Friends of a tragic Bonhill man, who perished in the River Clyde, are set to stage a charity football match in his honour.
Pals of Justin Conroy are set to rally to raise funds for a charity which was close to his heart.
The team of friends will take to the pitch at Levenvale’s Argyle Park this Saturday, to help boost funds for MS research – a disease which affected a close family member.
Popular Justin, of Strathleven, went missing last September, prompting a public appeal for information alongside searches of the Broomielaw area of Glasgow, by family and friends.
His last known movements were those captured on CCTV in the city.
But hopes of finding the 24-year-old were dashed when police confirmed that a body pulled from the River Clyde at the Kingston Bridge, last October, was Justin’s.
Keen to show that Justin has not been forgotten, friends rallied after Bonhill man Greg Baxter hit on the idea of returning to their football roots with a charity match which will fuel local rivalries, as a Renton Craigandro select take on a Dumbarton Clyde United side.
Most of those taking part played football with keen amateurs Greg and Justin as youngsters and many played for Renton Craigandro sides coached by Justin’s father Pat.
Greg told the Lennox Herald: “I grew up with Justin and his dad was our coach. I wanted to do something to show he hasn’t been forgotten.
“When I spoke to his mum and dad, they were keen to support MS charities through the match.
“His mum, Fiona, runs and raises money for MS charities, which Justin’s grandpa suffered from.”
He added: “I have had an amazing response and our friends are all getting together again and pulling their boots back on to do this. It will be an emotional day for us but it will also be a postitve one.”
The friends attended Dumbarton’s Our Lady and St Patrick’s High together.
The match is due to take place at noon on Saturday, before a celebration for Justin set to be held in Balloch’s Kerbside Club, where the owners have donated use of the venue free of charge.
Added Greg: “We are just hoping to raise as much as we can for charity and show that Justin in still in our thoughts.”
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