Made the front page and page 15 in todays Journal:
A FORMER football star whose career was ended by a near-fatal car crash is working with a unique Northumberland charity which saves dogs from death row.
Mike Galloway – who was capped by Scotland in the 1990s – is doing regular volunteer work with Bedlington-based Safe Homes and Kindness (SHAK), which rescues and cares for large and aggressive animals which would otherwise be put down.
Berwick-born Mike, 45, played for Hearts before moving to Glasgow giants Celtic, where he spent six years from 1989 to 1995.
It was during his time at Parkhead that the powerful midfielder and defender won his solitary Scotland cap, against Romania in 1992.
It was after moving to Leicester City in 1995 that he suffered the horrendous car accident, which broke nearly every bone in his body and left him in a coma for six weeks.
His injuries forced him to give up playing, but he moved to Wooler about 18 months ago and is currently managing the town’s football team, which plays in the North Northumberland League.
Mike, who owns a Border Collie, got involved with SHAK after looking for volunteering work. The charity’s founder, Stephen Wylie of Bedlington, is a massive Celtic fan and former season ticket holder at Parkhead.
Mike said: “The whole thing about SHAK just appealed to me so much. The charity is absolutely amazing and I would like to help them as much as I can.”
Stephen, 36, set up SHAK to rescue and look after dogs such as German Shepherds, rottweilers and cross-breeds languishing in pounds and shelters, and about to be put down. He said: “Getting Mike on board is great for me because I used to go and watch him play in the 1990s when I had a Celtic season ticket. He wants to help raise our profile and raise funds.” More information about SHAK and its work can be found at www.shak.org.uk
Mike Galloway a key player for dog charity SHAK - Bedlington News - Bedlington - Northumberland - JournalLive
