TWO Inverclyde football clubs are teaming up for a fundraising fixture in aid of Ardgowan Hospice.
Bayhome FC and Gourock St John's will go head-to-head at Battery Park on Sunday August 12 in aid of the Greenock charity.
The pre-season match came about thanks to their sponsor, Chaplin's Bar, where staff have held a hospice day in each of the last 13 years and raised around £13,000.
Players from both football teams were keen to lend their support to their sponsors' efforts and organised a match to further boost this year's fundraising total.
The game is being organised by Bayhome's Allan Feeney and Alan Jack, from Gourock St John's.
Player coach Allan, who lives in Greenock, said: "We were on a night out and got talking about a match between the two teams because we're both sponsored by Chaplin's and we thought it would be nice to do it for a good cause.
"The staff have just had their annual charity day so we decided to support that and all proceeds from the match will go to the hospice.
"It's a challenge to run a team, especially on away days because it's expensive for buses, so it's a real help to have a sponsor like Chaplin's on board and this is our way of saying thanks to them and to help a good cause at the same time."
The match will kick off at 4pm next Sunday and all are welcome.
Admission is free but any donations will be gratefully received.
Gourock St John's player, Sean Sims, said: "The bar helps us out a lot at the start of the new season and they are giving us strips for this season so it's nice for us to raise funds to help the hospice."
Long-serving Bayhome manager, Larry Barilli, said: "It's a really nice touch that they're doing it for charity."
Chaplin's owner Craig Warnock was thrilled with the gesture from both sets of players to back the pub's hospice fundraiser, which is organised by Patricia Brogan.
Craig said: "It's really nice of them to do this.
"They phoned me to say they wanted to get involved in it.
"It'll be good for the players to get some game time, although they've insisted on getting me onto the pitch at some point!"
To donate and for more information visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chaplins-charity-football-match
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