FORFAR Athletic will this afternoon take delivery of the vital extra floodlights that will ensure Sky TV goes ahead with its money-spinning live coverage of tomorrow's glamour Homecoming Scottish Cup encounter with Rangers.
The Third Division club were told the satellite station would require brighter lighting to screen the match tomorrow evening following the postponement of the tie on the original date nine days ago. The Station Park outfit have forked out £8,500 for
two sets of floodlights, which will be erected outside the ground in the corners opposite the main stand in time for the match.
David McGregor, the Forfar secretary, explained: "We've got two banks of floodlights coming up from a company in Bolton. We had to pay a 50 per cent deposit which we wouldn't have got back if the game had been off, but we took the gamble and we're happy that the pitch is now perfect.
"Other clubs have had to do it, so we're happy to do the same and we're just desperate to get the game played now."
Forfar are expected to raise about £120,000 from the match thanks to a sell-out crowd and the revenue from Sky.
Meanwhile, Stenhousemuir's promotion push has been dealt a significant blow with the news that captain Steven Ferguson is set to retire next month to take up a coaching position at the Scottish Football Association.
Ferguson, who is also the Third Division outfit's first-team coach, is working a month's notice at Ochilview after landing the full-time post.
Manager John Coughlin said: "Steven Ferguson has got a three-year contract, so it's good security for him and it was an opportunity he could not knock back. He goes with our blessing and we are delighted for him."
• The Berwick Rangers and Annan Athletic clash which was postponed on Saturday has been rescheduled for Tuesday, 24 February, at 7.45pm.
• The Scotland against England Under-18 schoolboy international on 17 April at New St Mirren Park is to be shown live on Sky Sports.
The full article contains 353 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
