A CELTIC fan who has been sitting on 'paradise' for more than 20 years after buying ex-club chairman Fergus McCann's seat at a charity auction is set to help his chosen good cause again — by selling it.

Greenock man Gerry Quigley paid £800 for the historic green leather Parkhead main stand perch during a fundraiser for the Beatson Cancer Charity back in 1999.

But he says it could now be worth 'thousands' after consulting valuation experts McTear's Auctioneers, reports our sister title The Greenock Telegraph. 

Glasgow Times:

Retired architect Gerry — who once designed a house in Edinburgh for former Rangers manager Graeme Souness — is now planning to put the McCann seat under the hammer again.

And McTear's have pledged to waive their fees in order to raise as much money as possible for the cancer charity.

Gerry told the Tele: "You've got to have a sense of purpose in selling something, so it's going back.

"Maybe Celtic themselves will buy it, but we'll see.

"It's for the same purpose, for the Beatson."

Glasgow Times:

Gerry — whose late sister Maureen was treated at the Beatson — added: "I saw the seat at auction back in 1999 and I thought, 'Wait a minute here'.

"I always judged Fergus McCann from a business point of view, so in that sense I could maybe see the future because I used to say to people, 'He might get booed by people now, but you watch'."

McCann is credited by many with laying the foundations for Celtic's transformation into the football club it is today.

Celtic donated his seat to a charitable sportsman's dinner 23 years ago.

After buying it, Gerry took it to a host of other events where people got to sit on it in return for a contribution towards the cancer charity.

However, in more recent years it's been in 'private isolation' in his garage.

Gerry — who has spoken with expert Brian Clements at McTear's about the potential value of the seat — said: "He thinks thousands but he says once you tag on the charitable element it could go for a lot.

"Brian says if Celtic want to get it for the museum and someone else really wants it, it could be a bidding war."

Mr Clements said: "Fergus McCann is a huge figure in Celtic's history and anything associated with the club's former chairman will always attract interest.

"Gerry has had the chair for a number of years and it's credit to him that he is now looking to use this fascinating piece of memorabilia to raise funds for the Beatson Cancer Charity.

"In return, we have said that if and when the chair goes to auction, we would waive all fees to ensure that the maximum amount possible goes to the charity."

Glasgow Times:

A spokesperson for the charity said: "We are thankful that the Quigley family have once again considered us to benefit from their fundraising efforts and hope the sporting auction is a great success."

But Gerry has told of his one regret as he prepares to sell the McCann seat.

He said: "I would love to have got one of his bunnets!"