Legends in action

A Motherwell legends game which benefited two local charities has more than doubled its fundraising target after being overwhelmed by the support of the public.

Amateur side Fir Park Corner FC took on a team of Steelmen icons including Tommy Coyne, Jim Hamilton and current Motherwell coach Keith Lasley at Dalziel Park on Saturday to celebrate their 20th anniversary.

And they raised over £2000 for Chris’s House and SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) – with more cash expected to be raised from the auction of legends kits from the game.

On the day, the legends ran out 3-2 winners with Kevin Twaddle netting the decisive goal.

Jim Hamilton and Tommy Coyne were also on target for Motherwell, while Ross Clarke and Antony Taylor got the goals for Fir Park Corner.

The match was organised by FPFC’S Chris Jones and David Fraser and Chris admitted they were blown away by the support they received, with huge queues of fans waiting to get in before kick-off. He said: “It couldn’t have gone much better. “We are sitting with just over £2200 and £1350 was from the game itself from donations, programmes and raffle tickets – although we had to give up selling raffle tickets because we weren’t expecting such a big crowd at all.

“The queue to get in was huge and when we turned up after 2.30pm there was a big queue all the way down the hill, so there was a great turnout.

“We auctioned off some of the legends kits at night when we went back to the Centenary Suite at Fir Park, so we got a fair bit from that as well.

“So that will be over £1000 for each charity. We still have a few other kits to be signed and auctioned off – the likes of Tommy Coyne, Keith Lasley and Stevie Hammell – so I think we’ll get a decent bit for those and be pushing £3000 by the time we are all done.”

Despite being hit by two late withdrawals from John Gaghan and 1991 Scottish Cup hero Stevie Kirk, a day of good fun and banter was had by all – even if the legends did bend the rules a bit!

Chris added: “Kevin Twaddle netted the winner with five minutes to go.

“But there was a wee bit of controversy as Jim Patterson snuck back on, so they had 12 men on for the last 15 minutes or so.

“All that kind of carry in is what these things are all about though, it was a bit of a laugh and nobody was bothered about it.

“Tommy Coyne wasn’t sure how fit he would be, but it was arranged that he would get to take a penalty at some point.

“Our keeper didn’t get the memo and saved it, although Tommy put the rebound in and it ended up all good.

“We’ll be having a word with him at training this week!

“But it was a great day, a great atmosphere and we can’t thank all the legends enough for giving up their time to take part.”