Big Argyll match scores for Grenfell charity
LOCHGILPHEAD hosted one of the biggest football matches in recent years as an Argyll and Bute Council select took on the cream of footballing talent available to the region’s biggest social housing provider.
The local authority and Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) came together on Friday July 28 in a special charity match to help those who lost their homes in the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
Captained by the respective chief executives in Cleland Sneddon for the council and Alastair MacGregor of ACHA, the match featured players of all vintages.
Among the more impressive performers were the ladies in both teams, who were unafraid of mixing it with the boys while showing plenty of skill.
The match started evenly, but as the first half wore on it became clear that it might be a long afternoon for ACHA.
Despite having had the lion’s share of possession, though, Argyll and Bute Council had just a single goal to show for their efforts at half-time. The second half began with much the same pattern, and it took just a few minutes for the council select to add to their tally. With ACHA’s smaller pool of players visibly tiring, the opposition showed no mercy to the beleagured ACHA chief executive in goal.
For his part, Cleland Sneddon had a roving commission, starting in defence, then coming back to seek glory up front.
Speaking after the big game, Alastair MacGregor said: ‘Our guys put everything into the match.
‘I think too many of our play- ers had been shearing sheep and ran out of steam in the second half, but it was played in a fantastic spirit. Hopefully we will beat our £ 3,000 target by next week.’
He added: ‘It was great to see so many people turning out today for a worthy cause. It’s been a long time since I played an 11-aside game, but it was good fun,’ said Cleland Sneddon.
‘I went off for a spell, during which time my team romped ahead. I came back on later in the match just to put the brakes on.
‘The real winner today was the cause of raising money for
Football
the Grenfell survivors and their families.’
The 24-storey Grenfell Tower block of public housing flats in North Kensington, London, was hit by a serious fire on June 14, killing scores of people.
All proceeds will go to the London Fire Relief Fund, run by The British Red Cross Society to help people in need after the fire at Grenfell Tower.
There is still time to donate, and this can be done by visiting justgiving. com/ fundraising/ argyll-bute.