Snooker star John Higgins shrugs off scandal to help boys' club

SCANDAL-hit snooker star John Higgins laughed off his match-fixing allegations as he presented awards at a football team's awards ceremony.

In one of his first public appearances since footage appeared of him apparently agreeing to throw matches, Higgins, 35, stepped in as the special guest at the boys' football club to present trophies.

Officials at the East End Thistle Football Club had been left in a panic after two footballers they had originally booked failed to show up.

Worried the under-10 players would be disappointed club officials launched a frantic search for a replacement, even phoning local radio stations and football clubs.

A player's parent knew a friend of Higgins and after a call, the player immediately headed for the Goals centre in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, to save the day.

Club staff said Higgins, who is currently suspended from the game, was in good form and even jokingly asked them if someone had made a bet that he wouldn't turn up.

Alex Kerr, one of the team's coaches, said: "John Higgins showed up within 45 minutes of us calling him and he was more than happy to help.

"The boys were over the moon. He had a quick introduction to the team coach and moved seamlessly into presenting the boys' trophies. Afterwards, he stayed to sign autographs and pose for pictures."

It was the first time Higgins has been seen in public since his son's first communion in May, shortly after the scandal broke.