Major boost for walkers as businessman pledges to match total

A businessman has pledged to match the total raised for Cove Rangers by a sponsored walk from the Balmoral Stadium to Tannadice.

On Friday at 10pm Cove fan Ian Yule and former players Roy McBain and Mark Perry will set off on the 63-mile trek between the two stadiums.

They aim to raise money to meet the Aberdeen club’s legal costs.

With Hearts and Partick Thistle attempting to overturn their relegations and deny Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove promotion the three clubs look set to rack up costs that could exceed £150,000 with the matter to be settled at an SFA arbitration panel.

Now a businessman with connections to the club, who wishes to remain anonymous, will match the total raised from the walk, which is currently more than £6,000.

Cove supporter Yule said: “It’s a fantastic gesture and I’m absolutely over the moon.”

Yule, McBain and Perry will be joined on stretches of the route by Cove manager Paul Hartley, director of football John Sheran, youth coach Gary Hake and secretary Duncan Little.

Former players and coaches including Kevin Tindal, Eric Watson, Roddy Black, Kevin Webster and Craig Cooper will also pitch in.

A crowd of wellwishers are also set to gather at the Balmoral Stadium on Friday night when the walk gets under way.

Yule has been overwhelmed by the response from the public.

“I stopped at Laurencekirk Pet

Supplies the other day and the guy in the shop had read about the walk and handed me £50.

“It was an incredible gesture.

“The generosity of so many people has been unbelievable and it’s greatly appreciated,” he said.

Anyone wishing to donate can do so at gofundme.com/f/ balmoral-to-tannadicewalk

Photograph by Kath Flannery DEDICATED: Ian Yule is preparing to take part in a 63-mile trek from the Balmoral Stadium to Tannadice.