Published: Wednesday, 3rd February, 2010 3:47pm

Lugar launch major fund raising push

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TOUGH TIMES: Lauchlan Millar's Lugar players have been playing for free.

By Alistair Neil

CASH-STRAPPED Lugar Boswell Thistle are holding a sportsman's dinner to raise vital funds for the club.

Players have not been paid since NOVEMBER and the Rosebank Park outfit could be forced into leaving the junior ranks if they fail to sort out their finances.

With the debts growing former coach Jim McGuire has stepped-in in a bid to generate cash to keep the team afloat - starting with the dinner this month.

Former players from the last forty years will be in attendance along with top-flight referee Charlie Richmond, Buller Reid and Joe Cammy.

A £25 raffle will be held on the night with the winning entry getting their names on Lugar's training tops and match day running-out gear.

The event forms but of a major fund-raising push by Lauchlan Millar's Ayrshire District League side, who have taken in NO sponsorship this season.

Jim explained: "The club are not blaming any companies because they have been great at supporting the club in the past.

"But the problem is no sponsorship has came in at all this season and the club are only getting 20 to 30 fans at home games.

"Too much money has been spent in the past to try and get promotion and we have now reached the stage where it's impossible to run the club the way it's going."

He paid tribute to the players who have played for free for the last three months, but insisted it was crucial fans turn-out at the dinner.

He added: "The club took out a substantial loan last season to pay debts and it's something that won't simply go away.

"It's absolutely vital that anyone who can come along on the night does so.

"The management are still ambitious and promotion is a prospect this season. But what we must do is ensure the club's survival because the way things are going now and if enough money is not raised the club could go amateur at the end of the season."

The dinner will take place in Cumnock Town Hall on Saturday, February 27, starting at 6.30pm with tickets priced at £27.50 or £250 for a table of ten.

For tickets contact the club committee or club secretary Kennie Young.