Grassroots football hero Linda Riddoch, from Blantyre travelled to Hampden Park for the 2019 national Scottish FA Grassroots Football Awards, in partnership with McDonald’s and the Sunday Mail, where they were honoured for their incredible work in the local community.
The prestigious ceremony was held on Thursday 19th September and saw Linda crowned as the 2019 Football Mum of the Year Award winner. Linda had already been recognised at a regional level thanks to their work with Blantyre Soccer Academy.
The Grassroots Football Awards, which are now in their seventeenth year, recognise and celebrate volunteers and clubs across Scotland who dedicate their time to local grassroots football. The event was attended by 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.
Linda is the Club Secretary at her son’s club Blantyre Soccer Academy, where she goes above and beyond to make sure everything behind the scenes at the club runs smoothly. On top of her role as Club Secretary she also organises their festivals, handles all their equipment and kit and helps manage the clubs grant applications.
All these roles make her incredibly busy, but her dedication and commitment to Blantyre Soccer Academy and the grassroots community make her a very deserving 2019 McDonald’s Football Mum of the Year.
Fun Football Ambassador Suzanne Winters commented: “As a football mum myself, I understand how difficult it can be to juggle everything, but Linda has shown true dedication and passion towards Blantyre Academy which is outstanding. It is so important that mothers are a part of grassroots football and I am delighted to have met Linda as her hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed, she is this year’s deserving winner of the 2019 McDonald’s Football Mum of the Year Award.”
Scotland Manager Steve Clarke, who was in attendance at the awards, 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.”
The McDonald’s and Scottish FA Grassroots Football Awards are part of McDonald’s ongoing Community Partnership with the Scottish FA. To find out more about McDonald’s partnership with The Scottish FA visit www.mcdonalds.co.uk/funfootball or on Twitter @FunFootballUK.
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