Hamilton Accies reveals newest team member

Hamilton Accies have revealed their new team member, Guy the rhino created in memory of Accies fan, Graham Guy!

Article Source: The Big Stampede
Last Updated: 2 June 2017 14:23

As any football fan knows, it’s important to have big game players in your team and they don’t come much bigger than Hamilton Accies’ latest signing, Guy.

The 40kg beast joined the players at a recent training session as part of the Club’s sponsorship of The BIG Stampede, a large scale art and tourist trail that launches in Hamilton later this month (Friday 23rd June).

The giant rhino sculpture was designed by local Hamilton artist, Angela Nisbet, who wanted to create something special for the Club to commemorate the recent death of devoted Hamilton Accies supporter, Graham Guy who passed away earlier this year.

The special sculpture will be swapping the pitch for Hamilton’s New Cross Shopping Centre later this month when he joins over 100 other animals including lions, elephants, giraffes, gorillas and hippos on the safari themed trail.

Commenting on the design, Angela Nisbet, said: “It’s a real honour to have created Guy for Hamilton Accies and to have him meet the players was fantastic. I wanted to create something special for both the Club and for Graham’s family and this felt like a great way to honour his love for Hamilton Accies. I’m excited to see Guy on the trail and can’t wait for the Club’s fans to visit him in his new home.”

Catriona McRoberts, Personal Assistant, Head of Youth Development Community Trust Manager, added: "We feel privileged to be involved in The BIG Stampede and are committed to raising much needed funds for our children in Scotland via the Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity; reflecting the Club's ethos of combining our sporting influence and positive community engagement for the greater good.

“Upon learning that Angela's family was friendly with Graham Guy's, it felt right that this magnificent work of art be named after him. We hope that through sharing where the name derived, it will carry a strong message, not only reflecting our appreciation to our Club's supporters but acknowledging the sheer courage, strength and determination faced by Graham and others affected by such a cruel illness.

“We hope this will also bring a little comfort to Graham's family when considering that across Lanarkshire and beyond people will always long associate Graham with the Accies. We hope people enjoy seeing him his new home along with the rest of the fantastic sculptures on The BIG Stampede.”

Organised by Hamilton Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with Wild in Art, The BIG Stampede will transform Hamilton into a sculptural animal kingdom from June to August 2017. The event will bring businesses, artists and schools together to create a spectacular and colourful trail which will positively contribute to the economic, social and cultural life of the town. After the trail, the sculptures, including Guy, will go to auction for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.

Gareth Walker, BID Manager at Hamilton BID, said: “Angela has done a fantastic job with her creation of Guy and it was brilliant to join him on his visit to meet the team. With just a few weeks to go, it’s exciting to see all the animals coming together as we countdown to the launch of The BIG Stampede. Any fans of Guy will have the chance to bid for him when the sculptures go up for auction at the end of the trail to raise funds for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.”

For further information about The BIG Stampede visit www.thebigstampede.co.uk.