LionHeart Entertainment, Scotland On Tour, and headline sponsor Spuddies have come together to launch the Scotland Fanzonia World Cup Campaign to raise money to save the Fairfield Club.
Scott Haddow, director of LionHeart Entertainment, says he decided to organise the World Cup viewing party event to raise money for the 130-year-old club after he saw news about their financial difficulties and realised how much they’ve done for the community.
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He told the Glasgow Times: “We wanted to give back in some way and we were going to run a fanzone for Scotland in the World Cup anyway but as soon as this caught our attention, I linked up with Jordon [McMurrough] at Spuddies and thought ‘why don’t we just do the fanzone there so we can make it a fundraiser event’.
“They were really up for it as soon as we pitched the idea, so we’re just trying to come together and give back in some way, and I think Scotland going to the World Cup is the perfect way to do that.”
The Scotland Fanzonia event will take place from 8pm to 5am on Saturday, June 13, at the Fairfield Club as Scotland takes on Haiti in the World Cup with a 2am kick-off.
Govan’s Fairfield Club fundraisers Jordan McMurrough, Barbara Wark, Scott Haddow and Eddie Barrett with mascots. (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)
The night will also feature a guest appearance from former SFA chief executive Gordon Smith, live DJs, a bagpiper on entrance, food, drinks, games, and a full night of entertainment and fundraising activities.
As the event is adult only, a free kids mini fanzone is set to take place during the day on June 13, which hopes that they’ll be able to have former professional footballers come and speak about their experiences playing for Scotland, along with entertainment like bouncy castles and facepainting.
Jordan, who owns Spuddies, said: “Not everybody’s going to be able to go to America, and for a lot of young people, they’ve actually never seen Scotland at the World Cup.
“The idea as well is if we can sell out the first night and the demand is there, we can plan it for the other nights and triple our funding for them.”
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As well as raising money through tickets for the Scotland Fanzonia event, a GoFundMe has also been launched.
They have no set goal in mind but are hoping to raise “as much money as possible”.
The Glasgow Times previously reported the club, which dates back to 1895, has been desperately trying to raise funds to repair the building.
In December, the Fairfield was forced to find £60,000 for electrical upgrade work to comply with insurance obligations.
Jordan says after they saw the fundraiser, they were also able to pull together a group are going to decorate the hall so it can be hired for parties and events.
Barabara Wark (Image: Supplied)
Barbara Wark, spokesperson for the club, previously said the thought of the club closing is “unthinkable”.
She said: “For generations, the Fairfield Club has been a place where the community and groups of people have come together for music, social events, celebrations, as well as forging a spirit of local cohesion.
“300 to 400 people access the club every week, including groups for the disabled, older people, community functions and family events.
“It is community-owned and operated and run by local people, and the thought of us not being here for the people who need us is unthinkable.”
Originally classed as a working men’s club, the Fairfield Club has broadened its appeal over the decades to become a vital community venue while retaining its important and historic connection to Govan’s heavy industry, such as shipyards.
You can buy tickets for the Scotland Fanzonia HERE and view the GoFundMe HERE.
