ORGANISERS of a memorial football game for a late legend have been surprised by the amount raised for charity.

Former Gala Rovers player, manager and referee Ellis McGregor passed away last June from dementia at the age of 92.

Gary Hastie and Kevin Matheson organised a memorial charity match to raise money for the Borders Dementia Centre in Kelso, in honour of McGregor.

On Saturday (May 20) ex-players from Gala Rovers and Borders Amateurs took to the 3G pitch at Netherdale to celebrate a football legend in the region.

The teams were also joined by McGregor’s grandchildren, and his wife, Evelyn, presented trophies at the end of the game.

Mr Hastie said: “Thanks to everybody that came down yesterday, from players, to spectators, to Ellis’ family and especially to everybody that volunteered and helped throughout the day.

“When me and Kev and the ex-Rovers boys started to talk about doing this we never expected it would turn out to be as successful as it turned out to be.

“I think everybody can agree it made it all worthwhile when we saw Evelyn present the trophy to her grandkids at the end.”

Through donations and a raffle – which included signed Liverpool and Rangers football shirts – £2,500 was raised for the Borders Dementia Centre.

Mr Matheson added: “Thanks to everyone, players and supporters who came along yesterday to support the event in memory of Ellis.

“[It was] great seeing Ellis’ family, some who travelled from afar to be there on the day, and to see Evelyn present the trophy at the end and what it meant to her made it all worthwhile.

“Thanks to everyone who donated bottles for the bottle draw, bought tickets for that and the scratch cards, the donations that were taken in the collection tubs in the bar and all the sponsors who donated.

“And finally I’d like to thank Gary for the amount of time and effort he put in to making this event happen.

“Maybe he will pull his boots on for the next one.”

Score:

Ex-Gala Rovers  6 - Des Sutherland (3), Shaun Hardie, Rufus Barnes(pen), Stuart Noble

Ex-Borders Amateurs 3 - Billy Miller, Alan Redpath, Alan Jackson