SCOTTISH BRIDGE UNION
We are deeply saddened to note the passing of Willie Coyle, arguably Scotland’s greatest ever player, unquestionably one of our most successful, and one of the most influential.
With Victor Silverstone he spearheaded Scotland’s glory years in the Camrose from 1966-76 when Scotland won the Trophy 5 times and tied twice. He played 6 times in the Great Britain Open team, more than any other Scot, winning a Bronze Medal at the 1976 World Olympiad in Monte Carlo.
He won the Gold Cup four times with different English partners. But his heart remained in Scotland, and when we were granted separate NBO status he resumed his international career as a Senior. With John Matheson he topped the Butler at the 2008 Senior European Championships in Pau. They went on to win the Bronze Medal at the 2012 Senior Europeans in Dublin, thus qualifying for the World Championships in Bali in 2013.
He won the Gold Cup four times with different English partners. But his heart remained in Scotland, and when we were granted separate NBO status he resumed his international career as a Senior. With John Matheson he topped the Butler at the 2008 Senior European Championships in Pau. They went on to win the Bronze Medal at the 2012 Senior Europeans in Dublin, thus qualifying for the World Championships in Bali in 2013.
Wille was a quiet-spoken man, but when he spoke everybody listened. His career was in school administration, and it was for this that he was awarded his MBE. When he retired he moved to London, where he played most of his bridge latterly.
The September issue of the SBNews Ezine will be devoted to Willie, and we should be most grateful for contributions from those who remember him. Our thoughts are with his family and all his many friends.