Andy Murray’s grandfather, Roy Erskine, is a lesser-known figure in the Murray family’s sports legacy, but his own sporting career was notable in its own right. Born in 1931, Erskine was a talented footballer who played in the Scottish Football League during the 1950s. His athletic career took off when he signed with Hibernian FC, one of Scotland’s top football clubs. Although his time with Hibernian was short, he also played for Stirling Albion and Cowdenbeath.
Erskine was a defender, known for his solid playing style. Despite showing promise as a footballer, his career was impacted by the need to balance sports with other commitments. Like many athletes of that era, he was not a full-time professional and had to manage football alongside his career as an optician. Injuries and other demands eventually led him to retire from professional football earlier than anticipated.
Erskine’s sporting legacy didn’t end there, though. He became well-known as the grandfather of Andy Murray and Jamie Murray, both of whom went on to achieve global success in tennis. His support and presence in the lives of his grandchildren were instrumental in their careers, particularly Andy’s rise to becoming one of the greatest tennis players in the world. While football was his sport of choice, Erskine took pride in his grandsons’ achievements in tennis, showing that the sporting genes clearly run deep in the Murray family.
Although Andy Murray is widely celebrated for his tennis achievements, it’s fascinating to discover that the sporting tradition in his family began with his grandfather’s football career. Roy Erskine’s contribution to Scottish sport, though modest compared to his grandsons, forms an important part of the Murray le
gacy.