Charity game in honour of courageous Hutchie coach

It was received with great sadness after Hutchison Vale coach Alan McConnell lost his fight to cancer on March 8, the 51-year-old’s courageous spirit eventually giving way after a hard-fought battle against the disease.

Davy Winton, a close friend of Alan’s from their days as amateur footballers almost 25 years ago, has arranged a charity match in his honour at Redhall Park on Saturday April 20 with all proceeds going to Marie  Curie Cancer Care.

A fitting tribute to a man he describes as one of the most passionate individuals when it comes to football, Winton said: “We played together all those years ago and were involved in a few of the local teams in our area. He played for quite a few clubs and for Penicuik Juniors as well. He was an outstanding player, playing as a centre-forward and was a well-known figure in the amateur game. But laterally he was enjoying his coaching with Hutchison Vale and in his last season before he passed away, his under-13 side won everything including the Scottish Cup.

“I’d been on holiday a few times with Alan and we played golf together so he was a good friend. He was very knowledgeable on the football side of things and understood how the game worked – he lived and breathed the game.”

A former Hibs season ticket-holder, Alan was understandably distraught upon learning his diagnosis, but displayed a determination to face the biggest challenge of his life that was simply inspirational to others around him. Winton, a supporter of Hibs’ bitter rivals Hearts, enjoyed a connection the majority of fans within the city relish, none more so after a derby win and the camaraderie that goes hand-in-hand with the occasion, but not Alan as Winton reveals, he used to take a Hibs defeat all in his stride.

“I never used to include him in the group texts I’d send to my Hibs friends because he wouldn’t do it to you if it was on the other foot. That’s not the kind of guy Alan was and he took it all at face-value, but we still shared a good laugh together. But I think with his illness, that was just the man he was as he was determined to beat it and continued to go about his life the way he normally would – go skiing, go to the stockcar racing, go around the golf course, he certainly went out his way to make the most of what he could and it was just great to see.”

Having made so many acquaintances throughout his long tenure within the game, there has been an overwhelming amount of support from those who have shown their interest in becoming involved in the event through some capacity – an indication of the respect Alan had attained both from his time as a player and as a coach.

Winton added: “I had a word with Alan’s nephew Craig about what I wanted to do and he thought it was a great idea. I secured Redhall Park for that date and there has been a lot of interest in it. The two squads are going to be made up of a group of guys who all played together with Alan at some point. I understand it’s for charity, but I’m sure it will still be a competitive match and we want to attract as many people as possible.

“We might have some other things going on outwith the match itself and there is also a buffet after at the Village Inn in Longstone, so it would be great if we could get a lot of people along to honour Alan.”

For anyone interested in finding more about the event itself on Saturday April 20, which kicks-off at 2pm, or for more information on how to make a donation, please contact Davy Winton on 07775854121