The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Diehard Arabs hailed as heroes after epic trek hits funds target
CHALLENGE: Pair complete 60-mile walk in a day to raise £43k for legal fees in defence of Dundee United’s promotion
Two diehard Dundee United fans have completed an epic trek from Tynecastle to Tannadice, raising tens of thousands of pounds to help pay the club’s legal bills.
Paul McNicoll and Andy Crichton were given a heroes’ welcome outside the Tangerines’ home ground on Saturday evening as they completed a day-long hike of about 60 miles from the Hearts stadium in Edinburgh.
The pair’s efforts raised more than £43,000 towards the legal fees facing United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers after the clubs were dragged into a fight to defend their promotions.
The three sides have endorsed fundraising initiatives to help cover their defence against relegated sides Hearts and Partick Thistle; with groups of supporters uniting for several epic walks to Tannadice on Saturday.
The Jam Tarts and the Jags had launched a legal challenge to the SPFL’s decision to end the 2019-20 season early.
The petition was suspended at the Court of Session in early July and will be taken to an SFA arbitration panel.
The estimated legal costs for the promoted teams are £150,000.
During Andy and Paul’s walk, which started first thing on Saturday morning, donations continued to pour in for their cause through their GoFundMe page.
Fellow supporters followed the duo’s progress on the trek through the hashtag #TynecastletoTannadice on Twitter.
In the final stage of the walk they were led down Tannadice Street by a bagpiper and greeted by throngs of applauding supporters, as well as by former and current United players.
Speaking at the finish line, Andy said they felt “emotional, drained, but ecstatic”.
He added: “I saw my kids (at the end) and I was holding it in a bit but it was absolutely great.
“I hit a wall at Gauldry. I saw the bridge, I thought ‘yes’, but it just seemed to go forever. The last five miles were a blur.
“There were people turning up in the middle of nowhere to support us. It was incredible.”
The father-of-four, 45, added: “It was more for Raith and Cove because I’m sure Dundee United could have paid for this but we couldn’t see these clubs being punished for their success, and that is exactly what has happened.”
However, Andy said their efforts were almost scuppered when they took a wrong turn and ended up lost in a field in Fife.
He said: “How we got through that I don’t know, but we did and we found a road.”
Father-of-one Paul, 43, added: “I would say I am absolutely shattered.
“We wanted to try and do something to help raise a little bit of money for the club and it was a silly idea to walk that sort of distance but it paid off. It worked.”
Cove Rangers and Raith Rovers fans also took part in treks to Tannadice on Saturday; with all three clubs collectively raising £68,000.
One group of Fife walkers made the journey from Stark’s Park in Kirkcaldy to raise funds for the legal battle.
And Cove Rangers hikers Roy McBain, Ian Yule, Gary Hake, John McCafferty and Duncan Little arrived at Tannadice from Balmoral Stadium in Aberdeen, a journey of just under 70 miles, completing the route in 21 hours.
“The last five miles were a blur... there were people turning up in the middle of nowhere to support us.
ANDY CRICHTON