Football tribute planned for EuroMillions jackpot winner Colin Weir

A minute’s applause will be held at the Partick Thistle game on Saturday to commemorate the death of EuroMillions jackpot winner and “lifelong Jags fan” Colin Weir.

Players will also pay tribute by wearing black armbands during the fixture against Greenock Morton.

Mr Weir died on Friday after a short illness.

He and his wife Chris, from Largs in North Ayrshire, claimed the £161 million prize in July 2011.

Earlier this year, they confirmed they would divorce after 38 years of marriage.

In 2013 the couple set up The Weir Charitable Trust and made a donation to a community football club in Largs.

They also invested in Partick Thistle Football Club, which led to the youth set-up being rebranded the Thistle Weir Youth Academy and a section of their Firhill Stadium being named the Colin Weir Stand.

In November of this year Mr Weir secured a majority shareholding at the club and promised to give the 55% shareholding directly to a fans group by March 2020.

Partick Thistle FC tweeted: “To commemorate the sad passing of lifelong Jags fan, Colin Weir, there will be a minute’s applause held ahead of kick-off at this afternoon’s Ladbrokes Championship game against Greenock Morton.

“Thistle players will also be wearing black armbands during this afternoon’s fixture.”

The 71-year-old former TV cameraman and his then-wife, a former psychiatric nurse, made the Sunday Times Rich List with their win eight years ago.

News of their intention to split broke in April this year with outlets reporting it had been granted in September.

Together they have two grown-up children.

A spokeswoman for his personal lawyers told the PA news agency on Friday: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Colin Weir early today after a short illness.

“We would ask for privacy for his family and friends at this distressing time.

“No further comment will be made other than to offer sincere thanks to the staff of University Hospital Ayr for their care and compassion.”

The Weirs defended making a donation of £1 million to the independence campaign ahead of the 2014 referendum, and continued donating to the SNP afterwards.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was “incredibly sad” to hear of the death.

She said: “Colin’s determination and generosity in the cause of Scottish independence cannot be overstated and was hugely appreciated.

“The SNP and the independence movement has lost a true friend today and we will miss him dearly.”

SNP MSP Mike Russell, the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations, also tweeted about the news.

He said: “Sad to see this – remember him very kindly, both of us contesting seats in 1987, working on PPBs for @theSNP when I was VC Publicity & his great generosity after his win.”

The pair’s £161 million prize was the UK’s biggest win until October this year, when an anonymous ticket holder claimed a £170 million jackpot.