Sammy Johnston, who was billed as Ayr United’s first £100,000 signing, has lost his fight for life at the age of only 58.
When Ally MacLeod signed the smooth midfield player from St Johnstone in 1990, the team declared that the entire signing deal was a six-figure expenditure.
Johnston joined Ayr at a time when they were struggling and after 24 league games and nine goals he was traded to Partick Thistle by then manager George Burley in a swap deal for goalie Cammy Duncan.
Sammy had helped Saints into the Premier Division and he was involved in another successful promotion run with Thistle who tasted the top flight in 1992-93.
After leaving Firhill, he had short spells with Ballymena United and Stranraer before again crossing the Irish Sea to enjoy success with Glenavon, Finn Harps and Coleraine.
He rejoined Partick Thistle in 1998 before joining Pollok in the junior leagues.
Following his retirement from playing, he was as assistant manager at Arthurlie then managed Neilston for three years, bringing them to the West Premiership.
Sammy was treated at St. Vincent’s Hospice after receiving a diagnosis of an incurable brain tumor in August 2024.
