A bittersweet charity football game to raise cash in memory of tragic Bonhill man Justin Conroy took place on Saturday.
We told last week how Greg Baxter, a pal of Justin – who perished in the River Clyde after going missing last October – was set to stage the match to raise money for MS charities.
Pals of the pair turned out at Levenvale’s Argyle Park as a Renton Craigandro select took on a Dumbarton Clyde United side.
Justin’s dad Pat had coached local youngsters at Renton Craigandro in the past.
But the good weather helped boost turnout at the event, which Greg described as “really well attended”. He added: “It was a great day with good weather, to be honest a lot more people turned up than I anticipated but it was a great day.”
The Renton Craigandro side, which 24-year-old Justin had played for as a youth, emerged victorious with a 5-4 win on penalties after the nailbiting match ended in a 4-4 deadlock.
Players and pals then retreated to a reception at Balloch’s Kerbside club – where bosses donated the venue free of charge – also attended by Justin’s parents Pat and Fiona.
Added Greg: “When we went to the Kerbside it had been done up in green and white, because Justin was a Celtic supporter and they had really nice pictures of Justin up.
“It was really well done and Justin’s dad Pat was quite emotional when he saw it. This means the world to Pat and Fiona.”
Cash from the event will be donated to charity for MS sufferers, a cause close to the family’s heart as Justin’s grandfather suffered from the illness.
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