With the onset of Covid-19 last March and continued restrictions eating into the current 2020-2021 season, Scottish Amateur Football Clubs are seriously having to re-consider if Player of the Year presentation nights will return any time soon.
Over the years I have been invited to attend many an event where serious consideration had gone into selecting the Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year, or a Loyalty Award to a Club Committee Member, who had worked countless hours behind the scenes ensuring everything run smoothly during training nights or on Match Days – and why not as those Men and Ladies are worth their weight in gold especially during a pandemic?
Now, this may exist somewhere in the membership of 1,050 Amateur teams, but if they ever discover a “Club Dependable – Never Makes a Fuss Award,” Easthall Star FC Manager Danny Cameron has a sure-fire candidate.
Take a bow IAN GILLIES, aged 51 (yes that’s correct 51), and still pulling the boots on after 18 seasons.
Danny told me: “He is unbelievable!”
“Guys like him are Supermen. Ian only played about 6 games last season, but is there first to the training and games , and if he can’t make it for any reason is right on the phone.”
As I mentioned in Wednesdays exclusive, Easthall Star have reached 30 years, and a whole host of players stayed much longer than expected!
Striker Craig Smith is the club’s all-time goalscorer following a 21-year stint.
Danny revealed “Craig left Rangers Boys’ Club aged 16 to sign for me.”
“I don’t know how many times I asked him if he didn’t want to go and play at a higher level than us, but the answer was always the same – ” No, I am enjoying it here!”
“I tried to mention quite a few names past and present in your Wednesday article. Now in this one can you add in Gerald McMahon, who played for 19 years and is a good friend.”
“Also George Scott, who was with me off and on for 20 years.”
Delighted to oblige!
Thanks to Danny Cameron for supplying the photographs.
