Tributes Paid to Ex-Footballer Following Leith Incident

The victim of an alleged attack in Leith in the early hours of New Year’s Day has been named on social media as Shaun Woodburn.

Mr Woodburn, who was 30, was a former footballer with Midlothian side Bonnyrigg Rose. He died later on New Year’s Day in hospital.

The club paid tribute to Mr Woodburn on their official website with the following statement:

‘We would like to express our deepest condolences to the young family and friends of Shaun Woodburn who passed away in tragic circumstances yesterday.

Shaun was a true gentleman during his time at the club, from Feb 2012 to July 2015 before he decided to take a break from football to concentrate on his young family. He didn’t have a bad word to say about anyone and nobody had a bad word to say about him, which makes this all the harder to understand.

Still only 30 he had his whole young life ahead of him to look forward to. Am sure like many of our supporters who have heard the news over the past 24 hours and who knew Shaun, we are truly heartbroken.

We also offer our condolences to Newtongrange Star, Whitehill Welfare and Loanhead Amateurs who will be coming to terms with this terrible news in the same way that we are.

Our flag is currently flying at half-mast at the ground and tributes to Shaun can be laid at our new entrance gates near the dressing rooms.

Rest in peace Shaun.’

Police have said they are treating Mr Woodburn’s death as murder following the incident in Great Junction Street in Leith just before 2.00am on 1^st January. A 16-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man have been arrested in connection with the incident and were expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court later.

Detective Inspector Graham Grant has appealed for help from any witnesses who may have information which could help the police investigation.

He said: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who has sadly passed away.  

Floral tributes have been laid on Great Junction Street by those paying their respects. Anyone with any information that may assist the investigation should contact the police by telephone on 101 or they may contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.