Monday, 22 August 2011 2:14 PM
South Melbourne FC is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player Frank Munro at age 63. News reports from the UK state that he was rushed to Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital on Monday after suffering breathing problems and died at approximately 20:40 last Tuesday night (UK time). It was also reported that he had suffered ill health since a heavy stroke in 1991 and had only recently recovered from a bout of pneumonia.
A centre-half and Scottish international, Mr Munro represented South Melbourne FC in 1978 and 1979 during the Club’s early years in the National Soccer League. He played 15 games for the Club. Prior to joining South, he had successful stints at Dundee United and Aberdeen in Scotland then Wolverhampton Wanderers in England before heading back to Scotland to join Glasgow giants Celtic. He made nine appearances for the Scottish national team between 1971 and 1975. At Wolves, he was part of the team that was runner-up in the UEFA Cup in 1972 before winning the Football League Cup with them in 1974. In 1976/77, he was part of the Wolves side that won the 1976/77 Football League Second Division (now the Championship) to win promotion to the First Division (now the English Premier League). He also won the Scottish League Cup with Celtic in 1978.
Upon being released by Celtic, Mr Munro headed to Australia and played for a South side that at the time was managed by former Wolves goalkeeper Dave MacLaren. He had several stints playing and coaching at lower division Victorian clubs before returning to the UK in 1991.
South Melbourne FC President Leo Athanasakis expressed his sympathy to the Munro family. “As a Club, we were blessed to have had such a gifted player like Frank Munro represent our Club considering that he played for some great European clubs. We are so proud that a player who was so highly regarded by those clubs decided to come out to Australia and play for South Melbourne FC. On behalf of everyone at the Club, we wish to express our sympathies to the Munro family for the passing of a wonderful man.”
