Marcus tribute match raises sum

A tribute football game in memory of tragic Marcus Whitelaw has raised over £1000 for Lanarkshire charities.

Popular Marcus, 28, passed away after being hit by a train in Cambuslang on Thursday, May 12.

Although he was from Blantyre, Marcus was a massive fan of Rutherglen Glencairn and was well known among supporters.

The match between junior side Blantyre Vics and amateurs Blantyre Celtic raised £800, with help from a raffle, and two £200 donations received from Glencairn manager Willie Harvey – a former Vics boss – and Roselea Garage took the total to £1200.

The Friendship Cup, donated by Blantyre man Frank Sweeney, was won by Vics, who beat Celtic 1-0 with a goal scored by Gary Campbell.

Money raised from the event will be split between several charities in which Marcus Whitelaw expressed an interest or had an involvement.

Tommy Whitelaw, father of the young fan, said:“The family are most grateful for the effort put in by both clubs to stage this game and the generosity of spectators who made personal donations in addition to the charity donation which replaced the usual admission.

“We were most grateful when we were handed £800 by club officials, then a few minutes later a local businessman handed me £200 to take the total to £1000.

“On Saturday night Willie Harvey donated £200 while he was on holiday in Portugal. It was amazing.

“We will be donating this money to several local charities where Marcus had an interest and an involvement.”