Rangers, Scotland and Blackburn Rovers legend Colin Hendry joined by Aberdeen hall of fame inductee Russell Anderson for Keith charity match at Kynoch Park in aid of Keith Cancer Link and Harry Bennett Foundation
A charity football match has gained the services of two Scotland legends for their final year.
The annual Scotland versus England over-50s fixture at Keith’s Kynoch Park has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for good causes in the community.
This year, the town’s most famous footballing son, former Scotland, Rangers and Blackburn Rovers hero Colin Hendry has been joined by another star name for the big day on Saturday, May 10.
Fellow former international Russell Anderson, who won 11 Scottish caps and became an Aberdeen legend and hall of fame inductee, will also guest in the big game.
Founded by former Dufftown goalkeeper Willie Dick in 2001, the event combines a legends football game with an auction of whisky and football memorabilia at the town’s Plough Inn after the match.
Now the weekend is organised by Keith-based distillery worker and former junior footballer Kevin Winton and his family, who took over from Dick three years ago.
Just like in recent years, the Scottish team will take on an England side assembled by members of the Catshill FC team led by former Keith native Gary Macpherson, who travel up from the Midlands each year.
All of the money raised will be evenly split between the Keith Cancer Link charity and the Harry Bennett Foundation nominated by the English squad.
This one is set to be the final year of the event and Winton, who runs it along with his wife Kelly, son Jacob and daughter Phoebe, wants to go out with a bang.
“I’m hoping that everything will go perfectly this year,” he said. “We’ve got a star-studded squad, that’s for sure.
“Colin is back to do it again and we’ve managed to get Russell for the first time so we’re really pleased.
“We’ll be talking about something like 56 bottles of whisky for the auction, and we would like to see as many people as possible come along for the game and help make it another big success.”
Another star name with a strong Keith connection is Caley Thistle legend Barry Wilson, whose father Bobby managed the Maroons during their halcyon days in the Highland League almost 50 years ago.
Wilson starred in last year’s match, scoring a hat-trick including two penalty kicks to lead Scotland to victory.
Former SPFL and Highland League striker Ryan Green, who also netted a hat-trick in the match in 2022, returns to the line-up.
Keith fans will be treated to an appearance of former midfield star and manager Darren Still, along with fellow Kynoch Park favourite Neil Gibson.
They will form a star-studded midfield alongside ex-Ross County hero Gordon Connelly, who has also confirmed he will play.
Ex-Rothes favourite Derek Thomson, now on the committee at MacKessack Park, will make an appearance as will former Highland League attacker Paul D’Arcy and a host of stars of yesteryear from the local junior ranks.
