Murrayfield ice hockey's 'driving force' Richard Stirling dies aged 76
Richard Stirling, known for his trade mark dry humour, spent over 15 years managing the rink having grown up playing for its youth hockey team
Tributes have been paid to Murrayfield Ice Rink staple and ex-Raider Richard Stirling, who died on Saturday aged 76.
Many have taken to social media to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of the former ice arena manager after his former club, Edinburgh Capitals, announced his death.
Those who knew him were quick to offer condolences and share memories of the icon of the rink from his “dry sense of humour” to the times he would walk across the rink in slippers and help with the hockey school.
One commenter, Gordon Inglis, said: “Richard was very much a driving force of hockey in Murrayfield, especially in junior development.”
Another, Brian Bruce, said: “A decades long fixture of Edinburgh ice hockey and the rink. It’s sad to lose another member of the hockey fraternity that have been such a part of our lives”.
Mr Stirling served as managing director of the ice rink for over 15 years and helped to save the club back in 2016 when plans to bulldoze the beloved ice rink and replace it with an ultra-luxury hotel, flats and a care home were announced.
The Murrayfield veteran saw the rink through the first months of the coronavirus pandemic before parting ways with the club in 2020.
The Grade Two listed ice rink has been open since 1957, operating continuously under private ownership with only a hiatus between 2020 and 2022 during the Covid pandemic.
According to ex-Murrayfield Racer player Freddie Wood, the ice rink boss had come up through the junior teams – the Racers and Raiders – until he ran the rink and helped with coaching younger players.
He said Richard was: “So helpful for all the skaters – not just the hockey boys”.
Edinburgh Capitals said in a statement: “Everyone at Edinburgh Capitals is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Richard Stirling, a former Murrayfield Racer/Raider and manager of Murrayfield Ice Rink.
“Our thoughts go out to Richard’s family and friends at this very sad time.”