One last donation made as lottery scheme closes
Montrose Community Trust received a £1,000 donation following the closure of a lottery scheme that benefitted local football in and around the town for the past 18 years.
Montrose Lucky Numbers, set up initially in 2008, was run jointly by Montrose FC and Montrose Roselea JFC, giving participants three chances to win for just a £1 weekly stake.
The scheme has been incredibly popular with many regular participants over the years, and having run for almost two decades, has raised just short of £350,000, 40 per cent of which has been paid out in prize money to hundreds of winners.
Scheme co-founder and promoter Stuart Robertson admitted that changing habits have forced the lottery to close.
He said: “Having been involved with this lottery from the start, this is indeed a sad day, and the decision to close the scheme was an extremely difficult one.
“Whilst we enjoyed many, many successful years, latterly peoples betting habits have moved more online, so we were finding it increasingly challenging to maintain sales.
“But we can certainly all be very proud that since 2008 we have raised almost £200,000 to support local football in and around Montrose and I would like to personally thank all those who sold or bought one of our tickets down the years.”
Montrose lost 3-1 as they travelled to bottom side Kelty Hearts in League One on Saturday.
After a goalless first half the home side went in front on 51 minutes with former Brechin City midfielder Aaron Arnott scoring a penalty.
Eleven minutes later Montrose equalised as good work from Lewis Gibson saw him set up Blair Lyons to sweep the ball home.
However, Kelty would go back in front in the 68th minute as Lewis Moore’s low ball to the back post was put away by Cameron Cooper.
Eight minutes from time Cooper wrapped up the points, finding himself in acres of space to slip the ball past Harry Sharp.
Montrose had already secured their League One status for next season prior to the back to back defeat to Cove Rangers in midweek and Kelty at the weekend.
A play-off spot looks unlikely, sitting eight points off fourth with three games to go – the first being at home to Hamilton Accies on Saturday.