Tributes have been paid to sports broadcaster and journalist Dick Donnelly following his death.

The 74-year-old, who was well respected in Scottish football, is understood to have been ill for some time.

Dundee United FC said Mr Donnelly was a "hugely important figure in covering football in Dundee over many decades".

He made 107 appearances as a goalkeeper for East Fife between 1960 and 1964 and also played for Brechin City and Arbroath.

He began his journalism career at the People's Journal and then the Sunday Express in the 1970s before moving into broadcasting with Radio Tay, where his voice was said to be "instantly recognisable".

In a statement on the club website, Dundee United said: "Everyone at Tannadice is very saddened to hear of the passing of broadcaster and reporter Dick Donnelly.

"Dick was a hugely important figure in covering football in Dundee over many decades who attended all the major games involving United, both at home and in Europe, and was always entertaining and fair in his reporting.

"His voice was instantly recognisable on radio broadcasts. Scottish football journalism is a poorer place for his passing.

"Dundee United sends deepest condolences to his family."

Ron Scott, past president of the Scottish Football Writers Association, added: "I never heard anyone say a bad word about Dick and I knew him for over 50 years.

"It’s a very sad day for us all. Personally I will miss playing golf with him. He didn’t play often but always managed to beat me.”

BBC pundit Allan Preston, who first got to know Dick as a young player at Tannadice, described the news as “terrible”.

He said: "When I was at Dundee United as a kid I got to know him well and classed him as friend. It’s sad news for Dundee as a town."

Mr Donnelly is survived by his wife Margaret, son Ian, daughter Gillian and his three grandchildren.