LARGS Thistle legends are re-uniting to raise funds to buy a lifesaving defibrillator at Barrfields Park.

Stars from the club's past will line up against broadcaster Chic Young's celebrity-studded Dulka Pumperston side in January .

Fan favourites including Stephen Connick, George Wall, Stephen Quigg, Eddie Walton and current boss Stuart Davidson are all set to take part.

Thistle legend and News columnist George is helping to co-ordinate the event, which comes after a near-tragedy at Barrfields.

George explained: "There was a situation during a recent game at the ground where a fan took ill and someone from the club had to sprint round to Largs Bowling Club to get a defibrillator.

"I realised the club needed one of its own and thought we should try and do something about it. It made sense for that to be a fundraising football match, so I got in touch with Dulka Pumperston and they agreed to come down on January 23."

George says the vital piece of kit will mean there is never another tragedy like the death of trainer Archie Dickie, who passed away after taking unwell during a match against Darvel in January 1987.

George said: "Archie was a great figure at the club and sadly we lost him in that way.

"It was one of the saddest days ever at Largs Thistle and this can help mean that kind of thing never happens again."

George says the defib will be fitted in memory of Archie, whose name is recognised at the club's prizegiving through the Archie Dickie Committee Award.

The fundraiser against Dulka will feature a mixture of ex-players and supporters who want to pull on the strip. It will be over 40s only, with a donation of at least £20 to take part.

George said: "We have already had commitments from people like Robert Burns, Stephen Connick, Eddie Walton, John Sheridan, Paul Coyle and Andy Monaghan. Other ex-players like Rory McGinty, Martin Dow, Paul Blair, Phil Cannie, John Crawford, Stephen Quigg, and Archie Halley have all said they will turn up too. Stuart Davidson and Liam McVey, from the current Largs management team, have also signed up. But we need as many players as possible to get involved and help us raise as much as we can."

George is also trying to organise a fans' seven-a-side tournament to take place before the game, with the final taking place at half-time of the gala match

He said: "I hope everyone notes it in their diaries.

"Dulka have a number of ex pros including Alex Rae, Mark Wilson and Gerry Collins, and they still advertise their captain as broadcaster Chick Young.

"I hope it will be a great atmosphere on the day and everyone can come together for such an important cause."

The need for defibs shot to prominence earlier this year when Danish star Christian Erikson required lifesaving on the field treatment during his country's Euro 2020 clash with Finland.