Born in 1911, Willie Kerr was to become known affectionately as ‘The Old Man.’
Kerr managed the Murrayfield Ice Rink from 1959 until his untimely death, in the rink, some 24 years later. During that time he acquired a vast knowledge and experience of all ice sports, especially hockey, and his advice and assistance were only a telephone call away to anyone seeking them.
During the lean years, when other clubs were experiencing difficulties in obtaining practice ice at their own rinks, he offered them ice time at Murrayfield. Teams from Glasgow, Fife and Dundee were among those who benefited from this gesture. When the sport was suffering bad times, Willie Kerr did much to keep ice hockey going in Scotland and he played a major role in forming and organising the Northern and Scottish Ice Hockey Associations.
He was a keen advocate of the use of local talent and did much to encourage youngsters in the Edinburgh area to take up the sport. Such a policy will ensure a lasting testament to his memory, even though few of the stars of today and none of the those of tomorrow knew him
Willie Kerr Snr died in August 1983.
Compiled with research, provided by Richard Stirling – April 1990.
Read More
