ARDENCAPLE Football Club celebrated 50 golden years at the club’s fifth annual sports dinner in Helensburgh.

Half a century on from the formation of the club, sponsors and invited guests, along with players’ parents, friends and club coaches packed into the Osprey Suite at the Commodore Hotel for the occasion.

Caple ambassador Alex Fleming hosted the evening – hot on the heels of hosting players’ functions for Rangers and Manchester United – while top table guests included another club ambassador, Murdo MacLeod, and his wife Mhairi, local MSP Jackie Baillie, new club sponsor Jim Schultz, comedian Des Clarke and former Motherwell and Morton player John Gahagan, the undisputed best after-dinner speaker on the circuit.

Club sponsors attending included LC Roofing, M&T Builders, Helensburgh Toyota, Raeburn Hope, Howieson Financial, Gavinburn Cottages, MacLeod Fulton, Scottia Barbers, Peter Canero Wellness, Dyno Plumbing and Helensburgh Floorplan as well as others from further afield such as Nine Twenty Recruitment.

Scott Cameron of local firm LC Roofing said: “We’ve sponsored all five dinners to date and thoroughly enjoyed each and every one.

“This year though has got to the best. Caple just keep raising the bar higher every year.

“The evening was so well organised and it was great seeing so many local faces supporting such a great football club that has now become a local institution.”

Following a quick draw of raffle prizes, club secretary Euan Birss offered a vote of thanks to everyone involved in the planning and preparation for the event, as well as to all the sponsors, guests and local businesses that support Caple so generously. A late licence and disco rounded off the night’s entertainment.

Ardencaple chairman Craig Holborn said: “A massive thanks to all who attended this evening, to all who helped in organising the event and to all our friends and sponsors whose support is so very much appreciated.

“Yet another fabulous night of fund-raising has generated around £7,500 in funds – an amazing amount that not only contributes significantly to the financial stability of our club but also helps us to support other causes and folks less fortunate than ourselves.”