Superfan Stewart Gray drops in fromThailand

Paisley Pirates had the chance to say hello again and thank you to long-distance fan Stewart Gray at the weekend’s Pirates v Kilmarnock Thunder match.

Stewart, originally from Renfrew, has been a fan the team since 1994 when they played at the Lagoon Leisure Centre.

He was over for a short holiday and couldn’t resist dropping in to see his favourite team.

Although resident in Thailand for the past 11 years due to his work as an engineer, he was desperate to see his team in action and offered to be the puck sponsor for the second match, an offer gratefully received by the Pirates’management.

“I’ve been following the Pirates for the best part of 25 years, since the days of Mike Bettens, Dino Bauba, and Alex Koulekov, and I’ve never lost my love for the club”, said Stewart.“I first got the bug after going to a match in Finland during a job there, and when I got home I started watching the Pirates, and that was it.

“When they played their first match at Braehead in 2007 I was working in Oman, but I wasn’t letting a wee thing like several thousand miles stop me from seeing them play their first home game in their new home, so I hopped on a plane and watched them beat Aberdeen Lynx 15-2 in February 2007.

“I come to see them as often as I can. My job in Thailand was supposed to be for six months with maybe a short extension, and 11 years later I’m still there.”

Jackie Turley, head of off ice operations for the Pirates, added: “We’re always telling people that there are Paisley Pirates fans all over the world, and Stewart is the perfect illustration of that.

“When he was at the North Ayr game last week, he heard that we were looking for a puck sponsor and immediately spoke to us about doing it. We were, of course, delighted to accommodate him.

“It’s great that he wanted to be a sponsor, and greater still that after all these years, and with all these miles between us, he still retains this affinity with the club, and we look forward to meeting up with him when he next gets over.”

Stewart’s sons Scott and Steven took part in the ceremonial puck drop.