Former Scotland and Motherwell manager Craig Brown will be the star guest when a biennial sports event which combines sport and religion returns to Irvine in March.

Faith n Fitba, organised by Sports Chaplaincy UK, is being staged in Fullarton Connexions on Saturday, March 9. This will be the ninth event to be held and another big turnout is expected.

Fullarton Church minister the Rev Neil Urquhart is helping organise the evening.

He said: “Craig is very supportive of Sports Chaplaincy and is a patron of Sports Chaplaincy Scotland and Sports Chaplaincy UK.

“He has appreciated their support over the years.

“He has spoken at the the sports chaplaincy training before and it’s on the back of that he is helping us out this time.

“Craig has been on a journey as a Christian but his brother has been a church minister.

“He has grown up in a faith background and in later life it has become more important to him.

“On the night he will refer to his faith. In later life faith has become more important to Craig. He was a real legend as Scotland manager.

“We also hope to have an international player who is very happy to talk about his faith and he will either be there on the night or we will have a video interview with him.

“The player is a very committed Christian and is more than happy to talk about his faith.

“Mark Fleming of Sports Chaplaincy Scotland will also be talking on the night. Hopefully one of the lady chaplains will also talk.

“Chaplains are friends in times of need at football clubs.

“They don’t have the club agenda at heart and are neutral.

“They can talk about issues like mental health or marriage breakdowns or bereavement.

“Sometimes you have the chance to marry them or bless their babies. But our primary focus is pastoral support.

“If people want to talk about faith or access your support in a religious way that is available.”

Neil added: “Hopefully this event will help encourage people to share their faith.

“Our aims are to intrigue people in the Christian faith, have a celebration of football and to raise money for Sports Chaplaincy Scotland.

“All senior football clubs now have a chaplain and they are also growing in junior football.

“It’s great we’re using Fullarton Connexions for the event. It’s centrally located and near the station.”

Among past speakers at the event are former referee Michael McCurry, ex-Kilmarnock captain Ray Montgomerie, David Gio, former Bristol Rovers champion, former Scotland and Aberdeen star Brian Irvine, referee Ross Haswell.

Others have included former Killie manager Kenny Shiels and ex-assistant boss Jimmy Nicholl along with ex-Portsmouth ace Linvoy Primus and Scotland international Ikechi Anya.

A three-course meal will be served on the night and there will be licensed bar.

For tickets log on to www.fullartonconnexions. co.uk, or call Mark McIntee on 0788 209 9830, or Kenny Hankinson on 0785 222 67643.