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Wealthy UK expat bankrolls defunct Scottish League football team
| Published: | 11 Apr at 6 PM |
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A wealthy Scottish expat living in Canada is determined to ensure his childhood favourite football club hits the big time again after decades in the doldrums.
Players at Glasgow’s Third Lanark Football Club were John Sweeney’s boyhood heroes whilst he was growing up close by their Cathkin Park stadium. Sadly, the club became bankrupt in 1967, mostly due to a long period of mismanagement. John’s never forgotten the players and is determined to get the club up and running again.
As a young man, John emigrated to Canada and eventually made his fortune as a property developer. He’s now a proud member of a group dedicated to supporting the club financially in order for it to be reborn as a professional football club, accepted back into the league and returned to its former glory at a renovated Cathkin Park. Now 75 year old and a grandfather, John’s determined to make his dream come true.
Speaking with a local reporter, he said he’d lived right next door to the stadium and rarely missed a game. Two of his uncles held shares in the club, and loyalty to the club and its players ran in the family. John’s emigration to Canada in 1967 was sparked by his bitter disappointment when the club folded.
Once in his new country with his construction business established, his love of the beautiful game led him to be involved in promoting local football on cable TV, commentating on matches whenever he could. Nowadays, he owns companies with real estate in both Florida and Ontario, putting him in a prime financial position to reestablish his beloved Third Lanark club.
Back in Glasgow, the group’s plans are already showing results including links with local youth and a football academy supported by Ian Alexander and former Celtic star Aiden McGeady’s uncle Pat McGeady, both of whom are hoping to involve other ‘names’ from the sport. Players and the supporters’ club linked to the present amateur team started by Pat nine years ago are thrilled that Third Lanark has the opportunity to again become part of the league and work its way to the top, along with the renovation of their stadium home.
Players at Glasgow’s Third Lanark Football Club were John Sweeney’s boyhood heroes whilst he was growing up close by their Cathkin Park stadium. Sadly, the club became bankrupt in 1967, mostly due to a long period of mismanagement. John’s never forgotten the players and is determined to get the club up and running again.
As a young man, John emigrated to Canada and eventually made his fortune as a property developer. He’s now a proud member of a group dedicated to supporting the club financially in order for it to be reborn as a professional football club, accepted back into the league and returned to its former glory at a renovated Cathkin Park. Now 75 year old and a grandfather, John’s determined to make his dream come true.
Speaking with a local reporter, he said he’d lived right next door to the stadium and rarely missed a game. Two of his uncles held shares in the club, and loyalty to the club and its players ran in the family. John’s emigration to Canada in 1967 was sparked by his bitter disappointment when the club folded.
Once in his new country with his construction business established, his love of the beautiful game led him to be involved in promoting local football on cable TV, commentating on matches whenever he could. Nowadays, he owns companies with real estate in both Florida and Ontario, putting him in a prime financial position to reestablish his beloved Third Lanark club.
Back in Glasgow, the group’s plans are already showing results including links with local youth and a football academy supported by Ian Alexander and former Celtic star Aiden McGeady’s uncle Pat McGeady, both of whom are hoping to involve other ‘names’ from the sport. Players and the supporters’ club linked to the present amateur team started by Pat nine years ago are thrilled that Third Lanark has the opportunity to again become part of the league and work its way to the top, along with the renovation of their stadium home.
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