Supporters of Nottingham football are being urged to help raise funds for former Forest and County star, John 'Billy' Brindley, who was rushed to hospital last week following his latest health scare.
The one-time Nottingham Forest and Notts County defender spent thirteen years playing on either side of the Trent in a star-studded Reds side of the sixties before moving to Meadow Lane, enjoying two promotions in six years there.
After hanging up his boots, Bill went into a sales environment working for the Vileda group as well as stepping into management on the local non-league scene.
In 2005, however, Brindley was forced out of the game, resigning from his post at non-league Arnold Town as he awaits life-saving liver and kidney transplants.
For the last two years Brindley has been unable to work at all, and travels regularly to the affectionately-known 'Jimmy's' hospital in Leeds for specialist treatment.
His dwindling health, though, has only roused his friends and former colleagues to rally round in arranging a series of fundraising events for the former star, which culminate with a performance from top local rock & roll group Revival later this week.
The band will play a rendition of hits from the sixties and seventies, and will be joined at County's Meadow Club by a who's who of Nottingham's footballers of the past.
Local businessman and life-long friend of Billy's, Neil Footitt will also be in attendance and is sure Friday's events can round off a fitting tribute to his childhood friend. He said: "Billy's good hearted and has always had time for the fans, so obviously he's extremely popular.
"He must have known half of Nottingham, and I'm sure half of Nottingham knew him! That gives you an idea of the esteem he was held in, and the standing of the man.
"Billy's a real character and I'm not alone in thinking, if he was well enough, then he'd be up there giving his famed rendition of 'Chantilly Lace' by the Big Bopper!
Footitt was quick to underline the importance of the fundraising and Friday's events to the Meadows-born Brindley, who left County for Gillingham over thirty years ago now.
"Bill didn't play in a time where players make six or seven figure figures in a year, and so could not retire on the back of his football alone," Neil said.
"He's not been able to work for the last couple of years, the funds raised are obviously a big help to him and his wife.
"We've raised around £30,000 at the minute, and I'm sure another couple of thousand will come from Friday's event.
"This (the funds) is to help Bill and his family out at a time where life is at it's hardest."
The event will be held at Notts County' Meadow Club, and Footitt is urging those interested to get down to help out the fundraising, saying: "We'd be delighted to see anyone down there on March 30, and it really is the more the merrier!"
Tickets are priced at just £10 each and can be purchased from Les Bradd at Notts County on 0115 955 7244.
Doors open at the Meadow Club at 7pm, with dancing from 8.15.