Tag: football

“Putting” their rivalry aside, Hibs and Hearts legends sign up for inaugural Auld Reekie Cup

All “fore” a good cause – Don’t miss your chance to play in Edinburgh’s exclusive charity golf tournament

It’s a rivalry that has kept football fans on the edge of their stadium seats for almost 150 years – that between Edinburgh’s Hibernian F.C and Heart of Midlothian F.C.

And now that competition is set to hit the golf course as footballing legends from Hibs and Hearts prepare to tee off in an exclusive charity golf tournament. What’s more, local supporters are being offered a unique opportunity to play alongside these football icons as entries into the inaugural Auld Reekie Cup teams officially open to the public.

Taking place on Thursday 26th October at the historic Royal Burgess Golfing Society, the Auld Reekie Cup is set to be a memorable golf day with a difference, featuring friendly competition and banter, with great prizes and bragging rights up for grabs. 

Switching the pitch for the fairway will be fitba stars Scott Brown, Mixu Paatelainen, Steven Whittaker, Derek Riordan, Gordon Hunter, Steven Tweed, Ally McLeod, John Blackley and John Brownlie playing for Hibernian, and Jim Brown, Scott Crabbe, Eammon Bannon and Graeme Shaw playing for Hearts. More big names will be confirmed in the coming days.

And it’s all in aid of a great cause. Thanks to the Hanlon Stevenson Foundation and the Big Hearts Community Trust, all money raised will be used to support projects promoting young people’s mental health.

Speaking ahead of the event, Hanlon Stevenson Foundation Ambassador Paul Demarco said; “Uniting old rivals for a common cause, this charity golf day will bring Hibs and Hearts together on the green to tee up support for young people’s mental health.

“Hanlon Stevenson Foundation are delighted to be working with Big Hearts Community Trust, proving that when it comes to making a positive difference, our shared purpose is stronger than any rivalry.”

Big Hearts Community Trust Chief Executive Craig Wilson added; “We are thrilled to have been asked to be part of this exciting new event alongside The Hanlon Stevenson Foundation which will allow us to support even more young people across Edinburgh.

“We already do a host of work in this area and know the challenges that exist. We hope to have a full team of golfers joining us and our playing legends on what will be a great day at such a historic venue, all for a great cause.”

The Auld Reekie Cup will take place at The Royal Burgess Golfing Society on Thursday 26th October.

Entries into both teams are now open. Teams of 3 plus a playing legend are priced at £900 +VAT. To purchase a ticket for the Hibernian team please email graeme@hanlonstevensonfoundation.co.uk

To purchase a ticket for the Hearts team please email kirsty.coutts@bighearts.org.uk.

Graeme Souness backs Rangers x BHF charity partnership

Graeme Souness urges Scotland football fans to look after their heart health as he backs British Heart Foundation Scotland as Rangers Charity Foundation’s new charity partner   


  Ahead of World Heart Day tomorrow (29 September), former Rangers player and manager, Graeme Souness, is urging Scottish football fans to look after their heart health as he backs British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland as the Rangers Charity Foundation’s new national charity partner. 

The partnership will last for the 2023/24 season with the Foundation pledging to raise £25,000 for BHF Scotland. 

It will also help raise awareness of heart and circulatory diseases – conditions which are some of the nation’s biggest killers, causing around 50 deaths each day, and are estimated to affect 700,000 people in Scotland. 

David McColgan, Head of British Heart Foundation Scotland commented: “We’re delighted the Rangers Charity Foundation has chosen BHF Scotland as its national charity partner for the season. 

“Heart and circulatory diseases are some of Scotland’s biggest killers and we hope this partnership will help us raise awareness in Scotland’s footballing community about the importance of looking after your heart health, while also enabling more people to learn lifesaving CPR skills and raise an incredible amount of money for the British Heart Foundation.” 

Graeme Souness has personal experience of heart disease and understands first-hand how important the lifesaving research the BHF helps to fund is. 

The football legend said: “I was diagnosed with coronary heart disease at 38 and had a triple bypass. When I was diagnosed, I was extremely fit. I never thought I’d be the type of person to get heart disease, but if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. 

“Ten years later, I had a stent fitted as another one of my arteries had become blocked. Then in November 2015, I was rushed to hospital after suffering a heart attack at home. 

“Thankfully, I’m now OK, but without the research the BHF has helped fund into heart and circulatory diseases, it could have been a different story.” 

The charity partnership will also encourage at least 50,000 people – the capacity of Ibrox Stadium – to learn lifesaving CPR via the BHF’s free online tool, RevivR. 

RevivR allows people to learn CPR in just 15 minutes and aims to give people the skills and confidence to save a life. It teaches people how to recognise a cardiac arrest, gives feedback on chest compressions and outlines the correct steps in using a defibrillator. All people need is a mobile phone and a firm cushion.  

The Rangers Charity Foundation will be spreading the word about the RevivR app, which can be downloaded at www.rangerscharity.org.uk/Revivr, to supporters and the wider public throughout the season.  

Rangers Charity Foundation Chief Executive Connal Cochrane added: “The work of the British Heart Foundation Scotland aligns closely with the Foundation’s strategic priorities in terms of health and well-being and education and we are delighted to be able to combine both these pillars in a project which will roll out life-saving skills to thousands of fans. 

“Our donation this season will support the British Heart Foundation’s RevivR app which is a really simple, easy way to learn key skills in your own home which could save a life. 

“We also look forward to working with the British Heart Foundation on a number of other initiatives over the course of the season, such as providing free blood pressure checks at some home games for fans and sharing important information about heart health and where to go for help and advice.” 

For more information about the British Heart Foundation visit: bhf.org.uk or to find out more about the Rangers Charity Foundation visit: rangerscharity.org.uk  

Prostate Football Fans in Training to return following successful pilot programme

The SPFL Trust, in partnership with Prostate Scotland, are continuing their exercise programme for men living with prostate cancer following a hugely successful 12-week pilot programme.

The  initial phase of this project took place in the capital at Tynecastle, delivered by Heart of Midlothian FC and at Ibrox, with Rangers Charity Foundation.

The programme is a tailored version of Football Fans in Training (FFIT), the SPFL Trust’s flagship health and wellbeing programme which takes place at football clubs across the country, helping people to get active and feel fitter, healthier and happier.

The next cohort kicks off on September 19 in Kilmarnock, with The Killie Community, and in the capital, with Heart of Midlothian FC at Tynecastle on September 20.

Working together with experts from Prostate Scotland, the University of Glasgow Health and Wellbeing Institute and The Exercise Clinic, the programme has been developed based on clinical guidelines for men living with prostate cancer, which recommend a structured 12-week exercise programme. 

Prostate FFIT is open to all men living with prostate cancer, who can self-refer online, or be referred by a clinician.  

As well as having the opportunity to take part in exercise supported by trained coaches, participants will learn more about nutrition. They will also receive a personal workbook to help them follow the course and have access to specifically developed videos to continue exercise at home. 

Crucially, Prostate FFIT will create space for men affected by prostate cancer to meet others in a similar situation, offering informal peer support. 

David Plain took part in the pilot programme with Heart of Midlothian FC. “It was really good on a number of levels,” he said. “You immediately have something in common with every single person in the room. We’re all at different stages of our journey, but we all have prostate cancer.

David (fourth from left) and his Prostate FFIT group during a session at Tynecastle 

“There was someone else on the course who had the same treatment as me. It was just good to know that what I was experiencing wasn’t out of the ordinary.

“I’ve continued with exercise after the course. Three of us meet up once a week to go to a fitness class and have a coffee.

“You don’t feel the need to hide the fact that you have Prostate Cancer. Prostate FFIT is a safe place to go and everyone there is going through a similar journey.”

Adam Gaines, Director of Prostate Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be offering these new courses with our partners at the SPFL Trust, The Killie Community and Heart of Midlothian FC.

“Prostate FFIT is aimed at helping tackle the impact prostate cancer can have on the lives of men living with it, especially for those on hormone therapy.

“The benefit of Prostate FFIT courses, offered in professional football clubs, is in providing engaging and helpful exercise and healthy lifestyle sessions, in line with clinical guidelines. Recent research by the University of Glasgow has shown many benefits that Prostate FFIT courses can have on men living with prostate cancer.”

For more information about the Prostate FFIT, visit: spfltrust.org.uk/prostate-ffit

Missile warning ahead of today’s Edinburgh derby

Two men, aged 24 and 19, have been arrested and charged in connection with items thrown during a match between Hibernian and Heart of Midlothian in January.

The items were thrown during a match at Easter Road Stadium on Saturday, 22 January.

The men were arrested on Thursday (13 April) and are expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.

Chief Inspector Murray Tait, policing lead for today’s Edinburgh derby, said: “We take reports of missile throwing at matches very seriously and we work with clubs to identify anyone involved.

“The consequences of being struck by an item thrown from a stand can be severe and such behaviour will not be tolerated by our football clubs or Police Scotland.”

Over £11,000 raised for Pancreatic Cancer Action in memory of Frank McGarvey

Glasgow locals and Celtic supporters came together on Friday 17thMarch 2023 to remember and celebrate the life of football legend Frank McGarvey, raising £11,050 for Pancreatic Cancer Action.

Frank’s close friend Bernie Vallely, who runs ‘Fitba Greats’, teamed up with Robert and Mary from Elders Bar in Tollcross to organise a special St Patrick’s Day gathering. They wanted to create a memorable evening that would honour Frank’s legacy whilst also supporting a worthy cause.

Tickets for the event sold out in record time, with family, friends, and fans of Frank all eager to show their support. Ninety guests attended the evening, which was hosted by Tommy Sheridan, another of Frank’s close friends. Former Celtic Football players Tosh McKinlay and Joe Miller were also in attendance, sharing football memories and stories.

Guests were provided with an opportunity to win a raffle prize of a framed Celtic Football Club shirt, signed by the squad and a very kind guest then offered a very generous donation for a second version to be sourced by ‘Fitba Greats’.

The auction was the main driver of achieving such a fantastic total, with exclusive prizes creating a bidding battle across the packed room!

Prizes included:

  1. Signed framed print of Frank McGarvey
  2. Framed Bertie Ault print
  3. Framed Danny McGrain signed shirt.
  4. Framed Lisbon Lions print signed by 8 Lions.
  5. Framed & signed Celtic double winners’ shirt – Ange’s first season.
  6. 1985 Cup Final Shirt signed by the scorer of the winning goal – Frank McGarvey
  7. Signed by the Boss Ange signed shirt.
  8. Framed & signed Jersey – Captain Callum McGregor

Franks’ son Sean also brought along an additional prize of a signed Celtic shirt kindly donated by Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson.

Fiona Brown, Scottish Development Manager for Pancreatic Cancer Action, said: “I was privileged to meet Frank and his family last year, and it has been heart-warming to see the incredible outpouring of support from across the football community.

“It was lovely to hear people share memories of Frank event, and a wonderful video played on the night showcasing some of Frank’s many footballing highlights certainly triggered a few tears!

“We are very grateful to everyone involved in making the event such a huge success, raising a phenomenal amount of money, and indeed helping raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.”

Bernie Vallely, who runs ‘Fitba Greats’, said: “This was a real team effort, and we are all hopeful that raising the funds we did will massively help Fiona and her team.

“I’m glad we could celebrate Franks’ 67th birthday in such a positive way. Everyone played their part, and a great night was had.”

Jennifer Kane (Frank McGarvey’s daughter) said: “I was so flat on St Patrick’s Day with it being my dad’s birthday and have been missing him so much, but I got such a lift from people’s generosity and stories.

“My dad was so lucky to have pals like Bernie, Robert and Tommy and everyone coming together to raise that much money for a charity now so close to my heart is unbelievable, I know my dad will want us to continue to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer, it was an amazing night my dad would have loved it. I can’t wait for next years!” 

For Celtic supporters, 67 represents a special number, and this fundraiser was a fitting way to remember and celebrate Frank McGarvey’s life. It’s heart-warming to see how the Glasgow community has come together to support this cause, and we hope that this event will help raise awareness and support for pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is the 5th most common cause of cancer death in the UK, with over 10,000 people diagnosed each year. Early diagnosis is crucial for improving survival rates, yet under 8% of those diagnosed will survive for five years or more.

Pancreatic Cancer Action is dedicated to raising awareness of the disease and funding research into early detection and treatment. To find out more about their work, visit their website at www.panact.org

Hibs owner Ron Gordon dies aged 68

HIBERNIAN FC ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT YESTERDAY:

Hibernian FC today announced that the Club’s Executive Chairman and majority shareholder, Ronald J Gordon, passed away earlier this morning (UK time).

Ron recently wrote an open letter to supporters, telling them that he had been receiving treatment for cancer for much of the past year.

Ben Kensell, Chief Executive of Hibernian, said: “Everyone at the Club is deeply saddened at the news. Our thoughts are with Ron’s wife Kit, his sons Ian and Colin, and the rest of the Gordon family. Ron may have been our chairman and owner, but he was first and foremost a devoted family man with a close and loving family.

“We would ask that at this difficult time, the family’s privacy is respected as they mourn their loss.”

Ron had a passion for football and through Hibernian FC his dream, commitment and love came to the fore, whilst always ensuring the club became the best version of itself to leave a lasting legacy. The Gordon Family are determined to see this through.

Ben stressed the family’s commitment to continue to work to deliver Ron’s long-term vision and plan for the Club, with the support of the Board and the senior executive. He said: “As part of that determination, we will hold our AGM in early March.

There will be no further comment from the Club or family at this time.

RIP Ronald J Gordon (August 1954 – February 2023)

Hibernian Executive Chairman Ron Gordon reveals he has cancer

A LETTER TO SUPPORTERS FROM EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN RONALD J GORDON

Dear Supporters,

Some of you may have noticed that I have not been at Easter Road in some time. I love the Club and I love Edinburgh, and I come to our home in the city as often as possible and go to as many games as I can. That is why I’m writing this letter to you all to explain why I’ve not been around as usual.

For most of this past year I have been receiving treatment for cancer. It has been a difficult time for me and the family, but I’m blessed to have their love and support as we navigate through the challenge. I imagine many of you will have gone through similar times in your own families. We all stick together to get through these difficult times. Unfortunately, my treatment has made international travel a little more challenging as I’m sure you will understand.

However, while undergoing the treatment I’ve remained in daily contact with our Chief Executive Ben Kensell, who continues to run the club with the support of the Board. That will remain the case as we continue to move forward on a variety of initiatives to further advance the club.

I want to assure you all that our family’s commitment to the club’s long-term success remains absolute, and I will be back with you at Easter Road as soon as my treatment allows.

I realize that our men’s team has gone through a challenging time on the pitch – it was disappointing for all of us to go out of the Cup to our city rivals. However, the result and performance against Aberdeen showed that we can be a real force in this league once we manage to achieve some consistency. There have been mistakes, but we are learning from them, and we are working to put things in place to be better going forward.

I am very grateful and fully appreciate your continued support of the team and the club. As you know, it will take all of us working together to help the club achieve its goals on and off the pitch, so your commitment and engagement is both necessary and very welcomed. As always, thank you for your support and your trust, and I wish all of you the very best for 2023.

Ronald J Gordon, Executive Chairman

#GGTTH

Youth arrested and charged following Edinburgh New Year derby disorder

A 16-year-old male has been arrested and charged with culpable and reckless conduct. It follows a report of objects thrown during the recent Edinburgh football derby at Tynecastle Park on Monday, 2 January, 2023.

The male has been released on an undertaking and is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.

Chief Inspector David Happs said: “This type of behaviour is unacceptable and I hope this latest arrest sends a clear message that any such conduct will not be tolerated.

“We have the full support of both clubs as we continue with our investigation.”

Hibs and Hearts meet again in a Scottish Cup tie at Easter Road this weekend.

Isuzu UK announce partnership with Scottish Football Association

  • Isuzu UK announced as the Official Commercial Vehicle Partner for Scottish Cup
  • The eagerly anticipated Fourth Round takes place between January 21-23
  • Agreement further demonstrates Isuzu UK’s support and commitment to football in the UK

Isuzu UK has announced a new multi-year partnership with the Scottish FA as the Official Commercial Vehicle Partner for the Men’s Scottish Cup.

With this new partnership, Isuzu UK is further expanding its role as the driving force behind domestic football with a partnership already in place in England, with the Isuzu FA Vase and Isuzu FA Trophy and with the Irish Football Association.

The Scottish Cup first began in the 1873-74 season and is the second oldest competition in association football. The first final was held on March 21, 1874, at the original Hampden Park with Queen’s Park emerging victorious against Clydesdale.

Celtic have won the trophy more times than any other club with 40 titles to their name, the most recent coming in 2020. Their Glasgow rivals Rangers are not far behind with 34 Scottish Cup triumphs.

The next round of this season’s competition is being held on the weekend of 21 January, with the Semi-Finals set for Saturday, 29 April and Sunday, 30 April 2023. The final will be held on Saturday 3 June 2023 at the National Stadium, Hampden Park.

The Pick-up Professionals at Isuzu dealerships across Scotland will be getting actively involved with their local clubs, with some having already started making preparations for local sponsorship deals and promotional matchday activations.

William Brown, Managing Director, Isuzu UK said “We are extremely proud to announce our new partnership with the Scottish FA and the Scottish Cup.

“This agreement further demonstrates our commitment to domestic football and is also the last piece of the puzzle which now provides us with sports sponsorship across the whole of the UK.”

Michael Paterson, Head of Marketing and Partnerships, Scottish FA commented “We are delighted to welcome Isuzu UK as the Official Commercial Vehicle Partner for the Men’s Scottish Cup.

“Our flagship tournament boasts an illustrious history and, with a bumper Fourth Round weekend to look forward to in January, it is a hugely exciting time to welcome on board such an iconic and established international brand.

“This prestigious competition has given us so many unforgettable moments over the years and we look forward to sharing some more alongside the team at Isuzu UK.”