More than 500 tickets have already been sold to a star-studded charity football match in memory of tragic Dunblane teenager Murray Dowey. The charity match will gather cash for youth mental health charities “to ensure young people who are struggling receive the support they need”, said his heartbroken mum, Ros. Passionate Stirling Albion fan Murray, from Dunblane, took his own life in December 2023 after he was targeted online in a sextortion scam.
The 16-year-old was contacted on Instagram by someone claiming to be a young girl who asked him to send an explicit photo of himself before blackmailing him with it. The match will take place at the home of Murray’s beloved Stirling Albion, at Forthbank, on Sunday, September 29, and is set to feature Binos stars as well as Scottish rugby internationals. Scottish rugby stars George Horne, Stafford McDowall, Kyle Steyn and Duncan Weir – who had a brief spell at Stirling County – will join current and former Albion pros Ross McGeachie, Cameron McKinley and Kyle Banner on the pitch, alongside Dundee United’s Lewis O’Donnell.
With the impressive line-ups, the local community is encouraged to come along and lend its support to the Soccer Aid style event, which aims to raise crucial funds for three youth mental health charities. Click here for more news and sport from the Stirling area. Stirling Albion skipper McGeachie said: “It’s a privilege to be involved in Murray’s Match.
As a local player, I understand how much the club meant to Murray and how important it is to support mental health initiatives for young people in our community. “This is more than just a football match – it’s a chance for us to come together, honour Murray’s memory, and raise awareness for a cause that affects so many. I’d encourage everyone to come out, enjoy the day, and make a difference.
” As well as the surge in ticket sales, the match organisers have been overwhelmed by the generosity of local businesses. Emma Blackstock, Murray’s former PE teacher, said: “We’ve received an incredible array of over 55 raffle prizes to support our fundraising efforts, ranging from overnight stays and dinner vouchers to luxury hampers and vouchers worth up to £500. “As with the match, all proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Scott Martin Foundation, Back Onside and Stirling Albion’s youth mental health programme.
” Raffle tickets are available through online platform Raffall, allowing even those unable to attend the match to contribute to the fundraising efforts: tinyurl.com/rafflemurraysmatch Tickets for the game are still available, and supporters are encouraged to buy in advance. Match tickets are priced at £7 for adults, £5 for under 18s and £3 for under 12s and can be purchased from: stirlingalbionfc.
ticketco.events/uk/en/e/murrays_match Donations can also be made via the official Go Fund Me page: gofundme.com/f/Murraysmatch.
