More Raith legends sign up to play in a very special game

And they will all be there to honour the memory of one man – Ally Gourlay.

The clamour to play in #Allysgame has been incredible, with around 40 players signed up for this most special of afternoons.

It takes place at Stark’s Park on Sunday, April 10 and will feature two teams of Rovers legends in opposition.

The day will raise a huge sum for Maggie’s Fife – with a donation to Raith Youth Development – but, above all, it will be a chance to celebrate a man who did so much for a club, but who nev er kicked a ball for them!

A lifelong fan, Ally was the club’s media officer, but that doesn’t tell the whole story of the role he played at Stark’s Park.

He was the club’s historian, he did a huge amount of statistical work and research for managers over the years, he created the Former Players Association, he hosted the sponsors’ lounge on match days, and he launched the Hall of Fame live shows.

And he was much loved by all at the club.

That’s why players from across the years have clamoured to take part in #Allysgame.

This week, the organisers added Christian Nade, Graham Weir and Kevin Smith to the line-up – three great forwards.

They’ll pull on their boots for part of the game, which will feature legends such as John McStay, Marvin Andrews, Laurie Ellis, PeterHetherston, Stevie Crawford, Colin Cameron, Stevie Tosh, Barry Wilson and Jason Dair ... to name just a few.

John McGlynn and Jimmy Nicholl will be in the dug-outs, and the man who has brought them all together, John Greer, now has the challenge of working out who plays in which team!

‘‘We have about 40 guys coming,’’ he said. ‘‘The feedback from the players has just been phenomenal – we cannot thank them enough.

‘‘I spoke to Christian Nade and he came back straight away, saying it’d be an honour to play at the game.’’

The game has a 2.30pm kick-off. Entrance will be £10 plus £5 for juveniles.

The organisers – the team behind the Hall of Fame nights – are hoping fans turn out to see their heroes and honour Ally.

Game worn and replica versions of the specially-made jerseys are on sale at ACA Sports in the High Street.

The original plan was to sell the game worn jerseys on a first come, first served basis.

But such has been the fans interest in wearing their own replica that the organisers have put them on sale in advance of next weekend’s game.

Replicas of the blue and white tops worn by the teams – plus the goalkeeper jerseys – will now be available to buy from ACA Sports in the High Street at £40 per time.

All orders must be placed by Monday.

Fans can wear the home or away kit, and goalkeeper tops will also be available.

The game-worn jerseys will also be sold via ACA and will be available one week after the game.

All strips cost £40, with all profits from the sales going to Maggie’s Fife.

And, because of the demand, the event organisers have decided to produce a white kit worn by the opposition legends.

The home tops are being sponsored by the Hall of Fame – which Ally was a part of creating – and the away ones are backed by Piper Plumbing, run by Mark Ramsay, an ex-Cowdenbeath player whose dad, Graham, was a great friend of Ally’s.

The organisers are now producing a souvenir programme with the help of Rovers’ own programme team – and more details on the big day will be announced next week.