Published: Tuesday, 4th March, 2008 10:34am

Big Ron signs for Morton

ONE of football"s most colourful and controversial characters is the star attraction at Morton"s annual sportsman"s dinner.

Ron Atkinson, the former Manchester United and Aston Villa manager, heads the top table at this year"s Ton gala, which is held in aid of the Cappielow club"s youth development initiative.

The man known simply as "Big Ron" will be joined as a guest speaker at the big bash by former Rangers winger, Willie Henderson, who won a raft of silverware in a glittering career with the Glasgow giants.

Outspoken Atkinson, 68, was once voted "Best TV Pundit Ever" in a poll run by Total Football Magazine, having commentated at five World Cups and six European Championships.

He has most recently been on TV screens as a pundit for a station covering Italian Serie A matches and also featured as a troubleshooter in a Sky TV documentary series about football management.

The ex-Atletico Madrid boss is now one of the best-known faces on the after-dinner speaking circuit - and Ton fans are looking forward to hearing tales from both his, and Rangers hero Henderson"s, eventful careers.

Sean Donnelly, of the Gourock Morton Supporters, said: 'It should be a cracking night.

'Our supporters" club has taken a couple of tables and everyone is really looking forward to it. The dinner is also for a good cause with the money going to the club"s youth development.

'I"m sure Big Ron and Willie Henderson will have plenty of interesting stories to tell from their careers. '

The dinner takes place on Saturday 3 May in Greenock Town Hall.

Funds for the youth development scheme will be raised from an auction of football memorabilia and a raffle on the night.

For more information about the night, call Morton on 723571.