Fundraiser for Rangers fan who died in Lisbon after Benfica game reaches £20,000

More than £20,000 has been raised to support the family of a Rangers fan who died in Lisbon following their Europa League game.

The club confirmed that father-of-two Thomas McAllister, 25, died on March 7 while abroad with friends to support the Ibrox club.

Rangers said it is in contact with authorities in Portugal and Britain over what it described as a “tragic incident”.

A JustGiving fundraiser page has been created by close friend Andrew Johnston following Mr McAllister’s death with thousands already donated by well-wishers.

Andrew Johnston and Thomas McAllister. Facebook

Mr Johnston, who thought of Mr McAllister like a “wee brother”, told STV News he started the fundraiser after feeling helpless in the face of the news.

“Every penny will go to his family,” he said, “It’s really to bring Thomas home, I was looking at how much it would cost to bring a body back and it was something like £33,000.”

Mr Johnston said that “no one should go to an away game and not come home” adding that the death had affected many people.

“The amount of people the fundraiser has reached has been amazing,” he said.

“I know Thomas would be loving what the Rangers players have said, it brought a smile to my face thinking about that.”

The cause of Mr McAllister’s death is currently unknown as the family awaits the result of a post mortem.

The fundraiser surpassed it’s initial target of £2,500 and as of Monday had raised £21,249.

Mr Johnston expressed his gratitude to everyone who shared and donated, saying it was amazing to see how many people the fundraiser had touched.

Rangers CEO James Bisgrove said in a statement: “On behalf of the club, I want to pass on my sincere condolences to Thomas’ loved ones, family and his friends.

“This news has hit everyone at the club extremely hard, as I am sure it will all of our supporters.

“Nobody should ever go to a football match and not return home.

“The club stands ready to assist Thomas’ family in whichever way we can in the coming days and weeks.”