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Celtic and Rangers fans to team up in memory of north-east man

James Sutherland
James Sutherland

Fans of two rival football teams will play their own match in memory of a “caring and fun loving” Fraserburgh man this month.

Offshore worker James Sutherland, known as Suds by his friends, died in March after a battle against brain cancer.

Now friends of the 51-year-old Celtic fan are preparing to remember him by taking part in a football match to raise cash for the local lifeboat station, where his family have volunteered for the last three generations.

Celtic strips ready for the RNLI Charity football match between Old Firm fans in memory of James Sutherland
Celtic strips ready for the RNLI Charity football match between Old Firm fans in memory of James Sutherland

The Celtic and Rangers fans will enjoy the friendly on December 27.

Last night Mr Sutherland’s wife, Lesley, said he would be “proud” of his friends.

“He was a wonderful, caring and fun-loving guy, and was a massive Celtic fan – through and through,” she said.

“That they’ve thought as much of him to put this into place is a proud moment for us. Everyone has busy lives and for them to take the time and money to do this is exceptional.

“It also makes us feel better, because we now know that it wasn’t just us that felt the loss of him.”

Friend Norman Reid, who is organising the game between both sets of supporters, said special Celtic strips had been made to mark the occasion which bear Mr Sutherland’s nickname.

“He was a born and bred Brocher from a fishing family,” Mr Reid added.

The game will be played in memory of James 'Suds' Sutherland
The game will be played in memory of James ‘Suds’ Sutherland

“It wasn’t great when he died – he was only 51 and had been working offshore at the time. He had been at sea since leaving school and was fine, but started getting black outs.

“He was diagnosed with a brain tumour and was told it was terminal almost a year to this day.”

Mr Sutherland had been a member of Celtic supporters club Buchan Bhoys and had been travelling to games with friends since he turned 15-years-old.

He had even helped organise a joint supporters bus for Celtic and their biggest rivals Rangers during a cup final.

Those fans will now play in the match to raise money for the port’s RNLI station in Mr Sutherland’s name.

Celtic played local side Fraserburgh Football Club in 1970 after the town’s lifeboat sank.

The game raised £2,000 to support the families who lost loved ones in the disaster.