Changing Room Chat: Magnificent seven bidders delight Tony Ford

East Stirling chairman Tony Ford has received seven bids so far from fans who want to take his place as chairman of the Third Division club when they visit Ibrox this Saturday to face Rangers in what will be the Glasgow club’s first home match in the Third Division.

Ford, who was singled out for praise from Rangers boss Ally McCoist last week for the warm welcome he gave the Ibrox manager when the club was admitted to the SFL, cannot make the game as he is attending a 35th-year reunion of his former submariner colleagues from the Royal Navy.

His place is therefore up for grabs and it is being auctioned off to help fund research into Parkinson’s Disease with the auction closing at 12noon today. The Shire chairman, who was recently diagnosed with the condition, said: “When I thought of doing this I was hoping that I may get one or two bids, but to get seven so far is fantastic.”

Raising money is a welcome addition to Ford’s aims for his offer as he said, “My over-riding aim is to raise awareness of Parkinson’s Disease. I do not know if the bids are for £5, £50 or £500, but they have all helped in the process of raising awareness and that is great.”