Glasvegas frontman in emotional tribute to tragic football pal

19/08/2009

Hampden Park show remembers young star

Glasvegas frontman James Allan paid tribute to a tragic former footballing friend during an emotional show in Glasgow’s Hampden Park last night.

The rising Scottish rock stars were supporting U2 at the stadium show and at the end of their set Allan said he wanted to dedicate the band’s biggest hit ‘Daddy’s Gone’ to Paul Borland. Borland was found dead at his home in Castlemilk, less than a mile from Hampden, last July. He and Allan had played together for Scottish third division team Queens Park, who play their home games at Hampden Park.

“I used to play football in this stadium with a good pal, Paul Borland. Sadly he's no longer with us, I will always miss him. This is for him,” the Glasvegas man added clutching a heart-shaped pendant in his right hand and looking to the skies.

Borland had played for Celtic youth team but had been let go early in his career. His brief playing time was then blighted by injury.

During the show, an emotional Allan also made positive remarks about his beloved Celtic, who were playing in a key European clash just across the city, and told Scotland how much he loved them.

Through the previous week, many footballing fans had been trying to sell their tickets for the U2 stadium show in order to get those for the Celtic Park match.

However, Allan and others were ultimately left disappointed. The team were beaten 2-0 by English Premiership high-flyers Arsenal.