ALLY McCoist and community campaigners have held crunch talks with Renfrewshire Council’s top boss over upgrading the outdoor sports facilities at Gryffe High School in Johnstone. 

Houston United kickstarted a petition — which has been signed by around 800 people — urging chief executive Sandra Black to overhaul the run down red blaes pitch at the school. 

And the fate of the campaign now lies in the hands of councillors, after it was agreed at a special meeting that a motion will be put forward at May’s full council summit. 

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Rangers and Scotland legend McCoist, who lives in Bridge of Weir, said: “We’re hoping this can be a facility for everybody.

“I’m moaning at my kids for sitting playing computers, but I just think we can give them a facility they can be proud of, one that will make them go out and want to play football, rugby, athletics, whatever it may be. 

“We’ve had so much support so far and we’ve not even started yet. We just want to get our teeth into it.

Glasgow Times: James Nesbitt and Brian O'Discroll have also backed the campaign James Nesbitt and Brian O'Discroll have also backed the campaign

“The chief executive, Sandra Black, was fantastic. She knows where we’re coming from. We know it’s not an easy task, but we look at it as a challenge and we are up for that challenge.”

Houston United coach Alasdair Burns described the meeting as “very positive”.

He explained: “Myself, Ally McCoist, Councillor Scott Kerr and Councillor Jim Sheridan met with the chief executive of Renfrewshire Council to discuss the dilapidated red blaes pitches at Gryffe High School last week.

“It was a very positive meeting where we talked through our campaign goals and how we can work with the council to get the best possible outcome for all the communities that are served by Gryffe High School. 

“Ally talked about the current facilities and his views on them and how we need to be creating facilities that encourage children and local communities to participate in sport.

“His view was that the current facilities are not suitable for modern sport.

“He chatted through the huge benefits that new upgraded facilities will bring in terms of mental and general health improvements.

“Evidence shows an increase in attainment levels for school children who participate regularly in sports.”

The motion, which will be presented to councillors to vote upon on Thursday, May 9, states: “This council agrees to commission a business case and research report looking at the viability of upgrading the dilapidated red blaes mineral area at Gryffe High School and report back to full council in a timeous fashion.”

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Alasdair urged councillors to support the campaign. 

He added: “We encourage all of our elected members, including those who represent Houston, to back us and the communities they serve.

“It is important that they support this motion.”

Visit the peition here.