A TRANENT cancer warrior and father-of-five is the new sponsor of Musselburgh Windsor amateurs for the 2021/2022 season.

Johnnie Meechan, 43, of Coalgate Avenue, was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour, also called NET cancer, in his liver and stomach five years ago. Since his terminal diagnosis, Johnnie has raised thousands of pounds for various charities and advocated passionately for NET cancer awareness.

Johnnie and his family were invited to join members of Musselburgh Windsor at Whitecraig Park on Saturday to watch their match against Musselburgh United, which finished in a 3-3 draw.

At the match, the new strip was unveiled and Johnnie was gifted a framed version of the shirt, which he said would “take pride of place in his home”.

East Lothian Courier: Johnnie is proud to sponsor the football club and continue raising awareness for the cancer he is battlingJohnnie is proud to sponsor the football club and continue raising awareness for the cancer he is battling

On his Johnnie’s Journey social media platforms, the fundraiser said: “This is a great move not only for Johnnie’s Journey but also spreading the awareness of NET cancer, which is a big part of why the journey exists.

“It was great to meet everyone and watch some honest football. Weather was glorious, I love how the kits turned out, they look awesome.”

Musselburgh Windsor posted on social media on Saturday: “Today we wore our new strips with the Johnnie’s Journey sponsorship on the front to promote awareness of a not rare but relatively unknown aggressive cancer.

“Great to see Johnnie down with us for a game and we hope to see him again soon.”

Johnnie paid special thanks to Windsor goalkeeper and childhood friend William Turner.

William, from Lochend, Edinburgh, and Johnnie have been close friends since the age of eight after growing up just a street apart in Edinburgh.

In September, William will tackle Mont Ventoux, in the Provence region of southern France, in a cycling challenge to raise funds and awareness for Johnnie’s Journey and NET cancer.

East Lothian Courier: William Turner, Musselburgh Windsor goalkeeper, will fundraise in France for Johnnie's Journey in September William Turner, Musselburgh Windsor goalkeeper, will fundraise in France for Johnnie's Journey in September

The physically demanding cycle will see William travel to the summit of the mountain – used as stage 11 in this year’s Tour de France – and down again three times from three different towns: Bédoin, Malaucène and Sault.

Each climb is about 21km long with gradients of up to 12 per cent; in total, he will ride for approximately 137km.

William said: “My good friend Johnnie had an amputation early in life after an initial battle with cancer.

“Five years ago after feeling unwell and being reassessed, it was discovered that Johnnie had a neuroendocrine tumour.

“With this horrendous news, he decided to raise awareness of a not rare but little known condition by selflessly fundraising through several channels.

“As recently as Christmas last year, during the pandemic, a sizeable four-figure sum of money was raised to help foodbanks all over East Lothian.

“All money raised will be donated to charities of Johnnie’s choosing across Edinburgh and the Lothians.”

To donate to William’s Justgiving page, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/johnniesjourneytourdebunsen