Fans raise £40K to aid RangersheroRicksen
RANGERS supporters have raised more than £40,000 through a charity football match organised in the name of Fernando Ricksen, who is suffering from Motor Neurone Disease.
Around 5,000 supporters watched on from the stands for the match between Rangers and England legends at Fleetwood Town’s Highbury Stadium in March.
The organiser of that match, Stan Gordon, has now confirmed that a total of £41,962 was raised.
The event was an emotional one as Fernando was brought on to the pitch before the game in a wheelchair.
The treble winner embraced the support as he met the players taking part in the game before waving to the crowd.
Rangers players including Barry Ferguson, Michael Mols, Arthur Numan and Gordon Durie represented their old club, while an England select managed by Paul Ince fea- tured names such as Mark Walters, Darren Anderton and Lee Hendrie.
Ricksen, who spent six years in Glasgow, announced he was suffering from MND in 2013.
Stan, 55, from Blantyre, has been a Rangers fan his whole life and has had a season ticket for over 30 years.
Stan, who runs Rangers pub the Stonefield Tavern, said: “I loved Fernando as a player but I really didn’t get to know him until he became ill.
“I have helped organise a few things over the last few years in his honour.”
He added: “I think if you are a football fan and you see someone like Fernando who excels in the sport, it doesn’t matter what side of the divide you are, you will want to support him and his fight.
“People have taken great notice of that and they have great respect for him.”
Stan explained that the fans support is one of the things that has helped the player with his fight.
He admitted that Fernando gets ‘excited’ at fan events and the match itself is something he will never forget.
He said: “He loves the fact that the fans are all there and they are supporting him, and he is still involved.
“I managed the Rangers legend team for that match and it was a great feeling going out with all the heroes, the guys I watched playing.”