A HISTORIAN who has devoted his life to all things Alloa Athletic is set to make his debut on television.
John Glencross will appear on BBC’s A View from the Terrace, showcasing his Memorabilia Exhibition and Football Memories group, during a segment of the show.
Film crews arrived in the Wee County to film the memories group, which use football as a tool to help those with dementia relieve their symptoms.
But John’s biggest pride is his hub, a treasure trove of Alloa Athletic merchandise, tops, programmes and history all contained in one place.
His work caught the eye of producers at the BBC, with the exhibition and its founder set to appear on the show on Friday, February 28.
“It’s good for the club and good for the Memorabilia Exhibition,” John said. “It’s not just happened because of me.
“This thing has been built up over a number of years and is now coming to fruition. I have to pay thanks to Hugh McDonald who did an excellent article in the Mail on Sunday.
“Reporters like that and Brian Leishman, the MP, helped considerably raising it as far as London in parliament so when you’re getting mentions in these places, it’s good for you.
“I’ve always wanted to do it and when I open the museum, I said it was a dream for me and I wondered if I’d ever get to this stage.
“I knew sometime in the future, somebody would want to see all this stuff.”
The hub is situated at a unit in Glasstown House in Alloa, usually open on Fridays and Saturdays before matchdays.
As for the Football Memories group, John has grown the monthly meet up from six members to a thriving collection of 40-strong regulars.
John added: “Along with the Football Memories as well, I had 6 people at the start and people thought ‘how long would this last?’
“Now, the questions being asked are ‘can we still have it at Alloa or do we need the town hall? Because I’ve got around 40 people now which is a good sign.
“The Football Memories is good to see people coming along and the whole idea is to get people speaking themselves, it’s now about companionship.
“For me, that is the whole essence of Football Memories.”
A View from the Terrace airs at 10.30pm.
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