TRIBUTES were paid to a “character, sportsman and stalwart” of the Barrhead sporting community at a packed funeral service, writes Monica Gibson.

Michael Sloan was 64 when he died on August 14 after a short battle with cancer.

A keen and talented sportsman, Michael, or ‘Wee Mick’ as he was known, was said to be very popular at Shanks Bowling Club and Ferenze Golf Club.

Fellow bowler and life-long friend, Brian Sinclair, told the Barrhead News: “He wouldn’t miss a Saturday or Sunday at the bowls or the golf. He must have been a member of both for the best part of 40 years and he was very successful. Even last year he won the bowls triples. He loved it and he was very good.”

Michael’s father Tommy Sloan was a professional footballer who played as a right winger, most notably as a member of the first Motherwell side to win the Scottish Cup, in 1951–52.

And, while Michael didn’t quite reach these dizzy heights, he played football from a young boy until shortly before he fell ill.

Eddie Welsh is a director at Shanks bowling club and was Mick’s coach when he played football with Ferenze Star.

He said: “He was a great wee player. He didn’t quite make it professional like his dad but it is very difficult to emulate your dad when he has been so successful.

“He was very committed.”

Eddie added: “There was a character in a TV show called Piccolo and he could carry a full tray with one hand. That was Wee Mic. Mick could carry a tray with 10 pints on it and never spill a drop. So, we used to call him Piccolo as well.

“Mick was a wee character. I have to say he was quite frugal but he thrived on it. He gave us quite a laugh. His funeral was one of the busiest I’ve ever seen. He will be sorely missed.”

Like his dad, Michael worked in the Shanks factory in Barrhead. He also drove a taxi and latterly worked with Chivas.

Michael is survived by younger sisters, Isobelle, who lives in Australia, and twins Susan and Frances, who both live in Wales, but were able to attend at Eastwood Crematorium on August 23.