VOLUNTEERS COLLECT NATIONAL GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL AWARDS AT HAMPDEN PARK

On Thursday 19^th September, eleven volunteers and clubs from Scotland attended the 2019 SFA & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards national ceremony, held at Hampden Park to collect awards after being named national winners.

The SFA & McDonald’s Grassroots Football, recognise and celebrate volunteers and clubs across Scotland who dedicate their time to local grassroots football. The awards are now in their seventeenth year and the winners join a long list of inspirational grassroots football heroes who have collected their well deserved awards at Hampden Park.

The winners in full are:

·         Football Restaurant of the Year – Andy Gibson, McDonald’s Mary Hill Road

·         Football Mum of the Year – Linda Riddoch

·         Best Volunteer in Youth Football – Alexander Thomson

·         Best Volunteer in Adult Football – Larry Barilli

·         Best Para-Football Project – Ayrshire College

·         Best Volunteer in Girls’/Women’s Football – Chelsea Raymond

·         Best Community Football for All Project – St Peters Football & Netball Club

·         Best Community Football Club – Bonnyrigg Rose

·         Best Professional Club in the Community – Dundee United Community Trust

·         Best Young Volunteer – Matthew Sim, Turriff United Youth FC

·         People’s Award – Euan Macleod, Lewis and Harris Football Association

The winners accepted their awards from football legends including Scotland manager Steve Clarke, Scotland Women’s midfielder Caroline Weir, Kilmarnock and Scotland right back Stephen O’Donnell and former Scottish international player, Suzanne Winters.

Scotland Manager Steve Clarke said: “Congratulations to all of the award winners and nominees. I think when you attend nights like these it makes you realise; we are put up on a level that is seen as elite and that’s totally wrong – everyone at the awards are the elite. These awards show how humble you should be in the company of so many great people. Grassroots football is key to everything and if you make it fun for the kids then they’ll come through. Awards like these show that the future of Scottish football is very bright.”

McDonald’s is the longest-standing supporter of grassroots football in the UK and through this partnership, McDonald’s continues to champion the tireless volunteers who dedicate countless hours to provide enjoyable football to children and young adults regardless of age, gender or disability.

In addition to championing volunteers, McDonald’s has committed to providing over 5 million hours of fun football to 5-11 year olds and giving 500,000 children the chance to play football for the first time by 2022 through Fun Football Centres and other initiatives across the UK.

For further information on how to get involved in McDonald’s Fun Football initiative visit  www.mcdonalds.co.uk/funfootball