Heart of Midlothian FC is saddened to learn of the passing of former defender Bobby Campbell and would like to extend its sympathies to his family at this sad time.

A tenacious and industrious left-back, Bobby was a Highlander from Forres who played his early football at Lossiemouth Academy. He also had a very successful spell with Saint James' Youth Club, where he became captain and centre-half of the Morayshire Youth Select. The young defender stepped-up to the junior grade with Lossiemouth United but after only a handful of games, the 5'9" stopper was recruited by the prominent Highland League club, Lossiemouth FC. Bobby then became a rearguard regular for three years, during which time he also played a trial with Bury FC.

He was signed by Heart of Midlothian in August 1953 for a fee of £80 and the 20-year-old defender quickly made his debut on 5 September 1953, in a 2-2 home draw against East Fife in the League. The hard-working Highlander played the following week against Queen of the South, after which he became the cover man for Tom Mackenzie. Bobby was also a painter and decorator to trade and he completed his apprenticeship with a firm in Stockbridge.

During a very eventful period in March 1954, Bobby joined the Navy at Portsmouth and while on National Service, he played forces football and also went on loan to Salisbury FC. Bobby returned to Edinburgh in April 1956 and played in the Hearts team that lost a League game by 2-0 to Kilmarnock on 25 April 1956. That proved to be the last of three senior appearances for the club.

In January 1957, Bobby joined Second Division, Cowdenbeath for a fee of £375. He subsequently became a resolute centre-half for the Fifers and played around 125 games before he was released in April 1961.

Probably his most memorable appearance for the Fife club came in October 1959 when Cowdenbeath played Hearts in a League Cup semi-final at Easter Road. Bobby's team put up a very decent show, before running out of steam and going down 9-3.