TRIBUTE: Death of Inverness football legend who teamed up with Sir Stanley Matthews and helped shackle Glasgow Rangers on the eve of European glory

An Inverness footballing great who once starred alongside the legendary Sir Stanley Matthews has passed away at the age of 83.

Ernie Latham died at the city’s Cradlehall Care Home on Monday this week after a lengthy period of illness.

The former Clachnacuddin FC defender served the club for more than two decades from the 1950s and was once voted the Lilywhites' greatest ever player in a poll of supporters.

It was while on trial at Blackpool, during the earlier part of his career, that Mr Latham found himself playing with Ballon d'Or winner Matthews, with the England international hero congratulating the Highlander on his performance after the game.

The much-loved family man is survived by wife Georgina, sons Michael and David and daughter Karen. He was also father-in-law to Jenn and the late Alan, beloved grandad to Claire, Alan, Niamh, Ciara and Jude.

His funeral will take place on Wednesday next week at 2pm in the funeral home of John Fraser & Son in Chapel Street, Inverness.

A family notice says all are welcome to attend with donations to the Alzheimer Scotland charity invited.

Lifelong Clach fan Billy Corbett, author of the book ‘136 years of history of Clachnacuddin Football Club (1885/86-2021)’, paid tribute to a man he rates as one of the all-time greatest servants of the Merkinch club.

Mr Corbett said: “Ernie was an uncompromising full-back and one-club man, serving Clach from the late fifties until 1972.

“That May he received a much-deserved tribute in a shared triple testimonial benefit match with Ally Chisholm and Caley’s Chic Allan against Glasgow Rangers, at Grant Street Park.

“It was an incredible occasion in front of over 11,000 fans.

“Just a fortnight later, the same Rangers team won the European Cup Winners’ Cup against Dynamo Moscow in Barcelona."

The Inverness Select side that day gave an outstanding performance as Peter Corbett, subbed on for the by now veteran Mr Latham, recalled, saying: "A huge crowd turned out at Grant Street Park. I was just 17 and I came on at right back after 20 or so minutes when Ernie left the pitch.

"He was no longer at his fittest, but I remember in his prime and in his youth he was the kind of player people just couldn't get the ball off. He was a tough competitor but very highly thought of.

"Willie ‘Bud' Johnston was our opponent, and it was a great experience playing against this Scottish international.

"Dave Johnston of Caley had us 2-1 up at half time but John Greig came on at half time, sorted a few things out, and Rangers ran out 5-2 winners.

"Within a fortnight, Rangers were European heroes in Barcelona but we gave them a great game."

Billy Corbett rated Mr Latham so highly he included an entire chapter on him in his book on Clach's history.

He said: “Ernie's son David took the book up to Cradlehall Nursing Home to show his dad and staff, who were all thrilled to look back poignantly on his football career.

“It included a trial with Blackpool in the same team as Sir Stanley Mathews who shook his hand to congratulate him on how well he had played.

“Despite other interest from other big full-time clubs, including Cardiff City, Ernie was very much at home playing for his Beloved Clach.”

Mr Latham also memorably played a major part in Clach’s North of Scotland Cup triumph in 1965, a thrilling 3-2 victory over old foes Caledonian at Kingsmills Park.

It is a game supporters of an older vintage still remember as one of the greatest North Cup finals.

Mr Corbett added: “Ernie was actually playing for the Merkinchers when I began a long involvement with Clach as a team boot boy at nine years old.

“In 2012, Ernie was voted in a local newspaper fan poll, as the greatest Lilywhites’ player ever.

“It was a fitting tribute in my opinion to a true Clach great.

“He also played alongside and against other Highland League local footballing greats such as Jimmy Hodge, Donnie Grant, George Rodgers, Ally Chisholm, Robbie Giles, Bryan Munro, Alan Presslie, Ian Stephen, Billy Robertson, Ally Patience, Jackie Kane, Wizzie Dingwall, Donnie Gillies, and Lennie and Tucker Thomson.”

Mr Latham was father-in-law to another Highland footballing great, the late former Clach and Caley Thistle attacker Alan Hercher.

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