Published: Wednesday, 24th June, 2009 4:40pm

Rangers apologise for party 'fiasco'

by Angela Murphy

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A RENFREW schoolboy was left heartbroken after his favourite football team ruined his birthday party.

Jordan Kerr"s parents shelled out more than £300 to have a Rangers coach entertain him and his friends at his ninth birthday celebrations.

But when the football coach failed to show up, Jordan"s parents were left with 14 devastated youngsters in an empty games hall.

Raging dad Andrew blasted: 'All the kids started getting restless and kept asking "when is the Rangers coach turning up?"

'Jordan"s mum started to panic because we didn"t know what to do with the kids.

'There was absolutely no contact from Rangers to warn us that the coach wasn"t going to show up and when we phoned the club, we were told they wouldn"t be able to deal with it until the following Monday.'

The birthday boy"s parents paid £12 per head for the party on June 13, which was supposed to include a gift for each child, a special present and a t-shirt for Jordan and even an appearance from club mascot Broxi Bear.

The sporty kids were meant to enjoy a coaching session at a Rangers training day and football-themed goodie bags.

On top of the cost, Jordan"s parents also forked out £57 to hire out the Lagoon Leisure Centre in Paisley.

Andrew added: 'We just find this very unprofessional from a club of Rangers" size and can"t believe what happened.

'I feel very let down by the club, which I have supported all my life.

'The parents of the other kids have told me they will never hold a Rangers party because it was a total fiasco.

'If it wasn"t for the Lagoon providing their own coach for the kids, it would have been a total disaster.'

A Rangers FC spokeperson apologised for the let-down, and added: 'The situation has now been sorted to the family"s satisfaction. Rangers Football Club have contacted the family and have arranged to take Jordan and his friends to Murray Park on Sunday June 28. We have also arranged a bus for the trip to Milngavie and all the children will receive certificates and gifts. Broxi Bear will also be there to welcome the children.'

Jordan Kerr"s parents shelled out more than £300 to have a Rangers coach entertain him and his friends at his ninth birthday celebrations.

But when the football coach failed to show up, Jordan"s parents were left with 14 devastated youngsters in an empty games hall.

Raging dad Andrew blasted: 'All the kids started getting restless and kept asking "when is the Rangers coach turning up?"

'Jordan"s mum started to panic because we didn"t know what to do with the kids.

'There was absolutely no contact from Rangers to warn us that the coach wasn"t going to show up and when we phoned the club, we were told they wouldn"t be able to deal with it until the following Monday.'

The birthday boy"s parents paid £12 per head for the party on June 13, which was supposed to include a gift for each child, a special present and a t-shirt for Jordan and even an appearance from club mascot Broxi Bear.

The sporty kids were meant to enjoy a coaching session at a Rangers training day and football-themed goodie bags.

On top of the cost, Jordan"s parents also forked out £57 to hire out the Lagoon Leisure Centre in Paisley.

Andrew added: 'We just find this very unprofessional from a club of Rangers" size and can"t believe what happened.

'I feel very let down by the club, which I have supported all my life.

'The parents of the other kids have told me they will never hold a Rangers party because it was a total fiasco.

'If it wasn"t for the Lagoon providing their own coach for the kids, it would have been a total disaster.'

A Rangers FC spokeperson apologised for the let-down, and added: 'The situation has now been sorted to the family"s satisfaction. Rangers Football Club have contacted the family and have arranged to take Jordan and his friends to Murray Park on Sunday June 28. We have also arranged a bus for the trip to Milngavie and all the children will receive certificates and gifts. Broxi Bear will also be there to welcome the children.'