Community shocked as Cumnock keeper dies

Jul 31 2009 by Mike Wilson

Cumnock Juniors

A SHATTERED community is in mourning after the death of a popular footballer.

Flowers, scarves and jerseys now line the park where goalie Graham Potter was a hero among fans.

And Cumnock Juniors’ next two games have been called off as the team struggle to come to grips with the tragic loss of their longest serving player.

Graham, 30, was found dead in a hotel toilet by his team-mates early on Sunday morning at a pre-season training camp at Durham. Less than 48 hours earlier, he had starred in a 2-0 win over non league Chester Le-Street.

Pottsy, as he was known by supporters, flew back from holiday in Egypt last Thursday to join the team in the north-east of England. It is believed he suffered a heart attack.

Long serving Cumnock secretary George Morton said the club was devastated. He revealed: “Graham was with us for seven years and was a pleasant and popular player.”

Mr Morton said the player was complaining of feeling unwell on Saturday but went out with one or two of the players in the evening.

He added: “We still don’t know what caused his death but it would seem to have been a medical condition.”

West region junior secretary Scott Robertson added: “This is a real tragedy and just shows there is more to life than football - I don’t agree with Bill Shankly on that score.

“It puts everything into perspective but I am sure the junior world will rally round. I have immediately called off Cumnock’s games against Kello on Wednesday and Glenafton on Saturday.”

Former Cumnock boss Campbell Money, who had known Graham since his days at Hamilton Accies, was stunned.

Campbell said: “In a football sense, he was an extremely good goalkeeper who was very committed to the club. On a personal sense, he was the nicest guy you could possibly meet.

“The fact that he went straight from holiday to go to Durham speaks volumes for his commitment to Cumnock.”

Tommy Sloan, manager of Cumnock’s fiercest rivals Auchinleck Talbot, said his club was distressed by the news.

Sloan said: “I always felt Graham was a top class goalkeeper who had been at Cumnock for a long time and served them well. It is horrendous news and I feel for the boy’s family.”

Graham’s dad Joseph, 58, said: “He was wonderful boy who didn’t drink or smoke. He lived life to the full and he enjoyed his life.

“He was very disciplined and had a great regime, going to his work, then going to the gym or training with the club around that.”

lThe funeral is at South Lanarkshire Crematorium, High Blantyre, on Saturday at 12.30pm.