For today's trip down Helensburgh's memory lane, we're going back 15 years to look at the tributes paid to the two founders of local youth football club Ardencaple FC, who died within seven days of each other.

Here's how we covered news of the passing of John McGinley and Wallace Murdoch in the Advertiser on January 20, 2005...

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TWO men who joined forces to help hundreds of youngsters over the past four decades have died within days of each other.

In a remarkable coincidence, Ardencaple Boys’ Club founders John McGinley and Wallace Murdoch both passed away in the last seven days.

Families and footballers have been left dazed by the deaths of the two dads, who spearheaded the sport in Helensburgh.

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On Tuesday, mourners were paying tribute at the funeral of Mr McGinley, the club’s chairman, who died last week at his home, when they learned his friend Mr Murdoch had also died, in Spain.

The two men formed the club in 1968 after watching youngsters playing football in the street and felt a team should be set up for them.

Former Helensburgh Advertiser sports editor Tony McGinley said he first met John at St Joseph’s Primary School and in later years his pal became the name ‘synonymous with the advent of Ardencaple Boys Club’.

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Tony said: “That thought which registered with him one night, looking out of his Ardencaple Quadrant house window, was amongst his great achievements in life as being a ‘do-er’.”

“John saw some some kids playing football in the street outside his home. He felt that was wrong...they should be organised.

“And organise them he did.”

On that evening John was joined by friend Wallace, they agreed and both became founder members of the new club.

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Tony was among the packed St Joseph’s Church for his great friend’s funeral on Tuesday morning, when people heard at the end of the service that Wallace had also passed away.

He was a former Dumbarton FC goalkeeper who had been with the club about five years.

He took over from his father at Ardencaple Farm and this meant he signed for the Sons as an amateur, his work requiring part-time football status.

Wallace was at least twice a Scottish amateur international keeper and reserve on many occasions.

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