Legendary horror writer Stephen King strengthens ties with Buckie Thistle FC

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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