Greater Glasgow

Old Firm Football Match Raises Thousands for Sick Kids

Thirty bus drivers, two sets of Old Firm fans and one huge commitment to supporting a worthy cause have all come together to raise thousands of pounds for Glasgow's Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

The bus drivers, from First in Glasgow's Scotstoun depot, arranged a charity football match that saw the depot's Celtic fans pitched against Rangers fans. And unlike the March Scottish League Cup Final which saw Celtic walk away victorious, the match was a resounding 8-1 win for the Rangers fans.

The real winners from the match, however, will be children and babies spending time in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, which will receive every penny of the £3,000 raised by the drivers, with support from Unite the Union.

Tam Clark, who organised the match at the Donald Dewar Centre in Drumchapel with colleagues Gary Robertson, Gerry Bain and Brian McBeth, said: "Theres a lot of us who play five-a-side football each week, so we thought a football match would be the ideal way to raise some much needed funds for the hospital, but we never in a million years thought that we would raise as much as we did. Every single player in each squad was focused on the ultimate objective and they exceeded all expectations in terms of their fundraising. They are a terrific bunch of guys.

"This money, which is going to the receiving ward at the hospital (ward 7B), will make a terrific difference for children and staff and I am just so pleased that we can present them with such a large cheque. The staff do a terrific job and if we can help by running about on a grass pitch trying to score some goals (or not in some cases!), then thats great.'

A spokesperson for the Royal Hospital for Sick Children said: "We are always very grateful for any and all fundraising done on our behalf. We would like to thank everyone who took part in the football match and helped raise money for the Royal Hospital for Sick Children.'

The drivers' efforts have also been applauded by one half of the Old Firm. Rangers Football Club commented: "We applaud the efforts of the supporters who helped raise £3,000 for the children at Yorkhill Hospital. The bus drivers deserve great credit for organising the match and generating an amazing amount of money, which will undoubtedly make a positive difference to the lives of those in need.'

The monies raised will be used to purchase toys and play equipment for children and babies in the ward.


The drivers in each squad were:

Rangers Squad
Tam Clark
Tam Keenan
Chris Trainer
Greig Townsley
Brian McBeth (Captain)
Paul Dooley
Gary Masterton
Charlie Fraser
Matthew Meiklejohn
Danny McGibbon
William Mitchell
Andy McLean
Davie Miller
Stuart Thompson
William McFarlane

The goal scorers were: Charlie Fraser (twice), Brian McBeth, Chris Trainer, Davie Miller, Stuart Thompson, Andy McLean and Paul Dooley.

Celtic Squad
Gerry Bain (Captain)
Stephen Doak
Gary Robertson
Arthur Hughes
Gregor Kwiryn
Robert Maloney
Joe Henderson
George King
Stephen McInnes
Liam Doherty
Sean McDermott
Mark McKendrew
Michael Murray
James Neeson
Richard Quinn
Chris Lynch

The goal scorer was Arthur Hughes.