Tennis coach to speak at tribute to much-loved journalist Bert

Jonny O'Mara is guest at charity event on Stroke Awareness Day

- KAIYA MARJORIBANKS

A former coach of Sir Andy Murray will be among those taking part in a special event to remember a keen and much-loved local sportsman and author this weekend.

Last year, Bridge of Allan Sports Club lost a big personality and character in their member and supporter Bert Mitchell who died on April 20, aged just 56, after a severe stroke.

So it is a fitting venue for a charity event this Saturday, May 10, organised by his wife Arlene and daughter Ava to coincide with Stroke Awareness Day.

The day will feature an appearance by Jonny O'Mara, who was Sir Andy's coach for his final year on court.

Outside of sport, Robert (Bert) James Mitchell - known in the book world as RJ Mitchell - was a man of many talents.

He produced seven books, the first few based in Glasgow featuring the rivalry between DS Gus Thoroughgood and local bad guy Declan Meechan - and their shared love interest, Celine Lynott. Some of the characters were based on Bert's own experiences serving in the police.

As a writer, RJ Mitchell made it to the People's Book Prize in 2017, hosted by Sir Frederick Forsyth CBE, and was runner-up.

And as a sports journalist he interviewed some of the legends of sport such as Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson and Ricky Burns to name a few.

He also had a big interest in history having received an honours degree in history from Glasgow University.