We were saddened to hear that Diamonds legend Billy McPheat is in poor health, and would like to share his family's campaign to raise funds for Alzheimer Scotland.

​

Billy, who wore the jersey between 1966 and 1971, is in a care home in Cumbernauld after being diagnosed with the disease, and his daughter Norma explained: "Unfortunately he is now at the stage where he is unable to walk, talk or recognise us.

​

"He has lost weight, but honestly he is still as strong as an ox when he squeezes your hand!

​

"We have many photos of his footballing days, some of which are up on the walls at the home. I love to remember how he was, a big strong, proud man.

​

"Alzheimers is a horrible disease and any donations collected will be greatly appreciated."

​

You can visit Norma's JustGiving page if you wish to donate. JustGiving sends your donation straight to Alzheimer Scotland and automatically reclaims Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer, so your donation is worth even more.

​

Billy played all of his five seasons with Airdrie in the top flight, making 161 appearances and scoring 34 goals. As inside-forward to Davie Marshall's spearhead role, he is remembered as one half of a very physical strike partnership who probably wouldn't be tolerated in today's game!

​

Billy had gone from Caldercruix to Sunderland as a teenager in 1959, and was making a name for himself in England's second tier alongside centre-forward Brian Clough, who was by then a goalscoring legend in the north-east through his exploits with Middlesbrough and Sunderland. A broken leg curtailed Billy's career in England, and he returned home to Airdrie after a lengthy battle to regain fitness.

​

We are sure that all Airdrie fans will share our sadness in hearing of Billy's condition, and we know that any donations made will be greatly appreciated by the family.