The TT Marshals Association have sent their condolences to the family of Eddie Christian, who died suddenly last Thursday.

Eddie, aged 71, was a Ballaugh man who had committed 55 years of his life to marshalling for the TT and Manx Grand Prix before he retired last year.

During his last 10 years of marshalling, Eddie was chief sector marshal for sector seven of the course and also served as a member of the TTMA board of directors.

Chairman of the TTMA Robert Crane said: ’Eddie was a great guy. He had a good sense of humour and was quite mischievous.

’As a marshal he was very good and had a great understanding of the role. He had a very loyal following, that’s for certain, and he wasn’t shy in coming forward and speaking his mind.

’Eddie brought a wealth of experience with him, which helped shape marshalling over the coming years.

’Along with his wife, Rosie, Eddie ran Sulby Glen Hotel and made many German friends there.

’When they were married they had a service on the island and over in Germany too. I think some of their German friends may even be coming over to the funeral.’

The TTMA was established in 1962 with all posts being voluntary. In 2004, the board of directors was incorporated, consisting of three officers and a number of other directors.

Eddie first marshalled at Ballaugh around 1963 for nearly 40 years before moving to Sulby where he became a sector marshal and a member of the TTMA committee.

’Part of his responsibility was organising marshals around the course.

’It was not until TT 2017 that he decided to rein it in and retire, with Vicki Kingswood-Barrass taking over,’ Mr Crane added.

Eddie, who was admitted into the intensive care unit at Noble’s Hospital after suffering an aneurysm last Monday, also supported the voluntary work of the Manx Grand Prix Rescue Helicopter Fund.

His funeral will take place in his home village at Ballaugh Church next Wednesday (January 24) at 11.45am.

Mr Crane said: ’He will be sadly missed by all who knew him and our sincere condolences go to Rosie, his children and other family members.’