Highland stars to turn out for Locos ace

A GLITTERING cast of former Inverurie Locos stars are set to pull on the red and black shirt again in tribute to fans’ favourite Roddy Mess.

The long-serving centre-half, who has been with the Garioch club for 11 years, has been granted a testimonial this Sunday against Aberdeen at Harlaw Park.

And such is the esteem that the popular 31-year-old is held in, an array of former team-mates are due to make a return for his benefit match.

From Formartine United, Kenny Coull, Ally Graham, Mark Simpson, Ritchie Singer and Stuart McKay are all set to feature. Cove Rangers’ Danny Milne, Banks o’Dee’s Ross McWilliam and ex-Locos keeper Marc Coull are also in line to play.

Locos stalwart Steven Park, who was awarded a testimonial in 2007, insists their decision to play shows how big an influence Mess is at the club.

He said: “The fact that so many current Highland League players who have since left Locos are willing to come back for the game speaks volumes for Roddy’s character and popularity at the club.

“I have known Roddy since we both played juvenile football and he was playing for Kemnay Youth.

“We actually both signed for Locos on the same day and it has been an honour to share the same dressing room as him over the years.

“Roddy has not played as much as he would have liked over the past two or three years due to injury but he showed the other week when he came off the bench to head the winner against Lossiemouth that he still has a part to play.”