Football Fans Unite for Nil by Mouth

The Junior Football Community came together at Dunterlie Park in Barrhead last weekend to remember two legends of the game and raise money for Nil by Mouth.

Former Arthurlie and Pollok players pulled on their boots in front of hundreds of supporters to contest the Iain Ashcroft Memorial Cup with the Steven Convery Award being handed to the Man of the Match.

Hundreds of fans attended the fixture.

The teams competed in memory of icon Iain who played for both clubs and sadly passed away aged 60 in 2023 and Arthurlie maestro Steven who died aged 52 in November. 2024 Supporters from both clubs and others in the Junior game came along to show their support for the event which saw Pollok win 4-2 to lift the trophy with Garry McCann taking Man of the Match honours.

Three figure donations were received from Neilston FC, Barrhead Youth Football Club, SC Doors and Shutters and the Brig Inn with over £2,609 raised in total to support Nil by Mouth’s anti-sectarian work in Renfrewshire schools.

Event Organiser Robert Burns said:

“If there are two names that defined the rivalry between Pollok and Arthurlie in the 90s they had to be Iain Ashcroft and Steven Convery. Both of these great players died too soon but have left supporters of these two great clubs with unforgettable memories. In the humble surroundings of Dunterlie and Newlandsfield they thrilled and entertained junior football supporters when the game was, arguably, at its peak. Sunday wasn’t a day for tears, it was a time for memories and celebration, of old friends and foes doing battle alongside one another one more time to remember these icons of the junior game. To see hundreds of people stream through the gates and to relive some of the brilliant times gone by was a highlight for so many people and we are delighted with the turn out.’

Nil by Mouth Director Dave Scott said:

‘It is a great honour for our charity to be selected to benefit from the kindness of the junior football community. We are deeply grateful to organiser Robert Burns, the former players from both clubs and Arthurlie for hosting the event. It reminds us that football can be something that brings people together and turns ‘us and them’ into ‘we.’ People have come along and dipped into their pockets to remember two real legends of the game in this part of Scotland and we will be able to work with hundreds of young people in Renfrewshire  thanks to their kindness.’