Former Metro import, Keiran Love, who joined the Claremont side in 2000, has passed away suddenly in Scotland aged 42.
A midfielder, Love, 21, joined Metro with fellow Scots Steve Pettit and Craig Irving.
Metro’s coach at the time was another Scot, Andy Baxter, who was an excellent goalkeeper as a player.
Love had never been noted as a goal scorer, but with Metro in the top flight in 2000, he hit a hat-trick against South Hobart in a 5-4 win for Metro.
Love played as a professional with Prestayr Thistle in Scotland.
He played in the United States of America twice before the move to Australia and Metro in Tasmania.
In Scotland, he had played at sweeper, but was a midfielder when playing for Metro, who were in their first season in the top-flight Wrest Point League in 2000.
The Scottish imports and Scottish coach had an impact and Metro qualified for the final of the State-wide Vase Trophy that year.
After leaving Australia in 2001, Love lived on the Isle of Man for a time and played football.
He was selected to play in a representative team for the Isle of Man in a national football tournament.
He eventually retired because of knee problems and returned to Scotland where he turned his hand to management.
He was an assistant manager in the Ayrshire Premier League for several seasons.
Love was a gentleman on and off the pitch and those
who knew and played with him, or against him, when he was in Tasmania in 2000
will be saddened by his passing.
