MP Backs Campaign

Local MP Gordon Brown has given the “Reclaim the Rovers” campaign a massive boost on the biggest weekend of the campaign to date. Mr Brown attended the Sunday Funday event in Kirkcaldy Town Centre with his family and explained why he is backing the community’s bid to secure the future of the club.

“I’ve always been a Raith Rovers’ supporter. I used to sell programmes when I was very young and I got into the matches that way.

“I think people now do recognise the importance of Raith Rovers to the community. That’s why everything being done by the campaign “Reclaim the Rovers” matters because we’re assuring the success in the long term of a team that is rooted in the community.

“I think in the next few weeks we are going to be tested to try and find the right solutions so that we can give a long term, viable future to the club. That’s why the public meetings have been taking place, that’s why I’ve been trying doing what I can, that’s why Marilyn Livingstone, who is the Member of the Scottish Parliament has been doing what she can and that’s why some of the directors have been trying to get a new formula for keeping the club going.

“I think people now know that we are faced with a choice. Either we back Raith Rovers and get the investment in and get the long term viable future for it or the club will go from crisis to crisis.

“I think there is tremendous support locally for making things work for the future. I want to play my part, the local Council will want to play its part, but also local people, local businesses, local community groups have all got a part to play in ensuring this long term viable future for the team.”

The MP’s appearance at the Funday event capped a very successful weekend for the campaign. Almost 150 fans attended a rally in the Adam Smith Centre on Friday evening to hear an update on the campaign’s progress as well as hearing from guest speakers coach Shaun Dennis, local MSP Marilyn Livingstone and Stuart Duncan of the Morton Supporters Trust.

The event on Sunday afternoon in the Town Centre was intended to raise the profile of the campaign at the same time as bringing people into the Town Centre to give a boost to the local traders. Street entertainment was provided by Sunil Varu, Town Centre Manager with a fancy dress parade up the High Street courtesy of the Chickenshop. Kingdom FM’s roadshow was also on hand to provide the musical backing to the afternoon.

A “Reclaim the Rovers” spokesperson reported that the weekend had provided a significant financial boost for the campaign with more than £3,000 being added to “Reclaim the Rovers” funds.