HE was known as the Mastermind of Modern Football.

And now almost nine decades later, thanks to two of his former clubs, the memory of Bob Mercer will live on.

Born in the Stirlingshire town of Avon Bridge Mercer arrived in the Scottish Borders, like many others of his generation, by the lure of textiles jobs.

After a brief spell with amateur side Gala Hailes Villa, the young centre-half joined Selkirk where his style of intelligent out-of-defence play caught the eye of several national league clubs.

Second Division side Leith Athletic signed Mercer from Selkirk, where he stayed for a season before being transferred to Hearts in 1909 for �100.

Despite being only 20 years old he quickly established himself as a first-team player - and even became captain before the outbreak of war five years later.

A knee injury, which required surgery, prevented Mercer from volunteering for service along with the rest of Heart of Midlothian's first team.

The story of McCrae's Battalion has been well documented with many of the players losing their lives on the battlefields of Europe.

Mercer was called up to the Royal Garrison Artillery three years after the start of the First World War - and was caught in a gas attack in France the following year.

He returned to captain the Tynecastle club for the 1919/20 season but health complications due to his gassing prevented him playing more than 11 games - and only one match the following season.

He retired on medical grounds after 217 appearances for Hearts - scoring 33 goals - and two caps for Scotland.

His love of the game led to a brief return with Dunfermline before taking up work for a tram company in the capital.

Mercer also took up an unpaid coaching job with Hearts to help bring through the young players.

And on April 23, 1926, at 36 years old, he pulled his boots on for one last match against Selkirk.

Big Bob Mercer collapsed and died on the Ettrick Park pitch during the first half of the fundraising friendly.

On Saturday - some 87 years on - Selkirk and Hearts both paid tribute to the Mastermind of the Modern Game.

Tynecastle assistant manager Billy Brown said: "I had heard of Bob Mercer during my time with Hearts - but just because of the footballer he was. I didn't know the full story.

"Football is all about history and that what is so special about the game. There is something very statisfying about everyone coming along today to pay tribute to someone who died almost a century ago - that can only happen in football."

Prior to kick off on Saturday, Brown joined manager Gary Locke in officially opening Selkirk's new Bob Mercer Memorial Stand. A minute's silence was also observed prior to kick off.

Selkirk vice-chairman Ross Anderson told us: "When it was first suggested to name the stand after Bob, I was surprised by how few people knew about him.

"It may have taken over 80 years for us to pay tribute to the sacrifice he made, but I am proud to say that we know have a Bob Mercer memorial. His story will live on."

During the First World War nine Hearts players were killed during the conflict and a further three, including Bob Mercer, died due to their injuries in the years after.

A total of 16 Selkirk footballers also died in action during the Great War.