Binos campaign bags big names

Published on Monday 22 June 2009 22:09

IT REMAINS to be seen whether the ongoing 'BuyStirlingAlbion' campaign comes to fruition, but one thing's for sure – organisers have done a remarkable job of attracting big-name backers.

80 million man Cristiano Ronaldo was one of the first to throw his weight behind the campaign to allow supporters to take control of the Second Division club, while snooker player Stephen Hendry and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay have also urged football fans to help raise cash for the cause.

Carlos Alberto, captain of the illustrious Brazilian World Cup winning team from 1970, said "good luck with it… a lovely idea", and West Brom-supporting comedian Frank Skinner said "any football club with the word 'Albion' in its name must be kept alive at all costs".

And now Wimbledon's man of the moment Andy Murray and his brother Jamie are backing the Beanos. Murray's grandfather, Roy Erskine, played for Stirling in the 1950s and Sixties and has persuaded the tennis players to join Ronaldo, Carlos Alberto and co.

"I spoke to Jamie and told him what was going on," said Erskine. "He immediately called Andy and they both were happy to lend their support to this important community project."

Hibs offer tours of Easter Road

HIBERNIAN fans are being given the chance to follow in the footsteps of their heroes past and present by booking a place on an Easter Road Stadium Tour this summer.

Available weekly from now on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays; the tour offers a behind-the-scenes insight into the stadium and the history of the club, with the opportunity to see the home dressing room, walk through the tunnel and sit in the home dugout.

Prices are 5 for adults, 2 concessions and under fives get in free. For more information go to www.hibernianfc.co.uk

Blatter insists yes Obama can

US President Barack Obama has accepted an invitation to attend the opening ceremony of the World Cup finals in South Africa next year – well according to Fifa president Sepp Blatter anyway.

President Obama, whose late father was Kenyan, has apparently indicated he will attend the event on 11 June next year . Blatter said: "The man who said, 'Yes we can do it,' will be there. President Obama has accepted an invitation to the opening ceremony. Of course the schedule of heads of state can change, but he has said he will be there if he can."

TALES FROM THE TABS

FERGIE EYES BENZEMA

SO, WHAT is Sir Alex Ferguson going to do with all that money when Cristiano Ronaldo's 80m move to Real Madrid goes through? He's going to splash 30m of it on Karim Benzema, according to the Daily Mirror.

The tabloid reported that the Manchester United manager will make a move for Benzema when he returns from holiday this week. "Benzema is United's prime target," said the Mirror, "and despite publicly resisting a transfer, Lyon are already making moves to replace their 21-year-old striker. Lyon have made a 10m bid for Paris Saint-Germain striker Guillaume Hoarau in readiness for a mega-money deal with United."

The Mirror also reported that Scotland and Celtic midfielder Paul Hartley is wanted by Sheffield United, while the Sun said that Nancy striker Marc-Antoine Fortune has urged new Parkhead manager Tony Mowbray to hand him a deal ahead of the new season.

Elsewhere in the Sun it was reported that bookies stand to lose 3m if Andy Murray wins Wimbledon. "You can forget Henmania, this is Andymonium," said a Ladbrokes spokesman.