Devotion from Down Under

WHEN GORDON Whitelaw dons his black and white Hoops to cheer on Sean Crighton’s Spiders it’s the middle of the night.

That’s because the long-time club member now stays in Adelaide, Australia – and has taken his Queen’s Park kit with him.

Gordon sponsors first-team stars Matthew Shiels and Henry Fieldson this season – and their shirts will soon adorn the walls of his summer-room Down Under come the end of the season… in the Australian winter.

He said: “I already have Henry’s shirt from last season as well as Rocco Hickey-Fugaccia, David Galt and Scott Williamson’s from previous. I also have an Australian connection with Will Baynham’s jersey – they’re all framed and on the walls of my summer-room.

“I have another few shirts that my grandchildren wear too. There can’t be too many around Australia!

“I think I’m one of the top fans on Facebook as I keep in touch with all the news back home.”

Gordon previously stayed in Stenhousemuir and had the Spiders on his doorstep, but now has one of his two daughters and three of his five grandchildren on his southern Hemisphere step.

He added: “One of my daughters stays in Australia, and another back in Scotland. My wife and I were travelling between Australia and Scotland since 2015 – trying to enjoy the summer season in each, but when covid hit we were in Australia and a trip of a few months ended up being two years!

“We finally made the decision to move last October – but I still keep up with the club through my sponsorship and in the media, website and Facebook.”

Gordon became a member as soon as he hung up his referee’s whistle – he was previously a whistler with the Glasgow Association since the 1960s.

“I never made it to top of the list but I did run the line at Hampden when one of the officials couldn’t make it. That was a match against Partick Thistle when Eddie Hunter and Bertie Auld were in each dugout.”

Gordon is looking forward to seeing the team three weekends in a row – the box-office Spiders live on BBC each Friday between November 21 and December 5 – against Ross County, Linlithgow and Morton.

He added: “We are loving life in Adelaide – although the usual 3pm kick-off means a 1.30am start.

“The televised games against Ross County and Linlithgow Rose later this month mean a 6.30am start – but I never miss a game when I have the chance to watch the Spiders.”

 To join Gordon in sponsoring the Spiders, contact kieran@queensparkfc.co.uk or call 0141 632 1275.