MUSEUM staff are on the hunt for untold stories about boxing legend Benny Lynch.

Benny is to be the subject of a new Glasgow Museums display that will bring his two world trophies together for the first time in 70 years.

But organisers need tales from people who remember the famous sportsman to be recorded and played at the exhibition.

Marie McLelland, secretary of campaign group Remembering Benny Lynch, which wants a statue erected of the Gorbals's most famous son, said: "This display is a great way for us to highlight our campaign to have a statue for Benny.

"There are many people out there who have stories of Benny and we want to capture that for the exhibition.

"To have the people of Glasgow tell their stories of Benny would be a great tribute in itself and would demonstrate how fondly he is remembered."

Glasgow Times:

Open Museum outreach worker Kevin Kerrigan had read about the campaign by local people to fund a statue of Benny.

Benny learned his sport in carnival booths but went on to become world flyweight champion before a battle with alcohol got the better of him.

Kevin checked the Glasgow Museums Resource Centre database and discovered the city had Benny's world championship trophy, presented to Benny in 1937 when he retained the world championship in a fight against Peter Kane at Shawfield Park.

The other, Benny's European winning trophy, is on loan from Glasgow businessman Willie Haughey.

Kevin Kerrigan, Outreach Assistant with the Open Museum said: “I saw the Benny Lynch campaign on social media and given that my grandfather sparred with the legend I was intrigued.

“I looked on the museum’s database and discovered that the city had Benny’s world championship trophy.

"I dug out the appropriate box and was pleased to discover the trophy that was presented to Benny in 1937, so I got in touch with the group."

Mr Kerrigan added: “I am delighted to be assisting the group in creating a travelling exhibition that will open at the Gorbals Library in time for Benny’s birthday in early April.

"Not only will it show this trophy, but Willie Haughey, who purchased Benny’s European winning trophy from the same year at a charity auction, has very kindly agreed to loan the trophy to complete the display.

“We are just putting the finishing touches to the other stories, items and photographs that will go on show and I’m sure it will be a popular display when it is unveiled later this spring.

“I also hope it will help the group realise their ultimate ambition of having a statue of the world champion erected in his home city.”

The exhibition will be on display in Gorbals Library before touring the city.

Stories are needed by March 25 and anyone who could be of help should contact penny4benny@outlook.com