Jim Herriot dead: Scotland goalkeeper who gave name to TV vet in All Creatures Great and Small passes away aged 85
LEGENDARY Scottish goalkeeper Jim Herriot has tragically died at the age of 85.
Touching tributes are now pouring in for Herriot, who gave his name to the character in the books and TV show All Creatures Great and Small.
Football club Dunfermline Athletic, where Herriot first started his career, posted a touching tribute on social media saying it is “deeply saddened” to announce the passing of the icon.
He played high-profile European ties against Valencia and Athletic Bilbao and also led his team to the 1965 Scottish Cup final.
The goalkeeper also played for clubs like Hibernian, St Mirren, Partick Thistle, Greenock Morton, Durban City and Mansfield Town.
Hibernian FC said in a statement: “The thoughts of everyone at Hibernian FC are with Jim’s family and friends at this very sad and difficult time.
“After observing a requested period of silence from the family, the Club will honour Jim’s memory by wearing black armbands against Aberdeen, and at our home game against Dundee United.”
Herriot played alongside the likes of Pat Stanton, Jimmy O’Rourke, and Arthur Duncan, keeping a clean sheet after Hibs famously beat Hearts 7-0 on New Year’s Day at Tynecastle in 1973.
Herriot also won the Drybrough Cup on two occasions, both times against Celtic.
Hibs is set to honour Herriot’s memory by wearing black armbands against Aberdeen tonight.
His name was taken as an inspiration for the show All Creatures Great and Small, which follows the adventures of a young vet, James Herriot, who moves to the Yorkshire Dales during the 1930s.
The much-loved Channel 5 show is in fact based on a series of novels written by author James Herriot, whose real name was James Alfred Wight.
The first book was published in 1969, under the title If Only They Could Talk.
This title was later changed by an American publisher to All Creatures Great and Small, and saw sales boosted considerably.