Wednesday 25 June 2014 11:07, UK
Scottish FA president Campbell Ogilvie has paid tribute to former chief executive David Taylor who died on Tuesday, aged 60.
Taylor went on to become general secretary and then executive director of UEFA, European football's governing body, who confirmed the news of his death.
A Scotland supporter since childhood, Taylor became the first chief executive of the Scottish FA in 1999, succeeding the long-serving secretary Jim Farry.
"On behalf of his friends and former colleagues at the Scottish FA, and throughout Scottish football in general, I would like to express our profound sadness at the tragic news of David’s death," Ogilvie said.
It was David's love of Scottish football and, in particular, the Scotland national team that stirred his passion during his tenure as chief executive.
"I would also wish to send our deepest condolences to his wife Cathy, and their children James and Alan, at this dreadful time.
"David was a solicitor to trade but it was his love of Scottish football and, in particular, the Scotland national team that stirred his passion during his tenure as chief executive.
"He was great company, had an astute business mind and a forward-thinking approach to the game that, allied to his patriotism as a member of the Scotland Supporters Club, helped take the Scottish FA forward administratively.
"It was no surprise to any of us who witnessed his work at close hand when UEFA came calling for his services as general secretary in 2007. He has remained a friend and supporter of the Scottish FA and the game in general in this country and he will be dearly missed by all of us."
Neil Doncaster, chief executive of the SPFL, said: “David’s death is a great loss to Scottish football. The work he did in modernising the Scottish FA continues to be built on today.
"His interest in Scottish football did not diminish when he moved to UEFA. Indeed he was a regular attender at Scottish international and club matches; most recently at the Scotland v Nigeria match in Fulham last month. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”
Iain Blair, SPFL secretary, said: “I worked closely with David on a number of issues during his tenure as CEO at the Scottish FA and kept in touch with him following his move to UEFA.
"He was always available to offer me advice if asked - for which I was very grateful. First and foremost David was a football fan.
"This passion for the game enabled him to bring an understanding to matters which went well beyond his business and legal acumen. I will miss David and my thoughts are with his wife Cathy and his sons James and Alan.”
Born in Forfar in 1954, Taylor was educated at Dundee High School before graduating from Edinburgh University with a degree in law. He qualified as a solicitor and practised until 1985, during which time he added to his legal qualifications with an MSc in Economics, and an MBA.
He joined the Scottish Development Agency (now Scottish Enterprise) in 1985, and held a succession of senior positions before being appointed the first director of Scottish Trade International - a body set up to promote Scottish business overseas - prior to his appointment to the Scottish FA.
