Wilma bravely battled cancer for many months but died peacefully in the Borders General Hospital on Sunday.

The Greenlaw grandmother had racked up over 40 years experience in amateur football locally and was secretary of the Border Amateur League for 21 years and before that was vice-chairman. For many years she was also Greenlaw AFC's representative at BAL meetings.

Stow AFC secretary Tucker McCall paid tribute to the unstinting work Wilma did for the league.

He said: "It is very sad news to hear about Wilma although she has battled hard against the disease for a long time. She certainly did not let it stop her enjoying her football and carrying out her duties as match secretary.

"I always found Wilma very keen to accommodate teams where possible and how she managed to keep everyone busy with some of the fixture pile ups I will never know.

"She was always very approachable and common sense prevailed in all her decisions.

"Some Saturday mornings must have been absolute chaos but Wilma would always manage to get something arranged where possible, even when there was a referee shortage she was in touch with neighbouring associations to try and acquire a referee or two to help out.

"I even remember her sorting out fixture problems on the morning of her daughter's wedding!

"She was very knowledgeable about the local amateur football scene and defended its reputation with pride. Anyone who can guide Davy Watkins through the various BAFA league and cup competitions without shouting at him deserves a medal.

"It is a testament to her hard work that come the end of every season all the competitions were completed. The actual work she did behind the scenes was immense, a far harder and time consuming job than people thought.

"We were told by league secretary Colin Campbell that when he visited Wilma recently she was worried about finding someone who would take over the match secretary post which, given her health problems shows how much pride she had in her post.

"Wilma will be a big miss to all the clubs in the Border Amateur and I am sure that everyone involved, players and committees send their condolences to her husband, Arthur and family."

Raymond Hume, chairman of Scottish Borders Referees Association, added: "Wilma would not hear a bad word against a referee and she was great when it came to sticking up for referees. If a club phoned to complain about a referee Wilma would set them straight and say 'if it wasn't for them you would not have a game'.

"She gave so much time to the game in the Borders and it will be very, very hard to fill her position with the league."

But Wilma was not just heavily involved in the local football scene she was a pillar of the community and was passionate about village life in Greenlaw.

She was a past secretary and chairperson of Greenlaw and Hume Community Council and for many years worked tirelessly on the Greenlaw Civic Week Committee.

She was also on the Duns Macmillan Committee and was dedicated to raising funds for this worthy cause.

Although busy with all these things Wilma was never too busy to put time aside for her family, especially her grandchildren whom she doted on - they were her pride and joy.

Wilma's funeral service will be held in Greenlaw Parish Church on Monday, March 22, at 12 noon and it was one of her last requests that those attending should wear either football colours or tartan.
Wilma will be sadly missed by all her family, the residents of Greenlaw and those involved with football clubs throughout the Borders.