Rallying cry issued to Rangers fans
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‘LIKE all other Rangers fans, Thurso Rangers don’t do walking away either."
That’s the message from the local amateur club’s chairman, Alyn Gunn, ahead of their annual competition – the Davie Cooper Memorial Cup.
This time around is an extra-special event as the Rangers supporters’ side is raising money for two important causes.
Alyn said the first – the Rangers Fans Fighting Fund – will be used to keep the Scottish Premier League giants going through their current financial difficulties.
The second cause, Cancer Research UK, is much more personal as it will be in memory of Caithness teacher Dianne Allan (25) who died in January after battling the disease. Her family and partner, Steven Morris, were devastated by their loss, as were friends and colleagues.
As Steven plays with Thurso Swifts, many of the Thurso Rangers players felt his grief and decided this year their annual cup event in memory of Cooper – the Rangers legend and Scottish international who died in 1995 of a brain haemorrhage – could be used to try and prevent other people going through the same loss.
Thurso Rangers take on Young Spurs AFC on April 27 in a 6.30pm kick-off at the Naver all-weather pitch.
Afterwards, there will be an auction to help raise money for the two causes.
The trophy presentation will be made by former Rangers player and current Wick Academy manager Davie Kirkwood.
This will take place in the Orange Room in the Park Hotel and afterwards there will be a magic show courtesy of Gary Lynch and a disco.
"This year’s event is no ordinary event," said Gunn. "We are going the extra mile this year. The amount of work gone into organising this event has been tremendous and there have been a few late nights to ensure that we can have the best night possible for the charities to make some serious money."
He added: "I’m really grateful to the sponsors as without them the event would not take place. I’m also grateful to the local businesses that have agreed to donate raffle prizes and encourage all Rangers supporters in the Caithness area to back the event as the club is in dire straights just now.
"This is every Rangers fans’ chance to support the club in terms of finance and show that we are all in this together to try and get Rangers back on an even keel."
Donations and sponsorship can be arranged by e-mailing alyn_gunn@yahoo.co.uk
