Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
GAME ON
Souness, Lennon onside for Advertiser
Scottish football legends Graeme Souness and Neil Lennon are the latest big names to sign up for our fundraising campaign in aid of St Andrew’s Hospice.
The Old Firm heroes rolled into town to exclusively unveil plans for the Advertiser’s All-Star charity football match at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium on June 2. The game – the latest effort in our quest to raise £50,000 for the much-loved hospice – is sure to hit the target for football fans across Monklands.
Former Scotland captain Souness said he wants to raise “an enormous amount of money” for the hospice after becoming aware of its “incredible work” when the wife of his close friend received end-of-life care there 18 months ago.
Hibernian manager Lennon was only too happy to answer the call of his fellow pundit and the pair flew in last week to launch our exciting plans after offering expert analysis of Real Madrid’s Champions League triumph over Paris St Germain.
Big-name backing for our footballing fundraiser has also been given by Souness’ managerial successors at Rangers – with Walter Smith and new Scotland boss Alex McLeish also onside.
Some of Scottish football‘s great and good descended on Airdrie last week to launch the Advertiser’s charity football match in aid of St Andrew’s Hospice.
Graeme Souness and Neil Lennon were joined by Airdrie’s chairman Bobby Watson, vice-chairman Martin Ferguson and Celtic legend Harry Hood.
The game, which will take place at the Excelsior Stadium on June 2, is the brainchild of Advertiser editor Graham Miller.
He said: “When I launched our Reader’s Room Appeal last autumn I made a commitment to St Andrew’s Hospice that the Advertiser would raise £50,000 for its Capital Appeal.
“It’s a huge undertaking and I felt the best way to approach it would be to try and organise one major event which, hopefully, will bring in most, if not all, of our target.
“I decided that a charity football, with the right people involved, could potentially fit the bill.”
Graham approached Excelsior Stadium owner and Airdrieonians board member Paul Hetherington with his plan. He continued: “Paul had already very generously donated £5000 to kick-start our appeal and thought the charity match idea was a good one.
“He immediately offered me the run of the Excelsior free of charge – another fantastic gesture.”
With the venue now sorted Graham had to find someone from the footballing world with the necessary gravitas to assure the game’s success.
He went on: “I decided to start right at the top.
“I was aware Graeme Souness had attended the funeral in Airdrie of his close friend’s wife who had been cared for by the hospice. I figured that this may present an opportunity for his involvement.
“I contacted Graeme – more in hope than expectation – with my idea and asked if he’d consider supporting it.
“You can imagine my delight when he immediately said ‘yes’ and expressed a deep admiration for the hospice.
“Graeme went on to say that, not only would he give the game his backing, he would become actively involved in its planning and would also encourage other famous footballing names to lend their support too.”
And he’s been true to his word, bringing Hibs boss and former Celtic star Neil Lennon along to last week’s launch – as well as getting commitments from Walter Smith and Alex McLeish that they too would back the fundraiser.
Mr Lennon said: “It’s a great idea and one I’m pleased to support. It deserves to be a huge success and I’m sure it will be.”
Speaking exclusively to the Advertiser, Mr Souness admitted he’s pleased to have an opportunity to help St Andrew’s Hospice.
He said: “It’s a wonderful facility that does an incredible job under very difficult and emotional circumstances.
“When Graham made me aware of the hospice’s Capital Appeal and his own efforts with the Advertiser I was very happy to help.
“The objective now is to make the day a huge success and raise an enormous amount of money for the hospice.”
Airdrieonians chairman Bobby Watson was in full agreement.
He said: “St Andrew’s Hospice holds a very special place in the hearts of not only the people of Monklands but across Lanarkshire and beyond.
“So for the Excelsior to be hosting a fundraising match for the hospice is wonderful. It was great to see Graeme Souness and Neil Lennon here. I only wish they’d agree to sign up for Airdrieonians too!”
Diamonds vice- chairman Martin Ferguson, brother of Manchester United’s legendary boss Alex, echoed these sentiments.
The former Albion Rovers manager said: “It’s a great idea to raise money for a very worthy cause.”
Capital Appeal director Karen McFadyen is sure the charity match will hit the target for the hospice.
She said: “It promises to be a memorable event.
“I’d like to thank the Advertiser for arranging the game. To have the likes of Graeme Souness and Neil Lennon involved is fantastic.”
Editor Graham MIller added: “We will be announcing other big-name signings in the coming weeks as we count down to June 2.
“Details of how to buy tickets for the match – and some exciting opportunities – will also be revealed soon.
“Watch this space.”
It’s a wonderful facility that does an incredible job under difficult circumstances Graeme Souness