Fans have organised a touching tribute for former boxing champion Willie Limond.
A charity football match will take place this Sunday to remember the 45-year-old who tragically died this year.
We previously reported how the athlete was found in an unresponsive state in a car in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, amid preparations for a fight.
The fighter, who started out as a footballer at Albion Rovers, was taken to Monklands Hospital in April with his condition critical, but passed away nine days later.
READ MORE: Glasgow woman lost mum who didn’t talk about her cancer symptoms
The father-of-three, who grew up in Garthamlock in Glasgow’s East End, was also described as “an infectious character”.
Now an Albion Rovers Fans XI will take on Jags For Good, a Partick Thistle Fans team, at Lochburn Park, home of Maryhill FC to remember Willie.
All proceeds will go to Scottish Autism and Shelter Scotland, two causes selected in consultation with the Limond family.
Kick-off is scheduled for 4pm following the conclusion of the Partick Thistle W.F.C. clash with Glasgow City.
READ MORE: Glasgow boy with very rare condition secured 'life changing freedom'
Former Albion Rovers player Paul Cairney who also represented Partick Thistle, Hibernian FC, and Kilmarnock FC has been confirmed to play for the Albion Rovers Fan XI.
He will be joined by fellow former Partick player Scott Chaplain who will also be playing for the Albion Rovers Fan XI, while more legends are set to be announced over the coming days.
READ MORE: Terminally ill kids robbed of Glasgow concerts over high prices
A spokesperson for Albion Rovers Fans FC has said: “We are delighted that Jags For Good have agreed to take us on in this clash in order to raise money for two outstanding causes that help issues that were very close to Willie’s heart.
“We would like to thank Maryhill FC for their support in making sure this event goes smoothly”
A spokesperson for Jags for Good added: “We are delighted to be taking on The Albion Rovers Fans XI on 25th August in memory of former Albion Rovers player and Thistle fan Willie Limond and we hope to see as many people come out and show their support for two outstanding causes”
READ MORE: Have Glasgow music fans noticed rising concert ticket prices
Willie took up the sport at the age of six, and fought a “life-changing” high-profile fight with Amir Khan in London in 2007, which he lost.
Limond made his professional boxing debut in 1999 and won 42 of his 48 fights, and raised two sons who are also boxers.
Limond was due to take on Joe Laws at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena in May in a show organised by the St Andrew’s club with his son, unbeaten professional Jake Limond, 20, on the undercard. Another son, Drew Limond, is an amateur boxer who has fought for Scotland.
READ MORE: Glasgow music festival celebrates after breaking record
The comeback fight was the first clash scheduled since September 2023, after Limond was stopped by Ricky Burns in the former world champion’s farewell bout.
Former Albion Rovers player Limond reportedly suffered a seizure and died in Monklands Hospital, Ayrshire, prompting tributes from ex-opponents.
Laws wrote on social media that he was “absolutely devastated”, while former world champion Anthony Crolla described him as “one of the best men I ever met”.
The fixture is pay at the gate with tickets available from £8 for adults while u16s go free. You can donate to the match here.
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article