RIVAL fans from St Mirren and Morton will temporarily kick their long-standing differences into touch as they join forces for a charity football match.

Park Mains High School, in Erskine, will be the venue for the 11-a-side showdown in aid of Cancer Research UK.

It kicks off at 3pm on Sunday and there will also be fun for the whole family to enjoy until 5pm.

The match is the brainchild of Erskine teenager Paul Withers, a student at West College Scotland.

Paul pitched the idea to St Mirren supporters online, receiving an enthusiastic response.

However, he admits to being slightly apprehensive when he approached fans of Saints’ bitter rivals.

Paul, 19, said: “When I mentioned the idea on a Morton supporters’ page, I expected to get a rollicking. However, they’re a great bunch of fans and were all in for the cause.

“I originally thought of the idea as my friend’s aunt sadly died of cancer in November, so I wanted to come up with a way of raising awareness and also raising funds.

“Most of the players taking part are people whose friends and family have been affected by cancer.”

As well as setting up an online crowdfunder, there will be buckets at the side of the pitch on the day, to encourage people to make a donation.

The event is being supported by Paisley nightclub Viennas, where Paul works, as well as West College Scotland and Rex newsagents, in Moss Street, Paisley.

Former St Mirren player and manager Tony Fitzpatrick, who is now the Paisley club’s chief executive, is also getting behind the fundraising drive.

Paul's goal is to raise £500 for charity from this weekend’s match.

Players are donating £10 each to take part in the game and spectators can pay £1 for a sponge ball to lob at the mascots.

And Paul hopes to stage further events that will take the total past £1,000 before the year has ended.

He added: “We are in the process of sorting a trophy, which will go on display at the winning team’s stadium.”