Barrhead News | News | FOOTBALL TRIBUTE FOR OUR DEAR ERIC

Saturday, 22nd November, 2008

Published: Thursday, 28th August, 2008 15:30

FOOTBALL TRIBUTE FOR OUR DEAR ERIC

By Frank Cassidy

PEOPLE of all ages gathered in the sun at the weekend to honour the memory of a much-loved Barrhead man.

Grannies pushing babies in prams, mums, dads, grandads and people of all ages converged on Dunterlie to watch the first ever Eric Hickey Memorial Shield match.

A superb £1,100 was raised for three good causes – Accord Hospice, Cystic Fibrosis Trust and the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre.

Managing the Arthurlie Legends was ex-Barrhead News reporter Michelle Evans, with Cat Harvey managing the Pollok lads – both now work with Real Radio.

To add to the attraction, 13 players who took part in the famous 1998 Scottish Cup Final, which Arthurlie won 4-0, were on show on a perfect pitch.

For the home side Sandy McLean, Gavin Duncan, Ged Gardner, Stuart Allison, Stephen Quigg and Stevie Convery wore the sky blue again.

Meanwhile, Barrhead High PE teacher Ronnie Lowrie played along with former Pollok team-mates Kevin O’Neill, Ian Ashcroft, Dougie Fontana, Davie Elliot, John Paisley and Danny Diver.

Several guests also played including politicians Jim Murphy and Tommy Sheridan, Barrhead BC coach Barry Lempski and Arthurlie Club barman Henry Rannachan.

For the record, Arthurlie scored four again, but on this occasion the match was a closer fought affair with the ‘Lok replying with three goals.

Barrhead News match reporter Robert Burns organised the match, which had to be re-scheduled after the original was rained off three weeks ago.

He said: “I was delighted with the number that turned up, but there are so many people to thank that I just say that I am grateful to everyone.

“What looks likely is that it will be an annual event at Dunterlie as several of the players have told me they are up for it.”

Guest manager Cat Harvey said: “Michelle is a big Arthurlie fan so when she threw down the challenge I said great and it’s great to see so many of the guys who won the cup with Pollok in 1997 and Arthurlie a year later.

“Some of them are in not bad shape – the ones that never went out last night – but it’s been a great day for the charities and the people of Barrhead have done it justice with such a great crowd.”

Michelle Evans agreed, saying: “It was great fun, but I took the match very seriously – it was Arthurlie v Pollok after all.”

Arthurlie – Sandy McLean, Ged Gardner, Stuart Allison, Lee Martin, Jim Ward, Tony McDonald, Alan McQuade, Gavin Duncan, Stephen Quigg, Rab Fraser, Roland Fabiani, Billy Henderson, David McLennan, Colin Lindsay and Jim Murphy.

Pollok – Ronnie Lowrie, Kevin O’Neill, Ian Ashcroft, Robert Anderson, Andy McQuade, Dougie Fontana, Stevie O’Neill, Davie Elliot, Stevie Easton, Sammy Johnston, Billy Ferguson, John Paisley, Danny Diver, Henry Rannachan and Tommy Sheridan.

Mascots – Anna Nicol, Beth Gourlay, Nathan McSkeane and Jennifer Jones.

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