Liam Scott: Devastation over death of 18-year-old Bellshill Athletic footballer who fell into water

The youngster, of Holytown, perished after plunging into the Falls of Clyde, with emergency services who raced to the scene unable to save the 18-year-old whose body was found near Corra Linn the following day.

“The first phonecall we got about Liam’s death was on Friday morning and it just floored everybody,” Bellshill Athletic secretary Brian Closs (50) told the Times and Speaker. “All the guys at Bellshill Athletic are absolutely gutted.

“Quite a few of the boys were in tears.

“Liam was a very popular young man in the squad.

“We are all absolutely devastated. It’s been a surreal weekend.”

Numerous social media tributes were posted for Liam, who joined Bellshill after spending six years within the Hamilton Accies youth set-up.

He leaves his parents Willie and Pauline and siblings Lara and Harry.

Brian, who formerly played with Liam’s dad Willie with Mossend Town AFC, revealed that the teenager arrived at Bellshill last summer after being enticed to Rockburn Park by his next door neighbour Robert Sneddon, the then Bellshill manager.

“When Liam came to us he was 17 and he didn’t look out of place,” Brian added.

“He was a smashing boy, he stood out as he was a confident lad who always had a cheeky smile on his face.

“He more or less played every game for us last season, apart from when he was suspended.

“I think he was the first player to reach the six booking threshold.”

Brian said that, although Liam hadn’t committed to signing for Bellshill for next season, he had intimated he would be returning to training with the North Lanarkshire outfit.

At time of going to press, funeral information had not been released.

Bellshill plan to hold a memorial football tournament alongside Liam’s former clubs after next season is finished.