Sports events across West Lothian were postponed as the country united in paying respect to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Following her passing at the age of 96 on Thursday, sports organisations across the UK suspended play for the weekend with the action getting back underway on Monday.
Speedway’s Edinburgh Monarchs were due to face Redcar Bears in a crucial SGB Championship play-off quarter-final clash at Armadale Stadium on Friday evening but the club took the decision to postpone that fixture before other sports followed suit.
A club statement on Thursday evening read: “Monarchs are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
“Everyone connected with Edinburgh Monarchs joins the wider speedway family in sending our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to The Royal Family.”
All professional football matches were called off, too, with Livingston having been due to travel to Celtic while the region’s dozen East of Scotland Football League sides had their fixtures postponed.
Many paid tribute and shared their sympathies following Queen Elizabeth’s passing with Livingston United flying the club flag at their Station Park ground at half mast.
A club statement also expressed their sympathies, saying: “Livingston United would like to pass on our sincere condolences to all members of the Royal family after the sad passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II earlier today.
“Our thoughts and prayers go to everyone effected at this sad time.”
Livingston FC said: “Livingston FC, alongside clubs across Scottish football and beyond, shares the condolences from both the SPFL and the Scottish FA following the passing of her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II.”
Whitburn Junior added: “All at Whitburn Junior FC are saddened to hear the news of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“Our Deepest Condolences to the Royal Family.”
Fellow East of Scotland side Harthill Royal added their condolences in a statement that read: “The Club offers our sincere condolences to all members of the Royal family and all who feel the loss following the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth.
“Our thoughts and prayers go to all at this sad time.”
West Lothian’s rugby clubs also saw their games postponed as a mark of respect with Linlithgow Reds as well as Livingston’s senior men’s and women’s teams not playing their fixtures.
All fixtures are expected to go ahead this weekend with clubs encouraged to hold a minute’s silence prior to kick-off and players wearing black armbands in keeping with the period of National Mourning.
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