AIRDRIEONIANS FC have paid touching tribute to a fan who passed away – by putting his face on their shirt in a bid to raise money for his favourite charities.
The Scottish League One side describe the move as a “world football first” after they put the superfan Mark Allison’s face in place of their main sponsor.
“Legendary Diamond fundraiser” Mark died in June after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer, but only after raising more than £70,000 in donations for cancer charities.
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In a brilliant “five-figure” collaboration between the supporters’ trust and the club, Airdrie decided there could be no better epitaph than to put Allison’s image on the club’s distinctive shirt.
Under a piece on the club’s website, he was described as “one of our own”.
The club’s website goes on: “Co-ordinating a number of events based around his lifelong passions for football, music and Adidas trainers, Mark raised well over £70,000 for cancer charities.
“His legacy lives on within his beloved football club and beyond.
“Now, in a world football first, the Supporters’ Trust have secured sponsorship to allow Mark’s image to be displayed on the club’s home shirt for one season only, while also raising further funds for charities close to Mark’s heart.”
The best news is – the collector’s items SOLD OUT in just 35 minutes – at a price of £45 for adults and £35 for kids and because of demand, the club have placed an order for 200 extra.
Airdrionians only usually sell between 100 and 150 shirts a season… they have already smashed through that target.
And now they are set to raise even more cash for charity, all in Mark’s name.
Fans of rival clubs including Aberdeen, Rangers and Motherwell have all put their hands in their pockets to help out.
Commercial director Douglas Allsop told the BBC: “There were lots of disappointed people but they understood the situation.
“He was well known throughout Airdrie but also outside the town. Once he was diagnosed, rather than lie down, he wanted to take on projects and I think that was to keep him upbeat and occupied.
“We’re quite a parochial, unfashionable club but we all look after one of our own.
“That’s the reason Mark was so successful in fundraising. I was a friend of Mark’s and this is a great legacy.”
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Barcelona are the most famous club to put a charity on their jersey – after filling the blank space on their shirts with Unicef, and it is now Qatar Airways.
Airdrie are also pushing for promotion this season, currently lying in second place, seven points behind leaders Livingston.
Every fan dreams of playing, just once, in their club’s colours on a matchday – but even in death, selfless Mark is fulfilling that dream like a champ.
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