Football legend reached final of charity tournament in Thailand

Stephen Quigg, who started and finished his career at Largs Thistle, and lives in the town, was part of a Scotland side put together for the big footballing spectacle which was returning after a four year break due to the pandemic.

The seniors international tournament has been running for several years in Thailand, with Quigg's former Kilwinning Rangers teammate Alan McTurk first assembling a Scots team to compete in the tournament in 2011.

This year, Paul Donnelly and Grant Tierney, formerly of Dunfermline and Livingston respectively, were the managers while McTurk recovers from a bout of ill health.

What a blast! Stephen Quigg (Image: Newsquest)

The Thai FA first kicked off a seniors World Cup in 2005 following the previous year's Tsunami to help the country's recovery and boost tourism.

It has stayed put in the country's footballing calendar, and the Masters spin-off competition has similar charitable aims as it supports local schools and projects.

All the money raised goes to the charity with the flights and other costs paid for by the players taking part.

Quigg, who is originally from Greenock, described it as an incredible and enriching experience, with Scotland getting so close to silverware, overcoming host nation Thailand, before winning the semi final against a highly fancied England side 3-1, losing out in the final 2-1 to Iran who even boasted an ex-Champions League player.

The 53-year-old, who won the Scottish Cup with Largs Thistle in 1994 and Arthurlie four years later, said: "It has been a great standard but the heat is a real challenge.

"Iran had a lad who played in champions league with Galatasaray in Turkey so that tells you standard but us as a group we have done amazing.

"I  am proud of all the lads getting to final, beating England along the way and the hosts Thailand, but just fell short at final hurdle.

"We went to the local school and had the privilege of putting the young kids through their paces.

"I can honestly speak for all the lads in saying that it probably made the trip and to see the kids enjoying themselves was amazing.

"Scotland Vets presented the school with loads of kit, balls and a very generous cash boost for the school.

"It brings everything into perspective of how lucky we are back home which made the trip so worthwhile. I’ve had a blast."

While Quigg was not on the scoresheet, he very much played his part in the international fixtures with some great assist and teamwork play on show, and certainly paid dividends as Scotland reached the final.

He said: "We played some amazing football and I had a hand in the build up to a couple and the goal but never grabbed one for myself but it’s a team game."

Quigg's career began in the late 1980s and saw him top the Ayrshire junior league scoring charts, while he also featured briefly for Clydebank.

He played for Largs Amateurs well into his 40s and also had a stint as Largs Thistle's manager between 2004 and 2007, alongside his Scottish Cup winning team-mate Archie Halley.

Keeping it in the family, Quigg's son Aaron is currently coming up through the ranks at Kilmarnock FC.