The home of Stirling Albion will this weekend play host to a special charity football match in memory of tragic Murray Dowey.
The poignant fundraiser will gather cash for youth mental health charities “to ensure young people who are struggling receive the support they need”, said his heartbroken mum, Ros.
Murray, from Dunblane, tragically took his own life in December 2023 after he was targeted online in a sextortion scam.
The 16-year-old was contacted on Instagram by someone claiming to be a young girl who asked him to send an explicit photo of himself before blackmailing him with it.
His friends and family want to leave a legacy for him and celebrate his life in a fitting tribute.
Murray was a passionate Stirling Albion fan and attended Binos games, both home and away.
Now the match in his memory will take place on the hallowed turf on Forthbank.
The event, ‘Murray’s Match’, will see the Dunblane teenager’s loved ones take to the pitch on Sunday – three days before what would have been his 17th birthday.
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Proceeds from the match will be split between Scott Martin Foundation and Back Onside; two local charities with a shared goal of improving youth mental health through sport.
Funds will also go towards running dedicated football and mental health sessions for young people at Stirling Albion.
The match was organised by a group of local volunteers, including Murray’s former PE teacher Emma Blackstock.
The two sides will be bolstered by some current Stirling Albion stars, as well as Scotland Rugby Internationalist George Horne and Dundee United midfielder Lewis O’Donnell – a former Dunblane High pupil.
Active Stirling has generously gifted the use of Forthbank Stadium for the event and the club’s Mini Binos will keep the crowd entertained at half time.
Between an online fundraiser, raffles and tickets sold so far for the match, the effort has pulled in almost £12,000 before a ball is kicked.
Murray’s case was highlighted at the Scottish Parliament this week. The topic was discussed at First Ministers’ Questions yesterday. First Minister John Swinney said: “We’ve got to encourage young people to see social media activity in perspective with the rest of their activities so encouraging healthy, active lifestyles is important too.”
He added: “Parliament has already discussed some of the very acute dangers and the question that was put to me by Evelyn Tweed some months ago about the tragic case in Dunblane.
“We have to make sure there is wide understanding of the difficulties and challenges that arise from the overuse of social media.”
Tickets for the match are priced at £7 for adults, £5 for under-18s and £3 for under 12s and are available now from https://stirlingalbionfc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/murrays_match
Anyone who cannot make it along for the match, but who would still like to make a charitable donation, can do so at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/all-donations-are-in-memory-of-murray-dowey