Legendary boss Bobby Ancell tagged in Motherwell-Berwick Rangers match plan

Gary (56), an associate director at cash strapped Lowland League outfit Berwick Rangers, wants to establish a fund-raising Bobby Ancell Cup between the Wee Rangers and ’Well, referencing the man who bossed Berwick and Dunfermline before a revered stint as Fir Park gaffer between 1955 and ’65 leading the dynamic and skilful ‘Ancell Babes’ – featuring star players like Ian St John, Charlie Aitken and Willie Hunter – to two third place finishes.

“We have seen Berwick Rangers drop down into the Lowland League,” Gary said.

“The club was on its backside to be honest.

“After being relegated we were getting an average crowd of around 350.

“We are reaching out as a club that is trying to get back on track.

“I’m in touch with Alan Burrows (Motherwell FC chief executive. I’m very proud of what Alan and the board have done at Motherwell.

“There is a connection to the clubs thanks to Bobby Ancell. I want to try and get Motherwell to come to Berwick for a pre-season friendly.

“It could be a very exciting day (at Shielfield Park).

“As a Motherwell fan, I know that we could take 1000 fans to a pre-season game no bother.

“It would be nice if we could get some sort of income.

“That would make a big difference to Berwick for the start of the season.

“Nobody from Motherwell has come back yet. And I can understand why, because everybody’s probably in a situation just now where there’s other priorities.

“And to be honest, Covid-19 is at the forefront of everybody’s mind.”

Berwick – whose part-time players have been furloughed – are looking to squeeze in the Motherwell friendly next pre-season, whenever that may be upon the end of the current sabbatical.

Gary said: “This match is just a plan and something to look forward to.

“If it didn’t happen with the first team, would Motherwell be interested in the reserves with Stevie Hammell coming down?”

Gary, who works for South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture, is a long-time Motherwell fan who went to his first Steelmen match at the age of five.

He got the idea for the Ancell charity match from Berwick Rangers director Dave Buglass, who contacted Gary and other businessmen to ask for their support.

“I grew up in Jerviston at the top end of Motherwell,” Gary said.

“My brother Jim, God rest his soul, hemade me walk to Fir Park from Jerviston.

“He had a book of scrap – from the Motherwell Times believe it or not – where he talked about Bobby Ancell.

“Jim was 20 years older than me so the Ancell Babes were something to him that he grew up watching.

“He told me all these stories about guys like Andy Paton and Ian St John on the way to the football.”

To pledge money to help Berwick Rangers’ plight, Tweet Gary on Twitter by messaging @GaryJBurns