Alan Grosset

Mr Grosset was a former president of the Scottish Lawn Tennis Association and a member of Sportscotland from 1984 to 1992, serving for the last eight years of that period as vice chairman.

In that capacity, he had the annual rates burden for small sports clubs significantly reduced after arguing in the mid-1980s that the rates were disproportionate to those levied south of the border.

Mr Grosset also enjoyed playing sports, badminton, tennis and golf being his favourites.

He was a partner in Morison’s Solicitors in Edinburgh before retiring and served on the committee of the Royal High School Club.

He acted for Duddingston Golf Club in 2015 after they withdrew support for a merger between the Scottish Golf Union and the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association.

His friend and sports journalist Bill Lothian told the paper: “There can’t be an amateur sports club in the country which doesn’t owe a debt of gratitude to Alan for his work in easing their rates burden.

“But his influence goes much deeper. I sometimes thought that although Alan enjoyed playing sport he got as much satisfaction from untangling a complicated legal case relating to sport or completing one of the many forms sometimes required to be filled in by clubs to assist with grant aid for new courts or floodlights or the like.

“He played tennis, badminton and golf for many years but enjoyed watching Boroughmuir rugby club – I would occasionally desert the press box to stand alongside him and share his banter – and I know he had a soft spot for Hibs.”

His funeral service will be held at Warriston Crematorium, on September 6 at 2pm.