Tributes pour in for Ayrshire powerchair footballer after sudden death

Tributes have been paid to Ayrshire Tigers Powerchair Football Club captain James Doull, who passed away after a sudden illness.

The team skipper led the Tigers to the SPFA Championship title for the 2022/23 season and was a key member of the championship-winning team.

James, 34, from Irvine, also represented the Scottish national side during his career.

The Tigers placed a picture of James, holding the league championship trophy, on their Facebook page as a tribute to their club stalwart, who joined them in 2015.

James, who lived with spina bifida, was also a big music fan and was an equally talented DJ, going by the name of Kindred Spirit.

Back in 2018, techno fan James enjoyed the best 30th birthday when he contacted Dutch hardstyle dance duo ‘Sound Rush’ with a speculative request for them to come to his home in Irvine.

And to his astonishment, Martijn and Jeroen Boeren said ‘yes.’

Sound Rush flew from Amsterdam to Glasgow to play a one-hour set for James and 40 friends who attended the bash.

At the time James said: “I wanted to celebrate my birthday in style on June 27 so I organised something special.

“I contacted Sound Rush a few days earlier to see if they would do a set at my house and they accepted my offer – free of charge. They even paid for their flights and hotel!”

His death on Sunday, May 14, has shocked the world of sport.

South Scotland Conservative List MSP, Brian Whittle, a big supporter of the Tigers, was among the many to pay tribute to James.

Brian said: “I was saddened to hear about the sudden death of James Doull.

“James was Captain of the Ayrshire Tigers Powerchair Football Club and someone I’d got to know over the years visiting the club.

“I even had the chance to play against him more than once (I lost, every time).

“He was a lovely man with a great sense of humour and a passion for his club.

“I’ve submitted a motion in the Scottish Parliament remembering him and recognising the contribution he made to Powerchair Football. My thoughts are with all his friends, family and teammates.”

The Scottish Powerchair Football Association said they were shocked with the news of James’ passing and their thoughts and deepest condolences go out to everyone connected to Ayrshire Tigers Powerchair Football Club.

A spokesperson for Scottish ParaFootball also issued this tribute, saying: “The Scottish ParaFootball family would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and teammates of James Doull, a Scottish Powerchair legend.

“James will be sorely missed, particularly by those at Ayrshire Tigers Powerchair Football Club where he shone as an exceptionally talented player, leading to his call up to the national squad. Hailed as an outstanding player, teammate and friend, our thoughts are with those who had the honour of knowing him.”

And the Wheelchair Sports Europe organisation also paid tribute.

They said: “The Scottish Powerchair Football community are left devastated at the untimely loss of a true legend.

“James Doull played for Ayrshire Tigers Powerchair Football Club. He was an exceptionally talented player. His career highlight was being called up to represent his country in Powerchair Football, it was his proudest moment. We have loved supporting this player through his journey and his story hasn’t ended.

“It has been our honour James.

“Our deepest condolences go to his parents and his family, to Dee who was his constant companion, his team mates and to his closest of friends. If you called James your friend it was indeed your honour.

“With love and respect from all of us at Wheelchair Sports.”

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