ONE of the world’s most famous football players is coming to Inverclyde to help raise funds for a sports club.

Former Argentine and Tottenham Hotspur legend Ossie Ardilles will be the main speaker later this year at an annual dinner for Port Glasgow Juniors Community Sports Club.

Club chairman William Peacock says it’s a real coup to land such a big star for the Port Glasgow Town Hall event.

Ardilles played 52 times for Argentina, including being part of the 1978 World Cup winning team in his home country, beating the Netherlands 3 - 1.

He also played for Paris Saint-Germain, Blackburn Rovers, Queens Park Rangers and Swindon Town, before going on to manage Newcastle, West Bromwich Albion and clubs in Japan, Israel, Argentina and Paraguay.

Ardilles also had a role in the 1981 World War Two film, Escape to Victory, which starred Michael Caine, Sylvester Stallone, Bobby Moore and Pelé.

Mr Peacock said: “I know an after-dinner speaker booking agent, Philip Payne in England, and arranged it through him.

“We thought Ossie Ardilles would be a great speaker for the event. He’s a very busy man, so we’re delighted to him coming to Port Glasgow in August.”
The star will be flown up to Glasgow and accommodated overnight in a hotel before being flown back to London, where he still lives.
William said: “He is still involved with Spurs, and will have some great experiences to tell us about.
“We’re looking forward to hearing him and taking part in a question and answer session with him.”
The dinner will also feature a talk by former Morton star John Gahagan and comedian Paul Reid, who impersonates football stars and managers.

William said: “It’s a great line-up, and we’re sure everyone will have a great time.”

The sports club was formed in 2003, and has 60 coaches guiding 300 young members involved in football, netball, running and zumba.

Their volunteers include Margaret Vize, who has raised thousands of pounds for charities, and William’s wife, Sarah, who handles bookings of facilities at Port Glasgow schools’ campus and Parklea.

Anyone interested in joining the club or buying tickets for the August 26 dinner should call William on 07432185322.