A shirt presented to a rising football star by former Arbroath manager John McGlashan, will be auctioned to raise funds to boost research into motor neurone disease.
Ex-Dundee player, John, a hugely popular figure, passed away in January after a short battle with motor neuron disease aged just 50, prompting an outpouring of grief and tributes from friends, players and fans.
He began his professional football career at Montrose after signing from Dundee Violet and went on to play for a host of professional teams including Millwall, Rotherham, his favourite boyhood, Dundee and Arbroath, who he later went on to manage, becoming a fan favourite.
John worked with youth charity Showcase the Street and a number of other youth projects, and also volunteered for Barnardos during a spell between clubs during his playing career, driving a minibus for children with disabilities.
He played a pivotal role in the development of many young local footballers where he could see the talent and potential in them, with Dundee defender Kerr Waddell being one of those fortunate players.
John took Kerr from the Arbroath Lads Club U16s to train with the Dundee U16/17s.
Kerr, now a 19 year old first team regular for Dundee FC was one of many young footballers mentored by John McGlashan at Arbroath FC, and he presented the shirt to the youngster when he won his first contract at Dens Park.
Even when John left Dundee, he still kept in touch with Kerr’s father, Davie to find out about the youngster’s progress at the club.
Now, Mr Waddell is returning the cherished shirt to Arbroath FC to be auctioned off to boost the fundraising efforts of John McGlashan’s sister-in-law Kimberly Carr, who is running the Great Women’s 10km Glasgow race in June to raise money and awareness of Motor Neurone Disease Scotland.
In addition to the shirt, Arbroath have included boardroom hospitality for two at the Arbroath v Ayr United match on March 3, where the winning bidders will be presented with the shirt by Kerr himself.
A spokesperson for the club said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to Kerr Waddell for the donation of his shirt. We know how cherished and treasured this shirt is to Kerr, and the memory it holds of John.”
All funds from the winning bid will go to Kimberley’s fundraising for Motor Neurone Disease Scotland, with the closing date for the auction, 5.00pm on Monday 26 February.
Bids are accepted by email via arbroathfcfacebook@gmail.com
Further donations are welcome and can be made to Kimberley’s Just Giving page.
