2022-12-28T16:38:16+00:00

Alford football donation makes fitting tribute to club sponsor

Alford Amateur Football Club (AFC) presented the Friends with a donation of £2,500 in memory of club sponsor Alistair Smart.

Alistair fought a brave battle with cancer and was a patient at Roxburghe House before his death on 14 November 2022, aged 72.

His company, agricultural and industrial supplier GP Smart & Son, is the main sponsor of Alford AFC and Alistair's grandson Scott Young is currently the club captain.

His family said he died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family following an illness borne with great strength and positivity. They also said he will always be remembered for his strength and positive outlook and they are immensely proud of him.

A couple of days previously, a signed double winning Alford AFC framed top was put up for auction at the football club’s sporting lunch held at the Haughton Arms Hotel. The proceeds of the shirt auction were to be donated to Friends of Roxburghe House, following Alistair’s treatment there.

The shirt was bought by Mike Sinclair in memory of his mum Edna, who had passed away 14 years previously at Roxburghe House, with a bid of £2,500.

The club, which is currently playing in AAFA Division 1 East, held a minute’s silence at their first home game following Alistair’s death as a mark of respect.

Shortly before Christmas, Scott and his grandmother Dot came along to Roxburghe House accompanied by Mike, to hand over the generous cash donation of £2,500.

We are very grateful for the generosity and thoughtfulness from everyone involved.

Pictured, from left, are Alford club secretary Duncan Harper, Mike Sinclair who purchased the shirt, Friends secretary Helen Rennie, Alistair’s widow Dot Smart, grandson and club captain Scott Young and Friends of Roxburghe House’s Fiona Leslie

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