Football: 'Players of yesteryear pull on their boots one more time in memory of a very special man and for a great cause'
Galashiels will host charity match for former player, manager, referee, and supporter - Ellis McGregor
Last updated 19th May 2023
He's been credited with transforming the fortunes of former Border Amateur League side Gala Rovers, who became known for their entertaining brand of passing football, before merging with neighbours Gala Fairydean.
When Ellis McGregor arrived at Netherdale to take training armed with hurdles and skipping ropes, the team - by one player's admission - got the "shock of their lives".
But, within two seasons, they were crowned champions.
A special football match - organised by former players Gary Hastie and Kevin Matheson - is being held in Galashiels on Saturday (May 20th) to honour the former Gala Rovers player, manager, referee, and supporter, who passed away last summer, after being diagnosed with dementia, at the age of 92.
A team of former Rovers players managed by Bryan Templeton and assisted by Aurel D’Agrosa, will take on a Border Amateur Select, managed by Alan Notman and assisted by Paul Loughran - kick-off at the 3G Arena is 5pm.
It's being described as "a great chance to see players of yesteryear pull on their boots one more time in memory of a very special man and for a great cause", with all proceeds going to the Borders Dementia Centre.
Click on the link below to hear the unedited version...
Recalling his memories of Ellis, former Rovers player and manager Ralph Wilson said: "He was probably the first manager the Rovers had, because before that the team was picked by a committee.
"And, from my memory, he probably started the Rovers playing the football they played for most of their days after that, because he turned them, not into a professional amateur team, but he turned them into a football team.
"When he first came, he brought out his training gear and the players got the shock of their lives, because there were hurdles and skipping ropes. And if you see Alan Ormiston, Ray Nicol and big Jimmy Munro trying to do skipping, it was quite enjoyable."
Rovers missed out on the league after losing their final game at home that season, but went on to claim the trophy the following year.
"After that," Ralph added, "it all kicked off because Ellis got us all playing football, and believing we could play football. And myself and the managers that followed, tried to keep the same philosophy - keep the ball on the ground and pass it. And that's what Ellis wanted; he didn't want the ball humped up the park.
"He was just a well-loved man and well-respected man."
Among those taking part in the memorial match are two of Ellis’s great grandchildren.
His son Colin said: "My dad came down from Elgin in 1956 to work. He played for a few amateur teams, and then took up refereeing. He would often pay his own way because his fees weren't too high.
"He then went into management with the Rovers and loved it. He was a Rovers man through and through, always going down to games; and then graduated onto the Fairydean after that. Him and I used to go down to the games together before he passed away.
"He was a very active man, who unfortunately was gripped by Alzheimer's towards the end of his life and ended up in hospital. It's a very, very cruel disease; and it's not nce to watch someone you love and care for develop it, and just get eaten by it bascially."
But he added: "Hopefully we'll get a big crowd, raise lots of money for charity, and see a good game of football."
The ex-Gala Rovers squad is expected to include: Kevan Albert Miller; Derek Hancock; Scott Mackenzie; Steven Noble; Graeme Nicol; Shane Greene C; Mikey Mair; Fraser Leckie; Kevin Matheson; Dougie Bond; Paul Hossack; Shaun Hardie; Kyle Collins; Welsh Curran; Jonny Kayser; Jay Wilson; Caz Jardine; Steven Gillan; Ben McGregor; Russell Hunter; Paul Owenson; Des Sutherland; and Stuart Noble.
Representing the ex-Border Amateur side will be: Chris Watson (Hawick Legion); Steven Henderson (Jed Legion); Davie Paterson (Stow); Derek Scott (Leithen Rovers); Sam Burton (Jed Legion); Davie Sparham (Chirnside); Gary Turner (Earlston Rhymers); Roland Gibb (Leithen Rovers); Malcolm Cooper (Hawick Waverley); Colin Smith (Leithen Rovers); Gareth Smith (Tweedale Rovers); Stuart Sharkey C (Hawick Waverley); Arron Brunton (Leithen Rovers); Brian Stuart (Coldstream); Alan Redpath (Gordon); Chris Johnstone (Tweedale Rovers); Craig Lowrie (Gala Hotspur); Billy Miller (Langlee Ams); Aaron Somerville (Leithen Rovers); Alan Jackson (Earlston Rhymers); Alan McMath (Leithen Rovers); and Luke Cooper (Hawick Waverley).
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