16/07/2020

READY TO GO: From left, Mark Perry, Roy McBain and Ian Yule.

MARK Perry, Roy McBain and Ian Yule were at Balmoral Stadium this evening making the final preparations for their mammoth sponsored walk to Dundee.
Former Cove Rangers players Mark and Roy and super-fan Ian begin the estimated 63 mile trek from Balmoral to Dundee United’s Tannadice Park at 10pm on Friday.
The trio are doing the walk to help United, Raith Rovers and ourselves, who have been dragged into a legal fight, through litigation and now arbitration, to ensure the promotion we earned in season 2020-21 stays in place.
Fans and former players of United, who won promotion to the Premier League, and Raith Rovers, who earned promotion to the Championship, are also doing sponsored walks in an amazing show of solidarity against what all three clubs see as an unfair penalty for being declared as worthy champions of our respective divisions last season.
The sponsorship money raised will go towards the legal costs of fighting our case.
Ourselves, United and Raith have already incurred over £50,000 in legal costs and these costs could escalate to over £150,000 by the time arbitration concludes.
A portion will also be donated to Ian’s chosen charity, Aberdeen Voluntary Services.
The trio will be joined at various points along their route by a host of people connected to Cove Rangers, including manager Paul Hartley and legendary former club captain Eric Watson.
Mark, Roy and Ian are aiming to arrive at Tannadice around 7pm on Saturday evening.
Central defender Mark, now aged 49, began and ended his playing career with Cove Rangers either side of spells with Dundee United, Aberdeen, Ross County, Peterhead and Keith.
He said: “I’m delighted to support two of my former clubs, who will always be close to my heart.
“Cove first signed me when I was 17 and sent me on the road to what was a very enjoyable  full-time career.
“It meant a lot that I was able to end my career with them too, when I was 45, and help them win a Highland League title.
“I also spent 10 happy years with United and had the honour of captaining them.
“Doing the walk is my way of saying thanks to both clubs  for giving me the opportunity to play for them.”
Midfielder Roy joined Cove Rangers in 2012 after successful spells with Dundee United, Dundee, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Brechin City and Peterhead.
When he retired, Roy joined the coaching staff at Cove Rangers and helped us make history by securing promotion to the SPFL just over a year ago.
Roy, who is now aged 45 and coaching Highland League side Turriff United, said: “Like Mark, I enjoyed my spells with Cove and United.
“I’m happy to do something to help them and hope both get the chance to play in the divisions they earned the right to be in.”
Aberdeen-based electrician Ian – who is better know as Jetto – has been an ardent fan of Cove Rangers since the 1980s.
Ian said: “I used to cheer Mark and Roy on from the terraces, so it’s a big thrill to know they will be alongside me during the walk.
“I’m also looking forward to meeting up with Eric Watson along the way, he’s a legend and was a huge favourite of mine.”
Everyone at Cove Rangers would like to thank Mark, Roy and Ian for agreeing to do the walk and wish them well on their journey.
At the time of writing, the sum raised had reached an astonishing £7,750.
A north-east businessman, who wishes to remain anonymous, has also pledged to match the final sponsorship total.
We would also like to thank everyone who has agreed to sponsor them for their generosity.