Team effort in run for hospice
A team including Stirling Albion legends from the past are coming together for a special run on Sunday in memory of a well-known face in the Scottish football scene.
The group of 19 runners will take on the Race for Life in the city to raise money for Strathcarron Hospice following the passing of former striker and manager John Sludden from cancer last year at the age of 57.
He was a striker for several teams including Ayr United, East Fife and Stenhousemuir, before hanging up the boots to concentrate on a managerial career that took him to Bo’ness United, Camelon Juniors and East Stirlingshire.
Sunday’s run is being organised by John’s son Paul, with former Binos faces Robert Philliben and Martin Mooney among those set to be part of the group.
Paul - himself still involved in the game playing for Dundee team Tayport - told the Observer: “It just felt like a good chance to come together and raise some money for an important cause.
“We wanted to do a positive thing in memory of my dad and it has just grown arms and legs from there, with about 19 people running on the day and then there’s going to be about 60 people coming together for a wee meal afterwards.”
“Martin Mooney, who played for Stirling Albion and Dumbarton among others, and Lewis Bonar, who had time at Falkirk and Stirling University are among those taking part and we’ve got a number of people from football involved on the day.
“Dad passed away in the same weekend as the run last year and it was a bit of a shock for us all given that he had previously been a fit and healthy man.
“We had some great support from so many people when he passed away, including old colleagues at Celtic and people he had worked with across his career; he was such a kind man and everyone who came across my dad in football got along with him.
“Dad was due to go into Strathcarron but didn’t make it in the end, but they worked closely with him during his treatment and the bereavement team were also a great help for my mum.”
The fundraiser has just broken through the £3,000 mark ahead of Sunday’s race.
You can show your support by donating at fundraise.cancerresearchuk. org/team/team-sluddy.