LEGEND: John Hyslop played with Ayr United during their Premier League years in the 1970s (Image: Ayr United Football Club)
Tributes have been paid to former Ayr United player and “top guy” John Hyslop following the news of his death on 6 October at the age of 69.
One of the many Premier League stars at Somerset Park throughout the 1970s was confirmed to have passed at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, surrounded by family.
Hyslop was first signed by the Honest Men under the reign of Ally McLeod in October 1976 from Crosshouse Waverley, only days before the legendary Scotland manager was lured to the manager’s job at Pittodrie.
Playing as a central defender, Hyslop would receive his debut from new manager Alex Stuart in May 1976, standing in for prominent figures such as Sanny McAnespie and Rikki Flemming, as they preserved their top-flight status with a win at Motherwell.
United fans and those close to Hyslop took to social media to share their memories of his career and youthful days, with some believing he was “one of life’s good guys”.
One user said: “This is a sad day, and I had the fortune to grow up with Johnny and rest of us on our own Somerset Park at Glencairn, where you learned to play in the mud.
“Although the youngster in the group he was always the first pick and if anyone was going to make it, it was Johnny. He remained modest throughout his football career and beyond.”
Another comment read: “I was proud to call him a friend. He was always going to be a top player when he played in a school team.
“I recall watching him play every weekend and was so pleased when he signed for Ayr. He was one of the good guys.”
Hyslop was born in March 1957 and was also known for his appearance for the Honest Men in a famous Hogmanay victory against Celtic in 1977, and remained with the club through their drop-out of the Premier League in 1978
His other playing career adventures saw him travel to Australia for play for Dunedin at the end of the 1980/81 season, before returning to Scottish football with a two-season stint with Stranraer.
Hyslop’s life after football saw him relocate to Aberdeen to work as an Engineer Inspector.
