A SALTCOATS resident has been inducted onto Scotland's answer to Hollywood Boulevard.
Norrie Sweeney was this week honoured with a place on the Buddie Walk of Fame.
In a similar fashion to the famous American landmark, the Buddie Walk of Fame includes plaques being placed in the pavements of Paisley - honouring those from the town who have made major contributions both locally and on the global stage.
Amongst the famous names honoured at various locations are actors Gerard Butler and David Tennant as well as much-loved singer Paolo Nutini.
Though a name which may be less familiar to many, but just as deserving as anyone else, is that of Norrie Sweeney - who has lived in Saltcoats for over two decades.
Originally hailing from Paisley, Norrie first became known to many when he appeared on a TV game show called Double Your Money, fronted by Hughie Green.
During one episode of that highly popular TV show back in 1962, a young man named Norrie Sweeney from Paisley hit the jackpot thanks to his boxing knowledge.
In fact, Norrie’s knowledge of boxing was so comprehensive that he answered 32 successive questions correctly – and won the maximum prize of £1,000 – a huge prize given his wages at the time were £13 per week.
Norrie used his winnings from the show to establish his first boxing club in Paisley.
The former flyweight boxer bought a second-hand boxing ring, scouring Paisley until he found an appropriate base to establish Paisley Boxing Club.
Norrie started a club in Blackstoun Road in Ferguslie Park, and ran shows there before moving up to an old church at the West School.
Next stop was an old boiler house on the town’s Storie Street then onto the YMCA building on New Street.
The final destination for the boxing club was across from the Love Street Medical Centre, where the Paisley Kick Boxing Club was also established.
Over the years, Norrie turned many a raw, young prospect into a professional boxer, travelling the world through boxing and meeting Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, Mike Tyson, Jake La Motta and many more as a trainer, coach, referee, manager and promoter.
And though Paisley remained a mainstay in his life, now aged 89, Norrie moved to Saltcoats in 2003, joining his daughter Kay who had came to the town just over ten years prior.
He still ran his club in Paisley, and as he never drove he would get a train in all weathers and a bus when weather was too bad and trains were cancelled. He only stopped going in 2012, when he retired aged 78.
Speaking after Norrie's stone on the walk of fame was unveiled, daughter Kay shared the families immense pride.
She commented: "As a family we could not be prouder of our dad and papa.
"He is our chief and we aspire to be the kind of person he is and always has been."
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