Hearts supporters to join minute's applause for lifelong fan Bryan Weir following Edinburgh man's death at 37
Family calls for ‘fitting tribute’ to Edinburgh man
A lifelong Hearts fan who died after a battle with brain cancer at the age of just 37 is set to be remembered with a round of applause at Tynecastle.
Bryan Weir, from Corstorphine, died after a months-long battle with a stage 4 brain tumour, with which he was diagnosed last year.
He leaves behind his wife Hannah, the couple’s three-year-old son Alfie and many friends and family members.
Those close to Bryan are now asking fellow football fans to take part in the touching tribute during the 37th minute of Hearts’ Europa League qualifier against Benfica on Thursday evening - just days before Alfie is set to visit Tynecastle for the first time on Sunday.
Bryan’s brother, Mark Weir, believes Bryan and their grandad will be watching down on Tynecastle during the “emotional moment” on Thursday evening.
He said: “It will mean a lot to me and the family. Myself and my dad are going to the game on Thursday. It will probably be overwhelming.
“We just want to get this out there as much as we can, so Hearts supporters can pay tribute to one of their own.
“We have had lots of messages of support, which means so much, including from Hearts players.
“It will be an emotional moment, and I know Bryan and our grandad Alan Bryce - who first took us to see Hearts - will be watching us on Thursday night.
“It’s just been a really sad, emotional and difficult time for the family. As much as it was a tough year as Bryan fought the brain tumour, nothing prepares you for such a loss.
“However, the response, from all over the world, has really meant a lot to the family.
“It will be a really fitting tribute to Bryan on Thursday, and hopefully they get a result for him as well.”
Bryan was a huge Hearts fan who followed his beloved club all over Europe and had a season ticket at Tynecastle for many years.
Speaking of his brother’s love for Hearts, former Bonnyrigg Rose player Mark added: “For 13 months he fought the brain tumour. He had been fit and healthy until that diagnosis, running after his son and going to football games every week, including abroad to watch Hearts.
“He went to Feyenoord away, Estonia and Florence as well, he had his fair share of away days. We have been big Jambos since we were born, our grandad Alan Bryce got us into it.
“The three of us had season tickets together in the Roseburn Stand, then we moved to Section A in the Wheatfield, then Section X in the Gorgie Stand.
“Bryan would go to Tynie as much as he could. Although he would come and watch my games when I was at Bonnyrigg Rose too, including being in the away end at Tynecastle when we played a friendly against Hearts.”
Bryan, who latterly lived in East Calder, worked in pubs including The Abbotsford, and Tiles, before working as a printer, then in airport security at Edinburgh Airport, before going back into pub work at the Bridge Inn, Linlithgow, and latterly he became a train manager.