Now footie legend has a charity goal
Former striker Jimmy is backing Africa on the Ball
Fallin football legend Jimmy Bone has become a patron for an African football charity.
The former Celtic, Hearts, Partick Thistle and St Mirren striker has joined Africa on the Ball.
It is a Scottish charity which supports grassroots football clubs and aims to use the game to provide access to schools, employment opportunities and healthcare education.
Former Stirling High pupil Jimmy (69) scored over 130 goals in Scottish football before going on to manage Zambian side Power Dynamos in 1991, helping them become the first sub–Saharan African team to win a continental competition when they won the African Cup Winners Cup.
On his new partnership, he said: “I really didn’t have to think about saying yes to become a patron of Africa on the Ball because I really believe in what the organisation does. Having been to Zambia, I’ve seen the impact organisations such as Africa on the Ball can have in helping young people.
“Football can be a great tool to engage young people and help them in all walks of life. I look back with great fondness on my time in Zambia and encourage people to get involved with Africa on the Ball’s work helping to develop education and healthcare in communities through football.”
The news comes just two weeks after the charity launched their Supporters Club which gives the public the opportunity to sponsor the work of Africa on the Ball and members of its finish their basic schooling.
The charity has future plans to build a club house which will also be used as a community learning and health centre, alongside an academy.
The charity formed an outreach programme in which Kalingalinga on the Ball FC players undertake educational and football focused sessions in deprived surrounding communities, including an orphanage and primary schools.
Andrew Jenkin, founding trustee of Africa on the Ball, said: “Jimmy is not only incredibly passionate about the role that football can play in helping develop young people, but having spent some great years in Zambia, is also aware of the impact programmes such as ours can have in deprived communities.”
Bone was born in Bridge of Allan in 1949 and went on to play for Fallin Boys Brigade and Airth Castle Rovers before becoming a professional.
I’ve seen the impact organisations such as Africa on the Ball can have in helping young people