Ally McCoist is to help raise funds for a Tayside charity which aims to get children off the streets and into sport.
The former St Johnstone, Rangers and Scotland legend jumped at the chance to support Arbroath-based Skilz Academy which hopes to launch a new raft of sporting projects.
McCoist is one of only three players to win all of Rangers famous nine-in-a-row championship titles and one of only four players in the world to win the European Golden Shoe in consecutive seasons.
‘In Conversation With Ally McCoist’ will celebrate the charity’s recent £50,000 windfall from the National Lottery whilst also beginning the fundraising journey towards dedicated Skilz Academy facilities and vehicle.
With 355 goals in in 581 games, McCoist remains Rangers record goal scorer and he will be joined at the Invercarse Hotel on June 28 by BBC Radio presenter and journalist Tam Cowan.
McCoist told The Courier: “I’m looking forward to coming to Dundee at the end of this month.
“I don’t do many events but I jumped at the chance to support Skilz Academy who my friend’s daughter is a trustee of.
“I’ve worked with Tam (Cowan) in the past so we will definitely have a good night.”
McCoist scored 22 goals in 57 games for St Johnstone before moving to Sunderland in a £400,000 deal. He became a Scottish football legend with Rangers, however.
Dundee is a place which holds many happy memories for McCoist including Rangers clinching their second consecutive title at Tannadice in 1990 with a 1-0 win away to Dundee United.
In May 1997 McCoist was part of the Rangers team which would end their near 30-year wait to match Celtic’s record of nine consecutive league title wins with another 1-0 away victory against the Tangerines.
McCoist said it is actually a night under the floodlights at Dens Park which stands out when asked for his memories of his playing days in Dundee.
“One of my clearest memories was a Scottish Cup replay against Dundee, under the lights at Dens Park,” he said.
“It was 1998. We’d drawn 1-1 at Ibrox and in the replay we’d gone behind to a James Grady goal.
“I was lucky enough to get the equaliser with a header from a throw in and then the eventual winner with a free kick. I didn’t score many of those.”
Skilz Academy is governed by a board of volunteer trustees working to give young people the opportunity to enhance their lives and improve the communities in which they live.
The charity currently engage with over 300 local people per week through the UV (GLOW) Sports programme, its successful Street Sport programme and its core football coaching programme Skilz Football Academy, led by professional footballer Sean Dillon.
The recent £50,000 award from National Lottery’s People’s Project will fund the employment of a programme coordinator, expansion of current programmes, and the launch of a new DJ school programme.
Skilz Academy in association with Choose Events Group are bringing ‘In Conversation With Ally McCoist’ to the Invercarse Hotel.
David Burns from Choose Events said: “Demand is sure to be high with the legendary Rangers and Scotland striker making a rare appearance in Dundee.
“A joker off the field, as noted in his roles as team captain on A Question of Sport and more recently as host of TalkSport’s breakfast show, McCoist is certain to entertain.”
All tickets include a three course meal and can be purchased online at: http://buytickets.at/skilzacademy
Enquiries can be directed to David Burns on 07930 829247 or Mark Anderson on 07739 002722.
