, having previously been educated at Gracemount High School and been on the books of Dunfermline Athletic as a schoolboy.
His father, Alex Snr, says, “Everybody who played with him in the youth team at East Fife will remember him as their captain and a lad that was going places. He loved to go forward, and was hard as nails on the pitch, very skilful. Off the park, he was a gentle giant. “He loved fishing with me and his wee brother. He always wanted to be the best and to always have things his way, from his clothes to the fact he saved up and got exactly the car he wanted. Even at the fishing he wanted to win – he would say: ‘First to catch five!’ “When he wasn’t playing football, he was at a game or watching it on telly.
“He loved his music, especially dance music, and Alex always had time for everybody, most of all his family. Since his granny passed away, he used to stay with his granddad in Burdiehouse the day before a game. It was easier for them to then drive up to the game the next morning. His granddad and I used to travel the length and breadth of the country to watch him play. Next season, he would have been pushing for a place in the East Fife team.” “Laddies go off through different stages of their life – Alex just sailed through it.
"He was always immaculate. He saved up money from his wages to get exactly the car he wanted, which he bought at the end of February. He worked away, and every penny was a prisoner at that time,” his father continues. “He was a good driver, very conscious. He used to tell his mum that he wasn’t going [to start the car] ‘til she had her seat belt on. It’s ironic, because that’s probably what killed him.” The car in which Alex had been travelling hit a van and careered down an embankment, leaving him trapped in the wreckage. Another occupant of the Peugeot 205 he was travelling in was thrown clear from the car in the crash, but escaped with minor injuries.
“He has never been in trouble, taken drugs or smoked. When he didn’t have a game [the day after], he would drink some alcopops, but that was it. “He didn’t go out that Friday night to his mate’s 18th birthday party, because he had an under-19 League Cup Final against Livingston on the Sunday.”
Born on February 9, 1989, Alex quickly developed a love of football and family. He started his football career at Liberton Boys Club, playing in the 9s and 10s age groups before moving to Loanhead Miners Welfare. Plying his trade in the youth team there, he drew admiring scouts from Dunfermline Ahtletic, and signed for the Pars at the age of 12.
In his five seasons at East End Park, he captained the club at youth level for three years. The highlight of his time with the Scottish Premier League club was a spectacular winning goal at home to Dundee United in the middle of April last year, with United’s official website describing the strike as “an absolute wonder goal”. He then moved to East Fife, where during the past season he helped his team to the under-19 League Cup final, a match that was due to be played two days after his death and a fixture that is yet to take place.
Scottish League official David Thomson said: “This is a tragedy and we offer our condolences to Alex’s family and all who knew him. “We quickly decided that the tie should be cancelled in such distressing circumstances.”
Stuart Cargill, part of East Fife’s youth team, described Alex as “an absolute joy to play with and an even better person to be around—always smiling. “I’m sure I speak for all the boys when I say he’ll be sadly missed and my thoughts go out to Mr and Mrs Scougall and the rest of the family.”
Dunfermline and East Fife will annually contest a trophy in Alex’s name, while Gracemount High School have plans to plant a tree in his memory.
Alex’s father wished to thank everybody for their support, and for the hundreds of cards and flowers the family have received. Alex leaves his father, his mother Nicola, younger sister Michaela and brother Stefan. Stefan, 14, asked the Echo to print a letter to his brother, below.
Letter from Alex’s brother, Stefan: Well, it’s been a month now Alex and am still missing you so much. You were my idol, the person I looked up to and I would do anything to be like you when I am older. I was so proud to be your brother and am going to make you so proud of me soon. There’s never been a second of the day goes by without me thinking about you and I will always think about you. You will never be forgotten. I will always love you with all my heart, Your Wee Brother x