Andy Murray’s grandfather Roy Erskine has died at the age of 94, with tributes rolling in for the former Scottish footballer who played in the 1950s.
Erskine – who was the father of Murray’s mother Judy – turned out for clubs including Stirling Albion and Cowdenbeath, both of whom shared statements in the wake of the announcement on Sunday.
‘Everyone at Stirling Albion was saddened to learn of the passing of former player, Roy Erskine, on the 19th of January 2026,’ Stirling Albion’s message read.
‘In recent years, Roy had been a regular with his daughter Judy at club hospitality where he enjoyed speaking with supporters and chatting about his time at the club. He was particularly pleased to help celebrate the club’s League 2 title championship win in 2022-23.
‘A well-known and popular figure in Dunblane where he spent many years as an optician, he will be sorely missed.’
Erskine joined Albion in 1954, turning out as a defender for two years at the club before his move to Cowdenbeath.
Andy Murray’s grandfather Roy Erskine has died at the age of 94 (pictured in September 2012)
Erskine (back row, third from left in 1955 at Stirling Albion) was a defender during his career
He also featured for Peebles Rovers, Hibernian and Troon in his youth, before finishing up at Albion for a final season in 1958.
But as well as passing on his sporting aptitude to his grandsons Andy and Jamie, Erskine is in part responsible for their preference for tennis, having reached the semi-finals of the Scottish Boys’ Tennis Championships in his youth.
Both he and his wife Shirley, who he married in 1957, were talented players, and Erskine continued to play tennis after hanging up his football boots, and training as a optician.
‘Maybe Roy (and Shirley’s) greatest contribution to tennis in this country is the genes they passed on to Judy, Jamie and Andy!’ Cowdenbeath’s statement finished. ‘And maybe a little bit of tuition over the years – indeed Roy was wont to claim he was the man who invented topspin in tennis.
‘Roy joined us to celebrate Cowdenbeath’s title win at Wee Jimmies back in 2006 and he was always a popular club guest back at Central Park on many occasions over the years since. We enjoyed his company and good humour.’
‘Both of the boys loved their tennis from a young age,’ Erskine said of his talented grandchildren in a 2016 interview with the Radio Times. ‘When we were looking after them, we would play with them, and even then, it was obvious just how competitive they were.’
Erskine was Stirling Albion’s oldest living player and kept up his close ties to the club
But along with his wife Shirley, Erskine has been credited with his grandson’s love of tennis
Erskine did continue to stress that there were times he knew better than the three-time Grand Slam champion
‘Andy didn’t like it when I played drop shots or sliced the ball,’ he added. He would say to me, “For goodness’ sake Grandpa, play properly and stop doing those twiddly shots.”‘
But in a later interview with the Scotsman, Erskine made no bones about who he believed had the sharper tactical insight.
‘I’m very critical when I’m watching him,’ Erskine said. ‘I think I know better than him the shots he should be playing.’
