The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Stars back at Stark’s to remember ‘Mr Raith’ Ally
Tribute: Players pull on their boots to honour special man
Raith Rovers stars past and present will pull on their boots again for a special game in honour of a club stalwart.
Dozens of famous faces have signed up to take part in Sunday’s tribute match for the late Ally Gourlay, with proceeds from the fixture going to Maggie’s Fife and youth development.
Mr Gourlay, who was Raith’s club historian and media officer, passed away in February aged 53 after a courageous battle with cancer, but it was the way in which he tackled his illness which gained him admiration from across the footballing spectrum and beyond.
And a bumper crowd is expected back at Stark’s Park to see two teams of Rovers legends compete in a charity match in his memory.
Ex-Scotland international Colin Cameron, ex-Trinidad and Tobago international Marvin Andrews and former Scotland Under-21 cap Paul Browne were all back on their old stamping ground yesterday to promote the occasion, and all three hope fans will turn out to support a worthy cause.
It’s not often a non-footballer gets a tribute match, but Cameron said: “I think it’s down to the way he was, how he dealt with the disease.
“He hit it head on, he didn’t shirk from it and he accepted it but he dealt with it the way he wanted to. He didn’t want people to feel sorry for him.”
Andrews, who is still playing competitively with Clyde, added: “Obviously it’s always good to come back to your old team but the occasion makes it even more special.
“He was a great man who did so much good for Raith Rovers but this is a way forpeopletocomeandpaytheirrespects because a lot of people couldn’t go to his funeral.
“It should be a lot of fun and we’ll enjoy ourselves, but the main thing is to remember Ally.”
Browne concluded: “I followed his journey over the past two years and I knew Ally quite well.
“The whole story was really sad but he handled it in a great way.”
Former Raith bosses John McGlynn and Jimmy Nicholl will manage the teams, while the current management team will also play.
Organisers have added forwards Christian Nade, Graham Weir and Kevin Smith to the line-up which also include John McStay, Laurie Ellis, Peter Hetherston, Stevie Crawford, Stevie Tosh, Barry Wilson and Jason Dair to name but a few.
The game will kick-off at 2.30pm and tickets are priced at £10 for adults and £5 for juniors and concessions.