THE crowdfunding appeal launched on behalf of Gala Fairydean Rovers’ defender Ben Herdman has passed its half-way mark.

Team mates, club officials and well-wishers launched the appeal to raise £8,000 and so far more than £4,400 has been donated.

The funds are to pay for a private operation to get Herdman back playing after he suffered a serious injury five-minutes into their opening game of the season against East Stirlingshire in July.

He now requires and operation to fix his torn anterior cruciate ligament and medial meniscus but delays caused by Covid mean that he is on a long NHS waiting list with no prospect of treatment any time soon.

That fund was boosted by Gala Fairydean Rovers committee member Norrie Collins (59) and his younger brother John (53) who starred for Hibs, Celtic, Monaco, Everton, Fulham and Scotland who completed a five-hour hike up Ben Nevis to help raise funds.

At the summit John recorded a video message dedicated to Herdman. He said: “We made it. We’re thinking of you. Let’s get that operation booked in and get you back down on the park at Netherdale, where you’ve been badly missed.”

Herdman who lives in Kelso is also a wildlife artist and has raffled off three of his pictures to raise funds.

If any surplus funds are raised, they will be donated to the Scottish Association for Mental Health.

To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/galafairydeanroversfc-players