Wishaw Wizard Higgins saves the day at boys’ club presentation

Jul 7 2010 by Richard Mooney, Wishaw Press

John Higgins saves boys' club

WISHAW Wizard John Higgins stepped in at the last minute to save 20 youngsters from disappointment at a boys’ football club annual awards presentation.

The original guests failed to show at East End Thistle Football Club’s presentation night held at Goals, Bothwell Road, Hamilton.

However, snooker ace John, currently under investigation for allegations of match fixing, took time out of his weekend to present the awards.

The club had arranged for two ex-footballers to present trophies to the under-ten players. It later emerged the guests couldn’t attend on the day.

Club bosses panicked and worried that the boys would be left disappointed. They searched frantically for a replacement, ringing local radio stations in a frantic search.

A player’s parent happened to mention they knew someone who was friendly with John Higgins. After phoning him to explain the situation, he agreed to come along.

Club coach Alex Kerr explained: “John Higgins showed up within 45 minutes of us calling him and he was more than happy to help. He has no link to the club and didn’t have to do it, yet he was there in less than an hour. The boys were over the moon. He had a quick introduction to the team coach and moved seamlessly into presenting the boys’ trophies. Afterwards, he stayed to sign autographs and pose for pictures.”

John, who lives nearby in Bothwell, mingled with parents and kids for about half an hour afterwards.

Alex said: “He took time to crack a few jokes at his own expense. He said ‘someone probably made a bet that I wouldn’t show up.’ He pulled us out of a hole right at the last minute and we are thankful. He made the event all that more memorable.”