Rangers legends heading to Thurso for eagerly awaited charity game
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Ex-Rangers stars from years gone by will be lining up in Thurso next weekend for an eagerly anticipated charity football match.
Their opponents will be a team representing the local emergency services in a showpiece occasion that was first planned two years ago.
Now that Covid restrictions have been lifted, the game – billed as Thurso 999 Services versus Rangers Legends – will go ahead at the Dammies on Saturday, June 11, with a 2.30pm kick-off.
Brian Davidson, who put together the organising committee along with David Bain and Karl Drummond, says they are keen to attract as many spectators as possible to raise money for good causes locally.
There will be stalls and a licensed bar.
"After two years of waiting and Covid being the big drawback, we're just glad it's back to normality and people are mingling and we can get a good day at the Dammies," Brian said.
"All the money will be going to charities within the community. Instead of picking charities this year, we're going to encourage charities to come forward and ask for a bit of help."
They have fixed up a Rangers legends squad featuring such names as Nacho Novo, Gordon Durie, Gordon Smith, Charlie Miller, Bob Malcolm, Derek Ferguson, Grégory Vignal, Scott Nisbet, John MacDonald, Alex Rae, Ian Durrant and Ian Ferguson.
Andy Goram will be in charge of the legends. The Ibrox club announced in April that the former Rangers and Scotland goalkeeper is undergoing treatment for cancer.
Brian said: "He is seriously ill, but he is wanting to get out and do some travelling and meet old team-mates, so he is going to be coming up and he will manage the Rangers team."
Originally the legends' opponents were to have been a team of firefighters, but Brian explained that paramedics and police officers have now come on board. "We just wanted to get as many of the services involved as possible," he said.
They are being coached by former Wick Academy manager Alistair Budge.
"You'll not see miracles from the Thurso team but we'll give them a run for their money, hopefully," Brian added.
Main sponsors are Eric Gunn Driver Training, CS Drilling Services and Autoquip Motors, while Robbie Fraser is match-ball sponsor.
Linda Smith has done the transfers for the badges and sponsor logos on the team strips. A barrel lid and stave made by Calum Macleod will be presented to the Rangers squad.
The licensed bar will be run by Caithness rugby club, while GMR Henderson will be providing portable toilets.
"We'll have a barbecue going as well, and there will be bottle and baking stalls," Brian said.
Match tickets are available from Brian Davidson (07415 888236), David Bain (07810 120859) or Karl Drummond (07795 844222). Prices are £7 for adults and £3 for under-12s.
There will also be an option to pay at the gate.
A sportsman's dinner is taking place that evening in the Royal British Legion club. This event is sold out.
All tickets purchased previously are valid for the new date.
