St Johnstone fans’ group Fair City Unity organise Eskişehirspor bucket collection at Motherwell match

St Johnstone and fans’ group Fair City Unity will be helping raise money for Turkish club, Eskişehirspor on Saturday.

There will be a bucket collection at McDiarmid Park ahead of the Premiership clash with Motherwell – the last match before the World Cup break.

Saints faced Eskişehirspor in European competition a decade ago.

While the Perth side’s fortunes have soared since then, with three trophies won under Tommy Wright and then Callum Davidson, the opposite has been the case for their opponents.

They are in serious financial trouble, having been relegated twice in as many seasons following the imposition of a signing embargo.

"As a token of our friendship, various fan groups have agreed with St Johnstone to not only highlight their issues to a wider audience, but also raise funds and donate to towards the clubs survival." – FCU

Donation points will be available this Saturday

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— St. Johnstone FC (@StJohnstone) November 10, 2022

A banner unveiled by FCU in the first half of a recent win against Kilmarnock read: “Save Eskisehirspor – Let the star of Anatolia shine bright”.

Images of the shows of support quickly reached Turkey via social media and were picked up by the media.

Saints have confirmed the bucket collection on their website, with an FCU statement reading: “As many will know Eskişehirspor are currently suffering from serious financial pressures.

“As a token of our friendship, various fan groups have agreed with St Johnstone to not only highlight their issues to a wider audience, but also raise funds and donate to towards the clubs survival.

“Following our supporters’ generous donation of 500 match tickets to local children charities in Eskişehir, St Johnstone have kindly allowed for a fan led bucket collection to take place pre-match ahead of Saturday’s match v Motherwell, to raise further funds for Eskişehirspor.

“Eskişehirspor are no stranger to St Johnstone Football Club or its supporters, after facing each other in European competition back in 2012 with strong friendships remaining to this day.”

Enduring friendship

A friendship between supporters and officials of the sides was struck when they were drawn against each other in the 2012/13 Europa League qualifiers.

Eskisihirspor ran out 3-1 aggregate winners after a 2-0 win in Turkey and a 1-1 second leg draw at McDiarmid.

But links struck up between the clubs have lingered, with Saints releasing an away kit using Eskisehirspor’s red and black colours in 2013/14.