A POPULAR biennial event which combines the beautiful game with faith is being staged for the seventh time in Irvine later this month.

And a legendary English Premiership player will feature as a guest at the event which it is hoped will attract a turnout of around 180.

Fullarton Parish Church minister the Rev Neil Urquhart, in his role as Chaplaincy Support Director in Scottish Sport, is organising Faith n Fitba in the Gailes Hotel on Tuesday, February 28.

People will be given an insight to life behind the scenes in football and they will hear how important faith is to players.

Main guest will be Portsmouth legend Linvoy Primus MBE who was voted Premiership Player of the Year by his peers and at the south coast club.

He had legendary status, having a stand named after him.

The married father-of-three works with Christians in Sport across the UK and he will speak through a video interview.

Compere will be Mark Fleming, former Partick Thistle Chaplain and SCUK Pastoral Director for Scottish Football and Chaplain to the Scottish FA.

Main speaker will be married father-of-three Matt Baker, Charlton Athletic’s chaplain for 17 years and Pastoral Support Director in English Football for seven years, is recognised and supported in his role by the Premier League, the Professional Footballers’ Association and the English Football League.

The proceeds from the evening will go to Irvine Cancer Care, Sports Chaplaincy Scotland and Christians In Sport.

Neil said: “The night is about faith and food and fun and sharing and having a great evening. You don’t have to have faith to appreciate and enjoy it. It’s good banter and and also interesting as we will hear stories from behind the scenes that don’t betray confidences but give a sense of a flavour of a life behind the scenes in football that people are not aware of. Football is a very insecure world.

“Your period as a manager of player in a club can so easily be cut short by injury, loss of form etc, so one’s emotion spiritual and mental welfare is critical.

“The strong draw is you hear some of the stuff that goes on behind the scenes. You can find out what difference does it make to have a faith in the cut and thrust of the professional football world, and hear about real life stories and the person’s faith.”

Neil is encouraged with how Sport Chaplaincy is going and spent a decade working for Kilmarnock FC, Neil is a sports enthusiast and plays five-a-side football at Greenwood Academy each week and enjoys cycling, swimming and skiing as well as the occasional round of golf and takes in Kilmarnock and Irvine Vics matches.

Tickets at the event, priced £26 which includes a two-course meal are available now from Mark McIntee on 0788 209 9830 or Kenny Hankinson on 0785 333 6743.