St Johnstone chairman Geoff Brown has appealed to football fans to support a cause close to his heart at Saturday’s clash with Rangers.
Race horse owner Mr Brown is backing a pre-match collection for the Equine Grass Sickness Fund, a charity seeking a cure for a disease which has claimed two of his prized horses.
Top local trainer Lucinda Russell, from Milnathort, has also lost a horse to the disease.
Mr Brown said, “We always allow a chosen charity to collect at our home games but this one is close to my heart after the loss of two fine horses in the space of a year.
“It is an unusual one but I know there is a close link between football and horseracing. Many fans enjoy a punt on the horses so I’m hoping the charity will be well supported by Saints and Gers fans alike this weekend.
“I have been breeding horses for the last 27 years and I have always been aware of the threat posed by this disease. But it had never affected me directly.
“It remains a mystery but it’s fair to say it is the cancer of horses and hopefully research will come up with a cure, and quickly.
“It can strike down any horse, usually when it is feeding on young grass in May or June. It doesn’t matter whether the animal is a thoroughbred, a foal or much older.”
Highly-rated Darcy and promising jumper This Thyme have both fallen victim to the disease, despite the best efforts of staff at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh.
Mr Brown said, “There is no government money for research into grass sickness and most owners simply can’t afford the huge bills for treatment. I’d like to think the vets will have learned a bit more about this terrible disease by treating and studying Darcy at close quarters.”Find out more at www.grasssickness.org.uk