40 grounds for 40 years for Frank’s Law

Birthday football tour to raise awareness of campaign

An Angus businessman’s “40 grounds for 40 years” trek has taken the Frank’s Law message across the world.

Electrical retailer Jonathen Smith, who lives in Kirriemuir, travelled to watch 40 different football matches in a year across the UK, Europe and America to match his age.

Mr Smith – who is a friend of the Kopel family and the president of Kirrie Thistle juniors – finished his marathon trek “by the skin of his teeth” at Stamford Bridge in London on Tuesday night by watching English Premier League leaders Chelsea beat Southampton 4-2.

Tuesday’s game took place in the last hours of Mr Smith’s 40th year, as he turned 41 on Wednesday.

He went to every ground wearing his Frank’s Law T-shirt to raise awareness of the campaign, which would give under-65s with debilitating conditions the same rights to state support as older people.

He said: “I was 40 in April last year and I wanted to do something different for my birthday so I thought I’d visit 40 grounds I’d never been to before.

“Disease doesn’t discriminate by your age and, sadly, that’s how it currently works. What happened to Frank was horrible and we must ensure something is done.”

Mr Kopel was diagnosed with dementia aged 59 and his family had to pay about £300 a week to support him. When he turned 65, he was eligible for just 19 days of free personal care before his death in April 2014.

Scottish Government ministers have ordered a feasibility study into the proposals, which is expected to report back in the summer.

Frank’s widow, Amanda Kopel, said: “I’m sure Frankie has a smile from heaven as wide as the Tay seeing what Jonathen has done for him and for others.”

Jonathen at Hartlepool, above, with his brother-in-law Derek Johnston at Stamford Bridge, far left, and in Orlando with his wife Wendy and children Nicola and Lewis.