Legendary horror writer Stephen King strengthens ties with Buckie Thistle FC

American writer stuns Scottish football minnows after nailing his colours to the mast

Stephen King has delighted Buckie Thistle after sending the Highland League football club a picture of him clad in their home shirt and scarf – as well as donating two signed copies of his latest novel to help their fundraising efforts during the coronavirus crisis.

The legendary American author – whose best known works include The Shining, Carrie and The Green Mile – put Buckie Thistle on the global map back in April after featuring them in his latest book, If It Bleeds.

The story tells of a bomb threat at the Albert Macready Middle School in Pineborough, Pennsylvania. A group of the school's pupils are pen pals with a school in Edinburgh, and they adopt Buckie Thistle as their team.

Author Stephen King has nailed his colours to the mast as a Buckie Thistle supporter.

Now, in the latest chapter in the budding friendship between the American horror-meister and the Scottish football minnows, King has donated two signed copies of If It Bleeds to the Moray club, who hope to boost their coffers through a fundraising auction.

To say thanks, gobsmacked Buckie officials sent the Portland-born writer some club merchandise and proclaimed him a "fully fledged Jags fan" on its social media accounts.

Buckie Thistle director of football Graeme Tallis said: “It’s a big thing. I was very surprised.

“It’s good for Buckie Thistle Football Club and it’s good for the Highland League as a whole because there’s been so much doom and gloom in the past month or two over Coronavirus.

“This is a little bit of excitement, if you like.”

King, who is of Scots-Irish origin, has also been given an open invitation from Buckie Thistle to attend a game at Victoria Park.

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