A spur of the moment request has netted equipment worth thousands of pounds for an ambitious Perth football club.
Martin Glen was passing Perth High School when he spotted work getting under way on the new £80 million development.
He suspected pylons and lighting around the games pitch might be surplus to requirements.
Now Martin admits Fair City Kids and East of Scotland Division One side Kinnoull have “scored big time” from his cheeky call to Tayside civil engineering contractors Kilmac.
Club has been ‘struggling for facilities’
Martin said the club has more than 600 youngsters from the age of three attending each week.
He said: “Fair City Kids teams had been training on the site so we were aware of the plans for the new High School.
“Like a lot of clubs, we have been struggling for facilities.
“The idea of approaching Kilmac came from a flippant comment at one of our matches and I had spotted their vans at the High School.
“It was a case of nothing ventured, nothing gained.
“The upshot was a phone call on spec to Kilmac. They have come up trumps along with main contractors Robertsons. Everyone has been incredibly supportive.
“The lighting will allow us to train during the long dark winter nights, possibly on an area next to the enclosed pitch.
“With spring round the corner, we are in no rush so we will take our time to map out the detailed plans. This will be a summer project.”
Fair City Kids growing impact
Fair City Kids are coaching youngsters from tots from three-years-olds up through the age groups.
As well as 600 youngsters involved every week, there is a coaching team of 72 volunteers.
“We also have 20 to 30 refugees attending,” Martin adds.
“The girls section covers U8, U10 and U12 and the women’s team plays at football festivals every month.
“We are in the process of a tie-up with Kinnoull, who are based near Tulloch Works.
“It’s a work in progress but the concept would be to become a feeder club and produce players at that level in years to come.”
He said the club will make the most of the very welcome gift.
It is now hoping it might secure backing from another local business to help with the cost of concreting the pylons into the ground.
Kilmac helping community
Greg Hutcheson, contracts manager with Kilmac, said: “We have been delighted to support the Fair City Kids.
“Our main clients, Robertsons, gave the green light to gift the equipment to the club.
“It’s great that the columns and the 24 halogen lights can be recycled and benefit the local community.
“The biggest challenge was working out how to get them to the park in Tulloch. From tip to toe the columns come in at 17 metres.
“Thankfully Martin Smith at Cupar-based Iron Mix wanted to help out the club and they arranged a flatbed to transport the pylons from the High School to Tulloch Park.”
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