A community football team committed to improving men’s mental health are hosting a Tournament of Hope.
Motherwell Thistle FC will run the event in aid of Chris’s House, a suicide intervention and help centre.
The event is to mark the first anniversary of the death of their former goalkeeper Paul Gerard Aiton, known as PG, at the age of just 23.
PG’s shock death came less than 18 months after the club’s former striker, 26-year-old John Fowler, died at his home in Cambusnethan in February 2017.
The players have also had to contend with the deaths this year of friends Lloyd Welsh in February and Graham Fraser in June, with the tournament also being held in their honour.
Club secretary Margaret, who helped start the team with husband Raymond, said: “It was devastating when we lost PG. We’ve known a lot of the boys since they were really young and it was like losing a family member.
“The number of messages we received was incredible. He was a great goalkeeper and should have been playing at a higher level but he just wanted to play with his pals.
“It has been really hard for everyone in the team, especially after losing John.
“He had played with us for nine years. All the boys had came through together and were all friends.
“John was always a cheeky chappie on the park and when he died we got a few referees messaging us to say they would miss his banter on the pitch.
“Lloyd’s brother Jordan plays for our team while Graham was a friend to a lot of our players too.”
The tournament will take place this Saturday, August 3. It runs from 11am to 5pm at Wishaw Sports Centre, and will see eight teams competing in two groups of four.
But it’s not just about the football with a range of family-friendly activities on the day including an assault course, face painting, arts and crafts, a disco, beat the goalie competition and food stalls.
All money raised will go towards Chris’s House.
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues covered in this story or you’re in need of help, please contact the Samaritans in Glasgow. You can call free from any phone on 116 123 or head to the Samaritans website for more information.
