Published: Wednesday, 29th July, 2009 12:07pm

Wasps offer free entry to local troops

by Iain Robertson

ALLOA Athletic FC have announced that all serving military personnel will be given free access to all home games next season.

The club has made the move to show ther support to our local troops while they are actively serving and while they are home on leave.

Wasps vice-chairman Mike Mulraney wants clubs and organisations across Britain to recognise what the troops do and is encouraging the whole community to get behind the club's initiative.

He told Advertiser Sport, "We believe we are the first club in the country to do this and would welcome other clubs copying us and showing their appreciation for what the troops do for this country.

"A number of local people serving in the armed forces are fans of the club but they can't buy season tickets because they are so often away."

Entry will be granted on the production of appropriate ID.

Local MP Gordon Banks has congratulated the club for this venture and said all clubs should follow their lead, in a show of support for our troops.

Mr Banks continued, "This is a great move by the club and this gesture shows their support for our troops while home on leave who on production of the appropriate ID will gain access to all home games.

"Alloa are a small club with big ideas and this venture shows their commitment to not only the local community, but to the service men and women protecting our country."

Ochil MSP Keith Brown, who formerly served in the armed forces himself, added his support to the initiative.

He said, "This is great news for serving military personnel in Clackmannanshire and Alloa Football Club has to be commended for this gesture which demonstrates to our service men and women that they are valued by their local community.

"I would have appreciated this very much during the time I spent serving with the Marines.

"I have been an avid campaigner for more services and benefits for the armed forces both past and present for some time and with the MOD attempting to slash the compensation levels awarded to those wounded in battle by up to 70 per cent and the UK Government rejecting calls by the SNP for Service personnel to receive their full leave allowance with no reduction for travel time, I will continue to do so."

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